Friday's Letter

My Dearest Brett Joseph. You are so excited about hunting this weekend with your brother. I love seeing you like this. You're like a kid in a candy store, you can't contain your excitement. You are a city man most days of your life until hunting season starts. Then you turn into a honky tonk, back woods, hillbilly. Country music, camo, and all. I don't mind it. It makes you happy, and that makes me happy. My handsome Aiden. You are getting into EVERYTHING! This morning, your father and I walked into the bathroom to find you spinning the toilet paper off the toilet roll. Your laugh was the most precious thing. How can I get on to you when you're this cute??? Dear Sweet Rownin. I started babysitting you this week. You are a little over two months younger than Aiden. You two are hilarious together. I'm so thankful that Aiden has you to play with. You have to be one of the sweetest babies ever. Dear beloved husband. I have enjoyed you being home some afternoons this week. Especially on Wednesday nights where we can watch Duck Dynasty together. Can we please try to make them be our friends? I want to have Uncle Si and Jace in my life somehow. Thank you for all the hard work you do to support our family. I love you more than Jace loves bullfrogs.

Bass Pro Shop...A Man's Paradise

This past Sunday, we went to the Bass Pro Shops in Leeds after church. Brett was determined to introduce Aiden to the world of Bass Pro. They had just set up Santa's workshop which made Brett even more excited. I swear Brett is really meant to be Santa Clause. He's ready to start decorating for Christmas the day after Halloween. When we walked into Santa's workshop, Brett spotted this four wheeler that was small enough for Aiden to get on. It wasn't five seconds before I had Brett's keys and phone in my hand and he had Aiden on that four wheeler. I thought it was ridiculous at first; but the combination of Aiden's cuteness, the sight of him on this tiny vehicle, and Brett's face all lit up like Christmas morning...I've been convinced that Aiden has to have this toy. Will he ever use it...I don't know, but I can't get it out of my head. We spent a little over two hours just walking around and goofing off. I managed to break a hanger while trying on a jacket while it was still hanging on the rack. Brett of course walked away as if he didn't know me while I just stood there stuck in this jacket and the broken hanger was stuck in my hair. Oh the fun!! Aiden had no idea what was going on, but I imagine it won't be long until he's asking to take trips to the "Man Store". I actually look forward to the weekends where Aiden and Brett leave early in the morning to spend the day in the woods hunting. There are so many memories still to be made. I'm not rushing things, however. Aiden is growing too fast as it is!!

Aiden's Birthday Countdown...A look back...

Wasn't I just pregnant with a super active baby in my tummy?  Didn't I just come home with my little man from the hospital?  How in the world is my little man about to turn one?  I thought since your birthday is upon us, it would be fun to look back on the last 11 months.

First Month: 0 Months Old

This was taken right after you were born.  Your daddy was so proud.  He worked at the same hospital that I gave birth to you in.  I don't think he got much accomplished that day because he could not separate himself from you. 

You really are the most precious baby to me.  I am so happy to be your mother.

 

Aiden Hugh Barron
8 lbs, 14 ounces, and 21 1/2 inches long.  That's my future Auburn football player!!

Look at that double chin of yours.  You were such a big man!  I love that your onsie says "I Love Mommy".  I might have
done that on purpose.

Look at those lips!!  

We visited your Gran Jules and G Daddy for Christmas.  You had a diaper rash and wouldn't stop crying.  Your belly button thing (not sure what it's called) fell off, so we decided to try and put you in the bath tub.  You LOVED it.  We put ear plugs in your ear and let you play to your hearts desire.  You have loved the water and bath time ever since. 

This was your first night home.  Your daddy made sure that the house looked like the north pole exploded.  The front yard was full of Christmas lights and the inside had decoration galore.  We brought you home, and he turned on the Christmas movies and we ate cookies and milk while you and daddy cuddled in your man chair. 

I am not sure when this was taken, but I do know it was during the first month of you life.  You look so different now. 

Second Month:1 Month Old

This was your church outfit.  I tried to keep you stylish.

This was at our home in Mobile right before we moved to Birmingham.  You were in your pack n play. 

1 Month pictures taken by our friend Whitney Reynolds.

I love your blanket that your Gran got from Pottery Barn Kids. 

That frog was your best friend at one time.  I am in love with the wubbanubs.  They saved my life when it came to your comfort and my peace of mind. 

You have the sweetest face!

Third Month: 2 Months Old

You and Daddy shopping.

Not a good picture, but we tried.

I love that your lips are so kissable!!

You've always been a daddy's boy. 

Playing with your frog that daddy got you for Valentine's day. 

You are such a happy baby.

Fourth: 3 Months Old

Taking a nap in mommy's bed. 

I think I was trying to make you laugh. It looks like it was a failed attempt. 

Hanging out with Daddy.  Your favorite time of the day. 

You LOVED your wubbanubs!!

