That One Time Judah Vomited in the Houston Airport...

It started the night before our departure from Texas. I took many hours to fall asleep as I thought ahead to the day before us, several hours driving, 3 airports, 4 hour layover, car seats, customs, enough diapers, snacks....zzzzzzzzz. Too few hours later I awoke to a crying babe, a crying babe whose tears soon turned to....vomit. Yes, Judah had the stomach flu and we were travelling for 14+ hours the next day. Well, a night of sick babe turned into a morning of yes, we are indeed doing this, and we arrived in Dallas after 2 hours in the car and more vomit than I could keep up with.

No, this is not a story about vomit, indeed, it is a story of humanity's goodness. So, stay with me!

My anxiety levels were so high as we boarded our first flight. It has been our experience these days that people really don't like freaks like us  other people who fly with small children! Even though our children are so very well behaved and travel like old pros, we get all sorts of skeptical glances as we wheel our bright red double britax through the airport and down the ramp.

Miraculously, our sweet and sick boy made it through the first leg of our flight with only a very stinky diaper that needed changing immediately when we landed. The flight was so bumpy that the seat belt sign never went off so I couldn't change him! Of course, our darling toddler also was doing her utmost to "hold it," but needed mama to RUSH her to the toilet while daddy waited for said red britax. I walked off of the plane holding Judah on the hip and Liliana's sweet hand in mine, dashing our way to the nearest bathroom when poor babe projectile vomited all over everywhere...his clothes, my clothes, our bags, the floor....every.where.

I stood there, dripping. I had no sense of what to do other than SCREAM AND GAG panic on the inside, smile on the outside, comfort poor Judah, and figure out where Joe was.

In the  meantime, I tell you dear readers, my hope in humanity was affirmed and surpassed. Those people in front of us who I thought where sending nasty glances? They ran and claimed our stroller while daddy ran L to the toilet. They proceeded to stand with me and reassure me that all was well while I waited for Joe to return with paper towel. In the meantime, I kid you not, at least a dozen strangers stopped and asked me if I needed help. They looked me in the eye with kindness, they cooed and smiled at Judah, and they wished me a happy trip.

Oh how much I learned that day. There is so much goodness in those around me! Do I take the initiative to smile at those we encounter before presuming their attitude towards my family? Do I seek to meet the needs of those around me, even in the smallest way, not knowing how it will brighten their day? Do I see beautiful hearts made for joy before judging a bitter heart seeking to judge?

It was a valuable lesson. Could I possibly be grateful for a stomach bug? Maybe just a little..

I mean, who could be too upset at that sweet face?

Love and prayers,

Why Blog?

The other day I read a comment from a friend on social media. It was something to the effect of, "I've not ever gotten on the blogging train, I mean, why would I want to read someone's diary?"

This comment really did get me thinking. Why do I blog? Why do I share so many things, lots of them quite intimate, with a random crowd? Certainly I started our blog to share our adventures in Australia as newlyweds with family and friends, but as life has evolved so has this blog. So now, what is it and why do I blog?

I started with the process of elimination.

I am not a fashionista (although I can't pretend that I don't often wish I was....oh vanity how I need to work on you!), this is not a fashion blog.

While I almost daily show people that I love them by feeding them healthy and delicious food, I do not take pictures of beautifully sliced, carefully measured, and gloriously presented dishes ergo this is not a food blog.

I am not a business woman, nor an intellectual, and my blog is seldom a place where I share business ideas or intellectual thoughts. (I think I am too much of a coward, I cringe and get stomach aches reading debates on social media that I am not even a part of). While I am in charge of the business of our home and I certainly think about many perplexing issues, due to my intense fear of conflict this is not a business or a philosophy blog.

 Am I a mommy blogger? I don't think so. My blog is pieced together, with no fancy tabs, awesome headers, give-aways, or sponsors. My children are certainly not dressed in amazing trendy etsy purchased clothing and I do not throw incredible to die for parties on an intensely low budget....thank you Mommy bloggers for inspiring me in so many ways!

