Just a Mom

Two posts in one week...shocking, I know! I had to share this great quote by G. K. Chesterton I read today that really put in perspective what it means to be "just a mom." "To be Queen Elizabeth within a definite area, deciding sales, banquets, labors, and holidays; to be Whitely within a certain area, providing toys, boots, cakes, and books; to be Aristotle within a certain area, teaching morals, manners, theology, and hygiene; I can understand how this might exhaust the mind, but I cannot imagine how it could narrow it. How can it be a large career to tell other people's children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one's own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone and narrow to be everything to someone? No, a woman's function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute." (from What's Wrong with the World)

Special Day

Sunday was my 27th birthday, and it was such a special day for our family. Jackson was baptized into the church, and it was a lovely, meaningful service. The picture I posted is with our senior pastor, John Mabray. Jackson listened attentively but then he didn't care much for the sprinkle of water on his head. What a beautiful sign and symbol baptism is of God's covenant and care for His people. After church we went to eat lunch with our new friends, the Petreys, and when we walked in the restaurant, I was greeted with a huge, "Surprise! Happy Birthday!" Shane and Paula Petrey organized a surprise party for me! Many of our new Virginia friends were there, and it was so much fun! I continue to be thankful for our new church family and friends. It was such a special birthday. Saturday we took the boys to the mountains--the Peaks of Otter off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Luke went on his first hike--we walked down to a waterfall. He did great, and Jackson enjoyed the view from a carrier Shane wore. The views were so beautiful. Luke kept asking, "Where are the mountains?" We had to explain, "We're in the mountains!"