Almost there!

I cannot believe Mac's first year is almost over. When people say "time flies once you have kids," believe them. Mac has gone from being this tiny helpless (and adorable) baby who was so uncoordinated and could do nothing really, to this little toddler-man who scoots, crawls, babbles, laughs, pulls up on everything and generally is looking for what he can get into and explore next. All in the space of one year! He keeps me laughing and I couldn't be happier with the role of being his mother. Well, I gotta go get this boy before he eats anymore junk off the floor. I seriously need to clean.
Here are his 11 month pictures (I am still shocked his next ones will be 1st year pictures!), as well as a few others for funsies.

The coat is courtesy of a sweet friend from work. Thank you, Tammi, I love it! 

Pumpkins, Apples and Friends

Summer has flown by leading us right into a gorgeous fall. Last week we were able to escape to the mountains of North Georgia with some lovely friends. I am so thankful for this little blog, because I love sharing pictures like these. Hope you enjoy!

Daddy and son. 

Safe Harbor

“The roar of the sea may be joyous to a rejoicing spirit, but to the son of sorrow the wide, wide ocean is even more forlorn than the wide, wide world. This is not our rest and the restless billows tell us so.” –C.H. Spurgeon

Rub-a-dub-dub

I may be running out of ideas for Mac's monthly "photoshoot," but this one seems appropriate given the recent deluge of rain we are getting lately. Nine months and I want to pause time. This thought hit me when I noticed he had two little teeth poking through a couple of weeks ago. This thought was also reinforced recently while visiting a friend and her 4 week old baby girl. I was surprised at how long ago it has been since Mac was 4 weeks, his tiny, warm body nestled in the crook of my arm sleeping contently. As you can see below he is older than 4 weeks now.
We are amazed at how much he can do! He sits up on his own, tumbling over when he is wants to see or grab something behind him.

What compels me to go

Every summer while every other family heads south to the beach, Matt and I drive north to the Carolina mountains. I have been blessed to marry a man who loves the mountains as much as I do, and since having Mac, we have wondered what our family vacations may look like. Naturally we want Mac to experience the magic of exploring the outdoors whether it be under a canopy of trees or on a beach, and we believe showing him God's handy-work can never start too soon. And while he may not understand all he is experiencing at the tender age of 8 months, I want to believe this is a start.

The many faces of Mac

I am hiding in our "office" trying to type quietly while watching my squirming 8 & 1/2 month old son wake from his morning nap on the monitor. He seems content to kick and babble...for now. We have been busy around here with...well, this and that, but it doesn't make for a good "blogger." In fact, I wouldn't even call myself a "blogger" just an opportunist with a wonderful husband/photog and a fabulous little boy. Here are some of the things he has been doing lately.

Things I am loving right now

10. My Slick Slate nail polish by Sally Hansen. 
I am obsessed with  love shoes. However, my budget doesn't allow for buying every cute shoe I lay my eyes on (oh, cruel world). What I used to do (in the days of two full-time incomes) is get stuck on a particular color and buy shoes only in that shade. Last year it was purple: purple flats, purple kicks. But no more...
Since it is summer and I am wearing more open-toed shoes (alternating flip-flops) I found a new, less expensive way to add color: nail polish. Here is the latest color I can't get enough of. I know, it's purple.

Timber the falling tree

Part I:
Recently some trees right outside our front door fell. The situation is this: we have some pretty tall and heavy (this is important later) hardwood trees around our house. They are nice to have in the hot summers because it keeps our house shaded. However, with any tree there is an element of danger, as in, oh-my-goodness-this-tree-may-fall-on-my-house danger, especially during a storm.

Beating the Heat

 Summer is here with temperatures blazing. Here are some things we have been doing to stay cool...

Watching the fishes swim inside the Georgia Aquarium. 

Kicks and Giggles

We celebrated Mac turning 5 months over the weekend. He now giggles, which is really a grunt/growl sound, and kicks like it's his job!

Parenthood

It may have a lot to do with my current interests, but it seems to me that everywhere I look nowadays family and parenting advice is at the center of our society's dialog. From sitcoms and dramatic shows such as Modern Family and Parenthood to book upon book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother and Sheparding a Child's Heart, it's hard to swing a stick without hitting a medium that's telling me how to raise a child in today's society. And after watching said shows and reading book after book on parenting I have never been more overwhelmed and paralyzed about raising a child.

3 months - AH-dorable!

We took 3 month pictures of Mac at the beginning of March. I could kiss this face all day long! He is such a happy baby - for the most part ;)

Craftiness

Lately, I have taken to crafting. I don't know if it's having a baby or not being inside of a hospital working for 8-9 hours a day with a 2 hour, round-trip commute through Atlanta traffic,but I feel inspired. It also doesn't hurt to have friends who love to sew and make things too!

Here are some of the little lovelies I have created.

