Here's to you, JD!

John Dorr is a stellar dad! I could write a loooooooooooooooong post about his awesomeness, but instead I'll highlight the details of his 19 months of being a stellar dad.

* John stayed by Avery's side after she was born and didn't stray for a minute. He was enamored with her.
* He has been diligent about putting money into her 529 (VA college savings account) since she was 3 months old.
* He makes sure to give her a hug and a kiss when he walks into the door after work and I constantly see him stop what he's doing so he can enjoy her.
* He protects her and watches over her.
* He's tender with her when he needs to be, and rolling on her ground playing bucking bronco with her the next second.

Avery is so blessed to have a dad who loves, nurtures, and looks after her. Here's to you, JD! I know fatherhood isn't always easy, but you have taken on this role seamlessly. You were designed to be HER daddy :)

I don't like robbers.

This blog post is a little heavy. Sorry.

At my Bible study yesterday, the leader said (which I totally agree with) that she sees a lot of mothers these days who have been robbed of joy. She's made an observation that it's a more recent thing (as in our generation) that mother's are experiencing. She said there were obviously ups and downs when her generation (she's in her 50s) was raising their kids, but nothing like today's generation of mothers. I have experienced it myself. Not all the time- but for sure here and there throughout the last 19 months of being a mom.

* You can be having an awesome day, and then poof- your child doesn't hit a milestone like a friend's child and you feel like a bad mom for some reason.

* Someone can make a judgemental comment about how you are/aren't parenting and all of a sudden you're questioning yourself.

* You feel content, and happy, and then you log into Facebook and see that your friends have a prettier, cleaner, shinier, less chaotic life than you- poof...you're knocked down.

I definitely wouldn't say this is how I feel most of the time, but once in a while these negative thoughts do enter my mind, and I couldn't agree more with my Bible study leader- something is robbing our joy, bringing us down and the kids notice...they do! I'm not sure if it's because of social media, or because everything is so public and easily criticized/dissected, but we are so competitive (even if you don't think you are) with each other. It was the general consensus at the table yesterday that we are selfish. Ouch! It hurts to even type that word. But it's so true. Our homework for next week is to come with a list of things that rob us of joy (in motherhood, marriage, or life in general), and I've already been making a mental list.

If you feel comfortable, tell me something that robs you of joy in your life.

Have I told you lately...

 Avery swimming in the lake

 Probably my new favorite picture of her

 Mr. Smartypants

After dinner with my parents

I know people say it all the time, but I really mean it- I am blessed! In no way does that mean that my life is perfect or without hiccups. In fact, if you know me, then you know that there are things I struggle with, and things I'm trying to improve about myself. But none of that changes the fact that I have a blessed life. I have an amazing husband who loves and knows me like no one else, and a healthy daughter who changes and makes me laugh every day! There are many more things in my life that I am thankful for including my relationship with God, family and friends. I'm smiling as I write this post :)

The last few weeks have been a crazy whirlwind! John passed his last and final board exam...PRAISE THE LORD!!! It's been a massive time commitment to study for this test, and he's been working towards this last exam for three years now! My parents are in town, and we've had a lovely visit! I always love and appreciate my family, but I especially feel those emotions when they are down here because it makes me miss having family around to spend time with. Things at work are going really well, and I think there is something like three weeks left til the end of the school year (I'm not into countdowns, so I may be way off)! I'm really looking forward to this summer when my little family can spend some much needed family time together without studying being on everyone's mind! I have a few things in my mind I'd like to do: lots of beach and pool trips, strawberry picking, trips to the zoo, and fishing. We're going up to NY to visit family the end of July for a week, and I'm excited to bring Avery to fun places John and I both remember fondly as children.

Have I told you lately I feel blessed? I'm sure you feel blessed in an area of your life. What is it? I'd love to hear :)

You better recognize...

