some afternoon caffeine...

I know its a little past "coffee time",

but hey, who couldn't use a little mid-afternoon caffeine kick?!

I myself am enjoying a Coke Zero right now, my new favorite attempt to cut down on sugar.

makes me feel better about the bowl of chocolate ice cream with chocolate syrup I ate after lunch (yes, you read it right)....lets just say its that lady time for me,

so I feel completely justified.

If we were meeting for cokes this afternoon, I'd tell you that even though I'm sad it got cold again (its supposed to be Spring!), Im kind of glad because I really don't have many short-sleeved clothes right now. Hoping to be able to get some soon, depending on $.

Speaking of $, the Lord is reminding me this week about the amazing ways HE has provided for us. In our times of having almost nothing, He has always come through. ALWAYS. It has sometimes been in the form of a gift from friends (we had some precious friends buy us a brand new dryer when ours went out and we had no money), or as an anonymous check (lots of stories about that), or even just an unexpected payment from a client. I am forever thankful for the people He has used in our life and for the supernatural ways He has provided for us.

(we literally had coolant appear in our car after several days of no AC, and no money to fix it, in hot August a few years ago...I will blog about that story someday soon)

all that to say, GOD IS GOOD. He NEVER fails us.

Our ever-so-deceitful enemy always tries to make us fear.

but....

HE is our Protector and Provider.

always.

On to lighter things, if we were sharing cokes this afternoon, Id tell you that i have LOVED watching my little girl play with my My Little Ponies that I had as a girl.

My mom busted a few of my fav ponies out the other day,

and I just had to pass them to Abigail!

SO cute and such a neat feeling to watch her play with something I enjoyed so much myself.

(sad thing is that several of my ponies used to be "scratch n sniff",

but now they just smell kindof old) :(

but regardless, SO fun!

Id also tell you that I redid a little area in the back of our house to be a play place for Abigail, now that she's getting bigger.

Its not much, I just used things we already had,

but tried my best to make it feel girly and fun for her.

Her own space.

So it MELTED my heart when the first morning after I set it up, she walked back there immediately after getting her up and was SO excited to play in her new space!

Speaking of her play place, little princess just woke up from her nap and I am being summoned to play. Glad I just had some caffeine with you! :)

Hope to catch up a little more and share more soon.

Have a blessed day!!

for some more coke or coffee,

visit here...

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my little lovely

you just cant get much lovelier than this...

This little diva makes my heart melt!

Abigail's new fun thing is to walk around with all Mommy's accessories on...

So little, yet so girly!

that killer smile just melts right through you, doesn't it?!

O man, we're in trouble.

Daddy's already making plans to scare away the boys. :)

such a lovely little girl....

Have a LOVELY MONDAY!!

head over here for a little more lovely in your day...

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cheering each other on!

I get choked up when I watch a marathon pass by.

(if you've race-watched with me before, you know!) :)

I've considered it a blessing to live near/on the major marathon routes here the past several years. Those 2-3 times a year when race day comes, I get so excited when they start posting the traffic signs to let everyone know that the road will be closed that weekend!

This morning was the Dallas Rock and Roll Half Marathon, and I was excited to wake up to the sound of a band playing just a few blocks over (in the Rock and Roll series, there are bands at mile markers along the way). We got all bundled up and headed out to the action. Before we even got to the runners passing by, my eyes were welling up.

So excited!

There's something about a sea of people (as far as you can see), all running towards the same finish line. Each of them with their personal goals in mind, each with their victories, each with their own struggles. Each with with a different training plan and strategy for racing. Each with a desire to complete this race, and each with a voice in their head reminding them of why they are doing this in the first place.

Each one different, but all of them running together.

This is why I get overwhelmed by watching it, and by taking a part in it myself.

The unity there is between so many different people, so many shapes and sizes, ages and races.

Some running for a certain cause or a certain person, some with that cause written on their shirt, reminding them of why they are putting themselves through it.

Its amazing.

If you think I sound cheesy, go stand on the route of a race sometime,

you'll know what I mean.

Abigail blew kisses to the runners, she clapped for them, and waved hi for an hour! I think her smile gave a little light moment to a few racers as they rounded the halfway point right by our house. I'm one of the annoying onlookers that yells really loud for the racers.

"Keep it up!", "You CAN do this!", "Good Job!"

I do it because I know they need it.

The triathlon I completed a few years ago (my first real race) was one of the most challenging things Ive ever done. I dont remember much positive about it (except finishing) because it was such a physical struggle for me...but the one thing I do and will remember is the volunteers and local people standing out on street corners, cheering for me. I know they werent cheering for ME. They dont know who I am. But man it felt like they were there for me.

Their words of encouragement were so helpful.

I distinctly remember riding up a big hill in the bike portion, just completely exhausted

(telling myself pedal sarah, pedal sarah, dont stop....pant pant pant).

There was a girl there just yelling her heart out for the racers going by, and as I pedaled ever so slowly by her, she yelled "You did it! You finished the hill!"

I didn't even know I had until she yelled it.

I was amazed and surprised.

and so thankful for her encouragement and cheers.

It gave me the push to keep going.

I needed someone to point out to me that I had completed that hard part, because I was so focused on just getting through and not falling or stopping.

