Sprouting a Family

Thursday, September 16, 2010

My Husband is Wise

Andrew says, "It's not just what decision we make. It's what we do with that decision once it's made. That matters just as much." God really blessed me with a man who sees beyond situations that are here and now.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Right

Dear Sprout,

As you grow, you will find that it is relatively easy to distinguish right from wrong. Be kind, not mean. Be encouraging and uplifting, not negative and belittleing. Try your best, don't give up. However, you will find that there are also instances when you are not exactly sure what "right" is. There will undoubtedly be times when you will have to make a decision and you pray that you made the correct one. Right now, Mommy and Daddy are doing just that.

When I was pregnant, the decision was made that I would stay home with you. We knew that one income would still cover our expenses. Although a strict budget would have to be enforced, we were determined to make it work. The one thing we did not know was that Dad would be laid off. When this happened, we thought that another job would present itself and that we would continue on with "Plan A." As time went on, we came up with "Plan B" ... we'd both find part time jobs ... easier said than done. Perhaps it's time for "Plan C" -- Mommy will go back to teaching full time and Daddy will stay home with you.

Plans A, B, and C are all different, but they do have one thing in common. One of us will be your caretaker. When praying about this early on, we both thought that Mommy would be that one ... and she still might be, we just aren't sure. Maybe you will get to spend lots of your time with Daddy. Maybe that's "right." You see some babies stay home with mommies, some with daddies, some with relatives or friends, some go to daycare, some go to a sitter... What's correct for one family may not be for another family. Even though all of these options aren't the same, parents do what's best for their particular child at that particular time. And this family, your slightly perplexed family, will continue to pray and seek to do what is best for you. It is so important that in the midst of all this busybody searching mess that Mommy and Daddy remember to BE STILL and know that God knows what is best.

Several years ago, a pastor told me "You want what's good for you but God wants what's best for you." Please remember this.

Love always,
Mommy

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Little Note


Dear Sprout,


I don't have much to say tonight, but I wanted to write you a letter anyway. Right now, I am watching you sleep peacefully in your little bed. I am so tired and I had decided that I would go to bed as soon after you were placed in your bassinet. However, here I am looking at you instead. Sometimes I can't believe that you are really here ... that you are my baby ... that I am a mom ... that I have a son... Although I am sleepy, part of me does not want to close my eyes. I know that even the best dream could not top a simple moment like this one. It's a funny thing my little one, some would say that an uneventful night like this is nothing special -- however, I dare say that times like these are the very ones that make our lives a bit more meaningful.


Good night, my sweet boy.


Love always,

Mommy

Thursday, September 2, 2010

A Change in Perspective

Dear Sprout,

Yesterday, as I was rocking you back and forth, your daddy and I had a little discussion with you. The most important thing that we told you was that you would always be our little baby -- even when you are 93! Yes, no matter how big you get and no matter how many birthday candles you blow out, you will always be our child. As long as we are on this Earth, we will be praying for you, teaching you, protecting you, and loving you with the kind of love that you will understand when you become a daddy some day. And, when we are in heaven, we will look down and smile at the wonderful old man that is still our little boy.

As I ponder all of these things in my mind, I cannot help but think about the people around me. Most obviously when I see a child, I think about how precious that little one is and how I love you. However, this train of thought is no longer limited to youth. It applies to older people as well ... even people who are much older than I am. For example, if you get a cold, I obviously will do my best to take care of you -- my baby. When you are an old man, and you get a cold, I still want you to be taken care of. Now, even when I see someone who is older who needs something, my heart reminds me that he or she is still someone's child ... "Anna, take care of that precious person." Since I gave birth to you, my perspective on humanity has changed.

Thank you for giving me a mother's heart.

Love always,
Mommy