A friend of mine stole this idea from her friend, and I'm stealing it from her. It's important to recognize the people in your life who have made an impact, shaped who you are, and except you including all your ugly flaws. I'm especially reflective of the ladies in my life today with it being Mother's Day.

In no particular order:

 Kristi: You're the first person I left Avery with and you cared for her like your own. Because of that- you are so special to me!

 Jess: You're the most non-judgmental person I know. Accepting and caring just touches the surface of your personality.

 Claire: Opposites in basically every single way. I never thought I could like, nay LOVE my opposite as much as I love you. Motherhood is so much more fun because of you.

 Wendy: Was it really 22 years ago that we started making up Michael Jackson dances in your pool? I love my awkward years with you.

 Danielle: You have a strength and independence that is admirable. I'm hoping it'll rub off on me someday. 

Angela: You're my grounded, 'ain't gonna give up' friend. Nothing shakes you, and I've learned a lot from how you handle life's lemons. You make more than lemonade...you throw a lemon pie in there, too!

 Michele: You've been my 2nd mother since having Avery and I don't know what I would have done without you the first few months! I so value our conversations and special friendship.

 Me and Danielle

 Me and Angela

 Me and Kristi

 Me and Claire

 Me, Wendy and Avery

Me and Michele

 Me and Jess

Hot Mamas

I have the pleasure of knowing some wonderful mothers! None of them are perfect, or even pretend to be- but each does their best to be an awesome mom to their child(ren). The moms I invited have each had an impact on me in some way.

Not everyone knew each other (or at least very well), so I made a little mixer game for us to play. It was called, 'Find a Mother Who...' Examples of the questions are, 'Find a mother who got less than 6 hrs of sleep last night', 'Find a mother who has been thrown up on in public', 'Find a mother who's family lives the furthest away from Virginia' and so on.

It made me so happy to see so many great moms in one room. I kind of wish we could combine forces and write a book or something!

I made a banner of pictures of each mother and her child(ren) hanging and asked the moms to take a picture of someone they don't know well/speak to often so they could pray for that mother, send them an encouraging email, or just think of them on their way to work. Motherhood aint easy, ya'll!

 Some of the ladies hanging out.

 Playing the mixer.

 Our game.

The banner I made.

Never alone in my thoughts...

“When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.” ~Sophia Loren


I saw this quote, and really liked it! For those of you who are mothers (of any age), don't you agree? I find myself thinking of Avery all the time. It doesn't matter if I'm at work, playing with her, or watching a movie while she is napping. That little girl has found a way to crawl into every corner of my mind. And I don't mind a bit!

Next weekend I am hosting a Mother's Day brunch, and have invited 16 ladies to celebrate the honor of motherhood. Some of the women have grown children, and some have newborn babies! Some are mothers of multiples, and some have grandchildren- I love the wide range of mothers in my life and the unique impact they've each had on me.

I'm hoping that the brunch will be a special time of fellowship, and recognition of a special honor that God has blessed us with. And it doesn't hurt that there will be some yummy food, too :)

Run Leah, run!

I ran a mile yesterday without stopping, and set a PR- under 10 minutes. 9.40 to be exact! I know for most this is not a big deal, but for this girl- it's HUGE! I hate running (always have, even when I was stick skinny in middle/high school), and probably always will. My asthma makes it hard to enjoy running, since 0.5 miles in I can barely breath. I'm going to keep working at it. I put on Facebook yesterday that I wanted to give a shout out to Jay Z, Rhianna, and Destiny's Child (I listened to them while running at the gym yesterday), and of course Jesus! I hope people got that I was making it sound like a speech at the Grammy's or something. You've always gotta thank Jesus!

I have been really disciplined with my workouts the last month, and have seen a difference, too! My clothes are loser, my body feels firmer, and I have more stamina while doing my workouts. I have a long way to go, but I'll be the first to say that I'm proud of myself! I want to lose more weight, and enjoy my body before I get pregnant again. I'm not when that will be, but the thought of gaining 30-40 pounds and carrying around another big belly makes me cringe right now.