The Girl, She has Stuff

Well, Alaena has officially been on her first out of town trip. She and I went down to my brother's house for Memorial Day weekend, and let me tell you. This girl has some stuff. I mean I knew she had it all, and it was just a few months back I was sorting it all out, but until I went to pack all of the stuff she'd need for the weekend, I don't think I realized the massive amounts of stuff she has!
I mean, whatever had come our way, we were prepared. But you know that's just how it should be. We should always be ready for what comes our way in life. We should be ready for the storm before it comes.
And we prepare ourselves for those storms by praising God and learning about Him long before the clouds are in the sky. I heard a preacher say something the other day that really hit me. He said, if you pray in the victorious times, you will never crumble in defeat. In other words, if you have a relationship with God while things are going good, you won't fall to pieces when the troubled times come.
Our relationship with God is something we should constantly be working on, no matter what the circumstances in our lives are.
So trust Him today, no matter where you are in life, and you'll be prepared when the storms come your way!

Don't Get Robbed

Well, I'm going to admit to it, I am an American Idol fan. It's my one true reality TV weakness. I guess because I sing, it's fun to see how the show progresses. Anyway, I've faithfully watched season 7 to see how things would go, and last night I watched the finale.
I didn't watch it live, however. I watched it on DVR. You know, that nifty little gadget that records all your shows when you can't be there to watch it at the normal time. Well, I had church last night so I DVR'd the finale. And I watched it all after church, every little cheesy song and dance number. Every joke. Everything except for the last minute of the show.
See, apparently American Idol must have gone over its time slot. DVR however is not all knowing, and it stopped recording exactly at 10 pm which is when it was supposed to have ended. So I saw the show until the point where Ryan Seacrest said, "And the winner of American Idol Season 7 is...." And then there was nothing.
The one minute in the whole season that is most important, and DVR missed it. Of course I now know that David Cook won, and really I liked them both so it didn't matter as much, but still, I love to watch the looks on the faces and all that.
Anyway, I got to thinking about it, and I wonder how many times in life we cut ourselves just short of the best part. We get right to the point of victory, and we crumble in defeat. We allow Satan to pull us away from where we should be, right when the battle is almost won.
I guess what I'm saying is don't let Satan rob you. There is too much out there for you. There are so many victories to be won, and you never know just how close you are to your triumph. So stay in the fight, don't give up!
Be blessed today!

Mother's Day, Round 1

Well, yesterday was my very first mother's day being a mother, and I must say that I like the little celebration. I got "youngest mother" at my church which got me a $20 dollar gift certificate to Family Bookstore. Now I can buy a new book to read while I pump for Alaena, being that pump time is the only reading time I really have right now, but I'd much rather spend time with Alaena then read anyway.
But in honor of mother's day, I figured I would give you a rundown of what my life as a mother has been like thusfar (of course this will be the condensed list type version because this could go on forever!)

1. Blessed - I just don't know what I would do without this little girl. Her smiles lift my spirits. Her funny little actions make me laugh out loud. Plus, God has provided for both of us in a way that can only be described as miraculous. Last Sunday someone just handed me $40, and said God had told him to do it. I am most definitely blessed beyond measure.
2. Scary - Just the thought that I am responsible for this little life blows my mind. Every cry just wrenches right to my heart. And yes, I know babies will cry, and sometimes you have to let them cry it out. But there's always the thought back there where I wonder if this cry means something is really wrong, and what if I don't realize it? So I check on her regularly even if I am trying to let her "soothe herself." Then there's the thought that I'm spiritually responsible for her in the crazy world we live in.
3. Hilarious - I have stories about being peed on or watching my child pee on someone, or having her pass gas louder than a man at my friends house. And stories about how she can kick out of shoes as fast as you put them on, which shows she really is a Smith.
4. Mystifying - There are some things I'll never understand, like why her fingers are so much better than a pacifier, or why the red thing that covers the screws on her swing is so hypnotizing, or why the part of bathtime she doesn't care much for is the part after the bath when I put lotion on her. I also don't know where all the baby socks disappear to in the wash.
5. Rewarding - There is no better feeling than to have someone else be holding her and have her look around the room until she finds me and then to have her eyes lock on me until she's back in my arms. She just knows that with me is where she's supposed to be.
6. Fun - Now, I never plan to be a parent who pushes my child to do anything they don't want, and I refuse to turn my child into a "tiny adult" by making her up, but I love to dress her up in her cute little dresses and shoes (because I LOVE shoes). I also love doing her "excercises" with her. She especially likes to "row the boat" while I sing the song (my singing these days is becoming more and more infused with baby songs, Skidamarink a dinky dink is a phrase that often passes my lips).
Like I said, this list could go on forever, but I just wanted to share a little bit with you guys about my mommy days. What are some of your feelings on being a mom?

It Can't Be May Already

Well, blogging buddies, this year is flying by. This Friday Alaena will be 3 MONTHS old. I can't believe it. Time flies so fast. Yet, though it feels like such a short time, I can't remember life without her. She's just such a huge part of my life.
Anyway, lots is still going on at work. I do fear that my desk is becoming a bigger fire hazard by the minute. The papers, they are piling up, but at least being busy makes my days go by faster so that I can get home and spend time with my baby girl.
I hope all is going well for all of you out there. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to post a real post. Until then, be blessed!