The moment this picture was taken, I had no idea how much these two little ones would s t r e t c h me outside of my belly. How often I would be brought to the end of myself. Weaknesses I didn't even know I had, exposed. My desperate need for sleep bringing me overwhelmed and weeping to my knees, which, thanfully, stopped me from running into walls for a moment.
All of that struggle, though? It's brought me to a place where I celebrate. I celebrate gifts, small graces--even when it seems impossible. I find the gift: the breath of a whining toddler, the snuggles of a feverish girl with an ear infection at 2AM. I fight to see that minscule speck of grace.
Don't get me wrong. I don't love every moment of parenting. Sometimes it just sucks. But I've found that peering through the reeds of the suckiness, there is a glimmer of something good--always. Because God is always, and he is good always. I've learned that parenting is far less sucky when you can cling to those God-glimmers, raise them up and say, Yes! Thank you! This is just slightly less sucky, because ___________.
One year ago today, we celebrated making it through a really brutiful (beautiful and brutal) year.
It's never a party till a sock monkey shows up! |
7 comments:
I think year 2 has been more fun than the first 2 years. They are just so cute together. Congrats and happy birthday to them!
Happy birthday Brynne and Hadley!!
Oh my goodness, from this perspective of reading your blog, how you have thrived and grown as a mommy. I've been blessed to read along with you. Happy birthday to your girls! I love how you celebrate the graces that are hard-to-find-but-still-there!
What a beautiful - and true! - post, Julia.
Our girls' second birthday was definitely one of celebration. I thought at the time it was because things had gotten so much easier...which they had (and I can do anything on a full night's sleep!)...but it's also having learned to appreciate the many, many glimmers. :)
Happy birthday, Brynne!
Happy birthday, Hadley!
And many blessings to you and Brad on this amazing milestone. :) :)
Happy Birthday Brynne & Hadley. Congratulations Julia & Brad. You guys have done a real good job with your girls. Wishing you many more blessed years as a family
Happy Birthday to your beautiful girls! And Happy Birth Day to you! Good job surviving 2 years ;)
Lily and I are gushing over the last photo of you holding hands. (Can you tell our hearts kinda ache for another little girl?) We both say to those adorable girls - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! More fun times ahead!
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