This is the year that our family grew from 3 to 4 with the addition of Nate in January. It's a good thing that the joy doubles when you have two kids, because the challenges double, too. :) It's been a year of figuring out exactly what life looks like now with two kids. How do we keep our marriage strong when we're pulled in so many directions? How do I keep my identity beyond just "mom?" How do I keep keep up with two little souls running around my house? How do I make all these decisions about what's best for them? And the answer to all of these, I learned, is "by God's grace."
It has been a year of tremendous spiritual growth for me. Becoming a mom has taught me so much about my need for God. In June I made that proclamation public when I was baptized at our church. At the time I felt like it was capping of my spiritual journey, but I now know that it was actually just the beginning, and I'm so thankful for how he reveals Himself to me more and more everyday.
I've learned a lot about God's sovereignty this year. It's easy to trust that God is in control when everything is going well, but one's faith is really evident when things take a turn for the worse. We've seen many of our friends and family deal with major illness this year, and while I don't often (OK, almost never) understand it, I know this:
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:15-16
Life may surprise me, but it never surprises God. So with all the ups and downs, I choose joy.
Here's a look back at some of my favorite posts from this year:
- Charlie sharing his cars
- family photos
- Charlie the toddler
- fun photos
- happy Nathan
- Mavs playoffs
- May misc
- meeting LT
- Charlie turns 2!
- one of my fave photos of the boys
- Charlie starts school
- Pumpkin Party
- happy boys
- first haircut
1 comment:
Love your "best of 2009" - we share so many similar struggles - maybe one reason I LOVE spending time with you - it reminds me that I'm not alone in my balancing life and growing. Happy New Year's Eve!
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