Pajama Mama: With a pinch of disorder...:)

Well, it is painfully obvious that I have failed with one of my new year's resolutions...to be a better blogger! On the other hand, I have been making LOTS of time for family and friends (one of my other resolutions). I got to see so many of the people that I love in January, and how great that was! We made multiple trips to Birmingham, had several visitors here, and also went to Rome, Georgia to see my precious friend Kendall. The blessing jar is still going strong too (another resolution). We finally ran out of the ugly brown paper and are now using red in celebration of Valentine's Day!!! January was also a time of celebration as I turned 34 and little Will turned eight months old. EIGHT months?!?! Where has the time gone? Everyone told me to enjoy each and every day because it flies by...and I am realizing that more and more every month. I have already started planning Will's first birthday party! I cannot believe that it will be here in 4 little months (and Cullen cannot believe I am already planning!) I must say (if it's any comfort to even newer moms out there) that it just keeps getting better. Will keeps getting sweeter and sweeter and I love how much he interacts with us now. He is full of smiles, laughter and excitement as he discovers new things. In the past week I have found him sitting up in his crib waiting for us to come get him up-too cute! He is now crawling, which has made getting anything done around the house that much more challenging! It is amazing how much Will is teaching me...and he doesn't even know he's doing it! I am a bit of a clean freak (a "bit") and have always lived comfortably in an organized, clean home. I have labored over cleaning our home trying to keep it perfect and free of dog hair, etc. I am learning how to let go of some of that and focus on what matters...time with the people I love. Don't get me wrong, I can't handle living in chaos and squalor, but I have learned to embrace a "new normal"...and it's really not so bad. In the big picture of life, I doubt I will look back and have remorse for not keeping my house cleaner...or for that matter, not having a shower everyday:) I WILL however look back and consider what I did with my time...and my life. I don't want to have remorse for not spending enough time with those I love. Isn't it amazing what an 8 month old can teach you? It just goes to show that the Lord will use whatever means possible to mold us...including my precious Will bug. I am working to change my focus. Instead of worrying over dog hair, the dog beds being in the middle of the floor, where I need something to be hung on the wall, and trying to keep a perfectly straight house...I am focusing on maintaining a loving home. I think the Lord is breaking me of my attempt to control through keeping order; and while it's challenging, I know it is going to bless my heart so much! I have so much to learn and I am so very thankful that the Lord has put people in my life to encourage me, validate what I am going through, and also to share what they have learned on their mom journey:)

Here are some pics to celebrate 8 months of pure joy (with a minor headache now and then!)