I've learned that as a mom, you rarely get pictures with your children.  This was an attempt a trying to take a picture together.  Of course, you weren't interested ;)

Five Months: 4 Months Old

We were headed to church on a Wednesday night.  It was your first time in nursery.  You did so well. 

You were so mad because you had eaten all of your baby food. 

Your 1st Easter basket.  It was bigger than you!

In Your Easter Attire:)

At Oak Mountain National Park.  You loved it.  

 6 Months: 5 Months Old

My Mother's Day gifts from you. 

You LOVE to jump in this thing!!

You were so tired, you fell asleep in the shower. 

You love bath time with your daddy!

Visiting with your cousin, Karmyn. 

Going to the pool with mommy and daddy.  You love the water!

You have always been a handsome man!

First time swimming at Lake Martin.  First of many to come.

7 Months: 6 Months Old

This was what you did for daddy for Father's Day!  He loved your gifts SO much!

We had just gotten back from the pool and you passed out.  You love the water, but it always made you sleepy. 

This was you watching the fireworks over the lake for July 4th.   

This was right before he mess of lunch!

Someone found their feet!

I love you in hats!

You tried to eat your float.

This picture was taken by our really good friends Chhorn and Beth Lim!  They have captured some of your most sweetest moments on camera. 

I will do the next few months in another blog.  I still can't believe you will be a year old in just a few weeks!! I do not care how old you are, you will always be my little man!

Today's Letter

Today, I ran across a blog entitled "Today's Letter".  This lady writes a short letter to things/people throughout her day, but she always begins and ends with writing a little something to her husband.  I love this idea.  Her husband even does the same thing.  I must have spent 20 minutes reading their letters.  I think I remember a friend who started to do the same thing, but instead of a daily letter, she only wrote letters on Friday.  I agree that making this an everyday thing might just get a little overwhelming for me, especially with an eleven month baby boy wreaking havoc on our home.  So, I think that I too will do a Friday letter. 

So...without further ado.

Dear Mr. Barron.  Thank you for paying attention to the little details.  I was craving sweets and junk food.  Of course the only food in our home is healthy and I wanted no part in it.  You came home Tuesday night with a bag of candy corn, pepsi, buffalo wing pretzels, and ice cream.  All of which are my favorite.  Even though you said the ice cream wasn't for me and that I couldn't touch it, I noticed you bought my favorite (cookie dough) and you then pretended you were mad when you noticed I ate some.  I still appreciate it more than you know.  Dear Little Man, you are growing way too fast.  You entertain yourself throughout the day by terrorizing Shammah and throw balls throughout the house while crawling after them.  This morning, you would crawl and spin, crawl and spin, crawl and spin.  You laughed the entire time.  What is going on in that head of yours?  You are saying actual words now like "Hey", "Aiden", "Bye Bye", and "Dada".  I am very proud of your accomplishments.  However, can we try to attempt saying "mama".  You don't even seem interested.  I guess I should appreciate it because there will come a time that I wish you would quit calling my name.  Dear Brother Sam.  You just had a birthday.  I can't believe how cool you are.  You love all the cool rock bands I love, you like to have movie marathons with me, and you can sport a Grease hairstyle like no other.  I am one proud sister.  Dear man who stole my cell phone.  I hope that it has been a great asset to you.  For me, however, it has been a thorn in my side.  I will pray for you.  Dear Brett Joseph, I would post pictures of the sweet things you bought, but my phone was stolen.  I guess I have to start using my camera again.  Thank you for working so hard to provide for our family and allowing me the opportunity to stay at home with our son.  I am very grateful.  I love you more than junk food. 

Pressed but not Crushed

In December, I had the honor of giving birth to my first child.  My son, Aiden Hugh Barron.  This was probably the single most amazing moment of my life.  On New Year's Eve, I went to my husband and I told him that this was the year that I give my everything to God.  I prayed with my husband and I promised my husband and my God that my life would be God's.  Not just for this year, but for the rest of my life.

It's August.  This year so far has been probably the best and the worst at the same time.  I didn't understand why.  I have asked God the question "why" over and over and over again.  In fact, I asked Him a while back, "Do you not understand that I wanted this to be a good year".

I haven't blogged.  I didn't want to share my inner most thoughts or feelings because I was ashamed at the trials I was facing.  I was also ashamed to be facing such hardships at the same time that I had the most precious gift I could ever receive in my life.  I honestly thought that there was something wrong with me.  Why else would God allow me to go through this trial?

Today.  This day, I wanted to give up.  I wanted to run.  I was on Facebook, and I saw that someone posted a message entitled "The Power is in the Pressing".  As soon as I read it, the Lord spoke to me and told me to listen to it.  So I did.  The speaker is Amie Dockery and she speaks of the process of the olive oil pressing and the grape pressing.  She explained that the olive is pressed with a stone because the pressure of the stone on the olive brings forth a sweet taste. However, a grape is not pressed with a stone because the pressure of the stone on the seed inside the grape brings forth a bitter taste.  Instead, a grape is pressed with the pressure of a skin.  A foot in fact.  When the foot steps on the grapes and feels the seed, the person knows that they are pressing "hard enough" meaning that they do not want to step harder because they only want to bring forth the sweetness of the grape. 

