“The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.”

“I am sure God hears all of our prayers and answers them— but sometimes the answer is no.”

Kat from Inspired to Action shared this Taylor Swift video recently and having never seen it before I was moved to tears. Not only is it a beautiful tribute to Taylor’s mom but the words of the song can be meaningful for any parent.

A family friend just lost her newborn twins, another has been diagnosed with cancer at only 11. I am too often reminded that these children are not guaranteed to me forever. I can only give them my very best and try to make each day their best day.

Being their mother is what I wanted most, deep inside my heart and I get one chance to do this dream job of mine right. While they may be too small to remember actual events, this stage in their lives will leave an imprint on their soul. They will forever carry with them how I made them feel.

Did I light up when I saw them?
Did I look them in the eyes and squeeze them tight?
Did I walk with patience and grant them grace?
Did I love them well?

Some days aren’t easy. There are days filled with one unexpected twist after another. Then there are the weeks when everyday feels like one of those days. The weeks we barely get through.

Those days will happen. Those weeks will too. Chaos will come our way, but the beauty is in the effort. Perhaps, the best thing we can give them are memories of a childhood filled with the pursuit of best days.

Nothing to see here… move along! This post is just my crazy attempt at winning a $4700.00 mattress from We Are That Family. It required a photo of the current mattress and what the mattress would tweet if it could.
Mine would tweet this…
“I support co-sleeping just not ALL that comes with it. #eww”
Yep, I just posted a photo of my naked mattress online. Apparently I’ll do anything for a fancy new one!

Happy Birthday to my handsome, hilarious, hard-working husband!

Note To You: The husband just emailed me to tell me that this picture makes him look like he um… partakes in illegal activities. I explained to him that the selection of photos of the two of us lately is very slim. I won’t be taking it down but I will explain the photo. It was actually taken about 2 weeks after our son was born at my birthday dinner, hence the the overlytired look of sheer exhaustion. You know I wasn’t posting the photo of the two of us taken on the same night! No, I decided to spare you my zombie look and just share his.
Note To Self: Take more photos of the two of us. Ones where we have had more than 2 hours of sleep and can actually hold our eyes open!

Here’s what’s cookin’ at our house this week…

Sunday: My husband made the most delicious vegetarian fried rice. I only wish we had leftovers for tomorrow!
Monday: His birthday! If all goes as planned I’m going to wake up early and make my him a vegan take on his favorite cookie. For dinner we’re headed to my moms.
Tuesday: My take on the California Pizza Kitchen Waldorf salad w/ Roasted Cauliflower
Wednesday: Seitan Lettuce Wraps from the Peas and Thank You Cookbook
Thursday: Summer Succotash Quesadillas
Friday: Black Bean Soup w/ Rice
Saturday: Roasted Chickpea Fajitas

What’s cookin’ at your place?