Church

Church. Define it.

Tough, isn't it?

 Is it a building? A group of people? A community of believers? Dan and I have spent a LOT of time recently trying to decide on what church (the place of worship) is a right fit for us. There is NO perfect church and we determined that long ago. However, deciding on what is most important in a church (the vision, the core beliefs, the sermon, the people there, the worship, the general atmosphere, the outreach opportunities) is difficult. I feel that all of the above are super important and things to consider, but of course, I sort of "rank" these things, which I'm not sure helps matters. Over the last few months we have been feeling confused about where to go and why, when it comes to church. Various things had influenced us feeling this way and I must tell you, I hated being in this undecided and almost indifferent place.

Growing up, my family went through a time where we had something called home church. The belief was that church was not a building, but a group of people meeting to study, learn, change, serve, and hold one another accountable. This actually taught me a lot about what it means to follow Christ. It isn't just attending a church building, tithing, and leaving after an hour to check off that item on the "to do" list. It's a relationship. It changes your life, effects every area of your life, and alters your perspective. It changes how you treat people and effects your identity.

So. Here goes. Here is what I want out of a "church", whatever and wherever that is decided to be, whether it be a place, group of people, etc. I want a place/group that helps me cultivate an ever-deepening relationship with my heavenly Father. I want to enter into the adventure of a lifetime—that transforms my life and ultimately my culture by helping to bring "heaven" to earth (see the Lord's prayer for clarification). I want to have victory and freedom over things like temptation and sin, shame, fear and anxiety, depression, insecurity, discontentment, jealously, indifference, and passivity. And finally, I want to exist to passionately pursue Jesus and advance His Kingdom on earth. 

I definitely feel a sense of relief and peace now that we finally ended a six month journey and discussion of trying to find "the right place" for us. We decided and we will now invest in and commit to that place for this season of our lives and I'm excited to see where this journey takes us. 

Happy 9 Months

So here we are. Celebrating the nine month mark. I am sort of in denial that we are quickly headed towards a certain someone's first birthday and that nine months have passed (FLEW by) already. Wasn't it just yesterday that we were camped out in a hospital room getting to know a wee baby named Noah?

At nine months old, Noah is more curious and happy then ever. He laughs at us throughout the day--his favorite laughing trigger being a little game called "hide and seek" mixed with "peek-a-boo". He also cracks up when I wave like a maniac to him in the back seat (he can see me in his car seat mirror). It's always a blast on our daily outings now because he is either laughing, trying to sing with me, or sucking his super tasty thumb and looking adorbs.

I am pretty certain that Noah has learned more in the last month than any other month, but maybe that is just me being a proud mom. Here is a little rundown of this months milestones: eating finger foods, feeding himself, (dramatically) drinking out of a sippy cup, pulling up to stand on everything (my legs being his favorite thing), cruising/walking along different types of furniture, crawling, "singing", saying "duuugh" (duck? dog?), giving kisses and high 5's, and going from laying on his belly, to sitting, to standing at his crib. He now greets us each morning standing up and grinning from ear to ear and it's one of the best things to see each day. He plays with my hair and gently rubs my cheek when he is sleepy and continues to be super cuddly before nap time and bed. He now weighs 20 lbs and is 29 inches tall. Gosh, the boy is almost half my height already.

Well, I could go on and on about how much I love this kid, but that's already been established.

Without further adieu, the nine month (attempt) at a photo shoot:

Oh January

January has been a FREEZING month. I hate to wish winter away, but I'm feeling very ready for spring. It has been so bitter cold outside that even getting into the car to run errands has become something I sort of dread a little. And for Noah, I can tell he is not the biggest fan--when we leave the house super bundled up, his little eyes get huge and tear up immediately. He shrieks, smiles briefly, then gets serious. He looks at me as if to say, "Mom, what is up with this? Ugh. Why on earth did you take me outside?"