She explains that the olives in the Bible represents our dreams, visions, our marriage, our children, etc.  Yet, we are the grapes.  She is quoted saying that "All I've ever wanted in my life really is to be at the feet of Jesus, and if that means that He pushes on me to express something precious, I can trust that pressure, I can trust that pain.  It's not for my destruction, but for my gain".

Her message helped me understand the passage in the Word that says, "We are pressed but not crushed".  I admit I sat in the floor of my bathroom and I cried and cried and cried while I listened to her message.  I felt the Holy Spirit's presence fill the bathroom where I sat and I welcomed His kind and warm reassurance that I was only being pressed but not crushed.

I only wanted to share this because I want others to know that I am pressed but not crushed.  For a minute there, Satan had me believing that God wanted to crush me.  God really encouraged me today.  I wanted to share the message here on my blog just so you could catch this concept as well AND for those who are close to me to remind me when I get discouraged that I am not crushed, but rather pressed because God wants to bring something sweet out of my life.

I didn't understand why God was allowing these circumstances to happen especially when I made the decision to give this year to God.  Now I understand that I'm going through a pressing and that God has a purpose.  So, from now on, I'm blogging again.  I have so much good in my life to share.  Aiden is 8 months old and growing like a weed.  He's the most precious gift I could have ever received.  I've started my Master's degree.  I'm able to stay at home with my son.  God is so good.  And He is expressing things out of my life that are meant to be poured out and shared:) 

If you have felt the same, are feeling the same...whatever.  This is a good message.

The Power is in the Pressing

Hebrews 13:5

This morning as I was getting my son dressed for the day, I had to step away to grab a diaper. He couldn't see me, which started tears to form in his eyes. Before I knew it, he was in a full blown fit. He wouldn't calm down until I picked him up and cradled him close to my chest. I silently whispered to his ear, "Mommy's here, baby. I'm not going anywhere".

As I spoke these words, I knew God was speaking the same thing over me. I love when His word is brought to life in little routines throughout my day. I am comforted that He promises to never leave or forsake me. I needed to hear Him tell me this today.

Questions Marks

If there is a punctuation symbol that I could show some sort of dislike towards it would be the question mark. I do not like them. I am an exclamation mark of excitement or thrill, or a period of finality kind of gal. But the question mark is not my friend. I like answers not questions. Which is why I find it ironic (please cue Alanis Morrisette's song in the background) that the word faith has somewhat been a theme in my life for the past few months. I wake up with the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" playing ever so sweetly in my head on countless occasions. Over Christmas break, my wonderful and insightful mother presented me with a book entitled "Faith Dare". Not to mention that every aspect of my life is demanding some practice of faith from me. That's the funny thing about question marks. They require some degree of faith from a person due to the lack of the unknown. I do not like the unknown. I am a planner. I am one of those nerds who carries around a calendar at all times and my life is laid out between the two pages of plans and dates that make up the month ahead. I specifically buy the calendar that has the month displayed instead of the weeks because I want to see my plans in its entirety. That's the kind of nerd that I am but I love it. So as you can imagine, when a question mark is stamped before me I tend to panic. Last week, God led me to a verse that I memorized back in my teenage years. This time, however, I read it in the Message version and the raw truth of its translation hit me like a blow to the stomach. "The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see". (Hebrews 11:1 MSG). The last portion of this verse is what gets me. "It's our handle on what we can't see". So that's it. That's why I do not like question marks. I can't see what plans are behind it and my faith is not being practiced enough to find peace in that uncertainty. This lack of faith brings in a great deal of fear instead of peace. In my heart I can hear God speak to me "Faint-heart, what got into you?" (Matthew 14:2, 31 MSG) just as he did to Peter as he doubted his faith when attempting to walk on water.

Whenever I see a question mark in my future or my present situation, I panic. Much like Peter. I get that tight gripping feeling in my chest and my mind races with more questions. But I hear God speaking to me to have faith. It is oh so stinkin hard but I want faith more than fear. Have you ever seen a child who was sick yet still held a sense of innocence in their eyes as if no one had clued them in on their ailment? They have an innocent like peace. That's what faith brings. Peace in the uncertainty. And if there is anyway I can veto the question marks in my life-the haunting punctuation mark-and choose peace instead, then that is exactly what I want to do. Maybe you handle question marks differently. Some like the unknown. They see it as an adventure. Maybe someday I will feel the spontaneity in the questions marks of my life. But today, my baby step is to choose peace instead of fear so that my heart can truly proclaim "Great is Thy Faithfulndss"!!!! <-notice my fun exclamation marks;)