3 years!!

I have found the one my soul loves
Song of Solomon 3:4

As I think back on three years ago this day I was so excited! So nervous! (not about actually marrying you, but the wedding, the reception, the dance, the honeymoon ;) etc...I wanted it all to be perfect! You were/are my dream man and I wanted to be the "perfect" wife. After 3 years I still have this problem with perfection, but I know and am grateful that you love me just the way I am - imperfections and all; even though I leave my empty Splenda packets on the counter RIGHT NEXT to the trash can, even though it never fails that when I do laundry and wash the sheets they are never on the bed by the time we are ready for bed, even though I lose my patience way more easily than you, even though I have stacks of papers all over the house...the list goes on!!!! I'm so thankful we got married so close to thanksgiving because it is such a reminder of the blessing you are to me and the boys.
Do you remember, in college I gave a box full of index cards with reasons I love you? Well here's an updated version...no order (and ill try to keep it g)
1. You are so patient - you never yell at me
2. You spoil me rotten!
3. You make a wonderful daddy
4. You're a man of god
5. You're a leader for our family
6. You're gentle
7. You're so laid back - it somewhat evens me out
8. You go for runs with me just so we can chat
9. You put up with all my cooking experiments
10. You help around the house
11. You help with the boys
12. You helped me have the boys
13. I still can't resist you in tight pants (ie. Baseball pants)
14. You mop the floors and fold clothes better than me
15. You still bring me flowers just becaus
16. You always kiss me goodnight and goodbye
17. You have your priorities right
18. You cook the best scrambled eggs
19. You put your arm around me in church
20. You're faithful
21. You're a family man
22. You give the best hugs
23.  You support us
24. You're effecient
25.  You always drive
Well...that is just a start to the list...but the boys are calling so I must run.  But I love you so much and am grateful God gave me you!

High School

essentials

A few things this mama of 2 under 2 cannot live without:

1. Double Jogger (at least for this mama)
2. Baby Bjorn (or your favorite baby carrier)
3. Naps! (for us it was babywise...)
4. Accepting imperfection (my house will likely be messy for years to come, but there is always fun had in its rooms. I will prob never be a size 6 again, but I have 2 beautiful boys to show for it!)
5. coffee...mmmm we are bestest buds!
6. patience has a whole new meaning! and God is faithful to renew it each morning...
7. Joy
8. friends and family
9. my hubby, lover, best friend, soul mate, partner, helper

10. God's grace

blessings,

M

My Pumpkins:
(photos by Matthew Powell)

New Chapters...

Several new happenings in the Blalock household...

1) Yesterday residency applications were submitted. Exciting and scary. It is all up to God! Interviews will start in December. Please say special prayers that Darryl's application will fall into the right hands, that we will have the patience and peace needed to trust God, and that God's plan will be revealed to us, mainly Darryl...

2) I am unemployed...
After many prayers and lots of thought Darryl and I decided this was best for our family. Things are crazy busy around our house. I feel God has called me to the vocation of wife and mother first! The new children's hospital was going to be a big move, plus working in the PICU always keeps you on your toes. I felt like the amount of shifts I was going to be able to work I wouldn't be able to keep up my skills and feel comfortable in a new hospital. It was just time to make this decision. My babies and hubby are too important. It was a hard decision...I LOVED my job! I LOVED being a nurse and being able to care for people. I loved the people I worked with. But it was time to listen to God's call...“Here I am, Lord, ready to do whatever you want.”

"What do I have to do to maintain my love for God and make it increase?'' you asked me, fired with enthusiasm. Leave the ``old man'' behind, my son, and cheerfully give up things which are good in themselves but hinder your detachment from yourself. You have to repeat constantly and with deeds, "Here I am, Lord, ready to do whatever you want.'' (The Forge, 117)

3) we are waiting for the Fall chapter to unfold (with cooler weather)

My in-laws anniversary is next week so Happy Anniversary to them! I've been blessed with good examples of marriage in my parents and darryl's.

I will post more pics later...babes are calling

Blessings,

M

"da-da"

We had a WONDERFUL weekend enjoying Darryl being home! He slept lots, played lots with the babies, and helped me lots. We are so blessed! On Friday I worked with Caleb ALL day to say "da-da", of course we have been working on it for months...but I kept showing him pictures of Darryl and asking "who's that?" So when Darryl got home...SURPRISEEEEEE "da-da" came out of Caleb's mouth along with a big grin from both boys! Happy Day!

So to celebrate here are 5 fun facts about our "man-child/man-cub"

1. He likes to sleep with TWO, not one, but TWO pacis.
2. Caleb loves to love on his little brother
3. He loves to wave at everyTHING/one
4. He has never met a stranger, and has quite a personality...a happy one
5. He is sooo loud and busy...you have no idea!

Finances

So as many people know...we are living on a small budget. Last month we started doing cash only, (because we admire my sister and brother-in-law for doing it so well)! So I just have to brag that we completed the month successfully! We only used our debit card or checks to pay set bills...phones, mortgage etc. Our budget was set on a conservative figure of what Darryl will be making as a 1st year resident/what we have now. Granted last month we were blessed immensely with friends and family buying groceries, making meals, giving us diapers etc...so we will see how this month goes! Here's to saving money!

On another note...this is what I've been waking up to each morning...LOVE

Good Enough

I am daily reminded how inadequate I am as mother...I lose my patience with Jonah at night feedings when he refuses to fall back asleep instead of embracing that time with just him, no Caleb interruptions, I lose my patience with Caleb when he refuses to listen to or me or when he is showing his new found skill--temper tantrums, I let Caleb watch tv -- simply because I am so tired...the list goes on...
BUT - THANK GOD - God does not require or expect perfection...just "good enough." So what do I feel is what God requires of me to be "good enough"?

"Simple"...2 things...

1. Seek Wisdom
"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." -Prov 14:1
What does this mean to me? Constantly, throughout the day, I must turn to God for wisdom and guidance - and HE will provide me with the grace necessary to mother well.

2. Love my kiddos
Jesus replied "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. -Matt 22:37-40
"his love expressed through me will cover many parenting mistakes."

So while "good enough" sounds like settling at first...it really isn't. I must acknowledge, and let my kids know that I am not God, and will never be -- all-sufficient, all-knowing, ever-present -- to them.
God has not called me to be perfect. So if I do what is "good enough" for him, its "good enough" for me.

Blessings,
M

Photos from Jonah's baptism by Matthew:
sorry for the small photos...couldnt get photobucket to work...

LOVING having our cousin back!

Caleb compassionately being Liam's paci

Children

“Children are the most important possession parents are entrusted with”

"Being a father or a mother is not simply a matter of bringing children into the world. The capacity for generation, which is a share in the creative power of God, is meant to have a continuation. Parents are called to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the development of their children into men and women who will be authentic Christians.
The parents are the first persons responsible for the education of their children, in human as well as in spiritual matters. They should be conscious of the extent of their responsibility. To fulfill it, they need prudence, understanding, a capacity to love and a concern for giving good example."

Thats a lot of pressure if you ask me!!

5 Fun Facts:

1. I love to sew! You should check out my etsy site...I am having a sale! enter coupon code 30off for 30% off http://www.etsy.com/shop/madelineblalock?ref=ss_profile

2. Caleb is still taking 2 1.5-2hr naps a day -- WOHOO

3. I *hate* having dirty floors...but it has become a way of life with little ones

4. I love it when my hubby puts his arm around me...especially at mass for some reason

5. Jonah loves to be cuddled = happy mom!

Blessings, M

Enjoy these photos taking by my amazing bro-in-law!