MollyMadonna.com

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grace spottings. (49)

Today felt like the third Saturday of this four day weekend, and I am certainly not complaining. We just needed a little extra injection of family time around here, plus the chance to get a few more things done than we can normally fit between a Friday and a Monday. The fourth was enjoyable, as I mentioned previously, and yesterday was a good mix of relaxing and productive. Today was very much a Saturday…coffee shop, farmer’s market, grilling out for dinner, a few errands and things around the house. Everyone got a little nap in, and Henry stayed up late (perhaps this is more a summer thing than a Saturday thing…). We’re heading into Sunday with still more we hope to pack into the weekend, but a good amount of things checked off the list and a healthy balance of fun things and to do’s in our 72 hour history.

I’m still on my kick to discover grace and, consequently, gratitude each day this week. And I’m glad I gave it a week’s timeframe, because I feel like the exercise has just become more of a habit than a whim, which is certainly a grace-filled reality in and of itself. Tomorrow will wrap up a week of trying to park in God’s presence in the everyday, and I am none the worse for it.

So where has grace been abundant today? Where has God’s hand been most evident to me in the small things? For one, our little man has been an extension of God’s encouragement to me all day. I know he’s two, and that he picks up on things like a tape recorder and then sticks with what works, but he was just such an encourager from sun up to sun down! I can’t help but melt a little when he snuggles close and says things like, “You’re beautiful mommy!” or “I’m your buddy,” or “You’re my best friend!” I know we’ll have days when I miss these comments and the way he was so snuggly and loving, but I will take them for all they’re worth now. So grateful to God for blessing us with a good and close relationship from the very start!

More grace sightings? The farmer’s market and all of its fresh, colorful, organic goodness. All of God’s creative Creation pouring out of baskets and spilling over crates that bless my heart as we wander every Saturday and Wednesday morning. Henry loving the musicians and street artists, running into sweet friends, gathering up a bunch of bright and cheery flowers at a bargain to bring home and liven up the table. Eating cherries and blueberries straight out of pint containers and watching my little one enjoy them even more than I do. I’m so thankful that we have something as vibrant and life giving as this in our community on a regular basis.

And then, the visit with a high school friend who came to town with her husband and little one. We haven’t seen each other in at least a decade (but probably longer). Here our kiddos are, running around one another downtown on a sunny, summery day while we catch up and reminisce and enjoy being in the same space, even if briefly. It’s a gift that God brings relationships around and around in our lives! That, following last night’s meal and beach visit with other long-time friends in town, and my heart is so full! Another set of friendships from a different decade and still, there we were, catching up and loving our time together–celebrating all of the good in each other’s lives all this time later. Blessed.

A meal made up of all local and organic and fresh goodies tonight–delightful. Seeing the joy in our munchkin’s face as we praised him for making a step towards a milestone tonight–motivating. Feeling the wee one kick and roll and move so distinctly in my belly as I dream toward seven(ish) weeks from now and how we’ll get to meet that sweet face–perfect.

So much goodness, and so much grace in all of it. My gratitude is nearly constant, my heart overflowing at what God can do. Life is imperfect, certainly, and I don’t want to paint a false picture that everything is always easy or dreamy or the like. But it is pretty grand, in that we are able to depend on a magnificent Creator who loves us enough to show us the blessings He has for us in the day to day.

I can’t ask for more than that, really. He is just so, so good.

heart full. belly full. spirit full. mind full. mindful.

mm

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halfway and smiling. (50)

What a climb it’s been to this peak–50 days and counting down! That’s the top of the hill for this 100 day challenge, and I’m thrilled and can’t believe it at the same time. 50 posts marking this pregnancy and 50 posts for the babe to (hopefully) someday thumb through, laugh at, cherish. Worth every minute.

This week I’ve been working hard to see God’s goodness in the big and small things, and to note it for my own sake. Logging the places where God shows up so clearly is helpful in any season, but especially in this one as I prepare my heart for what He will do in, through, and with this little person who is soon coming into our lives. I want to be so attuned to God’s presence, and I so desperately need to be as baby’s birthday draws near.

One of the most apparent ways God has extended His love in my life this week is through the abundance of relationships that bless my days. I was talking to J earlier and just sharing how I feel so surrounded right now–by amazing mamas, dear, dear friendships, people who have just swept in and blessed my spirit in the most perfect timing. I wasn’t feeling lonely by any means, but this week, it’s almost as if God has chosen to remind me of all of these beautiful, life-giving relationships at once…a pick-me-up I probably needed after an emotionally trying week last week.

I’m just beyond grateful.

When I look back on the past few days and recall their contents, there’s been so much good. I hope I never forget that, or the feeling it’s all left behind. I think we’ve turned a corner on some things that have been stopping up my joy, but the beauty of that is simply that it was all still there–just bottlenecked and waiting to flow out. I pray that it continues to flow generously, and that my joy not only radiates in my life, but that it passes on to others. Goodness knows, the joy of others has been filling me up and blessing me all week long! Time to pay it forward with intention 🙂

50 to go. or maybe a few more or less, give or take. feels so good.

mm

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happy 4th. (51)

henry's first sparkler.

henry’s first sparkler.

As you can see, we take celebrating the 4th of July quite seriously around here 🙂 Today was good and full of all of the things I could hope for on this bright and noisy holiday…family time, great friends, summery food, splashing in the pool, watching kiddos run around, squirt guns, swing sets, cookie ice cream sandwiches, H’s first sparklers and poppers, lots of cuddling, and brilliant fireworks. The boys are upstairs capping off the day with their first ever campout in H’s room. Daddy built a tent out of sheets, Henry grabbed his lantern, and all is quiet over the monitor. Presumably, they’re both exhausted after an action packed and fun filled day. As for the Button and me? We’re staying up just a bit longer, riding out the sugar rush from this evening’s delish dessert.

nearly thirty three weeks, and loving every bite of this homemade, peanut butter chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich.

nearly thirty three weeks, and loving every bite of this homemade, peanut butter chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich.

