Birthday Eve

Tonight I had the privilege of dining with some great friends to celebrate my birthday. I was a frazzled mess when I arrived, but like the good friends they are, they were welcoming and loving. The food was slow in coming, I had to step out to feed Soph in the car, and my clothes and hair were just "off." After a quick piece of ice cream cake, we headed to the movies to see Julie and Julia. What I saw of the movie, I really enjoyed and will just have to wait to see the rest. Jaime attempted to feed Soph a breastmilk bottle and she simply said, "no thanks Dad, I am not interested. " She just happened to use an awfully pitiful cry that was breaking my heart over the phone. I felt like a terrible mother, but I rushed home and fed my baby what she has eaten for the last 6 months of her little life. She fell right to sleep, with a full tummy and a consoled heart. As I was holding her, I was just thinking how blessed I truly am. I have an amazing husband, a wonderful daughter, an incredible family, and the best friends a girl could ask for. I am a part of something that is so much bigger than me and I belong. I belong to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and to the family of believers that gather under His name. I "fit" not because of who I am or what I have, but because I have trusted in God's love for me-in His Son, Jesus Christ and His precious atonement for my sin. As I turn another year older, I have been reminded of this work the Lord began in me long before I knew Him. He is not finished with me yet, and the work He began in me, He will complete. Hallelujah, because I feel like a train wreck has occurred here. The school calendar says summer is ending, but I feel like mine is just beginning. Soph and I are working out the kinks of mommying and daughtering together, and we are just getting our footing. I look forward to this new year and pray for wisdom to profit this pilgrim and peace to stay my heart. Thank you to each and every one of my dear friends who have and are enduring my many transitions. Don't give up on me yet, the sun is shining through now! I love ya'll BIG!