She popped the question!

The adorableness of my sister-in-law-to-be is too much!

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Mama's Love

There really is an indescribable sort of love that is accessed when one becomes a parent. A friend asked me what it was like and all I could say is that it is just like romantic love except that it isn't reciprocated. It's much more sacrificial and in that way I think it is much closer to Christ's love. I have no doubt in my mind that I would do anything to keep RJ safe. Despite the fact that she never says "thank you" or tells me that she loves me or gives me hugs and kisses I adore her. I love her when she is screaming her head off while I scramble to make things better. I love her when she throws up on a new shirt of mine. I love her when she has sticky poo that gets all over the place. I love her when she is angry, sad, excited, scared, joyful or tired. I just... love her. Not because of anything that she has done, but because of who I am; I'm Raychel's Mommy. I love her. If no one else in the world did, I would. 

It's an example set by our own Father who loves us with sacrifice.While we were still sinners - while we were screaming our heads off and making a mess of things - Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). It doesn't get any more loving. It has nothing to do with what we do or who we are, but it has everything to do with who He is. He's our Father, our Creator. He's our lover and our truest friend.

I love Raychel with all of my heart, but my love is merely a faint shadow of the Real Thing. His is more patient, more forgiving, more intense, more pure. I could never compete with a love like that and I don't want to. I am glad to know that we are recipients of grace, heirs to a promise. Raychel will grow up learning what an undeserved gift it is to be loved by a perfect Prince. 

RJ's Mommy

Photo by Tish + Tom Photography

There is a funny thing about motherhood: you don't know what you are doing...

I used to think about having a baby someday and while the thought thrilled me, it also caused me great concern over the fact that... it's a human. I would consider the differences between babies and puppies. I'd think about what could go wrong - would I know how much to feed it? would I be fragile enough in handling? would I forget it somewhere? would I damage it psychologically with my ignorance? I would start to become anxious with the thought of such a heavy responsibility.