This new found craft is constantly evolving which is part of the beauty! Coming up with ideas among friends of what to make is a great challenge. I am also able to see my sewing limitations be stretched.
So, I guess I would recommend that sense creating things inspires a small triumph of accomplishment and makes others happy, get out there and make something!

If it ain't one thing...

1 month old birthday and Snowpocalypse:
This adage has been running through my head since the new year started. January has proven to be quite challenging for the Ross household and has stretched us physically and spiritually.  It has personally made for some record fits of crying complete with hyperventilating. Yes, I am talking about me and not Mac.
Let me start out by saying the beginning of January was blissfully smooth while we celebrated our little man's first month of life.

Miracles

On November 30th, almost 1 month before the due date, we were introduced to our little miracle: McClendon "Mac" Samuel Dean Ross.
Mommy, Daddy and baby are all doing fine and loving life together as a family. I am forever grateful for all the prayers, kind gifts, encouraging cards and loving words from family and friends throughout this pregnancy. I marvel at what God's grace has afforded us.

Dear refuge of my weary soul

When God said that he would consume Israel in his wrath, Moses prayed and God “repented”.  When the people of Ninevah turned from their evil, God “repented” of the judgment he foretold through Jonah (much to Jonah’s dismay). Does prayer still work the same way today? Can we change the mind of God through prayer? More importantly, did these people in the Old Testament really cause God to “repent”?

It's been a long time coming

I grew up with a microwave. And, I will admit I still have one and it is used regularly. It’s quick, efficient and safe – at least that’s what I’m told (I still stand back a good 5 feet while it’s in use, but I am not scared, just cautious).

Last days of summer

This summer has been event filled starting with a wonderful trip to Seattle, Washington to see the West,  visit friends, hike and eat, and ending with the birth of a new nephew, Tyler, and a wonderful weekend 'o fun with family over Labor Day.

In August, my sister gave birth to a new baby boy and named him Tyler Cole Baldwin. As you can see he is very snuggly.

Tyler resting in his aunt's arms. 

sleepy boy

One year ago today...

We were mourning the loss of our Dabney. I still don't understand all that happened that day nor why God chose this journey for us, but I am grateful every day that God is shaping my faith through this trial, that it was not suffering in vain, and that:
"Neither life nor death shall ever from the Lord his children sever; unto them his grace he showeth, and their sorrows all he knoweth...Though he giveth or he taketh, God his children ne'er forsaketh; his the loving purpose solely to preserve and make them holy." (Children of the Heavenly Father)

I recently shared with a dear friend how I have been profoundly shaken to my core (once again) with the truth of sanctification. This process that can be as painful as a "white hot fire" and yet we are commanded to hold to hope, and to respond in loving obedience worshiping our God (Phil. 2:12-13). As difficult as this is, He promises to not let us be snatched from His hand (John 10:29). I cannot help but be reminded that like a child in the womb, I am dependent on God for everything. It is He who "giveth [and] taketh" life. It is also He who strengthens us and gives us hope, that fragile, intangible thing that strengthens us to go another day, another day and on and on.
My prayer now is that I do not forget these truths He seared upon my heart through this pain, and as I reach the half-way point in my second pregnancy that my fear will be replaced with the Spirit's calm and quiet courage knowing that my God is with me always.

" And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him, his rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him."

-Martin Luther 

True Grit

While staying on Whidbey Island outside of Seattle, I came across a magazine called Grit: Rural America Know How. The headlines that caught my eye were entitled "Free Range Eggs: Good for Chickens and Good for You," and "Compost Made Easy." Since Matt and I enjoy "helping to create" our garden's spring soil via composting and we both grew up around chickens, I thought naturally we will start a little chicken coup in our backyard.

As I flipped through the magazine I came across this section called, "Unearth..." In this section people submit a type of classified add with requests that are normally for ideas for gardening, pen pals, etc. For example one read:
"I was wondering if anyone has any ideas for uses of leftover baler twine form my hay bales. maybe some kind of craft? I use what I can, where I can, but usually end up burning it, which is a waste. Thanks for any help"
Signature of the person with address

I then came across this entry and couldn't pick myself up from the floor I was laughing so hard. It was entitled: Middle of Nowhere.
"We've always dreamed of living like the Ingalls family on "Little House on the Prairie." Not long ago, we sold everything and left city life in new Jersey behind, moving to West Virginia with only the clothes on our backs. The home we bought is nonelectric, and there's no water yet. Does anyone have any information on how to: dig and build a well, install plumbing via hand pump, build a homemade generator, build a homemade windmill, or waterwheel. or other information on homesteading? We have six acres in the middle of the woods.
Jeff and Michelle
Last House on the Left (must be included)
3721 Bailes Rd
Nettie, WV 26681

Feel free to help these folks out if you have knowledge of any of these unusual tasks.