Future / Past

This chorus of this song has been stuck on repeat in my head for the past couple of days and I still haven't gotten sick of it which shows how much I enjoy this one both musically and lyrically.

It's been good to think and reflect on these words and what they mean.

You are my first,
You are my last,
You are my future and my past.

hello there, i'm still here

It's been a while, but so much has happened since the last time I posted! Here are some of the highlights:

1/ Arrival of Baby
We were blessed with the sweetest little girl in the whole world, K. She has overhauled our lives, but in the best way.  She is just awesome and continues to bring us so much joy, and I am so thankful that she is here.  November 14, 2013 marks the day our little family grew from two to three, and our hearts became even fuller.

2/ Official start of Maternity Leave
I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to spend everyday with K for one year (thanks hubby)! People often ask me if I'm stir-crazy from being at home all the time and quite honestly no, I'm not. (I think being a introverted home-body really helps me out in that department, haha.) Internet is key though (not sure how mothers used to do it without it) because without the ability to go online, check e-mails, go on facebook, or stream TV shows, I'm pretty sure I might have gone loco by now. However, I have the internet at my fingertips so throw a book or two into the mix and I'm more than good to go. (Or rather, not go anywhere).

That being said, hanging out with other mommies and their little ones during the day is always such a treat. :) Yay for friends being on mat leave too!

3/ First Christmas with K
This Christmas she was only just over a month old so she definitely will not remember a thing, but we will. And it was lovely. :)

4/ K's Developmental...Development
From blob to blob with flailing limbs to little person with pretty decent control of her neck, limbs, and digits (there's nothing like intentional movements to excite this OT mommy), it has been such a pleasure witnessing K develop both motor and cognition-wise. While she has always been fun, she is interacting more and more with the world around her (this includes us!) and it will only continue getting more fun from here. We're also starting to see more glimpses of her personality shine through now and I'm excited to discover more about who she is and have her discover more about us in return. Exciting times ahead!

With all these highlights I've had my share of low-lights as well, but I choose not to dwell on those things as much as possible. Why focus on the not-so-good when there are so many things to be thankful for? Onwards and upwards, I say, onwards and upwards.

Community

"over the last four years i've learned over and over again that attaining a perfect community is impossible. lccf is not perfect; it's made up of a group of imperfect people so it will never be "perfect". there will always be struggles, and growing pains to deal with, but it is in our imperfections where true community is tested and developed, faith is strengthened, God's power is made perfect and as a result, people are transformed.

true community is not about perfect people coming together to form a perfect community. instead, i believe true community is about imperfect people coming together in love to help one another, live life together, and encourage each other to continue striving towards being like Jesus, the ultimate perfect being." - me, 2006

I wrote these words right before I graduated from undergrad during a time when I was experiencing community within my university fellowship in an intense, tangible, and authentic way. It's been 7.5 years (!) since I typed out that post, and as sit here - reminded of my thoughts - I can't help but ask myself what does community mean to me now? What does it look like? What can it look like? What should it look like?

Awaiting baby

As baby's arrival comes closer and closer, I can't help but get a bit sentimental re: these past nine months because being sentimental is what I do, although (I admit) it gets a little bit ridiculous sometimes. Anyway, as much as I am excited to meet her, see her, and hold her (finally!), I will miss having her with me always (at work, at home, at church - we've literally been inseparable for the past nine months), as well as feeling her kicks, squirms, punches, and hiccups from the inside out. I love feeling her hiccup, I think it's one of the greatest and cutest things ever. Oh how I love her. :)

Can't wait to meet you, Little One.

God's Great Dance Floor

You'll never stop loving us
No matter how far we run
You'll never give up on us
All of Heaven shouts, "Let the future begin!"

I come alive, I feel alive
I am alive on God's great dance floor

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

see you on the other side, Grandma.
love you, Paw-Paw. 

stompin' sharon

i love the feel and sound of leaves crunching beneath my feet.
i also love the feel and sound of snow crunching beneath my feet.

...maybe i just like to step on things and hear myself doing it.

p.s. little sweet pea is coming in less than two months! :)

this post is brought to you by the number three

3 more days until 3 years of marriage.
3.5 more months until our little one comes
...and we become a family of 3.

:)

The Lau Peas

food for thought

"The way we suit up for our sufferings tomorrow 
is by cultivating our love for Jesus today." 

quote taken from here.