Giving Thanks

Lately as part of the Little Miss’ daily bedtime routine, we have been trying to ask her for at least three things that she is thankful for so we can pray and thank God for them. This has been a good reminder in my own life about the need to regularly take the time to quietly reflect on all that I am thankful for. Here are just a few specific things that come to my mind this week:

1. Our girl’s school – If you’ll recall, this mama was so not ready for the school days to start but I have to say, it has been a wonderful experience and our girl LOVES it. I really appreciate the strong sense of family involvement/community that exists at her school in addition to the academic approach and biblical teaching. I am fully aware that there are very different schools of thought regarding the best approach to schooling (the never-ending public vs. private vs. home school debate). I personally support all three approaches and think there is no perfect solution, each has it’s pros and cons, and depends significantly on the child and family. In our case I am thankful that God has provided a terrific school that is a great fit for the Little Miss and our family. I am excited for our whole family to get more and more involved there over the years to come.
   


2. Reconnecting with an “old” friend – The Little Miss and I had the chance to visit with one of my dearest high school friends (Rebecca) this week and got to meet her adorable three year-old daughter for the first time. Most of my high school memories involve Rebecca in one way or another and she will always have a special place in my heart. Unfortunately I could count on one hand the number of times we have seen each other since we graduated 20 years ago (yikes!). Neither of us could even remember the details of the last time we saw each other or exactly how long it has been (at least 10 years if not more I believe). Such a blessing to see Rebecca and though it was too short to truly catch up, it made my week. Now I’m just hoping we can stay better in touch and that it’s not nearly as long before we meet again.



3. Having my hubby home – Mr. Wagner calculated and realized he had to travel for work about 4 months out of the year last year (excluding weekends). While I am so thankful for his job and the fact that he enjoys it, our whole family is really thankful that he’s starting on a new design project. That means we will have him home more this coming year. The Little Miss and I enjoy our share of “girl time” but we much prefer having the man of our house around! His presence helps us to feel more complete, as our little (but so very blessed) family of three.

Happy 5th Birthday Little Miss!

Dear Little Miss ~ I cannot believe it has been 5 years since you made your remarkable entrance into this world. The memories of that day may eventually fade in our minds but now, even five years later, they are still as clear as having happened just yesterday. Such a reminder that we truly are blessed to have you, our sweet-spirited healthy girl with us today. God is so good. It has been such an honor to watch you grow into the little lady that you are today. Even at five we can see that God has filled you with His joy and kind heart towards others. Your sensitive and "cautious" nature has become more and more evident in the past year. You enjoy all things related to dance and have blossomed in your ballet class this year. You tend to expect a lot of yourself and can get frustrated if you don't do something "just right" (a little bit of a perfectionist maybe?). I have no idea where you get that trait (ha, ha). My prayer for you this year is based on the following verse that God often lays on my heart:

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. " (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Little Miss, may you truly seek God with all of your heart throughout your life. May you grasp hold of the hope that He offers, regardless of the life circumstances that come your way. Jesus alone kept you on this earth when you were born five years ago. He allowed you to grow from the tiny 2 1/2 lbs baby into the beautiful young girl you are today. He chose to keep you here on this earth so never ever doubt that He loves you and has wonderful plans in store for your life. I look forward to watching you continue to blossom into the young lady He has designed you to be.

Love you always and forever,

Mom

The Royal Wedding

Our own princess and Yours Truly had fun watching the Royal Wedding of Prince William and "Princess" Catherine, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. I admit that I jumped out of bed first thing excited to view our DVR recording of the event (giving Mr. Wagner a good chuckle). It was even more fun to watch with my daughter who ooohed and ahhhed at the exquisite wedding dress, the handsome Prince, Queen Elizabeth, and all of the horses and carriages. What little girl doesn't dream of marrying a prince someday? I for one am thankful that God brought me my own Prince Charming and pray for our girl's future husband, that he would be a godly man, her own prince who will cherish her and above all, have a heart for Jesus. No need for Buckingham Palace or the crown jewels when you can have the Crown of Life.

Be Still and Know

Like many of you, I have a heavy heart today. It is impossible not to as you hear about all that is going on in Japan with the earthquake and tsunami victims, on top of being concerned for the health of friends and loved ones. So much destruction and pain in this world. God has been reminding me today of Psalm 46. While the earth and mountains will give way and the waters will roar, God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Be still and know...He is God. He is in control. He is our Rock.

The Gift of Motherhood

I absolutely love being a mother. I am blessed every day by the best job in the whole world. No matter the low-paying salary or the lack of accolades, it’s hands down the best honor that a woman could ever ask for.

Unlike most moms, I can’t say that I remember my daughter’s birth or the labor pains (considering I wasn’t actually awake for her birth or the first 30 hours of her life). I often feel out of place around women who are talking about their childbirth experiences because I totally cannot relate. I used to leave situations like that feeling inadequate as a woman and a mother.

