Update: Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Hello Friends. Long time no see. My fault! WHEW! Lots has been going on and needless to say, my fingers never found their way to this blog. I'm hopeful that I am going to be blogging at least once a week now....because my life has just taken a dramatic turn - I resigned my position at work and am now at home with Liam full time.

WOW! Even now typing those words seems surreal.

Isn't life surprisng? When I was little - my utmost dream was to be a mom and in highschool I saw myself married and having babies in my young twenties and wrapping my life around that. God did bring Zion and we've grown up together in so many ways. But life happened and it wasn't time for us to start a family in the timeframe I originally dreamed of. Despite my somewhat disappointed heart, I found something else in the waiting - a career. I found a uniquely wonderful group of people, a boss who believed in me, and work that both challenged and interested me. Hello! Although the mommy desire never went away - it did bury itself deeper in my heart - as I discovered a side of myself that surprised me. I loved working. I love excelling. I love being smart, learning how to be smarter, negotiating smart, building successful relationships and growing. I was really so blessed in my work and I know it.

When Liam came into our lives a year ago, I was (again) blessed to be able to transition to working part time but we didn't feel like it was time yet for me to be at home full time. Part of what made it work (for us) was that my dear mom had Liam one day a week and God brought a fantastic nursing student to spend the other day a week with Liam. He was able to be at home for the most part with people who loved him and that made my heart at ease while I was at work.

So when things changed for Zion's job - all of the sudden we were presented with a different set of circumstances. I knew. My heart knew that this was the time. That my season had fully changed and that there was a step of obedience waiting for me. Now don't get me wrong - my heart was soaring. Finally - the day had come when I would be able to jump full force into this mommyworld and give my everything to the new.

But, I would be lying to say that it was a black and white/uncomplicated decision. Indeed, I knew what I truly wanted but the reality of stepping back from being a working woman took me back a little bit. Regardless of what you intend to do - there is a value you place on yourself as a working woman, a certain type of 'smart' that you feel, and a particular thrill that comes with thriving in that way. Those are big things to lay down! At the very least, it is a change in identity. And change - even when it's for the good - is just a funny process to go through.

But there's him. There's the little man that has won over my heart and there's the deep and truest part of my heart as a mom that unearths more each day. There are the moments when I get to hold him when he's upset. When we get to jump into a pile of pillows and laugh laugh laugh. When we get to water the ferns together each morning. When we get to share Cheerios. When he tries to help me cook dinner while on my hip. My dream has come true. It's just a dream that is coming more into full bloom from the depths as it has time to breathe.

So here's to discovering the new season. Here's to change. And here's to the kitchen floor that now seems to be permanently cluttered. And here's to praying I don't break a bone when accidently stepping on one of those pieces of clutter :)

Seven Years Strong: Being Married People

My Dad always makes the point that you officially and spiritually become one within the marriage ceremony. But the real process of actually merging into one is something that takes time - bumps - and the work of a gracious God over...time.

On the one hand - where have SEVEN years gone??? On the other hand, WOW. God has jam packed those seven years with a lot of punch :).

You know - marriage will never been a lesson learned that I can scratch off the list. As long as I live I will keep learning - and especially as long as we have two people unafraid of confrontation!!! LOL. So in my wifely wifiness I have not arrived in any way shape or form. But I've learned lessons I am so grateful to say.

Zion and I met when we were 17 and 18 years old. CRAZY! From where I sit now - we were little babies :). But we were immediately drawn to each other like magnets and we knew that we knew - we'd seen what we wanted. I'll take one of those please! We dated for five years before we got married. Wouldn't recommend that for everyone but we were in college and so it worked for us. I was so drawn to Zion at the beginning and I still am today. He's been my friend, my partner, my forever love and my favorite person.

I thought that I'd just take a moment (or two!) to jot down a few of the biggest lessons I've learned thus far:

- A good marriage is a choice made by both partners day after day, week after week. Some weeks one make more efforts and then it may flip. Being willing to be the 'one' to make that choice is never a bad choice and it always pays off.

