Bathtime Boy

Baby Baby

photos that mean more later...

I recently came across these photos that somehow got tucked somewhere. This was our 1st anniversary at Edgefield. I love the silliness that these photographs reveal. James is truly my best friend. 

 

 

some thoughts on the theology of suffering

1. God is great, sovereign, and good in the midst of suffering. High view of God.
2. Humble view of man, our sinful depravity. 
3. Suffering exists to exalt the glory of God's graces and the sacrifice of His son for our sins.
4. We have a limited perspective and cannot see the whole picture. Multiple purposes for suffering in God's word.
5. We can expect suffering but it will be worth the price.

Can Anguish and Joy Coexist?

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! Psalm 30:11-12

I am thankful for the insight God has revealed this morning as I gathered with some other moms during co-op. Together we listened to Beth Moore dissect God's word to illustrate that anguish and joy CAN coexist . 

²⁰ Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. ²¹ A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. ²² So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. ²³ In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. ²⁴ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:20-24

This scripture seems all too relevant as I have 4 months left to go before another baby Leet joins the world. Despite its relevancy to childbirth, my heart has been heavy with grief for the friends around me going through difficult circumstances. I have been questioning God's goodness. My unbelief is present in the midst of the grief and I believe it is because I have yet to grasp who God really is. It is one thing to praise with my mouth that God is GOOD and it is another to BELIEVE with my heart and soul that God IS good. I have been praying for a few weeks now that God would allow me to taste and see His goodness (Psalm 34:8). I often compartmentalize that if difficult circumstances and/or suffering are present then God is absent or perhaps punishing. In the last few years, I can sense my understanding of this shifting. 

Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experiences various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. James 1:2-3 

God turns our grief to joy...He turns our mourning into dancing, DANCING! May we allow God to re-wire how we think/feel about suffering. May we remember how labor pains (which is the most physical pain I have ever been in) produced a beautiful baby. Anguish, suffering, and difficult circumstances will birth something precious and beautiful.

October Faces

I love this kid so much. These faces were captured within a few minutes. His personality makes me giggle! 

My new favorite blog..

http://rachelmariemartin.blogspot.com/2012/07/20-motherhood-tips.html

What a gift to read the inner thoughts of another mom. She is beautifully honest and encouraging. 

I am a joy hunter.

You should think about joining the journey as well.

oh little one

oh little one.
healthy. they say you are healthy. 
celebrate. we must celebrate life.
for when we feel entitled, we are rudely awakened.
thank you..thank you for this healthy babe growing within me.
blessed. 
overwhelmed.
praise you Maker.
thank you.

The Reality of 2

Big Boppa

We took a family vacation to the East Coast to visit the Leet Grandparents. This was also the first time Jamison met his Big Boppa (Great Grandpa). Also the man who he was named after, along with Jamison's grandpa and daddy. There were some unforgettable moments on this trip. One of my favorites from Big Boppa as he looked at Jamison, "this handsome boy must be a Leet."

The 4 generations of James Oliver Leet 

Quatro's First Hair Cut

I think this may be the first time I have seen my baby as a little boy...transitions are bittersweet but we are excited for what's to come! 

Summer 2012

This poor blog has fallen to the wayside..let me explain. The Leet family has been busy with birthday parties, camping, house projects, and growing a baby. Yep the last 14 weeks I have been hibernating and trying to survive the first trimester of pregnancy. We made it and I am now starting to get some energy and motivation for life back. All that to say, this post will be some highlights of our Summer so far. That is if I can finish it before Jamison wakes from his nap :)

Peanut Leet #2: 

In May we found out we are having another little one. We are excited to meet this peanut in February. We are also excited for Jamison to be a big brother! Pecan pie was appropriately served for Father's Day to the Leet family. 

Jamison's first birthday:
We did a casual pancake breakfast party in our neighborhood park with friends and family. Jamison experienced his first rush of sugar. I will let the photos speak for themselves. The cupcake/cake was gigantic! We are grateful for his first year and celebrating his life!