It’s been a great day, made better by all of the bouncing and squirming in my belly as the fireworks lit up the night sky. No doubt this little one will love the 4th just as much as his or her brother–Henry was wide eyed and delighted by the display tonight, and his excitement was absolutely worth the few extra hours we kept him awake! Hopefully, both boys will sleep in tomorrow morning, and this mama can get a little extra rest, too. All of this summer celebrating has me tuckered out in the very best way.

happy 4th to you. hope you had an equally enjoyable, colorful, flavorful, patriotic day!

mm

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sunday night gratitude. (55)

Here we are at 55 days from our estimated target on the calendar and celebrating 32 weeks. Baby is doing a good job baking, and I’m incredibly grateful for it. Every week that goes by makes me thankful…one more week of development, one more week closer to meeting the Button, one more week that God has blessed me with a healthy pregnancy. Things are starting to move and shake in the house, too, which gets me excited. We’re making progress one step at a time, but soon, the nursery will officially be a nursery, the crib will be up, bookshelves mounted, furniture painted, artwork and photos on the walls. We’ve been waiting all this time, and now I know we’ll blink and suddenly things will feel ready.

The birth of baby no. 2 for our family grows more and more tangible as all of the mamas due in close proximity to me are winding down their last pregnant days. Soon, we’ll all have sweet little bundles to carry around town, or to snuggle as we sit on couches and share stories while the other little ones play. There is so much joy in motherhood and so much that’s hard–it is the most beautiful thing to me to have amazing mama friends to journey with along the way.

Tonight as we drove down our block, one such friend was walking with another as we passed by, sweet babes in tow. I did a double take as my dear friend from across the state stood there, smiling and waving–a little gift in my Sunday evening and a lovely way to end the weekend. H and I hopped out of the car, exchanged hugs, celebrated all of our kiddos mingling together on the sidewalk at the end of the day. God always knows when to pour a little extra sunshine into our lives, and even little moments like this one are a great blessing to my expectant heart.

This week, I’m going to be on the look out for the unexpected–watching with fresh eyes to see what God will do in the midst of this waiting/planning/growing season. He is always showing up and surprising us, if we’re open to it. Here I am, God! Ready to find you wherever I can, and grateful for your constant presence in our lives.

glad for the journey,

mm

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charmed, with a view. (63)

There are days when you just need to put down the busyness of life to spend a few hours sitting across the table from a dear friend. Especially when you’re 37 weeks and 31 weeks pregnant, with three little ones at home between you, and the calendar is moving fast. Today was one of those days.

Sometimes (often) I look around and think to myself, “This is an undeservedly charmed life.” But there are plenty of things that arise and create challenges, heartache, tears, hurt…so I imagine God smiles when He looks over us and sees us truly savoring the good anyway–the marrow of life in the day to day. This particular charmed life comes by way of beautiful moments, opportunities to make the best out of the ordinary, and an increasing effort to be thankful in everything, whenever possible. I feel like there’s so much to appreciate about our regular, everyday experiences if we only try.

This is why I look back on yesterday–and an afternoon with my friends and all of our kiddos at the pool, and I think, “Man, are we blessed.” The fact that we would have the entire afternoon (and the chance to all be primarily stay at home moms together) is just a delight to me. And then to consider our surroundings, and schedules permitting us to enjoy a summer day–to watch all of our little ones enjoying time together, laughing and playing happily and healthily, is kind of surreal. I think I once imagined this life of mommyhood and wondered if I’d ever arrive here. But here is exactly where we are.

I won’t pretend that everything is always rosy, that I don’t lose my cool from time to time with my kiddo, or that we have perfectly flawless days. We don’t. But I’m still beyond grateful for what we do have, and for the dear friendships that I have the privilege of doing this alongside. It would be a lonely road otherwise…

So when I sit down to dinner with one of my very best friends (something we love to do, but don’t do as often as we’d love:), and I look out over a perfectly peaceful marina and the bay and all that goes with it, and we have an uninterrupted conversation for hours over delicious food, I just plain feel crazy-blessed. It’s easy in the routine of the day to day for us to do life alongside each other, but to be able to stop and not tend to the needs of little ones or think about to do lists…it’s just perfect. And tonight was perfectly timed. I didn’t know that I needed the outing, but I did need it. And I realized I missed my friend. We certainly celebrate the joy of having our kids in tow more often than not, but there’s something to be said for a chance to just catch up, to chat about the little things and big things, to compare notes on pregnancy woes without feeling guilty about it, and to support each other in the everyday, when we’re not serving lunch to a brood of hungry munchkins or keeping tabs on an energetic bunch at the pool. In a word, this evening was charmed. And the view didn’t hurt a bit either.

How do you know you’ve been friends with someone for nearly a decade? And that they’d be irreplaceable in your life? You know because you always pick up where you left off, without skipping a beat. And they hear you, and you, them, and you know each other’s hearts and don’t require a whole ton of back story. And you share food off of the menu at dinner and lose track of time. And then you deliver babies only weeks apart and do this parenting thing at the same time and love each other all the more for so many big life changes and seasons and years woven together like a rich fabric that gets prettier with age. And you come home refreshed and thankful, and ready to do it all over again the next time life permits.

Tonight was a gift to my heart, and a reminder that life is truly charmed when blessed with deep friendships and truth and a sense of being understood. I’m so thankful for my dear friend. And so grateful that our (still) growing bellies are growing together. Perhaps our newest wee ones will grow together in beautiful friendship, too.

full in all of the good ways,

mm