On Bella Turning 12

This little girl is one year away from being a teenager. 

How can you love on someone everyday for 12 years and then somehow feel like you missed it all?

Lately, my newsfeed has been filled with pictures of brand new babies. I love it. It always brings me back to those days when my littles were actually little. 

I remember everything about this day. We were taking pictures for Christmas.

I've been thinking a lot about what I would tell myself if I was starting over as a new mama. Since all of the new mamas I know are fantasticly amazing at what they do and are in no need of my advice, I will instead offer it up to the internet instead. Here you go...

Everyone is going to tell you to cherish every moment with this new baby. But, there are going to be moments that you not only don't cherish, but that you just want to forget. You're not doing anything wrong. We are sinful people raising sinful children. It's going to be hard sometimes. Just give that moment to Jesus and let it go.

Be fierce about protecting your marriage. Right now, this little baby is your whole world, requiring every bit of your time and energy. But, that baby is going to grow up and turn 12 and this man is going to be your only ally. The years with littles are crazy hard and it's easy to make your marriage second, don't. This is sacred ground. Guard it with your life.

Lastly, trust yourself. God did not set you up to fail when He gave you this child. He will help you know what to do. I rocked my babies to sleep every night even when all the books said to put them in their crib. I do not regret one night spent holding them as they surrendered to sleep because it was what I felt was right. Listen to the advice of people you love and trust, consider it prayerfully, and then follow your heart. Lean hard on God, He won't let you fall.