Guitar Hero

My Favorite Nine...

You are a diva with an attitude that is too cute for words. You have a big personality with big blue eyes to back it up.

You are so animated and you love to make silly faces; especially at mama. You love to stick out your tongue and make funny noises, too. Everywhere we go, you know the tricks you can show off that will charm pretty much anyone. You have the ability to captivate every audience.

You are scooting around so fast and rolling all over the place. Not to mention that you are pulling up on everything, even the bathtub while you are in it!! You are so active and independent, sometimes I don't even recognize you at all! But, I quickly remember when I walk out of the room for only a minute and I hear your over-dramatic baby cry. This is my simple reminder that you still need your mama. Almost instinctively; I come in, scoop you up, and you grab onto my neck. I look at your sweet baby face and see your three-toothed smile, with no real tears in your baby blues. I hate to admit it, but I just love that you need me that much.

You are growing into this strong-willed, funny, tender-hearted, sweet little girl. You have your own likes and dislikes. You have your own opinion and you aren't afraid to share it with others:). I will try my best to let you grow into the person you want to become, with the unique talents God has given you. Daddy says he is proud of the beautiful personality you have started showing us more and more everyday. We couldn't ask for more than being your Mommy and Daddy. The nine months of having you on this Earth have been my favorite.

Love you more,

Mama

Words for my now...

Crazy.
One word I would definitely use to describe this hectic season in my life right now. Example #1: I just got my Christmas tree down, and ladies and gentlemen, its January 20th. Example #2: Taking a shower seems like a luxury and make-up has been on the back burner for a few weeks now. Must I go on?

Gorgeous.
This precious baby girl who is growing so fast in front of me. Some days I hardly even recognize her because she is changing so quickly and growing so big. I don't want to miss anything...not one thing. I want to soak her in, and never forget even a second.

Undeserving.
I can't wrap my mind around it. People who pour into others' lives without asking anything in return. People who will give, talk, and love the second they meet you; as if they have known you all their lives. There are two who did that for us, and it was enough. Just enough for them to be Jesus with skin on in that very moment.

Loved.
God has seriously shown up in a big way in this department. Knowing that I am truly loved by Him has been very apparent lately. God has given me a place of solace and renewal in this season of change, growth, and chaos. Even on the bad days, it doesn't get any better than that.

The last 8 months of 2008...

Gracie,

The last 8 months of 2008 have been the most life changing but life giving. I have become a whole new person because of you.

I spent the last day of 2007 planning a party for about 30 of my friends. I furiously shopped, baked yummy appetizers and desserts, cleaned, and sent texts to everyone I knew. The house was full of a bunch of twenty-somethings and we rang in the new year with music, laughter, drinks, and fun.

I spent the last day of 2008 planning a day of fun for one little girl. I shopped for bottle liners, baby vicks, and batteries for your swing. I fed you appetizing dishes such as; cereal, vegetables, and bananas. I cleaned your nose and tickled your tummy. The house was full of your new toys, baby bottles, and the sound of your sweet laughter.

Oh, how life has changed for me and I know it won't last long! I feel like I will just blink and you will be a twenty-something ringing in the new year with all your friends. But today you were all mine, and I savored every moment of being your favorite person in the world. I am the most blessed to ring in the new year with you. The best is yet to come.

Love you,
Mama

The Sweetest Seven

GA, (As Papa Dale calls you)

*I am so late on your monthly update...our world has been very busy!*

It feels so good to laugh uncontrollably with you. The kind of laugh that makes you stop breathing a little, or the kind of laugh that brings tears to your eyes. That is the way we laugh together now. When we play peek-a-boo every evening or when I squirt you with your suction thingy in the bathtub. You laugh so hard and it is so contagious. You keep me young at heart.

My sweet girl, one thing that has not made us laugh lately are those stinky old teeth! You have two bottom teeth that just popped up and those little things have kind of consumed our life the last few weeks. Through a few rough weeks, sinus infection, and fever; I hope we have made it through the worst.You do look really cute with that toothy smile, and you love to cuddle with mama when you are sick. :)

You love to talk, talk, talk!! (I think you take after your mama.) Rolling around under the Christmas tree is another favorite of yours. You have found a whole new world under there! You are so much fun!! I pray for your little heart to grow strong and courageous everyday. You are beautiful Gracie Ann Bullard!

Love you,
Mama

Giving thanks...

For breath in my lungs, a beautiful home, and a family that I can count on...

For an undeserved gift from God who has taught me a whole new meaning of life and love...

For a man who is an amazing father and husband...each day that passes with him holding my hand is better than the next...

For a God who takes me as I am, and loves me in such a way that allows me to be free...

For laughter and memories like these...My cup runneth over.

Faith Tested

Yesterday I was completely drawn to a story in Genesis 22. The one which so vividly describes Abraham taking his son, Isaac, up a mountain only to offer him up as a sacrifice of obedience to God. Abraham sets out to obey this command without question. We all know the ending, the Lord stops Abraham at the last possible moment and he turns to discover a ram in the nearby bushes, a provision sent from God.

Reading this story in the past, I had the tendency to romanticize it a little and somehow think of it as a fairy tale. A story predetermined to have a happy ending. However, reading this time around I really put my focus on Abraham. I tried to imagine how he might have felt that day. God had given him such a shocking task and Abraham didn't know the ending. It didn't cross his mind as he climbed up the mountain with his son, whom he would put on an alter for sacrifice, that he would walk victoriously down that same mountain with Isaac still by his side. He had no clue that his God would intervene and provide another sacrifice at the last minute so his precious son would be spared. He didn't understand why all this had to be done, but he did it anyway. This, to me, is the most important part of the story. He didn't just tell God he would do it. He didn't merely walk up the hill and then expect God to come to his rescue. He did it all. He built that alter and bound his son on top. He raised his knife into the air in a moment of complete and utter submission and it was then, and only then, God could show up in a big way. In that moment God spoke to Abraham.

Genesis 22:17-18~ I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

To think, Abraham might have totally missed out on the fullness of God's blessings had he not shown such faith and obedience in being open to God's instruction. Sometimes it is not about what the outcome could be, but about our steadfast decision to take a step into an uncomfortable direction we know we are being called. It is about hearing God and climbing that mountain with no clue of how, or even if, the Lord may show up. It is about that moment with our hand raised in the air that he will come to our rescue and provide with us with His sweet blessings in a way only He can.

What is it that God may be asking you to carry up the mountain? What big step is He asking you to take? Know that He will intervene and in that moment of your faith being tested, you are surely being blessed.