This is why we should cheer each other on in this race, in this life of faith.

We need it.

God designed it that we would race with each other,

and cheer each other on.

"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works."

Hebrews 10:24

"So encourage each other, and build each other up..."

1 Thessalonians 5:11

"Two people are better than one, for they can help each other succeed.

If one person falls, the other can reach out and help..."

Ecclesiastes 4:9

"If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it.

And if one part is honored, all the parts are glad."

1 Corinthians 12:26

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, and the sin that so easily trips us up, and let us RUN with endurance the race God has set before us."

Hebrews 12:1

HAPPY RACING. Im cheering for you.

fifteen months

Did you know that 15 months ago today was a snowy Christmas Eve?

I know that because thats the day 6 little pounds and 13 tiny ounces

changed my life.

(remember, I'm a first time mama so "month birthdays" are still a big deal!) :)

...Abigail Joy is 15 months old today!

I cannot believe it. I am in awe of how much she has grown and how much she has brought to our lives. Parker and I sat going through pictures from her birth last night and we were both just giddy talking about the memory of it all.

Parker recounted how proud he felt to hand me our daughter for the first time.

Ill never forget it either.

Such a proud feeling to hold your child for the first time.

My gorgeous little angel, God's beaming light of joy in our life.

15 months ago began the most beautiful yet most challenging

journey I've even taken.

Becoming a mother was the biggest adjustment I've ever had to make, but the one with the most and best rewards. In many ways (and im sure its true all through "parenthood"), I feel like I am still adjusting as each day passes. still learning, still growing as a mommy and as a woman.

But I am more complete now. More sure of God's love in my life.

More confident that being her mommy is the best role I'll ever play.

More full of life. and more full of JOY!

in the last 15 months....

(in no particular order)...

I have fallen in love.

I have cried as my baby is sick or hurting.

I have witnessed her first sitting, her first crawling, and now her first steps.

I have read a dozen books about caring for your new baby.

I think a read a few dozen more about "introducing solids".

I have asked my doula a million questions.

I have asked the pediatrician even more.

I have been "that mom" that calls the dr about everything.

I have learned to cope with not much sleep.

I have pushed through the many ups and downs of breastfeeding.

I have prayed over my daughter as she sleeps.

I have heard her first words...mama, dada, ba (ball), hi!, that, up...

I have been thankful for the love her grandparents give her.

I have laughed at her spunky personality.

I have been in awe of the compassion God put in someone so small.

I have spent a million hours staring at a tiny video monitor.

I have watched her light up when her dada is around.

...I have been changed and blessed beyond my wildest dreams.

such a big girl now...but she will always be my little baby.

Happy 15 months sweet pea!

lets meet for coffee...

Mornin Ya'll! (yes, Im from Texas!)

This morning I am sitting down to enjoy a cup of coffee with you!

(well really a small soy chi tea latte... i don't drink coffee)

What are you having? do you drink coffee?

Dont know why I dont like coffee, I just dont,

but I am always up for a sweet something like chi tea or a delish white chocolate drink!

If we were meeting for coffee, or tea, today, I'd tell you that the weather is kindof weird this morning, nice and cool, but Im wanting it to be a little warmer.

its kindof cloudy, but don't see any rain yet!

Id tell you that this morning I've been listening to a new playlist I just made called "rest and worship". It has been really good for me as it really settles me and allows me to rest in Him, at least for that moment. How I long to allow more rest in my life. Real rest.

Believing God kind of rest. Knowing HE is in control kind of rest.

I know its there for me, I just tend to take the reigns and exhaust myself instead of just trusting Him. Hoping to have a little rest time today.

Id also tell you that I dropped Abigail off at MDO this morning. Im glad for the 5 hour break, but I also miss it when I don't have my usual sidekick around all day long.

She was so excited to go...she missed 2 weeks because of a cold, and then last week was spring break, so I know it'll be good for her today! She started walking since she's been to school, so I think today will be extra fun as she's able to explore and play on a whole new level...So happy for her!

On that note, I LOVE having a little walker around! My favorite part of her being a wobbly walker is the arms. They just seem to kindof flail and move as she learns to balance herself.

SO stinking cute.

Speaking of my little bug, she will be 15 months on Thursday! I know, I cant believe it either!

Seems like just yesterday that she was born on that snowy Christmas Eve.

Its been by far the best 15 months of my life, and I will blog about that on Thursday!

I love looking at old pics of how little she was. So sweet.

If we were meeting for a cup, I would tell you that I really should be going for a run or cleaning out closets today while Abigail is gone, but Im still working on the motivation for both of those things. Just feeling kindof tired today.

But maybe this tea will help!

I would also ask you to pray for our little family as God seems to be guiding us into a new season. Ill save details for the next time we meet, as it would be a whole other convo (or post). :)

Just pray for peace and guidance as we trust His plan and His leading.

Thanks for listening to me talk! Whats going on with you today? How can I lift you up in prayer right now? Just want to tell you that God's in control. He really is. Lets encourage each other with that, and help each other remember that He carries us and our burdens.

He makes our load light.

I've so enjoyed this time with you! Hope we can do it again soon...maybe next week?

OK, Have a blessed day!

If you need another cup of coffee today (it might be one of those days, right?), head over here...