Yesterday was my birthday. I just turned 26, which admittedly, is not a very exciting age. There is no new adventure to be had, no new privilige earned, no new phase of life--in fact, I'm pretty sure nothing changed but the date. In spite of an obvious lack of change, it was a great birthday. Here are some reflections on my life at 26:
1. It was my first birthday as a mom. Asher is now 4 months old and I have never known so strongly that I am fulfilling a calling from God on my life. When I look in those blue eyes, I am moved with love and joy (partly because, he got his eyes from his daddy). Asher is growing up so fast and I am amazed at how God designed him to fit so perfectly into my life. I feel the great responsibility of joining my husband in raising our little man to have a relationship with his Creator. I am excited for the day I hear him say that is his desire. I believe God when He said that if we train our children up in His ways that they will not soon depart from them.
2. Dallas Martin Golden. Wow, I feel like just typing his name should say it all. To me, Dallas is a steady rock, a strength I don't have, a bulwark (over the top?) no matter where life take us. He is always striving to be better even though he is the greatest man I know. He makes me laugh when I've decided to be mad, he helps me think it through when I want to rush in, he gives me perspective when my world view shrinks to only me, and he encourages me in, well, everything. God knew what He was doing when He made Dallas and then brought us together. We are a great team and we are getting even better with all this parental practice we are getting. And, on top of all of that, he gave me a very happy birthday yesterday!
3. My little sister got married. She married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Luke McLeod. I have to be honest, Megan Leigh McLeod, is weird for me to see or say; but, I will get used to it soon, I'm sure! Her wedding was beautiful and she, as always, was gorgeous. I look back and remember the many prayers I have said for her over the years...that she wouldn't go through the insecurities that I did, that she would make the right choices, that she would follow hard after God...and I know that I worried too much about her. She is a wonderful, confident, outstanding woman of God who married a man that I know will lead her to even more in her life that any of us can imagine.
4. My birthday reminded me that 30 is not that far away! I'm not scared of turning 30, but I don't want to get there and look back over the last 4 years wishing for more. I want to commit this year to more, more love, more passion for God, more energy (those toddler years are coming!), more family time, more of the things I am called to do...more.
5. Slightly opposite of my last reflection, I'm learning to be...content, I guess. Haha, obviously not there yet. (Just to clarify, I'm not having some internal war, just saying that I want more of what I need more of and to be content in the areas that are just me wanting to skip ahead.) I don't want to wish time away for sure. I want to enjoy every moment with my son especially. I just keep waiting for that proverbial "there" that I want to get to. I need to stop thinking about that, life is perfect, but I would like to live closer to family, own our house...on and on...list that I have going. Most of the things I want are going to happen soon enough and I have a hunch I won't care about the rest.
All said and done, I have to say that I think my life is pretty good at 26. I'm excited to see where we go from here! (But I don't want to jump ahead, haha!)
Monday, August 15, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Baby Boy-The First 10 Weeks
Asher is now 10 weeks old! I can't believe how fast this has all gone. It seems like just yesterday I found out I was pregnant and now I'm sitting here with this perfect little baby boy! Being a mom is wonderful! He is everything I hoped and more.
The delivery? Well, it hurt, a lot..but it was worth it in the end and I'm proud of myself for doing it naturally! I yelled and thrashed around a little and even kicked a nurse (Sorry! I didn't aim for her or anything!) but all-in-all I think I handled it pretty well! He was so cute and little when he was first born and just slept all the time snuggled up to whoever was holding him. Then, the first couple of weeks had their ups and downs. The only down I would say was just that my milk supply is low and he wasn't gaining weight when we went for his 2 week appointment. The compromise of having to supplement with formula at every feeding sucks, and I had some words with God about it, but in the end I'm thankful to God that I can at least give him some breast milk and then just top him off with formula. He still gets the benefit even if it's not all he eats!
Now, we have hit a good pace in our day to day lives and I really feel like I was made for this! It is amazing to watch him learn and progress even if it is just little milestones every day. Dallas and I get so excited about the little sounds he makes and his little smiles and laughs. We pretty much know he's the most exceptional baby in the world, haha! I think about all the things he'll be able to do after another 10 weeks and I'm so excited, but at the same time I'm happy to be where we are at right now.
