So I am definitely doing it!

Well, as many of you may know, I have been training for a triathlon for several weeks. I have put off registering for it, in hopes that I may change my mind or someone else would for me! However, here I am 3 weeks away from the big day and I have not changed my mind. I am so excited and nervous about doing this. It will consist of a 1/4 mile swim, 12 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run. I still have much to do to prepare, but I wanted to share my confirmation email with you. Just for the extra accountability! I will blog more about this experience a little later. So for now, here is the email!



Registration Confirmation for:
My First/My Next Triathlon

Dear Jessica,

Congratulations! You are now registered for My First/My Next Triathlon. Please check the event's official website for updates: http://www.FirstTri.com
View your complete registration details »


Back up the commitment you've just made with the best resource available. Triathlete Magazine turns to the top experts to deliver the latest in training and nutrition, gear and apparel.

Silly Parents

Here is a picture of my parents this past week at the beach. I love this photo! My parents are so affectionate towards each other, which I think that being married for thirty years, they can do what they want! They are such great examples of Christ's love.

I love my kids!

So here we are, a week past mother's day. All of the fun tingles have left, no more presents, no more special meals, and no more days to claim especially mine(except for my birthday which is in a few weeks!)! I had a wonderful day. The kids and I went down to Savannah for the weekend with my parents, and Matt and Shalah. We got to visit with my 93 year old Granny and go to the beach. Samuel loved the sand and the ocean. The water was a bit nippy, but of course that doesn't bother a 2 1/2 year old. He has been talking about going to the beach for a month.

Mother's day caused me to do a lot of thinking about what it takes to be a good "mama". I want my children to love and adore me, but not out of obligation. So I need to arrange my life to be of one that would be worth adoring. Sometimes I struggle so much because I am only 25, and already raising two children. Does someone my age really know how to care and provide selflessly for such wonderful beings? It is so easy to get discouraged and feel as if you are doing ALL of the wrong things. I find that once I get to this place mentally, it is hard to dredge my way back out of the pit that I put myself in. Becoming a mother was the hardest and most wonderful thing I have ever done. The strength it takes to be a stay at home mom is incredible. I had no idea how difficult this task could be. Some days there is no out, you are stuck knee deep in diapers and the walls close in on you due to the non-stop crying and whining that surrounds you. Coordinating nap times some days brings the only relief you get. Its like the nanny that sometimes you wish you could afford!

However, somehow amongst the chaos of the day and the nervous breakdown that awaits you in the night, God reveals himself to you. It is amazing to me that some days God can even get into our house because it is so messy! I am finding that He is the one who brings stability to our wonderful beautiful chaos that is our life. He brings order when I cannot get it together. He brings hope and life when I feel like I can't get out of bed to offer peace to a crying child. He is my teacher, healer, and sustainer. God is what motivates me to be a good, no great mama. I want my children to know God and know His love.

God's grace has been so good in my life. I know that I am in need of a Savior everyday. I know that I am not the best mother in the world. I am thankful for the mothers and grandmothers that David and I have to learn from. I do know that I am the best mother for my children, and I love them with every once of being that I have to give to them. It is only through God's love that I can fully express to them the joy that I have to give. At the end of the day, I realize that it isn't about me. I chose to bring two beautiful children into this world, and now it is my greatest joy to raise them in a way that when this life is over, God will say to them, "well done." I love my children. While this is the most terrifying and amazing job that I will ever have, I love being a mother!

Emma

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I just wanted to update you all on Emma. She recently turned 9 months old. I can hardly believe how quickly she is growing. She has developed quite the little personality. She is very quick to let Samuel know when she is pleased or displeased with him. She is crawling all over the place, and follows us from room to room. She even does a little exploring on her own. She is cruising on furniture and can stand alone, but has not taken any steps yet. Emma loves to self-feed (3 teeth), but still is mostly on baby food and formula. She weighs 20lbs 8oz (95%) and is 30.25 in long (off the charts!). She makes a lot of noises, and can call her "Dada". Also she says "uh oh". I am so thankful to have this beautiful little girl!

