oh hai, blogger world

Silly me, it's been too long.

Eloise's radiant love for life grows every day--

and she's bubbling with more personality than I know what to do with.

Can you see it in her eyes?

Passion, at 15 months.

Haha, I don't know why I was ever surprised.

It's already noticeable that even as a toddler,

she feels things deeply.

She melts my heart every day,

certainly the best mini life companion I could ever ask for.

Her favorites?

Hammocks. Leaves. Baths. Strawberries. Wind. Music. Dancing. Climbing.

Yes, I think we'll get along just fine :).

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In case you hadn't heard, there's a handsome fella in our life!

Oh lordie is he debonaire and charming

but don't let his quiet, reserved temperament fool you..

this one's quite the character.

He's working full time in a photography studio, and we're really proud.

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I'm continuing to learn more and more mummie wisdom every day.

Ouisie's little life is constantly evolving, and with it so is my knowledge.

I swear, right when you conquer a phase, they're on to the next.

Parenting isn't what I ever expected it to be, but it's better.

It's the hardest thing I have ever done, but it has stretched, humbled, and matured me.

There's no time for "me" in the equation.

It really is remarkable how self focused we naturally tend to become when we have freedom, independence, and liberty.

For awhile, I thought I missed that freedom. I'd see young singles gallivanting around, playing, living passionately in every moment and embracing their dreams..

and I missed it.

In fact, for awhile it was hard to even be around it without a slight tinge of jealousy.

"Why, why do I have to be in this alone?!"

It hurt. A lot.

But I have come to realize how precious, and priceless raising my daughter is.

And it is far more important to me, and life changing

than spending my days, feeding my personal desires. Even if all I want is a quiet afternoon with a book.

Loving her is realizing that if I need to work two jobs, and prolong school so I can provide, it will be done.

It's recognizing the importance of utilizing even my scarce free time to keep us on track by doing laundry, doctors visits, organizing, cleaning, cooking, etc.

Being a single mom is absolutely the hardest thing I have ever done,

but I wouldn't change it for the world.

Eloise's existence was a wake up call, I think God knew I needed her to realize how desperately I needed Him.

Irony, right?

But every day I am more thankful.

And every day I am reminded even more, of how puny I am

and how sovereign, and loving God is.

I've been pouring through Habakkuk recently, and good golly it's exactly what I needed.

Til next time.

Photo Credits: Sarah Ice Photography & Eric Anderson Photography