And Baby Makes... You Crazy!

I saw on Facebook the other day that a friend of mine from college is pregnant with her fifth baby.  5.  And I realized something: having a fifth baby crosses you over the line of just wanting a big family to being a crazy person.

When I hear that someone has four kids, I think that's nice... they wanted a big family.

But if I hear that someone has five or more kids, I have to admit that my first thought is wow... those people must be crazy.  {You can now refer back to my posting last week about being judgmental.}


Nathan and I always wanted a big family.  Which meant that we wanted four kids.

God obviously had a different plan for our family, and I have said many times that He clearly knew me much better than I know myself.

I like structure.  I like routine.  I like quiet.  Those things don't always exist in a big family.

Now don't get me wrong.  I think big families are awesome.  I think women who have baby after baby... after baby... are amazing.  If you are a mom of many, please don't take offense.  I have many friends that have five or more kids.  I have one friend that was pregnant or nursing for an entire decade because she has five kids that are all two years apart.  I have one friend that had a set of identical twins, then a third child, then another set of identical twins.  I have another friend that has five children, runs a thriving business, and blogs. 

I seriously don't know how they all do it.

If one of you is reading this, please know that I think you are amazing, incredible, special, and wonderful.

I just also happen to think that you are crazy.  In an I-wish-I-was-that-kind-of-crazy kind of way, but crazy nonetheless.  

My King

This is one of my favorite videos.  It brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it.

Do you know the King?  I'd love to tell you more about Him if you don't.

My King saved a hopelessly imperfect woman that makes mistakes daily.

My King redeems the most tragic of days, and fills them with joy.

My King provides when people can't.

My King comforts when the pain is deep.

My King is faithful when others are not.

My King cares about the tiniest details of my life, and grants silly wishes just to prove it.

My King reveals, in His perfect timing, His will for my life.

My King rose from the dead, so that I might have eternal life.

This Sunday is Easter.  Easter is the single most important event in Christianity because without the resurrection, Christ is not a savior.

But Jesus was raised from the dead.  He paid our debt.  And because of that we are offered the gift of eternal life.

Happy Easter.  I pray that each of you may know the gift that this day brings... so much more than some colored eggs and a bunny could ever offer.

Growing Old

Source: someecards.com via Emmy on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Emmy on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Emmy on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Emmy on Pinterest

My sister-in-law always sends me these funny quotes, because we are the only two in our family that would rather be fat than exercise.

I am the heaviest I have ever been outside of pregnancy.  And you know what... that's okay with me.

I'm a little more curvy than I have ever been.  There are wrinkles on my face.  My hair would be mostly grey if not for my sweet L'Oreal.  My belly looks like it did when I was about three months pregnant.  I have moles that should be looked at.

All these things mean that I am getting old.

But you know what else comes with age: wisdom, maturity, and grace.  I will take all the rest if it means I get these. 

And I don't have to exercise to get wisdom, maturity, or grace.  Bonus!

Can it Be?

For so long I thought my dream was to get pregnant once again.

Source: amonthofsundays.co.uk via Emmy on Pinterest

And then last year I met you.

Can it really be possible that you are 1 today?

I don't believe it.  Where has this year gone?

You are the most beautiful baby girl I have ever known.

You are sweet, and funny, and so smart.

You keep me on my toes.

You put everything in your mouth.

You are faster than lightening and fearless... a mother's worst nightmare combination.

You are a terrible sleeper, and at 1 still do not usually sleep through the night.

You love food, especially chicken {preferably from Cafe Rio... I'm raising you right}.

You melt my heart every time you hug me and pat my back.

The best sound in the world is your adorable belly laugh.

You came into our family and you made us complete.

I love you forever Penelope Susan Blakely.
Happy, happy birthday sweet girl.

Don't Tell Me You're Not Judgmental

If we are being honest {and I like to be, so let's}, we are judgmental people.  Our first reaction to any circumstance is to judge.

Every time we yell at another driver... we judge.

Every time we wonder, did she think that matches?... we judge.

Every time we think, how could she let her son drink queso dip out of a straw?... we judge. {That was for you Jessica and for the record, I did not judge you for that one... I would have ignored Beau doing that if it was keeping him quiet.}

It is in our nature as sinful people.

I am not trying to make you feel bad for being judgmental.  I am simply pointing out that we all do it. 

I happen to be extremely opinionated and outspoken {in case you hadn't figured that out by now}, which means that my judgments don't just live in my head... they often come out of my mouth.

I have always known that this was as issue that I struggled with, but to be perfectly frank, I just didn't really see the need to do anything about it.

This year the Lord has challenged me on that.

My pastor gave a great sermon a little while back about judgment.  It was one of those sermons where you know that the pastor is actually just talking to you, but being kind enough to act like it is a sermon directed at the masses.  It spoke to my heart.  His point was that there are moments in which we need to address differences of opinion... when the truth is being called into question and it is a salvation issue.  But there are more often moments in which the more Christ-like thing to do is just love.

It got me to thinking {a thought that I am now amazed took me 34 years to get to}: how many more people can I win over by showing them love rather than judgment?

Source: lisaleonardonline.com via Emmy on Pinterest

 
This year I have found myself in situations where I could have been very judgmental, but chose instead to be loving.  What a blessing to see how people respond to love rather than judgment.  

Jesus wasn't condoning sinful behavior when He spoke with the woman at the well, or the Tax Collector, or the adulterer... He was simply winning them over with His love.

I want to win people over with my love.

I bought my friend Lisa Leonard's keychain today to remind me.

A Week of Highs and Lows

What is it with this week?

Fifteen years ago this week, my mother in law died suddenly of a very unexpected Heart Attack. 

Last year this week, my cousin died suddenly of a very unexpected Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

This week, I attended the funeral of a friend's 31 year old sister, who died last week of a very unexpected Amniotic Fluid Embolism while delivering her second baby.

My grandma also died last Monday, and while she was old and not in good shape, this was a very unexpected death caused by Kidney Failure.

I am not a superstitious person, I do not believe in curses or anything strange like that... but I find it odd that this week is often surrounded with tragedy in my life.

On the other hand... one year ago this week we got news that would change our lives forever, and forever make this week one that is also surrounded with great joy: we were matched with our sweet Penelope and she was born just a few days later. 

Isn't it wonderful how God can redeem anything?

Dr. Seuss' Oh, the Places You'll Go!

The Much Ado About You 

Pre-Sale starts today!

I have been so touched by everyone that has commented, and sent me emails, and posted on Facebook, and convo'd me on Etsy, and tweeted and retweeted... you all have really been amazing.  I have no doubt that we are going to reach our goal over the next few days.  I can't wait to see what God does.

Head on over to our shop and purchase your Pre-Sale Planners now.  Remember that the sooner you purchase during the Pre-Sale, the sooner you will get to choose your cover design. 

If you would like more details about how the Pre-Sale is working, please visit our Pre-Sale FAQ page here.

If you have any other questions you can post a comment on my website, or email me at info{at}muchadoaboutyou{dot}com.  I will try to reply within the hour {as long as it is a reasonable hour of the day}.

Thank you, thank you.  I love my readers so much.  I really do.