This isn't a Catholic blog either, for while I often share bits and pieces of our faith life I am by no means a model of Catholic motherhood, education, tradition, or understanding. I am still learning and discovering. 

So then why, oh why, do I blog?

When I really get to the heart of it, I think there are two main reasons. 

The first is that I blog for my husband and our children. I honestly hope that one day my children will read my words and know, without a doubt, that they are loved. I hope they will smile at their silly mama who gushed over them and fussed over them and tried so hard to love them well. I hope they will be reminded of joy in the little moments, even the hard ones.  I hope that my husband is proud as he reads my words and knows that his wife adores him, even when she is too consumed with the little moments of life to say it enough. Of course, this extends then to our relatives far away who don't get to witness the little moments of joy and struggle. This is an easy way for me to share our lives with them, and one that is natural to me.

However, I also blog because I hope that in some small way my stories touch hearts. I try to take this gift to put thoughts into words and write in such a way that someone reading them can identify with the human experience and be touched and left happier or better. I've always loved to write, and I question often how I can, from my little house with my little loves, do some good for those around me and our world. Perhaps blogging is one of those ways.

Our life is far from perfect, and I don't want to give the impression that it is. I just want to be real and above all to write from a place of love, joy, and hope! If, in some small way I can convey a message of love, joy, and hope to another soul, I will be a happy woman.

Blessings on this snowy winter night!

xoxo

Judah David Turns One

I woke up this morning and glanced over at the little person next to me. With his round face, curly blond hair, long eyelashes, and cheeks flushed with sleep he looked so precious. I wanted to pull him into me and cover his little face with kisses. I remembered the morning, just one year ago, waking up to the tiny swaddled bundle next to me and having the same sentiment of overwhelming love. How is it, handsome son of ours, that you are already one year old?

"Um Mama, there is a problem here, and it is that I am not in your arms!"

We celebrated your birthday last night with a simple but fun family dinner. Big sister and I had such a fun time decorating the house in dinosaurs and scurrying about trying to get everything clean. We kept saying to you, "this is how much we love you, Judah!" as we mopped the floor and dusted everywhere. Of course, you were in your favourite place, my arms, as I scrubbed. You've mastered the art of clinging to me and lifting your legs high off the ground if I try to set you down. It sure is exhausting toting you around, but it makes my heart so full having your little self stuck to me.

 We had such a happy night celebrating your life. Looking around the room at all of the joy filled faces, it became so apparent to me (yet again) that even though the first year of your life was a very helpless year, the gift you gave to those around you by your very presence was above and beyond what we were able to give you. You made our hearts stretch and grow, you challenged our generosity, loved unconditionally, forgave instantly, infused joy into every circumstance despite how difficult it was. You, Judah David, are such a gift to us and to the world. Thank you!

"This is totally not as fun as you told me it'd be, mama!"

A perfect new toy from Grandad and Lolli!

Eyes of love for Lolli

There are so many things I want to remember about you this year. I just can't get enough of your beautiful little self - your incredible facial expressions, the way you start dancing anytime music hits your ears, how you absolutely adore your big sister, your ravenous appetite, the way you curl up close to us when you are sleeping and don't let go, and your intense need to hold onto anything that looks like a stick.

"What in heavens name is happening here?" 

"Oh, this is what all that hubbub was about...ok, very worth it!"

You are, in every way, so loveable and so loved. Thank you, dearest son, for everything that you are. We are so excited to see the ways in which you grow this year! You can already, among other things, say mama, dada, Liliana, and alleluia (who would have thought!). You are so very close to walking, and you stand at the window several times each day screeching to be let loose outside. You absolutely love putting straws in lids, caps on containers, blocks on top of each other. You are such a joy, Judah, we love you so much!

We are humbled and grateful that we have been entrusted the gift of beautiful little you to teach, protect, and guide towards heaven. Happy Birthday, Critter.

Love always Mama, Daddy, and Liliana