Looking ahead...

💛 I'm glad I saw this reminder and encouragement. Offense sucks. All these things do actually (hurt, rejection,betrayal, disappointment, failure). 

My journey of learning to not hold these things as I move forward has been a theme in my whole life, but was made extremely tangible when my Dad died. Mom gave me a poignant piece of advice after he died, and I do my best to live it out, "keep a short list my sweetie." Meaning, don't keep record of those who wrong you, offend you, hurt and betray you. Extremely hard to do in my experience especially in times I feel justified. 

2017 has been a year God has shown me that I can choose joy, no matter the circumstances or feelings...deepening the meaning of my Mom's advice 6 years ago. God has used Samuel to show me much of this lesson. Our Heavenly Father promises His joy can be our strength. I'm thinking of all these things tonight as a New Year is around the corner. Obviously I haven't arrived...but everyday is one step closer to "the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." I want to keep learning, loving, and growing.

Praying Joy for you in 2018.

Repost @christinecaine

・・・

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 3:13-14)

Link to post: hannahsday

Samuel turns 1!

Exactly 1 year ago, our greatest little treasure and joy came into this world! I have to take a moment to share that day bc it was an amazing experience for me. I love birth. It can change our lives if we let it. Samuel's was the hardest physical feat I have ever been through. Intense. And divine. I am forever grateful to Philip, our midwives Jeanne and Joanna, and my sister, Candace for their love and support that day...and my Mom on FaceTime 😉. That day changed my life and has taken me pretty much a whole year to process. Recovery was hard, those early days were hard. But man, I barely remember the struggle when my boy smiles at me.

It's been the coolest, most challenging, beautiful, experience of my life becoming a Mother. 

Samuel Jonathan Day, you are indeed our greatest adventure and joy. Your smile and your joy are contagious. We can't go out without someone stopping us to say how handsome you are, how gorgeous your eyes are, or how smiley you are. You have taught us how to be free and unashamed. Thank you my sweet boy. We love you more than you'll ever know, but here's to a whole life-time of showing you 💛

#theadventuresofsamueljonathan #the3littledays #birthwithoutfear #homebirth