So. Dearest winter. I love your snow. I love the peaceful outdoor scenes you bring. I love my warm slippers and hot cocoa. I love cozy nights under the blankets. BUT, I am also ready to uncover myself from blankets and not be freezing cold. You have been fun and a blast to spend time with, however, we are ready for you to leave. I've asked nicely and I don't want to get too upset. Just kindly pack your bags and visit again in 11 months. Please and thank you.

Here are a few pictures from this past week. Please note the many warm layers.

The truth.

Thoughts

Posted to my bathroom mirror is this verse: "Do not worry about everyday life--what you eat, how you dress, etc. Isn't life more than food and your body much more than it's clothing? Will all of your worries add a single moment to your life?" (Matthew 6:25) Sounds simple, right? Well for me, this is a reminder that I NEED every. single. day.

I hate even admitting to myself, "I'm a worrier", because I know in my heart, it has zero effect on anything. My worrying is not productive, nor does it change situations. Worrying about any little thing seems to just come so naturally for me. It's as if when I worry, I can somehow change or control something. However, after years of working through this thing called worry (and control), I've learned this is so far from the truth.

Here are just a few of the thoughts that like to make room in my head on a frequent basis..."will Noah ever crawl?"..."Is my nose growing?"..."I shouldn't have had that second bowl of ice cream"... "Is our front door locked?".... "Will Noah grow up to be a man of integrity and follow Christ?"..."Does this sweater make me look frumpy?"..."Am I a good wife?"..."If only I was just a little taller"..."Will our heating bill be through the roof this months?"..."Oh no, Noah licked the dog's chew toy. Will he ingest some sort of disgusting bacteria?"...and it goes on and on.

As you can see, these thoughts of worry are so sneaky. And so silly. If I'm not careful, they can easily become the majority of my thought life. And that, to me, is just not right. God calls us to NOT worry. Not about the big stuff. And not even about the little stuff, like what we eat and wear.

So today, be reminded of this. Enjoy today and be present. Don't let your heart and mind be troubled with thoughts of worry. Don't worry about how you look in your jeans, if your lunch was under 400 calories, how much college will cost in 18 years, or if your kid is ever going to nap for a solid 2 hours.

And if you find yourself in that place of worrying about some small thing a little too much. Remember this verse, and pray it over your day. Like it says, all our worries will not add a single moment to our lives. Not one minute. So let's fill our thoughts and lives with the things that matter.

this. song.

8 Lovely Months

Noah, here are just a few of the new things you have learned in your 8th month with us:

how to be a teething champ and cut 4 teeth in just two weeks. how to pick up small pieces of food and successfully get them into your mouth (your current success rate is about 50% and your favorite foods are.... everything you have tried. you love eating!). how to drink from your new sippy cup (you struggle a bit with stopping the flow of water and kick your feet very fast while your eyes get big to tell us, "please help me stop this!"). lifting yourself to standing on anything and everything, including my legs when I'm standing close to you. slowwwwly exploring the couch and walking along it, hoping to just get closer to those awesome looking remote controls. babbling and, let's just call it what it is, yelling during car rides. walking behind your "pushing motorcycle". you definitely know that if you drop a toy off of your high chair that it becomes a game. how to give a cute kiss...well, an open mouthed, wet, sloppy kiss. how to move your arms and legs to crawl for about two "steps" before calling it quits because rolling is just way more fun. 

and finally, how to keep stealing the hearts of your dad and I. you a really good at that. 

2013 Reflection

We spent some time the other night reflecting on 2013 together. I created little questionnaires for us (pinterest idea, don't make fun...) that we filled out and plan to put in our memory box. My intention is that we fill out something like this each year, eventually letting Noah "reflect" with us too, so we have little glimpses of each and every year-- favorite and least favorite moments, plans/goals for the next year, etc. So next year at this time, I may need a reminding of this idea, because I've been known to be a little forgetful ...

