I love talking to Garrett about how cute as a button he looks, or how handsome daddy is, the weather we're having, or about his extended family but I LOVE talking to him about Jesus.  It brings joy into my heart speaking of the things Christ has done for us.  I am a really simple girl with an extraordinary gift from an Almighty God.  I look at Garrett with love everyday.  Now there are moments I am extremely tired and the thought of rolling over to go nurse him stinks but this child has my heart.  I am rewarded at four in the morning by a huge gummy grin and it melts my heart each time.  Who knew Garrett's happy time would be not only the day but also in the middle of the night?! 

The best advice a friend gave to me when I first had Garrett was to soak him up because the time would fly.  She told me to hold him and let the house chores go at times.  I'm glad that I listened to her because I love snuggling with Garrett and getting to know him more and more. 

My husband's job in the navy allows for me to be a stay at home mother.  This is the second greatest gift which my husband has given me.  I was thinking today how most of my friends from highschool are getting ready to graduate college this year and for the first time I didn't feel like I missed out.  Most people would tell me I should have waited to get married and have a baby until i'm at least 30 but I love the way my life has gone.  I met the love of my life at 18 and right after my 22nd birthday we had a baby boy.  God has blessed me so richly and although I don't hold a diploma in my hand and my closet is filled more with sweaters than business suits I am incredibly thankful to be where I am today.  I love what my friends have accomplished over the past four years and I hope one day to be able to study English so that I can take the next step in my dream of writing but for now I am soaking up this chapter in my life and loving it!

Everyday Garrett is changing and learning new things.  It's neat to see him making connections and starting to develop and as much as I want to keep him tiny forever, I'm excited for him.  I tell him all the time how I can't wait for the day he can talk (all you mothers of a 5 year old are probably thinking Oh no you don't! haha). I often am reminded that with every new stage comes wonderful fun things but also new challenges.  I know by God's grace we're going to be fine though. 

Lately i've been tearing up and random moments when I see how blessed I am. The other night Garrett woke up and Darren went over to him and the kid started grinning like crazy! I don't know what it was but they were adorable together.  Then tonight my sweet boy was talking and smiling away not really wanting to go to bed and I loved talking back to him. When he gets really excited he starts kicking his legs and waving his arms and it makes me tear up to see him so happy and healthy.  I thank God for these days because not every mother can say they had 2 months with their baby.  I remember begging God to please let me have this baby and for nothing to go wrong because I wanted to meet him and love him everyday we had together. I don't ever want to get 'used to' or take for granted the gift of being a mother.  Sometimes it's far to easy to complain about the harder side and I forget how blessed I am. 

Well I have been watching a little of the royal wedding on TLC and it's so exciting.  I love weddings and am a complete fairy tale dreamer/hopeless romantic.  Sadly most of the royal couples have ended up splitting though? I watched a special about it once on the history channel but anyways that's not meant to say this couple will split but i'm really excited for the news to be happy for once! It's been very depressing lately and it's nice to have joy from this wedding.  I hope they have a special day and that everything goes as planned!

Alright I should get to sleep.  Garrett wakes up every 3 hours still! One day that will change :).  Have a great night!

:)

My sweet baby boy hit the two month mark today.  He is growing everyday and i'm soaking in these days, one after another. I am thankful for him and how much we've both grown these two months.  Sooner than I'd like he'll be 13 and i'll be wondering where the time has gone! Those thoughts lead me to pick up my sleepy baby and cuddle him while showering him with endless kisses.  He has been doing very good and this mommy is starting to get sleep finally! It's interupted sleep but I'll take it!  We have been hanging out with friends and taking long walks in our beautiful weather we've had.

we tried pictures today but he wasn't on board with that :(

"I give up" :)

Today something happened that opened my eyes to the way God loves us (his children).  I was walking down the stairs outside and a bee flew over and went right up to Garrett.  First momma bear came out of me and this bee was going to die! but then I thought 'Sting me! Not him please!'.  Thankfully it flew away but as I continued on God spoke to me. "Laura, that is how much I love you but even deeper."  God couldn't stand to see us die and be separated from Him and that's why he sent Jesus to be our perfect sacrifice to bridge the gap from when we sinned against him.  I know this seems obvious but I would take Garrett's place in an instant because the thought of him hurting is awful.

There is nothing Garrett can do to lose my love and i'm reminded that goes the same for us in God's eyes.  It is very neat to experience a mother's love firsthand. 

I've been praying hard for friends today.  Sometimes I listen to a friends broken heart and want to mend it myself but today I begged God to restore a marriage, and heal a wounded heart.  I believe God can take a broken mess and turn it into something beautiful.  With all of my heart I believe that. :) He did that in my marriage.  As I gave testimony today of my marriage it made me realize how amazing God is for doing that in my life.  Darren and I are still a long way off from the perfect marriage but I love that man dearly.  I'm thankful today for a husband that cares deeply for me when I deserve nothing.  God really cares for me and heard my cries for help and came to our rescue so many times.  Marriage is hard but love is worth fighting for.  A marriage takes a mixture of two selfless people, love, kind words, laughter!, friendship, encouragement, PRAYER FOR THE OTHER, hugs/kisses, being there, and so much more. I will always struggle with being too selfish but I believe God works through our weakness and we are made strong. 

I am praying that God would send angels to guard the door of a dear friend's marriage like he did for me.

I've come to love my time with God over the past few weeks.  I picture eternity with Him and if it's anything like the peace during our conversations, well I can't wait then.  It is incredible how this unseen God has become more and more real to me and how deeply I need Him in my heart.  There are countless times that I have put God on the back burner but I tell you now it is awful because there is nothing as sweet as Christ in your life.  It is horrible realizing you are on a path apart from God.  I don't do well apart from God and thankfully the Holy Spirit remains in my heart to lead me back!

:) okay so I have some really neat friends around here.  I say that because yesterday we walked into church and I was like a little child in a candy store. As we worshiped I kept picking out friends and i'd smile big and think 'oh I just love her!' 'They're here! awesome :)' and I had the hardest time actually singing because I was excited to see my church family that i'm coming to love dearly.  I love how our pastor is always excited to see us and that we are welcomed warmly by everyone.  We didn't have family around for Easter but our friends from church invited us for brunch and we had a great time talking and laughing.  They are so fun to spend time with.  Then for dinner our sunday school class got together and we laughed and talked some more swapping stories about our children and life.  I went to bed last night feeling full of love.  I have to tell you that the other night I was confessing to Darren almost in tears how lonely I was feeling and then for God to answer a prayer with comfort from friends when they didn't even realize it.  I love how prayers don't go unanswered and the way God answers them always surprises me.

Well I should get going! Can't wait to keep sharing. :)

Laura