We traveled to Tulsa last week and where up in Oklahoma for a whole week. Asher handled it like a champ! It was hard having him sleeping in different places and being stuck in the car seat so long while we traveled, but I'm glad we went. First we had one of Dallas's family reunions to attend. Then, my mom's parents got to meet their first great-grandchild and we dedicated Asher at Wyandotte youth camp. (That's where Dallas and I met!) It was so special to us and we are grateful that Bro. Cecil did the dedication for us. (He's always been one of my heroes) After that, Dallas had to work in Oklahoma for the week and we stayed for Father's Day brunch on Sunday. We broke the traveling up into 2 days on the way back so we got home Monday.
Right now, little man is taking his morning nap. This weekend we have the Golden family reunion near Austin so he better get rested up!
To sum it all up, it's great! We love Asher, he loves us, and Ranger is learning to live with him, haha!
The delivery? Well, it hurt, a lot..but it was worth it in the end and I'm proud of myself for doing it naturally! I yelled and thrashed around a little and even kicked a nurse (Sorry! I didn't aim for her or anything!) but all-in-all I think I handled it pretty well! He was so cute and little when he was first born and just slept all the time snuggled up to whoever was holding him. Then, the first couple of weeks had their ups and downs. The only down I would say was just that my milk supply is low and he wasn't gaining weight when we went for his 2 week appointment. The compromise of having to supplement with formula at every feeding sucks, and I had some words with God about it, but in the end I'm thankful to God that I can at least give him some breast milk and then just top him off with formula. He still gets the benefit even if it's not all he eats!
Now, we have hit a good pace in our day to day lives and I really feel like I was made for this! It is amazing to watch him learn and progress even if it is just little milestones every day. Dallas and I get so excited about the little sounds he makes and his little smiles and laughs. We pretty much know he's the most exceptional baby in the world, haha! I think about all the things he'll be able to do after another 10 weeks and I'm so excited, but at the same time I'm happy to be where we are at right now.
We traveled to Tulsa last week and where up in Oklahoma for a whole week. Asher handled it like a champ! It was hard having him sleeping in different places and being stuck in the car seat so long while we traveled, but I'm glad we went. First we had one of Dallas's family reunions to attend. Then, my mom's parents got to meet their first great-grandchild and we dedicated Asher at Wyandotte youth camp. (That's where Dallas and I met!) It was so special to us and we are grateful that Bro. Cecil did the dedication for us. (He's always been one of my heroes) After that, Dallas had to work in Oklahoma for the week and we stayed for Father's Day brunch on Sunday. We broke the traveling up into 2 days on the way back so we got home Monday.
Right now, little man is taking his morning nap. This weekend we have the Golden family reunion near Austin so he better get rested up!
To sum it all up, it's great! We love Asher, he loves us, and Ranger is learning to live with him, haha!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Happy and Content
I'm sitting in my living room this afternoon with the blinds open so the sunshine can come in. I love being able to turn off all the lights in the house and open the windows while I go about my normal day. It makes me happy and reminds me that it is now Spring. (Well, officially Spring starts on Sunday, but it's close enough!)
Lately, there have been a lot of things going through my mind. I've been trying to make preparations for the arrival of my little boy, Asher. With less than 4 weeks till the due date I'm starting to get that, "there has to be something I'm forgetting to do" feeling. I've also been dealing with pretty much the only bad symptom I've experienced all through this pregnancy, sciatica. That term sounds worse than it is, but basically, it's a pinched nerve in my lower back that hurts quite often. I definitely don't want to complain since everything else is still going great and easily.
Even with these minor worries, anxieties and pains, when I sit down and think about my life, or feel Asher kicking away happily (or maybe crowdidly!), or hang out with Dallas, I am just happy and content. Life isn't perfect, it won't ever be perfect in the literal sense of the word, but it is wonderful!
Thank You, God, for being so good to me and my little family, for an easy pregnancy (and delivery hopefully), and for all the wonderful people You have placed in my life!
Thank you, Dallas, for being supportive, reminding me to have fun, and just being so good to me in general (You're pretty good looking, too, but I guess the thanks for that goes to God!)
