Thoughts from this mom on mother's day

As I sit here with my hubby while Aiden is napping, I am stirred up inside. I would like to share with all of you a brief (or not--depending on your definition) testimony.

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Amazing....I may have already said this, but one of the many special things about Aiden is how he responds during worship at church. Our church has a band and knows how to rock the house. EVERY time Aiden is in my arms, when the worship is playing, he settles into my arms (often either leaning his face on my cheek or laying his head on my shoulders). It feels like he's sleeping but I feel his eyelashes on my face as he opens and closes his eyes, and today, he was singing along to the song I worship to on my own, "Desert Song" by Darlene Zschech. (Link to the song on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QemZQKKJbRU) That was the first time I heard him singing with me on a song during worship--of course, it happens to be one I sing to often.

That, to me, feels like a supernatural miracle--a glimpse of heaven--that God has so lovingly allowed me to experience.

Thank you, Heavenly Father!

It makes me wonder...this could appear to be insigificant. I mean, by the grace of God, I listened to the soft whisper in my heart to start bringing him to worship with me about a month ago. It's a seed being sewn each Sunday. I find myself looking upward in my heart wondering what beautiful thing this seed will grow into. I have been praying protection over it so the seed can't be stolen or washed away. I believe it will flourish in Aiden's heart and reap exactly what God planned for all along--giving Him the glory so due!

On a side note, I find myself wondering what some of you may be thinking with all this 'God' talk. I have recently come face to face with the fact that I deeply desire to work with my Creator and Designer. I am falling more in love with Him every day.

I look back at the severe abuse I suffered under the hand of my father. I recall the darkness that seemed to surround me, both inside and out. I recall thinking my life was the worst out there--wrestling with such evil. I recently thought my past was exactly where it is-the past and SOOO many people have and are currently suffering SOOOO much greater than I have or ever will suffer.

Now, I'm not saying my pain was gone in a instant. I went through years and years of agony and pain and deeper agony and even more pain. I thought at times it would never go away.

It occurred to me, recently, "so what if God delivered me from all of my past chains and I was free from pain. What would I do if I got everything 'I' wanted? Spend it all on me." I was trying to get out of all of that pain so 'I' would feel better. That was when I turned to God and gave Him all that I went through and exactly where I was. I realized I had been resisting Him and His will because it reminded me of the emotional, physical and sexual abuse prison I lived in as a child and young adult. Thank God I now see it for what it really is; protection. He has set up boundaries and established principles for true freedom. As I obey, with His help, I will (and have begun to) experience true joy, true blessings. It's awesome. My prayer is that I continue to let God into my life. Thank God He's merciful and doesn't require perfection!!!

Nana's new car!

We were selling our 2009 Civic EX-L and Nana wanted first dibs. Selling to her was a blessing that worked both ways. What a treat to see her act like a little kid about it.

Aiden's first time feeding himself cereal with milk

There are other posts I still have to do before this one so it will be slightly out of order, but oh well. Nana has to see that Aiden is feeding himself breakfast this morning while she's at work today.

Aiden eating his apple

Today, Mike had to work the hallway at church (he's on the safety team that uses law enforcement as volunteers to keep the church safe--1 in the hallway and 1 in the service).

A few weeks ago, I began keeping him with me during worship (so he could enjoy the music) and then walk him to the nursery after. It's been amazing. Like clockwork, as soon as the music starts (and I don't mean quiet singing...I mean a band, loud music and all) he begins to get heavier and leans his head on my shoulder. I continue swaying and singing and he always nestles up to me and is almost asleep. He is so peaceful. Doesn't say a word, just seems to absorb it. As soon as the music is done, he wakes right up. I dropped him off at the nursery and he went straight to playing with his toys. Amazing!

How beautiful and priceless is that. I remember being pregnant and thinking I needed to play soft lullaby music for him, but that's not the music I wanted to listen to. Instead, on the way to work I'd listen, and sing to, my Hillsong and other awesome worship CD's. Amazing what an impact it had on him. To me, that's just one of the many amazing things God has done!

Ok, so we got home and went for a walk. After, I fed Aiden when Mike went for his run. Below is a cute photos series of him eating an apple...

Getting his game face on so he can eat the apple - oh, and I know you may be saying, "What is she doing? She should cut them up." Tried that. They just become something to throw. He likes biting into the apple. That's what daddy does...plus it probably feels good on his gums.

There he goes....

This is the face he makes when he's intently eating something. So focused.

When we were teaching him to say that he was all done, I put my hands in the air when I would say, "All done?" so that if we didn't understand his words, we'd know with his hands that was done. It took. This is him saying, "Ah du!"

Visited Cathy and the Cooch's last Tuesday

Last Tuesday, Aiden and I went to visit, what feels like, my other family (Cathy Shavlik and the Cooch's) in VA.

Cathy and I

Aiden crawled into Mama Cooch's kitchen to see Cathy prepare lunch.

Victoria and I--yes, we could definitely pass as sisters, I think. Her son came one day after Aiden was born!

Aiden wanted up, so then AJ did too. What was I thinking carrying both boys? Paid for that later. Oh well, they were so cute!

Visited Mike at work yesterday

Yesterday, I thought we'd go visit Mike at work. Aiden had a blast!

Here, he is listening to Mike's radio and was actually talking to it. We were watching intently to make sure he didn't press the button. Bet that would have been a surprise to all of Park Police!

Here, he is having fun looking in the side of the display case. He didn't stay there long and was off to the next place.

He discovered the water cooler.

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This morning, we played in his room and he read books. I was amazed at how much he really enjoys them...on his own. He went into his closet and discovered a silver bin. He then tried to put all of his shoes into it. He is so organized! Thank God!!!

