Some thoughts...

Today, Kate and I went down to visit Gram Gram, Papa, and Mema Garner while Daddy went to work on his Granny's new house and shoot skeet with some buddies. Gram Gram has rocked Kate to sleep, and I have the unusual luxury of time to myself to read and write, my two favorite pastimes.

Life as a new mom is challenging, adventurous, and fun! Each day brings with it exciting new discoveries. One challenge for me is having to learn to be flexible in my plans. I may want to go for a walk at the park, but Kate may need to take an extra long nap instead. My house is usually a mess, but it's either clean or play with Kate and I know which I would rather do. That isn't to say I don't ever do any housework. Each morning I make a list of my goals for the day (i.e., household chores, errands, dinner plans) and highlight or star those goals that I really need to accomplish that day, knowing that the others may have to wait until the next day or the next. But Kate and I have to get out of the house and go somewhere everyday even if it's just to the park to walk. We cannot be cooped up in a house all day!

When I think about where I was and what I was doing a year ago, even two years ago, I am amazed at how completely my life has changed in such a short period of time. Last April I was three months pregnant and finishing my third semester of doctoral work at MTSU. Two years ago Daniel and I were preparing for our wedding day and looking forward to traveling in Europe on our honeymoon. Time flies! Now I think about where we as a family will be and what we will be doing next year at this time, and I am excited at the possibilities because they are so many. God has truly blessed us!

Kate is an incredible little girl. At 5 1/2 months she is fascinated by the world around her and carefully studies and reaches for anything within sight.

Everyone she meets is entranced by her beautiful clear blue eyes and curly lashes and amazed at how alert and aware she is. I was reading a baby book yesterday that said to show your 5-month-old how to pass objects from one hand to the other so she can learn how to do it, but Kate has already mastered this skill. I think she is quite precocious.

"...[A]s for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15)

One of my primary agenda at the moment is to create a preliminary set of goals for our family. I got this idea from an excellent book my sister-in-law Jen recommended called A Mother's Heart by Jean Fleming. My prayerful aim is that Daniel and I become Godly parents who put the Lord first, each other second, and our children next.

As you may or may not know I, like my father, am a listmaker. I have lists on sticky notes on the coffee table, in my diaper bag, and throughout the countless books on my shelves. So, as I think of a great new goal for our family, I write it down. After scrummaging around I think I have found at least two of those post-it notes, so here is my preliminary list of aims for the Tidwell household:

• That we grow together as a family in love and in respect for one another
• That Christ's presence is felt in our home
• That our children obey God and His Word so that their salvation is assured
• That our children develop Christlike character and conduct and that as parents we are appropriate examples for them
• That we are a family of servants--In order to further God's kingdom as He commands, we must serve others, just as Christ came not to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28).
• That our home be a haven of rest--a sanctuary--from the world where there is an atmosphere of love, peace, and security
• That we stimulate curiosity and a love of learning in our children
• That our children have a sense of purpose, good judgment, and self-respect as well as an ability to take responsibility for their actions, to forgive, to be generous and loyal, and to laugh at themselves

In Proverbs 20:21, we read: "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." My prayer is that these plans for our family are in line with the Lord's purpose, but if they are not, they will be amended.

Kate's First Easter

Kate is still a little young to hunt eggs but that didn't keep her from enjoying her very first Easter.


Here Kate is pretty in pink in the Easter dress Gram Gram got for her.

Kate is pretty intense for a 5-month-old. She loves to hold and study objects.

Swimmin' with the Fishes

Two weeks ago we visited Gram Gram and Papa in Chattanooga for the weekend. Brian, Jen, Lacey, and Ellie also came down, and we made a little trip to the aquarium.

Lacey and Ellie had a great time. Lacey loved the penguins and butterflies. Fearless Ellie caught a butterfly while Lacey professed she would hold one when she got older.



Here are Brian and his girls swimmin' with the fishes.



Of course Kate slept most of the time, but when she did wake up, all of the fish and even a large water snake were very fascinated by her. You have to look hard in the background to see them, but they all came to the glass when Kate appeared.

This picture of the three girls is my favorite. Ellie is holding my old Care Bear.

Writing preserves the past and provides direction for the future. It helps us identify our goals, aims, wishes, and dreams and allows us to project them to an audience who will hold the writer accountable for their fulfillment. The purpose of this blog then is to keep a record of important events in the lives of the Tidwell family so that we can look back to see where we have been and look forward to where we are going.

My prayer is that this space will serve as an account of our growth as a family.