- Opposites do attract. But, my observation is that it's a heck of a lot easier to enjoy marriage if you enjoy spending your time in some of the same ways. Again and again, the bed of friendship will sustain your marriage when fleeting emotions flee you. Friendship is frankly just kind of hard if you don't like to do at least some of the same things with your time. A word to the dating among us :)

- Sex is important. No duh right??? As women - I think we can get pretty weird about sex. Honestly - there's a lack of teaching about sex for women in the church. It's easy to fall into routine, to get too tired, or to stop pursuing the development of your sex life. Perhaps a little too straightforward for a blog I'm beginning to wonder?? LOL - oh well - I've already gone this far. Let me just say this - sex is meant to be fun for the husband and for the wife. But it only gets fun if you keep learning, growing, and working at it. It's the most sacred part of the marriage relationship and therefore there is a lot of reason for it to be attacked. As a wife, I have become fiercely protective of that element of our marriage. I'll be darned if my lack of effort were ever to leave a vulnerability or weakness in our marriage. You know I'm not saying that it's all up to the wife right?! Just speaking to that because I'm guessing I don't have many male readers lol.

- Make space for marriage to stay fresh. It doesn't just happen organically - at least seven years in! Do little fun things together - whether they cost money or not. If things in the schedule get too busy for too long - stop everything. Cancel committments, reschedule coffee dates with your girlfriends, find a way to meet up for lunch, go for a coke date, get in a workout together....anything. Know when to stop the never-ending cycle of business and just clear space for togetherness.

- Be on his team. Even when you don't feel it. He has to know that you're always always always behind him and if he goes down - you're going down together. And if he goes up - you'll be right by his side - not loving him because of his success but being more proud of him than words can say.

And finally....

- Love him like a strong man and a boy. I feel crazy writing it - but there's no denying that all men like to feel that tenderness that sometimes we reserve only for our babies. Just sayin.

So thankful that we are here seven years later. So thankful that God has brought us through. I love him today more than I could have ever imagined. By the grace of God - no seven year itch in sight!

Here's to looooooots more learning!

Love y'all,
Abi

Movie Review: The Lucky One

There are just times, aren't there? Times when all you really need is to see an over-the-top chick-flick. Who cares if it's realistic. Who cares if the acting would win awards. Just give me the romance people.

It's NBA playoff season in this house. Our beloved Thunder require our due adoration and attention and sleep sacrifices on a weekly basis. Roll Thunder! I can enjoy a great basketball game with the best of them. But there come times when I, all of the sudden, hit my wall and need to immerse myself in the feminine heart anew.

Enter: The Lucky One.

My girl Ashley and I left the boys at home and popped ourselves two bags of pocorn to bring along. Smuggling bags of popcorn and drinks from QT requires the use of one's big girl 'movie purse.' You know what I'm talkin about! Ashley's purse was on the moderate side of size so we had to do a little last minute emptying to make it all squeeze in without giving ourselves away. Worth. It.

Review: It was cheesy and it was goooood. :) The acting was only okay but the story was simple and sweet and relatively clean. There were a few scenes but they definitely did not dominate the movie.

Recommendation: Leave your man at home or rent it on a night he won't be trying to enjoy the chick-flick with you. It's not worth it. If he's anything like mine, he'll look over at you during the kissing scenes and give you the eyes that say 'Oooooooo you love this don't you.' Just let me get lost in the moment in privacy if you please! :) Or he'll quietly grunt during the parts of acting that really are. not. good. So just do yourself a favor and make it a girls-only affair. You'll love it. And hey - if you're in the mood to make out a bit afterwards - he probably won't complain! LOL

This movie was just what I needed! Keep it in your back pocket as a solution for the next time you are in dire need of girly girly girliness.