Later this morning, I let him watch his favorite cartoon, "Ni Hao Ki Lan". I observed his behavior as Ki Lan started to cry. Her friends on TV hugged her. Aiden went up to the TV and hugged it with his face. Then he came right over to me and gave me a huge hug! After the hug, started clapping because Ki Lan was now happy. Amazing.....

Morning play time with Aiden a few days ago

Aiden and I have fun playing together. The other morning, we were both being goofy, so I grabbed the camera and got a few pics.

Yes, that is Aiden's pants on my head. The things you'll do to entertain your child!

Here he is walking a little...

Peace...

I am so peaceful... House is a total mess, yet I lay here in bed, on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon.

"Lord, keep me close." I pray. That was not my prayer until a few weeks ago. I wanted to do it MY WAY!!!! Yes, the kicking and screaming too. Arrogance. Selfish. me, me, ME!!!

Our finances a wreck. My physical and emotional state of being depleted, I came to a point where I was truly desperate for help. I am not 'there' yet, but closer than I ever thought I'd be to where I truly want to be. Surrender. I don't know Him fully yet, but am asking God, by faith, to come and flood my soul. He is so quick to love. I feel like I just started what will be the most amazing part of my life.

During my extremely painful times of recovery from childhood pains, I would hear the saying, "The best is yet to come." I'd think to myself..."I really want to believe it. It must be true even though I don't feel it."

Now that I have surrendered (which I hope and pray God enables me to do from now til the end) to the One who created me, I taste freedom.

This started a few weeks ago when I heard Creflo Dollar (a minister in Atlanta) say, "Without God's living Word, you will be the same now as 10 years from now. Look back at the times when you truly relied on God and His Word." WOW. It hit home for me. I've been on a different course ever sense.

Well, I'm off to take a nap while Aiden is sleeping. Going to enjoy the peace and quiet. I'll upload some cute pics of when we went to visit Mike at work yesterday.

TTFN (ta-ta-for-now)

Aiden's child dedication and Ryan's 11th Birthday

Aiden was dedicated at our church (Grace Community Church) on March 21st, which also happened to be Ryan's 11th birthday! He was able to spend the week with us since it was his spring break.

Here's Aunt Gloria, Ryan, me and Aiden, Mom and Aunt Ann after the dedication.

Can you believe how big Aiden is? He reached for Ryan three times. It was so sweet!

Aunt Gloria was playing with Aiden as he was rearranging my kitchen cabinet.

This was the shark cake that we made for Ryan's birthday cake. I have got to get better at this!

Ryan and Nana....how sweet!

Catching up....again

It's been a little over a week since my last day of work. It's definitely been an adjustment being back home, but quite a good one. It didn't take long for me to realize that home was where I was supposed to be. It is much more of a sacrifice, but I am ready for it.

Let's see...Aiden now walks up to 10 steps on his own. He is full of life and as cute as can be. The other day a lady said to me, "I think he is seriously the cutest boy I have ever seen." I said, "I know! I feel the same way!"

He says a few words. He'll say, "Ah da" (all done) with his hands up in the air when he's finished eating. He'll say, "nuh" (nose) when pointing to his nose. He definitely knows how to say mom...."Mah!" He says, "wa com" (for welcome)...sometimes even says it when asking you to do something for him. He still takes his finger and goes up and down on his lips, while making noise, for hungry. We're trying to teach him other words, but he's pretty fond of what he's already doing.

One really cute thing he did on one of my last days at work. He crawled over to Mike, handed him his cell phone and said, "Mah!" Mike was amazed at how he relayed that message, so he did call me. So cute!

Here are some pics from around a month ago. Nana (my mom) had Aiden that day and was working with him on his fine motor skills. They had a blast. She would take a picture, then show it to him on the back of the camera and he's say (while pointing with one finger and in amazement), "Ooooooo...."

Latest video of Aiden

Here's a cute video of our Aiden...

Aiden gets hyper around 6:00 pm sometimes. Just the time he kicked me a lot when I was pregnant. This is a video of him trying to stand up one night. So funny!

Some cute pics of Aiden during the blizzard

Here's a video of Aiden being hilarious! He was in his highchair making his usual cute mouth noises. Warning....you'll laugh a lot on this one. = )

Two more blizzard pics

February Blizzard of 2010

WOW, what a beautiful storm we've had! Mike decided to stay overnight at Police Headquarters after yesterday's shift. Aiden and I sure missed him. I busily cleaned up some of the house and did all the laundry just in case our power went out today. Thank God it didn't!

Here's some pics from the snow, but even these pictures don't capture the beauty of it. Last night I stepped onto the front porch and was amazed at how peaceful everything was. It was quiet and just beautiful!

Our backyard.

This was today.

A little out of order, but this was this morning.

This is my attempt at keeping a record of how much it snowed over time. This picture was taken at noon yesterday. Yes...you do see a leveler. I wanted to be able to see how many inches...

Last night. As you can see, my idea didn't work so well. It snowed everywhere but where the leveler was because the chairs were taking all the snow.

This morning. It was at least 28" and much more with the snow drifts!!

This was this morning with the snow drifts. Just gorgeous!

Carole was taking pics of me attempting to walk through the snow.

I decided I'd go check out the road conditions in front of the house so I could give Mike an update.

No, I am not missing my legs....although it was hard keeping my balance.

Can you see just how deep it is? SO MUCH FUN!

I thought I'd try and help out by plowing the front walkway. You can see how far I got. It was heavy and it just wasn't happening...

Isn't it just beautiful! This is from the front door.