I'm still here...

I know it's been awhile, but I haven't abandoned my blogging ways.  I've just been a little preoccupied lately... 

Okay, VERY preoccupied. But who could blame me for not blogging when I have been loving on the sweetest babies instead?

That's what I thought.

Life has been good and, well, crazy.  Jude started school back at LSU and Bellingrath Hills Elementary and the running around has been exhausting.  I averaged the time spent in the car traveling from place to place, and somedays we were spending well over 3 hours a day driving around.  HELLO!  That is a trip to Biloxi.  Not to mention that I was having to nurse Aubrey Lane in the car praying that I didn't offend anyone and getting over it if I did.  We decided that we needed to back away from private therapy for awhile.  But we will be back soon.

There have been plenty of highlights the past month.

The first one is that Jude's APE (advanced physical education) Coach feels that Jude will be WALKING soon!  Now that's with the assistance of a walker, but who cares?  He will eventually graduate from that and walk on his own.  Coach Matt has bragged on Jude's improvement in strength and understanding of the mechanics of walking.  Lane and I have been helping Jude walk everywhere to get him stronger. I would love for him to be walking for Christmas- best present I could get!

The eating is still not going that great.  Jude has progressed to biting and eating Ritz crackers, but his desire to eat varies from day to day.

Second thing is that Aubrey Lane is now 2 MONTHS OLD!!  

At her 2 month check up she was exactly in the 50th percentile for weight and height.  Wonderfully average!!  The doctor said she is doing great and meeting her milestones right on target.

It is so hard to believe that my little Sweet Pea we all prayed so hard for is growing so fast. (I've already asked Lane if we can try for baby #3 when I finish nursing Aubrey Lane ;-)

And finally, The Mustard Seed Boutique is slowly but steadily getting up and going.  I am actually working on a big order right now for super sweet friend Darla and her soon-to-be-here grandson. 

I have an Etsy shop.  It's just a little empty right now.  I haven't had time to really design a banner or logo or card for my little business which I really need to do soon.  Until I can get all that done, I've signed up with Big Cartel so I can list a few things at a time until I can get those other things done.  Please check it out for me!

The Mustard Seed Boutique 

If you live locally you can always email me at ourmustardseed@gmail.com if you would like to order anything and save on the shipping.  I'll be adding Thanksgiving and Christmas items as I can.

Well, I have to get.  Not much time for computers these days unless it's naptime and most of the time I try to get a little nap when they do ;-)  

Hope y'all are doing well!  

Angel 

Where are your treasures stored?

Last night, Lane and I were snuggled on the couch with both of our sweet babies watching television.  My sweet Jude was stretched out and sound asleep between the two of us when out of nowhere a huge smile covered his face and he started giggling in his sleep.

This was such a sweet moment, and our hearts were melted by it.  Not only was it absolutely adorable, but comforting as well.

You see Jude’s heart medication has a nasty reputation of causing nightmares or night terrors as a possible side effect.  And unfortunately, Jude suffers from this nasty side effect.  It is not uncommon for my sweet redhead to cry out in his sleep or wake up screaming multiple times a night.  His night terrors can be so bad that Lane and I will have to hold him and make him look at us to realize that he’s safe and to stop screaming.  It really is heartbreaking for any mom to have to go through.  So you can understand how comforting it would be to see him smile and laugh in his sleep.

Back to last night’s moment...

Lane and I continued to watch in pure joy as Jude kept showing his sweet smile in his sleep.  And we talked about how nice it was to watch.

Then Lane asked what did I think he was dreaming about to make him so happy.  Us?  His favorite cartoon? Bath time?

I began to cry.

I explained to Lane that I can’t wait to get to heaven and talk to Jude. I would give anything to know the thoughts that run through his head on a daily basis.  I am sure there are more intelligent thoughts in him than people would think.

What will I hear when I get to heaven?  

Have I been a good enough mother to hear heartwarming sentiments?  Have I spoke enough blessings into his life?  Have I been patient and kind enough?  Have I kissed enough booboos and shown enough tenderness in times of fear?  

Jude may not be able to tell me so, but he does understand these things.  And I want to make sure that when he can tell me, he has plenty to talk about.  

I know that perfection belongs solely to God and shouldn’t be expected from anyone; therefore, I’m not implying that I am anywhere near it nor do I expect it from anyone else.  But have we shown our children the Jesus in us? Or have we shown them the world?  Will our heavenly conversation with our children be a cherished treasure or a dreaded judgement day?  

I don’t know your answers and you don’t know mine, but I do know that starting right now I am putting forth extra effort to insure that anticipated conversation is a beautiful one.  

I don’t want to hear that my son or daughter thought that money, social life, personal recreation, or anything other than his father or Jesus was more important than them.

A conversation with my son is one of my most valued treasures.  And where is that treasure?  It is stored in heaven along with seeing Jude walk, run, talk, and sing.  I just love my redhead so so much.

My heart longs for the day I receive this treasure, but for now it is stored safely in heaven.

Where are your treasures stored?

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:19-21