Meeting Knox

Liam has a new friend! My dear friend Ashley just had her second - Knox Ryan Hamilton. And he is PRECIOUS! We love you Knox!

Liam and I trucked it to Norman during his morning nap and hung out for a few hours with Ashley, Knox, Lauren and Levi. Priceless. Picnic on North Oval eating Greek House....need I say more??

We were quite the crew making our way over on the North Oval to Cafe Plaid. Loved every little moment.

Liam loved him some Lauren! And her food :) He made himself right at home.

This guy! Levi you are a favorite. Love your approach to the cracker.

Oh Ashley - you just had a baby - let me wipe your nose for you!

Oh the memories. Loved introducing this boy to his future. Ha! :)

Thanks for hosting us girls. So thankful for good friends and new babies.

Mother's Day Love

So thankful for him this year. Beyond thankful to be a mama this year. Let's be honest - it can be a challenging transition the first time around. But I wouldn't trade one challenging moment for the opportunity to know and love this man cub. I'm honored to be his mama! Hope your Mother's Day was filled with love and - some really good food :)

Nine Months - None Too Little

Where oh where do you go time? I am shocked that I am writing a nine month update for Liam Spencer. But - each month brings more fun, new challenges, and ongoing sheer delight in getting to know him.

It seems like Liam has hit a whole new level of development. The world is his and he's sure of it LOL! He crawls with confidence and follows me around the house. The dishwasher and the dryer are his current obsessions. The second one of them is opened up - he stamps himself to it and starts playing and talking up a storm. It's especially fun when he drops metal forks on the tile - loudly. It delights him endlessly and gives me the opportunity to 'let go' a bit more each day :).

Speaking of endless delight (there's a lot of that these days I must say)...Liam's personality is blooming. Let's just say he's relational. He laughs all of the time! But not like 'oh that joke was hilarious' - more like he's trying to just interact by laughing. If the room gets quiet - he'll break out a laugh. If he's trying to get your attention - he'll laugh. If he wants to be part of the conversation - he'll laugh. And he still laughs after the second sneeze. It's adorable if I do say so myself.

Of course - these days he doesn't warm up instantaneously to just anyone. Nope. Strangers can expect a long cold stare. No matter how much we encourage him to go to someone new in those moments - it's not going to happen. Which is fine - I know it's a stage. He can take all the time he needs to warm up.

His fun new tricks include pointing to everything and 'clicking' his tongue for the lack of a better word. He'll start clicking away and then look at you and laugh. You're supposed to click too you see. It's a clicking conversation and he's leading it.

It's amazing because he is facinated by older kids. He instantly locks in on kids we see out and he follows them with his eyes. If I would let him, he'd crawl right over and introduce himself! LOL.

A friend recently told me that there is no such thing as a 'normal' baby. It may sound simple but it really meant a lot to hear that. Each baby is kind of going from weird occurance or challenge to the next and the 'normal' streaks seem to last a few weeks before something new presents itself. Let me tell you right now - getting eight teeth over the course of four and a half months presents a few challenges. Dealing with a virus and then flu presents challenges. And for Liam - when he doesn't feel good - you can forget him eating solids. I finally figured that out after a few episodes. So - we are still working on it. He's had a rough few months in the sense that he's had to deal with all that stuff so establishing a rhythm with solids has been tough.

At our last doctor's appointment his weight percentile dropped a lot and I had a 24 hour freak out. It's pretty yuck to feel like your baby isn't getting what he needs to grow. But God intervened in my lovely state of mind. He spoke truth. It's just what Liam does - no solids when he doesn't feel good. And over the past month he's just had a lot. God, my mom, Zion and Rena all encouraged me that he would snap out of it and get back into the swing of things. And he has! Over the course of a few days he has really turned around. We're not Mr. Chubs over here but he's eating and Mama's happy.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much this little man loves his daddy. And how much that I love that! In the morning after he nurses -he's ready to to hit the ground running and we usually go find Daddy. The second he sees Zion - he gets a huge smile on his face and lunges for him. Nothing will stand between him getting into Daddy's arms. No complaints from Zion! It's precious. There is something so stand-still-beautiful about seeing your child adore Daddy.

