Pearls

My daughter brings me so much joy. It's hard to believe how much time has passed already since she came into our lives. I go to work and see kids that are already in school and think... oh my goodness, she isn't going to be a baby forever!

I have always said that you realize when you are pregnant that you are going to have a baby in your arms soon. And somehow, no matter how prepared you think you are, you are never prepared for them to grow up. Even though you know in your brain that you will have them under your roof for the foreseeable future, you don't ever see that far. At least I hadn't! I celebrate all the milestones... but she's still a baby to me... and I suppose she always will be in my eyes.

We were at church on Sunday, and because of all the illness going around, we did not have nursery care. It was fine, one of our great friends has no trouble watching her in the sanctuary, and she is pretty good and not very disruptive. Anyway, I looked back to the back of the sanctuary where they were sitting and the first song began and as I was leading the congregation I saw my little princess raising her hands and moving her lips along with others around her. I don't know how much she understands but it just warmed my heart to see her raising her hands and participating in worshipping in song. I had to hold back the tears from where I stood.

When Megan was born, we didn't name her until after her birth. We knew the gender, but we waited until we met her face-to-face before we gave her a name. (And we will be doing the same for the second Connor baby! Although we aren't publicly announcing the gender because we have family and friends that want to be surprised. You can message me if you really want to know as long as you can keep the cat in the bag!) Back to what I was saying, Megan wasn't named until birth. It was a name we had only considered once or twice before-hand. As soon as she was born and they handed her to us, Matt looked at me and said, How about Megan? (We already had a good idea what her middle name would be) I said, ok, she's perfect. We couldn't have been more right in our name choice! Name meaning is very important to me. I know so many people that are an accurate depiction of what their name means, and it truly is the first gift that you give your child...
"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." Proverbs 22:1 ~ and a name is one of the few things in life that you can't take away from a person.

Megan means "pearl" -- All pearls, from my understanding, are perfectly unique, something that God forms in a dark place inside an oyster. I know every child is a gift and my Megan is no exception. She has so many unique quirks and they all make up my beautiful baby girl.

PSALM 139

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
¹⁶     your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
    were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

I want my baby to know that all her quirks and imperfections are ok because she is absolutely priceless. She is the world to Matt and I. And it's hard to imagine but she is even more so to her heavenly father. I want her to know everyday when she looks in the mirror that she is perfect, flaws and all, and that she is loved by the King. I pray she never settles for anyone or anything in this life short of what God wants for her life. 

Matthew 13:45-46
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

Lastly, my pearl is a reminder that it's my job to bring her up in the fear and knowledge of the Lord, and to protect her.

Matthew 7:6
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces."

If you didn't notice, I'm spoiled rotten by my baby. She is full of energy and joy. She is inquisitive and I love watching her grow and learn each day. Maybe it's just the sentimental side of me coming out since I am going to be the mother of two soon, but I just wanted to reflect on some of the thoughts that were going through my head as I was getting her ready for bed this evening. I can't even imagine how I'm going to love two babies as much as I love my Pearl, Megan. But I know the blessings and provisions of my Lord and I know he will give us another wonderful miracle that will be the world to me as well.


So, I suppose that only leaves one question... What in the world will we name the next little one?? I suppose we still have a few weeks to start contemplating names to take with us to the hospital. 

Testing the Waters

Well it appears that I want to attempt to join the blogging world again. We'll see how it all goes!

I have no formal plan for this blog... I have had some family members tell me that I need to document all the blessings in my life as they happen so that I can look back and praise God and share them with my children and family. God has been so good to us, why should I keep it to myself? The title of my blog in and of itself is a reminder to myself that we are given blessings, curses ... all kind of things will be put in our path, but it is our choice as to how we will handle each scenario and if we will choose to truly live or to allow our circumstances to dictate our lives.

I'm sure that I will of course be sharing some random ramblings, possibly some products/recipe reviews, and of course the occassional pinterest success or epic failure.

I would like to think that I would have enough time to update this each day or every other day, but let's just be honest, this is real life and it will probably not happen! Our family is about to grow as well, so I'm sure it will be sporadic once this little one makes their appearance! I hope that you enjoy reading.