Thank you, Ranger, for being a good snuggle dog, making me laugh, and reminding me that I could use some work on my patience!
Thank you, Asher, for letting me sleep every night so far and already being so cute and lovable!
Thank you, family, for calling and asking how I'm doing, worrying about me, praying for me, and telling me I'm a cute pregnant woman.
Thank you, friends, for being excited with me, listening to me talk non-stop about my pregnancy and Asher, and offering help when I need it!
Lately, there have been a lot of things going through my mind. I've been trying to make preparations for the arrival of my little boy, Asher. With less than 4 weeks till the due date I'm starting to get that, "there has to be something I'm forgetting to do" feeling. I've also been dealing with pretty much the only bad symptom I've experienced all through this pregnancy, sciatica. That term sounds worse than it is, but basically, it's a pinched nerve in my lower back that hurts quite often. I definitely don't want to complain since everything else is still going great and easily.
Even with these minor worries, anxieties and pains, when I sit down and think about my life, or feel Asher kicking away happily (or maybe crowdidly!), or hang out with Dallas, I am just happy and content. Life isn't perfect, it won't ever be perfect in the literal sense of the word, but it is wonderful!
Thank You, God, for being so good to me and my little family, for an easy pregnancy (and delivery hopefully), and for all the wonderful people You have placed in my life!
Thank you, Dallas, for being supportive, reminding me to have fun, and just being so good to me in general (You're pretty good looking, too, but I guess the thanks for that goes to God!)
Thank you, Ranger, for being a good snuggle dog, making me laugh, and reminding me that I could use some work on my patience!
Thank you, Asher, for letting me sleep every night so far and already being so cute and lovable!
Thank you, family, for calling and asking how I'm doing, worrying about me, praying for me, and telling me I'm a cute pregnant woman.
Thank you, friends, for being excited with me, listening to me talk non-stop about my pregnancy and Asher, and offering help when I need it!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
30 Weeks Pregnant
So, I am officially 30 weeks prego! I can't believe I only have 10 short weeks left till our little man is here with us. Being pregnant has been quite an adventure. Actually, in some ways, it has been less of an adventure than I thought it would be. God has really blessed me with an easy pregnancy. I was only a little sick for 2 weeks in the first trimester and since then it's just been fun and exciting.
I LOVE feeling little Asher move around. The bigger he gets, the more fun the feelings are. Now I can tell, for the most part, if I'm feeling his foot, knee, hand, head, or rear and it makes me feel like I'm getting to know and play with him already. Due to my amazing genetics I have LOTS of amniotic fluid so he still has plenty of room to move around and hasn't gotten cramped up into one position yet.
I also have enjoyed watching my wonderful husband relish the process, as well. He always wants to know how Asher is doing and what he is up to. We talk to Asher all the time and spend a lot of time talking about him. Dallas has impressed me with how much he wants to be involved and take care of me and our little one. I always knew he would be a great dad, but he is already exceeding my expectations in so many ways!
There are a lot of other things I've loved about being pregnant and a very few things that I haven't loved about it! (stretch marks, interesting remarks from people, and recently, his foot in my ribs on car trips) Thank you, Jesus, for giving me such a wonderful experience with this pregnancy.
Now for the last 10 weeks! I'm so excited!!!
I LOVE feeling little Asher move around. The bigger he gets, the more fun the feelings are. Now I can tell, for the most part, if I'm feeling his foot, knee, hand, head, or rear and it makes me feel like I'm getting to know and play with him already. Due to my amazing genetics I have LOTS of amniotic fluid so he still has plenty of room to move around and hasn't gotten cramped up into one position yet.
I also have enjoyed watching my wonderful husband relish the process, as well. He always wants to know how Asher is doing and what he is up to. We talk to Asher all the time and spend a lot of time talking about him. Dallas has impressed me with how much he wants to be involved and take care of me and our little one. I always knew he would be a great dad, but he is already exceeding my expectations in so many ways!
There are a lot of other things I've loved about being pregnant and a very few things that I haven't loved about it! (stretch marks, interesting remarks from people, and recently, his foot in my ribs on car trips) Thank you, Jesus, for giving me such a wonderful experience with this pregnancy.
Now for the last 10 weeks! I'm so excited!!!
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