PLAY

I came across this article and thought it had a lot of interesting observations. Maybe someone else will find it interesting/helpful as well.

http://www.parenting.com/article/why-play-makes-babies-smarter?page=0,0&hpt=Sbin

Little hands

I am working on an actual post to get up in the next day or so but until then...

Madeline has learned a new trick that she thinks is hilarious. I am not so enamored although it is pretty funny.

She loves to sneak up behind me and put her COLD hands on my bare back. She has gotten so good at the sneaking that half time I don't even know she is behind me. Once she elicits a scream of terror from me she laughs hysterically for 5 minutes before she sneaks up again.

Her new favorite line is "Maddie cold hands tickle Mommy!!!!" with a big smile!

If she wasn't so cute she would be looking for a new home. :)

Contentment and Perspective...big words for a Sunday afternoon!

I was reading a friend's blog earlier this week and was reminded (in a very nice way) of two things I really struggle with at times...

Contentment and Perspective.

You see, if you would have asked me 10 years ago where I would be today I am pretty sure, outside of married with kids, there is not much in my answer that would actually match up with where I am. The life I had in mind was fairly traditional, probably a little predictable and pretty much a carbon copy of my own family growing up. All great things but clearly not what God had in store for me. I never in a million years would have imagined the opportunities and adventures that I would experience in the past 10 years most notably in the past 5 years. I could not have seen how much I would grow by stepping away from the life I thought I was intended to lead and embracing the life that God intended for me.

Sure, there are things that I miss at times. I would love to have a house and paint and decorate and room for storage. I would love to not constantly be worried about the weather since my every day activities are determined by whether it is raining or too cold outside or whether or not something is within a reasonable walking distance. I would love a KitchenAid stand mixer but have you seen what those babies cost in British pounds? I think I will wait!

Is it hard not to look around at friends and even random internet strangers who have far more fascinating blogs and be a little envious of their predictable/stable/home-owning lives? It can be at times. It is in those moments when I am reminded that I have been given unbelievable gifts. Gifts can come in many forms and for me they have been experiences, lessons, people, moments in time and words of wisdom. Through those gifts I have learned that what we may think is God's best for us pales in comparison to what his plans entail.

I have no idea what God has planned for the next ten years (although I do hope there is a house and a few more kids in there somewhere!) but I find peace and contentment in knowing that it is all under control. In the meantime, I choose to live and embrace all that God puts before me and find joy in both the big and small moments.

Sick, sick, sick

Ugh, I have been sick since Wednesday of last week and am finally feeling like myself today. Mommies can't get sick - it just doesn't work! This is the first time that I have been out of commission with anything more than a headache since Madeline was born and it was hard. Although Chris does a great job taking care of Madeline and making sure we eat and the dishes are clean, it is hard to fight that Mommy instinct to get up and take care of things. I tried to on Friday and definitely paid for it by having to spend Saturday in bed.

I despise being sick! However, I am so grateful that I felt pretty good yesterday and really good today since Chris had to get back to school/work yesterday. He had stayed home Thursday and Friday and had rehearsals for an opera starting yesterday. Yes, an opera! One of his professors was commissioned to do an opera and asked Chris and a few other students to write some of the music. It has been a bit of a stretch for Chris but definitely a learning experience. I am also incredibly grateful that neither Chris nor Madeline appear to have caught the bug.

Oh, and before anyone asks (or even thinks it!), I was not pregnant sick! Just regular crummy winter sick. :)

Thinking of all of our family and friends in GA and SC who are covered in snow. Be safe!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We made it to a new year! There have been times when I have wondered if 2010 would ever come to an end and with great anticipation for what God has in store for us I am very excited about 2011. The past 12 months have seen big changes in our lives from me temporarily returning to work part-time to our big move to Oxford and Chris starting his DPhil. It has been a year of challenges and learning experiences but at the stroke of midnight the important things were still in place - our extended families are happy and healthy, we have a roof over our heads and food in our stomachs, we are happily married and down the hall a little girl was peacefully sleeping completely unaware that mommy and daddy had a hard year and there were times we weren't sure we were going to keep our heads above water.  She does know that she is greatly loved. She is happy and brings a smile to everyone that meets her.

So, goodbye 2010, God has taught us much in this year and we eagerly anticipate what 2011 will bring for the Ferebee three.

The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, "The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!" Lamentations 3:22-24