5 blessings!

I can't tell you the number of times I've heard my aunt Debra tell me to stop and think of 5 things I'm thankful for when I'm going through a rough time to remind me of the positive not the negative. Everyone goes through rough periods in life (some obviously rougher than others), but the devil loves to throw those hard times at us and watch us crumble. He gets joy out of seeing us sweat, questioning God, and falling into his traps. Where does it get me to say..."God, why is this happening to me?". It keeps me sulking, feeling defeated, not understanding, and frustrated. I know I'm also one of those people that say..."everything happens for a reason", but I sure do wish I knew that reason sooner rather than months or even years later.  

This past week it seems several frustrating things have happened to me, our little family, and some of the people around us. Yesterday, I had hit my breaking point. You know that point when your just D-O-N-E! I woke up and thought this day has GOT to be better, but nope it just got worse. I wanted to cry all day because of how overwhelmed I've felt recently. If I say exactly what has gone on, I know every one would think those things are so stupid and most people have it a lot worse. I totally understand that. This post is not to go on about how terrible I think things got. Even as I was working today, I thought my problems seem so small compared to theirs. I honestly tried to stay positive, but as I was walking out of work tonight I immediately called my aunt because I knew I needed a little pep talk, which is exaclty what I got. She just listened to my heart then said remember five things you are so thankful and blessed to have. I brushed it off and said I know I'm thankful for at least five things and I'm happy, but I'm just having a rough few days. 

After I got off the phone with her and had some time to think, I realized wow, this is exactly what the devil wanted me to do. Blow off those things that I should be overly thankful for and focus on the bad! So ashamed of myself I immediately started naming things that I was thankful for in my head. The list kept going way longer than 5 blessings! Then I began to reflect on a recent sermon I heard at church. I walked in the door and there was 2 of the biggest blessings I've ever received in my life. My amazing husband who was feeding our beautiful baby girl. The sermon was about the devil and how he tries to drift you away from the truth. While there are storms going on all around us...the sky has been blue the whole entire time. As if your going up in an airplane and its storming, but once you get above the clouds it's nothing but clear blue skys ahead. So my sky has been blue and beautiful the whole entire time, I was just too caught up in the mess that the devil created for me to notice it. 

The devil is good. Oh, he is realllll good. He knows just where are weaknesses are and if we don't even know what our weaknesses are then we are in trouble because we wont know what to look out for. 

But as I looked at that perfect little angel of ours- nothing else seemed to matter and all was right with the world. Tonight we heard her laugh ...not a coo or giggle, but the belly kinda laugh while she was in the tub and we were trying our hardest to make her smile. It was the greatest thing in the world. My heart immediately was just overflowing with joy. I am so thankful that my aunt reminded me of those first 5 blessings I should immediately think of when things get tough and that the worst circumstances in our life are working together for our GOOD  because He loves us. We should consider it pure joy to go through trials because he is strengthening our faith. 

I will end it with this quote from the sermon:: "Don't ever let what your going through make you forget who you are going through it with!". Everything is going exactly the way God wants it to and I am  gratefuul for that. I  know  there is a blessing underneath all the mess. 

3 Months and counting :)

I am a little late on posting my three month blog, but I've made notes along the way so it is much easier! 

This month I really found what works for you and for all of us a family. I've found ways to make things simple so that I get to spend more time with you. We have accomplished so much in this short month baby girl. The biggest milestone for you is sleeping in your crib and all through the night! You are much happier and so is mommy and daddy. Daddy kept saying when she is ready she will do it so I continued to try and one night you did it! We were so proud. We do the same routine every night and it works great. I try to not deviate from that routine because I dont want it to mess up your schedule. Believe it or not we can tell when it messes up how the rest of your day goes. When I walk into your room in the morning without fail you look up to me and give me the biggest grin in the world and it melts my heart! After your morning bottle you will sometimes go back to sleep and snuggle with me and I cherish those moments so much. 

One of the biggest struggles for me was having to stop pumping breastmilk. I wanted to give you the best for as long as I could, but I just could not keep up with what you needed. So we transitioned to formula and Dr Petrusick put you on Soy formula. You eat about every 3 1/2 to 4 hours and you are up to about 7 ounces now. Your tummy is MUCH better and you are much happier. Poops are regular! Woohoo. No more constipation. So seeing you happy makes me happy:) 

You are smiling and laughing so much! You still enjoy talking to yourself in your crib watching your mobile. You giggle at rattles, noises, dancing, and any other silly things we do. Your dad loves to come home from work and make you laugh and grin! It is the best to watch you both together. 

On 5-14-13 you rolled over for the first time!! It was so awesome. And guess what? Daddy had just walked through the door and got to see it and we have it on video;) Tummy time is not something you enjoy at all, but I try to make it fun for the few minutes you allow :) 

You will put ANYTHING in your mouth. Some people feel the need to try and put their fingers in your mouth but I try and stop that. And I am very anal about germs and hand washing. One day you will learn that about me, but I am a nurse and I can't help it:) Your fingernails grow so fast! I have to cut them every other day. 

I still very much enjoy giving you a bath at night. You kick kick kick and smile! You go to bed about 9 and wake up about 6am. There is no guessing when you are tired. You let us know when you are ready for naps and bedtime by rubbing your eyes and getting fussy. Your naps don't last very long during the day. They are short and then you are ready to play again.  I still wake up in the middle of the night to check on you. 

You spend a lot of time with me during the week because I am not working a lot right now. We go to the gym and the ladies there love to watch you while I work out. We take many walks in the stroller. I try to change up what we do every day and introduce you to new activities.  We haven't found someone to watch you that is a perfect fit and that we can afford. But I enjoy EVERY moment with you and plus mommy does everything better anyway! You spend quality time with daddy when he gets home and on the weekends I work. 

So during this month a lot has happened, but every month just keeps getting better and better! As I reflect on all the joy and happiness you bring us, I could not imagine our life any other way. You are such a blessing from the Lord. 

   We visited nana and papa lew and you got to get in the lazy river for the 1st time! 

        Rockin' your cool shades!

            Mommy and Brynn:) 

                     Bath time fun! 

      Your first visit to the Sno Cap! One of the many stops we had from our visit to North Augusta 

You got to lay next to your great granny! 

You are such a happy baby all the time! 

Playing with toys and trying to put them all in your mouth! 

       Your happy faces in the morning! 

Love from your nonni in North Augusta 

   All the girls:) see where we get our good looks from ;) 

           Love from Pop pop

                 

                   3 month photos