Thankfully I’ve discovered that motherhood is not solely defined by sharing your birth canal. Please don’t get me wrong. I have huge admiration for every woman who has ever experienced labor. HUGE. However, to get to the place of accepting that I wasn’t (consciously) there when the Little Miss was born and to not feel guilty by the fact that I didn’t even see her until she was 3 days old, my views of true motherhood had to change.

I’ve learned that women aren’t automatically given a “good mother” award the moment their first child is born. It’s not a onetime stamp-of-approval and isn’t completely due to instinct. This award can only come with time, trials, practice, and the knowledge that it will be tested again and again. Even then, being “good” is not good enough.

I hope I reflect the ways of a good mom. More so however, I pray that I will become a “godly” mother. Not by my strength but His, I pray that Jesus will make me into a Proverbs 31 sort of mom. I pray that the light of Christ will shine through me and that strength and honor will surround me. I pray that my words will be full of wisdom and kindness and that I will care for the needs of my family and provide for them daily. I pray that someday:

“Her children will rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her”…”Charm is deceitful and beautify is passing but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” (Prov 31:28-30)

Have I yet attained this? Not. even. close. It will take the rest of my life for Jesus to transform me into a Proverbs 31 wife and mother. I will continue to praise Him for His grace every time I fail to live up to the standard. I will always be so thankful for the gift of motherhood.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms, moms-to-be, and like-moms-to-so-many out there!

Birthday Letter 2008

Dear Little Miss,

Today you turn 2 years-old, happy birthday beautiful girl! No matter what they say about the “terrible twos”, you are an absolute joy to both your Daddy and I. You still have the same sweet, gentle spirit that’s been evident since you were born. In many ways, I'd like to bottle you up and keep you at this age!

My Child, every day is a blessing with you. I love to wake up to your smiling face. I love that you are a “Daddy’s girl” through and through. I love your sweet smile, dimple and dark curly hair. I love watching your social and "girly" personality develop. I love the sound of your voice and am so excited by the new words you are speaking every day. Most of all, I love that you are a reminder about how much Jesus loves us. You are beyond our wildest dreams and are better than any gift we could have imagined.

You will always be our “Miracle Girl”. Satan may have wanted to take you the day you were born but Jesus intervened. He has an incredible plan for your life. I don’t know exactly what that looks like but I know without a doubt that God's created you for something very, very, special.

I pray regularly for you and believe that's my calling as your mom. I'm asking Him to make you into a woman who seeks Jesus first. I pray that He'll give you much love and joy in your life. I'm also praying that He will give you spiritual gifts of:

1. Faithfulness (“For we walk by faith, not by sight,” 2 Corn 5:7; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths,” Prov 3:5-6),
2. Compassion (“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world,” James 1:27),
3. Kindness (“..Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those to spitefully use you...Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” (Luke 6:27-31).

Finally, the verse God laid on my heart for you this year is: “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying “This is the way, walk in it,”” (Isaiah 30:21). May your ears always be attuned to the voice of Jesus and your feet ready to walk the path He has prepared for you.

I love you my Little Miss!

Mom

P.S. I’m hoping to start a tradition with this letter. The goal is to write each year on your birthday to share a glimpse of why you are so special and to let you know what God has been laying on my heart specifically for you.

Home Sweet Home

Don't you just love the feeling of walking through the door to your own home after returning from a long trip? What a sweet luxury it is. Not to be cliché but there truly is no place like home. It's not about the material things as much as it is about the "familiarity" of everything. It's about being together as a family, the comfort of your own bed, the routine of daily living and knowing where even the little things are.

That's how we are feeling tonight. Pure joy. We've been spending the past few days in the hospital with our Little Miss. She came down with RSV, a nasty virus that typically just causes a bad cold in most adults and adolescents. In young babies, or kiddos under the age of 2 that were born prematurely, it can develop into a serious respiratory infection. PTL our girl is doing much better now and we are home. Thank you to all who have been praying.

After only a few days in the hospital and not getting much sleep, our hearts go out to all of you who have gone through, or are currently going through, extended hospital stays. We can't imagine what it would be like to be parents watching your child go through a serious illness like this family recently endured. We believe that God grants all of us the exact amount of strength we need, at the precise moment we need it, to walk through trials but still can't fathom the perseverance and courage that it would take. Which reminds me...if you haven't checked out this blog yet, please do. You will want to read some of the older posts to get caught up to speed but trust me, you're heart will be stirred to pray.

A Blog To Check Out

Kati posted about this family today and I had to check out the link. The blog is written by the husband of a gal with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). They had their own miracle baby, born a week ago very prematurely and still in the NICU. The mom, Tricia, is in the hospital trying to gain enough strength so she can be placed on the waiting list for a much needed double-lung transplant. Regardless of their trials, this family has serious FAITH.

While I read, I couldn't help but reflect back on our own time in the hospital when Hubby was going back and forth between my hospital room and our Little Miss in the NICU. That was seriously hard and yet this couple has an even tougher and longer trial ahead of them. PTL they know Jesus and He is their Rock.

Check out the blog "Confessions of a CF Husband" and be encouraged to pray.