Sunday Picnics and Bubbles

This past Sunday we had a picnic after church in our yard. I love this time that we get to spend together as a family. Especially on a warm sunny day out in the yard. I tried to get some pictures of the kids playing. Samuel played with his bubbles while Emma did in the grass. Below are a few pictures of my attempt to get a sibling photo, as you can tell it was "real" sucessful! I believe that these times allow us to experience peace and joy in incomparable ways. "Sunday Picnics and Bubbles" sounds pretty simple, and that is what this Sunday was! Just good fun with the family!

Easter Egg Hunt

We had an Easter Egg hunt at our church. We had a tornado come through Calhoun the night before so we were very worried about people coming. We ended up having a really good crowd and a great time. Here are a few pictures that Nana was able to take at the egg hunt.

Easter!

Okay, so brand me the worst mother in the world, but I did not take any pictures of my children on Easter! We had such a busy morning, so fortunately we had family who was there to help take care of the children. They were the ones who took the photos, so below are some from both sides of the family. Jared (David's brother) is in the first picture with the kids, then there is their Grandma, and finally one with Emma and Uncle Matt(my brother). Samuel has the coolest blue sunglasses and he loves wearing them, so we let him! Church went great and we all had a good time. The kids painted flower pots during church, but unfortunately I don't have any pictures of those either! We tried teaching Samuel about what Easter means, but he doesn't really understand yet. Thanks to Veggie Tales, he at least gets to hear the story all throughout the year. We love Veggie Tales! I hope that everyone had a meaningful Easter that brought them closer to the Lord as we celebrated (and celebrate daily) the life that He brings.

Music and Guitars

Samuel loves music. He loves everything about it! If David pulls out his guitar, then Samuel is right there beside him with his pick in hand. Samuel even has to have his "music" (chord sheet) right beside David's. It is so cute to watch. Yesterday I saw Samuel carrying around David's music book, while looking for his guitar. Once he got everything together he sat down and played for a good 20 minutes. This may not seem like a long time to you, but in Samuel time that is equivalent to a few hours! I could not let this photo-op go without a few pictures! I will post some pictures of Emma soon. She is crawling now, and doing some pulling up. Just like Samuel, she would much rather be walking! I think that she will be cutting teeth soon too. Her gums are definitely looking a little swollen. It always amazes me to stop and see how much my children are changing and growing!

Conversation

For the past few days Samuel has asked for two things: to see his grandma, and to go to the ocean. Today he picked up my phone and asked to call "grandma", so of course I let him. Sometimes he is shy when he talks on the phone, while other times he is a chatter-box. Today, he was definitely in the mood to talk. He walked around the living room with the phone open, so that his grandma could "see" everything. First he tried to show her the birds eating at their birdhouse. He placed the phone on the seat next to him and both "looked" outside. Grandma graciously pretended to see everything that was going on! Then he sat down with the phone in his lap so that they could read a book together. At this point I knew that I needed to grab the camera! So here are a few pictures of Samuel with my cell phone, as he tries to show his grandma a couple of new books that he has gotten. The conversation (which is a word that Samuel is learning), ended with Samuel brushing his teeth, and me trying to get the phone away!

Nature

As I said in a previous blog, we are trying to cultivate a garden this year. Daddy bought Samuel a starter set and then had to come to Calhoun to help us till the ground. I got a couple of pictures of Samuel playing in the freshly stirred dirt with a shovel. Emma decided that she would just play with the grass. Too cute for dirt right now I guess! Also, we got Samuel a bird house so that he can watch the birds eat. David was working on seminary stuff, so good 'ole Grandpa (or PaPa) helped him hang it. We have a couple of birds that do come to it already, which is exciting! It is amazing how close God is to us even through nature. I guess just another nugget of God's goodness that He allows us to share in with Him.








This is the birdhouse that Samuel picked out from Wal-Mart for us to hang in our backyard.