My life went from fairly uneventful to super-packed almost overnight!  Tons of networking in the next few days, and several sessions coming up in the next week. I am so excited to spend time with each of these families!! I spent today catching up on housework and laundry (ick--my least favorite chore).  Zechi was an angel all day long, and I got a lot accomplished...so I rewarded myself with some oatmeal cookies and several NSync and Backstreet boys music videos on YouTube (don't laugh, you know you want to click those two links).

So here's what I discovered today about being a mommy: My baby is growing up, and yes he's still a tiny baby, but he is no longer ENTIRELY dependent on me...he no longer needs me to sleep, he can hold a cup by himself, and he can sooth and entertain himself.  Part of me is incredibly relieved that I can FINALLY have some time to myself, but a tiny part of me is crying because I know this is the very beginning of my baby becoming more and more independent of his mommy.  This morning Zechi was in his crib.  He had turned from his back (his preferred position) to his tummy (not a preferable position, according to Zechi) and he was grunting and fussing and beginning to get frustrated because he couldn't turn back over to his back. Finally, he began to fuss and whine for mommy, because he knew mommy would come turn him back over.  I almost did, hating to see him so frustrated, but I stopped myself.  I know he wanted me to turn him over because that would be the easy way...but I knew that even though he's still just a baby, he would get even more satisfaction if he accomplished it himself, so I watched.  Eventually he flipped himself back over and a HUGE grin spread across his face, as if to say "I did it Mommy!" At that second God showed me with such clarity what my role as a mother is.  It is not to come to run the rescue every time my child becomes frustrated, or fails, or is having a hard time with something...then how will my little one ever find pride and worth and determination within himself?  My job is to cheer him on, to encourage him to try again when he feels like he can't do it, or when he feels like he's failed.  From the time he learns to sit up by himself and crawl, when he gets his learners permit, when he graduates high school and college, all the way until the unimaginable time when he has his own family,  my place is not beside him, but on the sidelines--next to his father--cheering him on, letting him know that there is always someone who will believe in him no matter what...     



Everyday I learn something new (part of my reason for this blog) Whether it's a revelation about being a wife or a mom, a tip about how to be a better photographer or businesswoman, or good advice relating to life in general, every single day I learn something new.  I realize now that there are three things I can do with anything new that I learn:

1) say "that's interesting" and then forget about it 2.5 hours later
2) be grateful for the information and keep it to myself...who wants to hear me ramble on anyway? and who knows, maybe they already know...
3) share what I've learned with as many people as I possibly can

I've made a conscious decision to do all I can to choose number three every time.  You never know what what someone is going through, or who's life you can change with just a word.  Now, I'm certainly not saying that you should go around spouting off every little thing you happen to come across (seriously, nobody cares about the gender of Snooki's baby) but if you learn something of value, a tip that can perhaps make things easier for someone, or a revelation that can grow their faith,  or an experience that can empathize with a hurting heart, or even just something to make their day...don't be shy!  The Bible talks in Matthew 5 about sharing the gospel--the most important information you can ever share with anyone--whenever you get even a tiny chance!  If you have something that can shed light on darkness in someones life, it's your prerogative to share it!