So, for the sheer sake of reminiscing and fun, I thought I'd share little pieces from our personal reflections...

Favorite date: pre-baby weekends spent in Inner Harbor Baltimore and then Philly (me), quiet Friday night's in with wine and a movie (Dan)

Funniest moment: my water breaking at 5:30 am on 4/30/13 (enough said)

Current favorite restaurant: Houlihans (for both)

Something you learned this year: how to grow and birth a baby (me), how to be a patient and selfless dad (Dan)

Something special that happened: the birth of our son, Lauren's wedding, the engagement of our two best friends, the flooding and major home renovation project in June, an unexpected promotion for Dan

Goals/Plans for 2014: (in no order. this list is combined) apply for and get my Behavior Specialist License and/or Zumba instructor certification, continue to play in soccer leagues, eat more whole foods, go on a beach vacation, go out for fro yo once a week (Amber's request), save for the future, steal and wear Dan's warm wool socks, go on more date nights, take Noah to the YMCA baby pool area, continue to lead support groups and attend a mommy group, be more patient with one another, hike parts of the Appalachian Trail together, Kayak more this summer, drink more water, eat less meat, have more time "unplugged" away from our cell phones, TV, etc., use the dishwasher more, host more cookouts


So there you have it. 2013 was an amazing year. We laughed, traveled, prayed, labored, cried, lost sleep, grew, learned, became parents, and felt more love than ever before. 2014, we are excited for you. We cannot wait to see what new adventures, lessons, and memories you will bring!!

A Merry Christmas

Our first Christmas with a baby. 

To say this was an extra special year, is a true understatement. We celebrated the birth of Christ, as well as the birth of another great gift to our lives, and it was definitely a memorable holiday for us. Of course, Noah was blessed with even more clothes and toys, when really, all he needed was a box and some wrapping paper. Seriously, the boy LOVES ripping paper! Despite our busy schedule, and the fact that he cut his two top teeth on Christmas evening (poor baby), Noah was a real champ. He is such a go with the flow baby and was so happy during all of our family gatherings. After attending a beautiful Christmas eve service, Dan and I kept our tradition of opening the gifts we got one another that evening. This is always one of my favorite times of the year. It's quiet and so peaceful, and we always enjoy giving one another little surprises. It's the "calm before the (good) storm" as we say, of busyness and travels. 

I know Christmas can be a time of great joy, togetherness, and love, but for some, it may be a time of difficulty and grieving, depending on various losses and relationship hardships throughout  the year. My hope and prayer for every one of you, is that, no matter what this year looked like for you, that you were able to find true comfort and peace this advent season and that your year ahead is full of growth, peace of mind, health, and time shared with loved ones. 

 

crackers + exploring + 8 months

before i take the time to talk about our Christmas and new year's festivities, i just have to document two major milestones that happened this morning.

first-- noah picked up and ate three "puffs" today. um, woah. i cheered so loudly for him and felt such pride. haha, it was quite the little moment we had. our little man is learning to not just pick up small items, but successfully get these items to his mouth. this. is. huge. (and slightly terrifying...) i have a feeling these little blueberry puffs will be a new favorite for him. gosh, i just love to watch him concentrate and work soooo hard to pick up the wee cracker with his little fingers and then slowwwwly maneuvers his hand to his mouth. then, finally, chomps down in delight, drool running down his chin. it was amazing. and it happened today.

second-- to keep noah (and myself) occupied during the day, we like to move around and explore different areas of the house. today, we spent time in the bathroom. sure enough, he pulled himself up onto the side of tub and "walked"/traveled along the rim of the tub. i literally watched him walk alongside the tub in pure shock and amazement. the boy is quite an adventure seeking risk taker--- who later let go of the edge of the tub, stood hands free for a second, then collapsed into my arms.

i swear, he is learning and doing something new each and every day and i am having a hard time keeping up, let alone documenting, these precious milestones!

geeze, talk about an eventful and productive day in the zoom household....