She's got a way about her. I don't know what it is? But I know that I can't live without her!

Have you ever tried something for the first time and loved it and thought "Where have you been all of my life?"

It's like you love it and didn't even know you were missing it.

That's exactly the way I felt when I met Delaney Grace (my youngest) for the first time.

After having my first two so close together we waited for a little while to have another baby.  I loved every moment of my pregnancy with her (other than throwing up all the time for the first three months). I couldn't wait to meet her.  Would she be our last?  Would this be our last pregnancy?  We thought so. 

So we captured every moment on tape.  Took thousands of pictures.  Bought all new EVERYTHING for her.

I will never forget how pretty she was.  I know, I know, every momma thinks their child is pretty.  But Delaney's red hair and perfect complexion made her perfection.

Just like with Carleigh I had bows in her hair two minutes after coming out of the womb (not exactly but you get the point).  And I don't think I slept for days.  Not because she kept me up crying.  I didn't want to sleep with her around.  I wanted to hold her, kiss her, cherish her because I knew just like with my first two children she would quickly grow up.

I had crazy people tell me "Watch out because three is going to rock your world". Or "With three they are never in the same mood.  Someone is always unhappy".    Three was our magic number.  We were ALL happy she was here.

Since then, 7 years ago today, there have been moments of joy with her, moments where I wanted to pull my hair out, moments of laughing until I cry and moments of "Oh my gosh did she really just say that?"

I have kissed her boo boos, wiped her tears, kissed her cheeks off, spanked her little cushy bottom (shock, gasp...she probably laughed while I did it).  I have read thousands of books to her, rocked her to sleep, cuddled with her, sang to her, give her correction, worked on spelling her name, counting money and all of the other things she needed to learn.

My prayer is that it was enough.  Enough kisses, love, correction, support, encouragement, laughter, and teachable moments.

 

You see I am her BIGGEST fan.  Her momma.  Her cheerleader.  And when she is older hopefully she will call me her friend.

Don't we all need that?  We need someone to wipe our tears, calm our fears, cheer us on and correct us when we need it even when it hurts both of us.

If you feel like you don't have that tonight I want you to remember that their is a God who loves YOU just like I love my little Laney.  As much love as I have for her doesn't even compare to the love that God has for us.

I cannot imagine sending any of my children to die for anyone but He did just that.  So you and I could be free from the law of sin and death and have eternal life. (I'm preaching now, somebody give me an amenah).

So today (and for the past several days) we have lavished our love on her. We have told her we loved her a millions times and told her how we couldn't believe she is such a big girl.  We made her hopes and dreams come true for her birthday.

I urge you to not loose hope.  There is a father in heaven just waiting to lavish his love on you if you let him.  He calls you friend.  What do you call him?

Yes, there will be many more birthdays. But tonight I'm thanking God for 7 years with a red headed, feisty, smart, witty, candy loving, not afraid to say anything girl.  I cannot wait to see how He is going to use her.  All eyes are on you God.

Don't wait until Valentines Day!

A little note that says I love you.

A favorite meal made for you just because.

A text that says I miss you.

Taking out the trash instead of waiting for your spouse to do it.

A big hug when they aren't expecting it.

A smile and a hello when they walk through the door after a long day of work.


Sometimes when the above mentioned happens it changes the entire course of our day doesn't it?

Don't we all want to feel like we are loved, appreciated, respected, missed, wanted, needed?

Jeff and I are far from a perfect marriage. However I have no problems in saying that we try VERY hard at our relationship, and it is VERY rewarding.  We have been together for a really long time (over 20 years).  We have grown up together, grow apart at times, grown back together again and etc.

What I've learned over the years is that a relationship takes great patience and compromise.  I'm not always going to have those heart fluttering feelings that I had when we first met (although they are stronger now than then).  Add a few kiddos, jobs, school, home maintenance, bills, family time and then life gets in the way and our feelings can become as mundane as life.  It's much easier be selfish. The more difficult thing to do is to try hard at being a good spouse, but the rewards outweigh being selfish by a long shot.  And then it gets easier.

Sometimes when I don't agree with Jeff 's position on something (did I just admit to that) instead of getting mad at him I pray that God would change MY heart.   Maybe it's time we to take a good look in the mirror and see if there are things that we can adjust instead of waiting for our spouse to change.  Ouch that hurts.

Hang in there friend. You may not have the perfect relationship but I believe you can have a pretty darn great one. 

One of my favorite quotes from Martin Luther
"Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave."

Those are such great words aren't they?  Wow.  Think about that for a minute.

So I said all of that to say this...don't wait until Valentines Day to let him/her know what they mean to you.  Tell them on a Tuesday for no reason.  Make them their favorite lunch and stick a love note inside.  Let them have the night off by doing the chores they normally do around the house just because you love them. 

Those things don't take tons of money but are priceless to the heart of your loved one. 

Make them feel special today just because.  Don't just wait until Valentines Day!

Proverbs 31:10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.