Happy Birthday Little Man!

Four years ago today, I gave birth to my one and only son.

Benjamin was my first homebirth. I couldn't have hoped for a smoother labor and delivery, and I can't imagine a more beautiful way for a child to enter the world than the way Ben did, surrounded by his loving family.

Such a happy baby...

...that quickly grew...

...into a happy little toddler.

Eager to explore the world...


...thoughtful, kind and sweet...


...he's always ready with a hug...

...and a smile.


Happy birthday to the happiest, sweetest four year old I know!

Wordless/Wordful Wednesday - Peekaboo

Mary has reached that stage of holding herself up on her arms and peeking over the edge of the bassinet.

"Peekaboo, Sis, I see you!"

For more Wordless Wednesday, check out 5 Minutes for Mom.
For more Wordful Wednesday, stop by Seven Clown Circus.

Thankfulness, Day 5 - God Has Plans

Today has been an especially difficult day. Not for myself so much as it was for my husband.

When he finally got home tonight, after yet another 12-hour long day, he felt so defeated, so downcast...it nearly broke my heart.

My eternal optimist. My can-do guy. The one who never gives up, who never quits.

He was almost ready to throw in the towel.

I can't pretend to know why everything in our lives has been so hard lately. I don't know when or how it's ever going to get any better.

But God does.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

And I'm so, so thankful for that.

WW - The Men In Her Life

To remind myself of all the good things in my life, I'm posting something I'm thankful for every day this month.

Today, I'm thankful for the men in Mary's life.

I'm thankful that she has a father who loves his family as much as my husband does. He works long hours and often goes without a day off. But for as hard as he works to support us, he's never too tired to help me around the house or spend quality time with his children. I love the example he's setting for our children of what a husband and father should be.

I'm thankful that she has a big brother like Benjamin. He loves to hold her, and always remembers her (and the rest of his sisters) in his prayers. I have no doubt that he'll be a strong, protective, and supportive presence for her through the years.

Who are you thankful for today?

(For more WW, visit here and here!)

30 Days of Thanks - Day 2

Seeing as I'm writing this with less than half an hour before the day is officially over, I'll keep it short and sweet.

I'm thankful for the end of Daylight Savings Time.

Now that the clocks have (finally!!) gone back an hour, my sweet little Mary went to sleep before midnight.

Hallelujah.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 1

Jen at One Moms World tweeted that she's challenging herself to post something she's thankful for every day this month. I love this idea, so I'm stealing borrowing it for myself because 1) I need to remind myself more of all that I have to be thankful for, and 2) I'd like to get back to regular posting and this would be a great way to do it.

So, here we go. Day 1.

Today I'm thankful that October is over.

Wait, let me put a more positive spin on that.

I'm thankful for the beginning of another month. Truthfully, October was a rough month for us in the Barefoot household. Broken appliances, car repairs, unexpected expenses, and minor injuries all added up to even more stress on top the stress we've already been living under. But today, the first of November, gives me a new chance.

A new chance for things to turn around.

A new chance to take a deep breath and try again.

A new chance to hope.

What new chances are you thankful for today?

Wordless/Wordful Wednesday - Sisters

When Mary was born, her older siblings couldn't wait to meet her. Except for Sarah. Whether it was jealousy or just the ambivalence of a two year old, I'll never know. As far as Sarah was concerned, Mary simply did not exist.

In the past few weeks, though, I've noticed Sarah acknowledging Mary as part of her family. At first it was a random, occasional kiss on the head. A few days later, she reached over to pat her little sister on the back while I was burping her. The other night, she laid down to start playing with her.

Someday, hopefully, they will be the best of friends. They'll share each other's joys and heartaches, and be there for each other with support, encouragement, laughter and hugs. (And probably chocolate and coffee. They are my daughters after all.)

Right now, they're just beginning to learn that they are sisters.

For more WW, go here and here.