Can't get this out of my head....

Adam and I went to the Holocaust Museum while we were in DC. It was a very sobering and very emotional experience for me. I obviously learned about the history of the Holocaust in school but didn't know the extent to which the Jews and others were persecuted and inhumanley treated. I walked away from the encounter with a deep burden on my heart and couldn't get this quote that was etched in the wall out of my mind or heart.

What will my response be to the injustices of the world, what will your response be? Or maybe what has your response been? I walked away with a desire to educate my children, give of my resources, and be a voice for those that don't have a voice. I recently adopted a little girl from Tanzania and that is where I will start. I couldn't help but think this could have been me, my children, my family. They are just waiting for someone to notice them, to listen and to respond. Lord help us to step outside our own world and see the needs that you want us to meet. Help us to be your hands and feet.

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Washington DC Pics

Adam and I just got back from Washington DC. I had never been there before and it was such a fun and interesting experience. We got to go through all the museum's and were able to see all the historical monuments, White House and Capital. It was absolutely beautiful weather and all the trees were changing colors. OH HOW I LOVE FALL!!

We got to go on a Segway tour of the city and ate at some really great restaurants (loved the pizza and yummy slidders at Matchbox, wish we had a place like that here in the BIG D). We also got to eat at a upscale bar in Georgetown called Martin's this is the place where Jackie O and JFK got engaged. So cool and so much history to appreciate in this city.

Here are a few pictures of our trip:

One of the Best Nights Of My LIFE

Adam and I went to the U2 concert a few weeks ago and it was one of the most fun nights we have had together. This had been a dream of ours since we met 9 years ago to see U2 in concert. We got box seats from a friend and it was unbelievable. They were only about 15 feet from our box. They played all their best songs plus some new ones. It was a DREAM COME TRUE!

LOVED THIS!

Somehow, we human

beings are never happier

than when we are

expressing the deepest gifts

that are truly us.

When I started this blog, I did so to provide a scrapbook of sorts, that would chronical Harper's first year of life. I didn't expect that it would also provide an outlet for me to share some of my heart and journey through motherhood over this past year. But I am glad that this little blog has provided place to think, reminance, and grow.

I stumbled upon this quote today and SMILED and LAUGHED because it got me thinking about how much growing, soul searching, and honest introspection I have done over the last year of motherhood. I spent the first few months of motherhood trying to fit into the "Mother mold" that I had seen in books, I spent the next few months trying to emulate other great Mom's that I knew and tried to follow in their footsteps. I was always feeling like I had come up short. I finally reached a breaking point around Harper's 6 month birthday when It dawned on me that God created me unique as a mother and he doesn't want me to fit into someone else's mold. He promises to walk with me and show me how to do this thing called Parenthood and he wants to use my unique gifts, talents, imperfections and quirks to his glory. I am now more thankful for the way that God created me and the way that I approach mothering. I feel more confident in my own skin and love getting to be creative with how I parent, play, and interact with Harper. Some may think I am crazy at times but Harper and I have lots of fun together and that is one thing I know she will always remember about me. Thank you Lord for helping me to embrace my uniqueness and for helping me to be intentional towards Harper in a way that works for me and in the process brings glory to you. I knew I was made to be a mother I just didn't know what that looked like until I actually became one =)

LOVED THIS!

Somehow, we human beingsare never happier

than when we are

expressing the deepest gifts