so true...

The name Lucy means "bringer of light" and it really could not be more true. That little girl brings more light into people's lives! Clare means "bright" and I like to think that she will be the bringer of bright light.

I don't just mean that she will bring happiness to others. I really hope that her name means that she will bring the Light of Christ to others. My prayer for her life is just that.

Bring that light, little girl. Let is shine for the whole world to see!

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”- Jeremiah 29:11-13

I have been struggling lately with my job as a teacher. I am a wonderful teacher, and I am not afraid to say that. I find something in each of my children that I love. I care. I teach hard. I expect success, but I understand failure. I go above and beyond. I want them to do their best and I tell them that. I sing, dance, jump around, laugh, and cut up with my kids. I mean business.

I also get tired.

And I have been these last few weeks. And I don't like it one bit. God called me to be a teacher. I want to do my best to fulfill this job, not just for my children, but for my Lord. It's a mix of things. From administration who is being pushed by their administration, to a new reading program, to children who just need and need to be loved, to my own things of being a new mother and a husband who travels.

I am trying to find that me again. Not the me that wants to say "I'm done." I am crying as I write this post... because I know this me that I have been for the last few weeks is not the me I am, and

I want her back.

So prayer, good friends, and loving on wonderful baby cheeks is slowly making me feel better. I read Jeremiah and found a verse I have always loved, but for some reason the verse that says "you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen" just made me feel happy. I will call upon Him...

and I know He will listen.

7 months

Here I go again with the late post! And I still have not even taken her pics in the bed in the same spot! I have honestly been busy (and someone has been cutting teeth) and it just got pushed to the back burner. I will share with you some pics from our beach trip this past weekend. Scott knew I was stressed out and planned for us to head down to PC for a little relaxation and a lot of good eating! He is such a good husband!

Well.... what is little miss Bootsie doing this month? I have to say that this is one of my favorite ages. She is mobile, she is funny, and she is a joy to be around!

• You are wearing a size 3 diaper now!



• You probably weigh around 18 pounds, but we don't go to the doctor again until you are 9 months!



• You wear a 6-9 month clothing.



• You have two teeth on the bottom. They honestly just popped out on the snow day!



• You can crawl, move, scoot, and almost pull up. You can get to your knees, but stop there.



• You eat quite a bit now. You puked up the plain meats, but you like the meat that is mixed with other fruits or veggies. You like puffs, you like your meltables and you love frozen bananas, ice, and your biter biscuits!



• You are back to sleeping through the night.. and yes, in your own room!



• You will play for a long time by yourself on the floor.



• You still love Praisebaby. Daddy says you like when the kangaroo comes across the screen, and you love the songs!



• You babble, and the only consonant-vowel blends you do is "Ba-Ba" sometimes I think I hear a Ma-ma in there, but nope!



• You still enjoy car rides and trips.



• You reach for people you know, and put a poky lip out and crocodile tears for people you are uneasy about.

You are so amazing and growing so fast! I can't believe I am already thinking about your first birthday and what kind of party we will have! Daddy and I love you very much!

Happy Valentine's!

Happy Valentine's day from the most wonderful gift of love I have ever received! Praying today for those who have lost loved ones, who have lost babies, and who have not found love yet. God is always faithful!

"Your love, Oh Lord, reaches to the heavens. Your faithfulness stretches to the sky. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains and Your justice flows like the ocean tides." --Third Day taken from Psalm 36:5

My little snow bear

Snow. I know you all up north are sick and tired of it. And I hurt for you! But those of us in Lower Alabama never get to see good snow. And by good snow I mean a few little flakes that just might stick. Today we got a nice flurry and about 2 inches. I took Lucy Clare out for her first experience with it and we both had a blast. She and I enjoyed my 'snow day' off of school. We laid in bed till 8 am and watched Wonder Pets, read her baby Bible, learned about biter biscuits, and ate a decent bit of food (her-pineapple ham and green beans, Me-girl scout cookies!) I love spending the day with her.

She is getting a cruddy cold and is just snotting so much. I feel so bad for her! She is a monster crawler now. While she is not off her belly, she is moving and grooving all over my house! I just love that little thang! Happy snow day everyone!

thankful

With so much pain and suffering in the world today, I started thinking about all the things I am thankful for in my life. While this list is just a small glimpse into the things I am thankful for, it touches on some of the most important!

• Family.
• A husband who loves me, even when I snap at him. And I love him, even when he wakes me from a really good nap just to tell me Zaxby's has fried pickles.
• My amazing daughter.
• Sweet kisses on the most delicious baby lips.
• The fact that Lucy does not have to go to daycare right now. I am so appreciative that mom takes care of her so she can be spoiled by family.
• Singing. especially wonderful praise and worship songs.
• Sleeping through the night.
• A home. Even though it is messy and covered in spit-up and puffs, it is still our home.
• My job. I love my children. I am proud of my children. I could see myself doing nothing else but loving 19 first graders.
• Laughing. and laughing so hard you cry. "I'm strokin!"
• Reading blogs that make a difference.
• Reading blogs that make you appreciate things.
• Friends. You know, friends you can count on. Friends who laugh with you, hurt with you, share joy with you.
• PraiseBaby and the Jumperoo. 30 minutes of time for mommy to get work done!
• Time off.
• A nice cold bed with a cold pillow.
• No bus duty.
• New pencils, notebooks... really all school supplies. Office Depot is my secret crack.
• Zumba.
• "now, let me ask you this."
• Parents who love me, but really love my kid. Watching them with LC is so fun. Knowing they think I am doing a good job as a mom means the most though.
• A really good book that makes you think.
• Prayers that get answered in ways you didn't think they would.
• Prayers that get answered in ways you prayed they would!
• Healthy babies.
• Icee's
• Knowing you are loved. and being able to feel it.
• 4 years with the same man and it still feels like I just met him. (oh, the carefree days of karaoke!)
• Watching my husband be a father.
• Road trips.
• Hashbrown casserole.
• Knowing I am forgiven.
• Asking for forgiveness.
• Project Runway, Criminal Minds, SVU, Chopped.
• Feet kicking, head bobbing, arms waving, laughing, happy baby.
• People who think my kid is gorgeous.
• People who love my kid.
• Nicknames for my baby. "Sugar Plum, Doodlebugs, Lovie, Bootsie."
• Pedicures
• People who sing along at church.
• Jesus.
• Biblegateway.com
• Watching Lucy crawl, eat, smile, poop. Pretty much watching her do anything.
• A good nap in the middle of the day.

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

~I Chronicles 16:8