I know this update is all over the place but it's late. What can I say? Zion's asleep in bed next to me and the E! True Hollywood Story of Joan and Melissa Rivers is my background music. Are you surprised by the all over the place nature of this one given those facts? I think not.

The journey of mommyworld continues to change me and melt me. Sometimes the changes are a little tough (I don't think I'll ever sleep in again) but every change is worth it. I am getting to know this strong, sweet, fun, lively and focused boy named William Justice and I am more and more in awe that God asked us to steward his life. He's the perfect fit in our lives and I cherish him.

Mommyworld is no joke but it's the best hard thing I've ever done. So thankful for such a deeply held dream being a better reality than I had ever imagined it.

Time to start plotting that birthday party!

Eight Months Excitement

WOOOOOOWEEEEE! Wow life is full! It is mostly full of a little boy now eight months old and growing by leaps and bounds. He has hit the fast lane people and there is no turning back. :)

One word to describe Liam these days? Mobile. And that word has turned all of our worlds upside down! Last month's update had Liam revving that crawling engine and around 7.5 months he officially started taking some crawling steps. Once those steps started - each day brought more progress. I am trying to wait on pegging Liam's personality too much until he's older but this one thing I can say with certainty: little man is filled with determination. Once he gets a goal in his line of sight - it's on. About a week after he started crawling he started pulling up. No big steps yet after he has pulled up - but you can tell that brain is working on overtime discovering this whole new world where he can get himself around :). It's so amazing to watch those little brains discover things for the first time and make all of those connections!

I can now say that a sick baby is no fun for anyone. Last month was a doozy! We started it off with a lovely non-treatable virus, had a one week break, and then progressed to the flu. Seriously. We made it through both bouts of sickness but the aftermath is almost worse than the actual sickness. It seems to wipe out his appetite for anything but nursing for up to a week and a half AFTER the sickness is gone. Which means more waking up during the night and a huge pause to progressing with solid foods. Alas - we have made it through and now I am praying for all sickness to be kept far far away!

We're playing a bit of catch up with solids but our little man is making good progress. I can now report that Liam has had cereal, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, avocados and a few tastes of green beans mixed with brown rice. Let's just say carrots are not on his nice list :). He tried multiple times but just couldn't stop the gag. LOL! We'll be revisiting carrots but for now - pass. We will stick to veggies a bit more and then start pulling in fruits. I don't think I've heard any new sounds - he's sticking to da, ga, ba, va, and looooots of growling. It's the cutest thing if I do say so myself! He just lets that gutteral back of the throat growl ooze out when he's thinking or playing. No mama yet fyi. Hmmmmmmm.

Speaking of playing, I think Liam takes playing quite seriously! As more time passes - the more his appetite for big person toys increases. These days - the things that get him WAY excited are boxes of pasta, wood spoons, pots and pans, Tylenol bottles, and then of course the forbidden fruit: iPhones, remote controls and Daddy's glasses.

(Easter with his big boy cousins)

One of the most fun things about his stage right now is that he's become such a game player. He likes to shove his fingers or whole hand in your mouth and then pull them out as you make a funny sound. Reactions vary from a Liam-grin to all out belly laughs. He also likes to scoot away on a bed or couch and bury his face down and pretend that he's hiding from you. Let me tell you - he finds himself hilarious! I love it. In terms of schedule, right around 8 months Liam started prety much doing a four hour schedule!!! NICE! We still have a little variance but he's definitely more there than not. I was beginning to wonder and then low and behold - he just started staying awake longer and sleeping a bit longer.

We're on the brink of a whole new world and I am just thankful for every day with him. Ch-ch-ch-changes!