Even the trees will clap their hands

It's flower season again and I am so excited! 

I've literally been dreaming about working with flowers again.

My mentor has already done a few weddings this season and I got to help out a couple times. 

This is just a little experimenting I did with some of the leftovers.

"The earth laughs in flowers" - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Jake and I were talking about this quote the other day and it got us thinking about the passage in Romans 8 about the earth:

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Just imagine it! The earth is going to be restored just as we have the hope of having a resurrected body! What will that look like? Well, we know the trees will clap their hands and instead of thorns and briers there will be trees (Isaiah 55:12-13) So, what kind of flowers will there be when God makes all things new?!! I'm quite certain they will be breathtaking.

I want to keep this hope ever before me. 

God, let me always be reminded of Your eternal promises and long for Your return, just as the earth itself groans and waits! I need that perseverance in the waiting.

Under the Sea

 These were a few extra fishies in the back corner of the room

I love watching Jake paint.

He is so extremely talented and 'comes alive' when he's doing what he loves to do. 

He got to paint this mural in one of the kids rooms at our church. It took him a little less than a week and he enjoyed it a lot. My favorites are the purple mohawk fish with the underbite and the octopus :)

Check out the time lapse video the church's youth director made:

Sleepy Crib Time

Izzy was completely oblivious of his mama turning his first nap in his crib into a full blown photo shoot. He does well in there which means he'll make the switch at night sometime soon. I'm going to miss waking up with him next to me in his bassinet. 

 My mom made this funny octopus after seeing one like it in a toy store. She's amazing.

 Not pictured: the new curtains we just hung up in his room. They look awesome! My mom made them with a nice 'black-out' lining to keep it dark while he sleeps. Did I mention she's amazing?!

These cool prints above his crib were made by our lovely and talented friend Audrey. We met Audrey in Vienna and quickly became good friends. Our time together was short, but both Jake and I love hearing from her whenever we can. She is an extremely talented artist and as soon as I saw these prints in her etsy, I knew they would be perfect for a little boy room. Check out her etsy and blog!

My Sweet Boy

I spend a lot of time in close contact with my boy. Either carrying him in the Moby or watching him sleep next to me or in my lap. We're getting into a routine and it's nice to know what I can expect. Typically, after he finishes nursing he's extremely happy. We're talking giddy. Jake and I think his smiles look like he's intoxicated on breast milk. It's adorable. We usually spend a good 10 to 15 minutes just hanging out and talking, me with words, him with adorable noises and coos. After that he will be chill for maybe 30 to 45 minutes or so. This is when I can easily put him in his bouncer or on the boppy and leave him alone for a bit to get things done. After that, he starts to get a little agitated. He can feel sleepiness coming on and he's not willing to give in. Eventually, that turns into full blown anger as he fights sleep. Finally, after some coaxing, he falls asleep and wakes up to repeat the cycle. I love this little guy.

Dad & Lad time

Jake's dad and brother came for a visit so they could meet Izzy. There was a whole lot of dude time going on. I was seriously outnumbered. 

They ate a maple bacon donut. I just had to post a picture.

 This picture makes me curious to see if Izzy will have some of those Paurus features

Jake's side job laying hardwood floors was slow this week so he and Israel got to spend a lot of time together. I love seeing my 'boys' hang out. Jake is forever making up little songs and raps to calm Izzy down when he gets fussy. He's always willing to take over when he's crying and even carry him around in our Moby wrap baby carrier. I'm so thankful that we're doing this as a team and that I'm not alone as we raise our son. I don't know what I would do without him! He's been cooking and cleaning and taking such good care of our family when I'm tired or busy nursing. Jake is such a great father and I'm so excited to see how his relationship with Israel will grow over the years.

Old photos, Fresh thoughts

These shots are from a couple weeks ago when some of Jake's family was here visiting. Our brother in-law snapped a few photos of my wee babe. He changes so fast! The sleeper he's wearing in these pictures is very tight on him now and is so short he can't stretch out his legs! I feel like the 4th photo doesn't even look like him, but it's real cute so I had to share.

This transition into motherhood has been an interesting one. Challenging at times, exciting, rewarding, sobering, humbling, terrifying, all enhanced by raging hormones and beginning with one life changing moment. I'm a mom now, and I always will be. Right now Israel is snoring (congested) peacefully next to me and I keep staring at him with a complex mixture of emotions. It's amazing how one little person can alter your life so thoroughly!

For every hard aspect of being a mom, there's a handful of priceless moments. He makes me smile without doing anything special. I feel so rich. My heart is full to overflowing and I am excited for the journey to come.