Mommy Song

There's a song I just can't help but share - it makes me cry every time I listen and it's just so close to my heart right now!  JJ Heller is an incredible, folksy, Christian artist who is local to AZ and actually got her start in Young Life camps.  She and her husband are the most wonderful duo to see in concert, and it warms my heart to know how the Lord has blessed her with music!  Listen here.
*Update - When I hold Nora, play this song, and sing to her - she is magically still.  No wiggling.  Just listening.  It's the sweetest thing EVER.

When I'm With You

JJ Heller

When I hold you in my arms, Love
Something changes
It's the strangest feeling
The things that used to matter
They don't matter to me
When I see you
And you're smiling
How my heart aches
So full it is about to break
You make me believe in love

I could never count all the ways
That you change me, Baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you

When I hear you, and you're crying
It resonates, Dear
In a place I didn't know was there
You make me believe in love

I could never count all the ways
That you change me, Baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you

Beautiful baby
You're sweeter than strawberry pie
Just like the morning
Your smile brings the sunshine

I could never count all the ways
That you change me, Baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you

I could never count all the ways
That you change me, Baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you

Blog Schizophrenia

My apologies for the multiple personalities lately seen on the blog!  I am not blogger-savvy, so I have been struggling through trying to understand how to use the really cute ones I find on the internet!

Six Months

Six months!!  Can you believe it?!  It feels like Nora changes more and more every day.  She's rolling from her back to her tummy (and then gets stuck...and really mad).  She's sitting up ALL BY HERSELF!  She LOVES her feet (and eating her socks).  She's eating solids (so far, oatmeal, avocado, sweet potato, pears, butternut squash, and bananas)!!  She's transitioning to less naps and more cranky awake time.  She's babbling ALL the time.  She's reaching for everything in sight (resulting in a few tipped glasses of water).  And she's more adorable than ever!!!!!!!!

Stephen Probert Photography http://stephenprobert.com/

Worn

I heard this song for the first time on the radio last week.  I think it speaks to every Christian at times.  It certainly speaks to me, as I continue to struggle through finding a way to balance the demands of this life.  I sat down yesterday to make a list of all my "priorities" and just felt so dejected.  I am humbly asking the Lord to help me through this struggle, to make him Priority #1 at all times and let the rest fall into place.  But in the meantime, this is how I feel!  (listen here)

"Worn"

I’m tired I’m worn

My heart is heavy

From the work it takes

To keep on breathing

I’ve made mistakes

I’ve let my hope fail

My soul feels crushed

By the weight of this world

And I know that you can give me rest

So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win

Let me know the struggle ends

That you can mend a heart

That’s frail and torn

I wanna know a song can rise

From the ashes of a broken life

And all that’s dead inside can be reborn

Cause I’m worn

I know I need to lift my eyes up

But I'm too weak

Life just won’t let up

And I know that you can give me rest

So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win

Let me know the struggle ends

That you can mend a heart

That’s frail and torn

I wanna know a song can rise

From the ashes of a broken life

And all that’s dead inside can be reborn

Cause I’m worn

My prayers are wearing thin

Yeah, I’m worn

Even before the day begins

Yeah, I’m worn

I’ve lost my will to fight

I’m worn

So, heaven come and flood my eyes

Let me see redemption win

Let me know the struggle ends

That you can mend a heart

That’s frail and torn

I wanna know a song can rise

From the ashes of a broken life

And all that’s dead inside can be reborn

Cause all that’s dead inside will be reborn

Though I’m worn

Yeah I’m worn

However, I am at the same time encouraging myself (and hopefully you too!) with this:

"I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of."

John 10:10, The Message paraphrase