Mom's annual camping trip:

Though Jamison just turned one, we took our camping adventure head on and went for it. Deep down I so wanted to pretend that I wasn't pregnant and that Jamison wasn't barely a toddler. We met other mom's in the beautiful wilderness and we had a great time. And yes, we came home at midnight :) I continue to have empathy for single parents as I just don't know how to be sane and raise this boy on my own. Thank God I don't have to. I am hoping Jamison and I can hit up the camping trip next year and leave baby at home with James. I love this photo below. We had a wagon with all our camping gear. Jamison loved riding in the wagon and was content there while I set up the tent. 

More highlights to come as the Summer is not over yet. In a week or so we are headed to the East Coast to introduce Jamison to his big Boppa, whom he was named after. All four of the James Olivers will be there and I plan on documenting the 4 generations!

James and I will also be celebrating our 4th year of marriage in about a week. 

Blessed indeed... 

one year tomorrow...

It has been awhile since I have felt motivated to blog. Tonight while I surfed the web for photography opportunities, I surprisingly found myself at a website NILMDTS (now I lay me down to sleep). Memories began to come back as I remembered sweet Moses and his short stay here on earth. His parents got the opportunity to have photographs taken of their son. With the chaos of confusion and sorrow, someone came and took photographs of them holding their breathless son. I am not sure how I even came across this website but let just say I spent some good trying to comprehend capturing such a heavy experience. I think about Moses often and how my own son would be interacting with him this present day. I also think about how beautiful Stella would not be with us today if Moses were to be alive today. Grief is such a tricky thing. It is something we feel deeply in our gut but at times are unable to name with words.  It is something we cannot control but yet have the opportunity to process with others. I would venture to say most of us are afraid of entering the realms of grief...really entering it. Or maybe a better way to say it is allowing grief to be present...I am not sure we even have the ability to "enter" grief. So as I sit here...typing...I remember and name that there is a sadness that stirs in my belly. I remember the night I went to the hospital to pray. I remember the midnight hours I desperately begged God to breathe life into Moses. I remember holding my own pregnant belly wondering..why why why? I remember the cries of my dear friend as she mourned the loss of her first born. No friend should ever have to hear those sounds from another friend. But it happened and so we remember.

My sweet friend, I know you read my blog and I love you so. You are an incredible mommy to both Moses and Stella. I will always remember.

Jamison Joins a Swim Class

Jamison's first swim! Since he was born, he has loved water. I think the only time he has ever cried was his very first bath in the hospital and one other time when we thought it was a good idea to make the water cool :) All the other times in the bath are spent splashing, giggling, and he usually has a huge grin from ear to ear. I am grateful for this because anytime he is having a fussy day or I just need a little break from whatever, I put him in the tub (supervised of course!) and instantly the mood changes! Well enough about baths...we wanted to expose Jamison early to swimming and he LOVED it. I will let the photos speak for themselves. I think my favorite thing about these photos is the reality that Jamison has a dad that is willing to be present and engaging in his life. I love seeing James with our son. A little secret is that James felt nervous to be in the pool with him.."I felt as if his life was in my hands." I like that he gets unerved at times when it comes to being Jamison's dad. It is a reminder that life is fragile and we must cherish these moments. I cherished watching them and snapping photos as well. 

9 & 10 together...

Jamison, You have now surpassed the amount of months you spent in my womb. 
You have 6 showing teeth.
You now have experienced swimming in a pool. 
You love turning pages in a book and you often crawl to your daddy or I when we are reading the Bible...you love those thin pages. 
Oh yes, you are crawling, more like scooting with your arms! 
You have mastered wrestling/crawling on top of you doggy Durango. 
You like to look outside through the window and clap your hands against the glass. 
You enjoy feeding yourself..still love those sweet potatoes. 
You still (and I hope forever) love to snuggle. 
You continue to be a blessing! 


I love you buddy!

Shoes!