Learning to Share..

You know what's awesome? Husbands. Husbands are awesome. Specifically, my husband!

Who else will kill the gigantic (as big as my hand) spider in the kitchen sink? Who else goes dumpster diving in order to bring me a fruit dehydrator? Who doesn't stop getting me birthday presents even though I somehow manage to discover what they are before the big day arrives (unintentionally this year, I promise!)?
I feel like husbands are, for the most part, overworked and under appreciated!
I write a lot about our tiny son. But that doesn't mean I don't have just as many, if not more, thoughts about my best friend. I suppose I lean towards the Owen-isms in blogging because his journey through toddler-hood runs so parallel to my journey with Jesus. But while Owen and I are a roller-coaster of emotions and falling down and getting back up, Derek is a constant.
Consistently hard working, funny, encouraging; my husband can be counted on. He loves me so well and I don't thank him enough. He is dedicated to leading our family with grace and I take that for granted. He hangs in trees all day, attached to a chainsaw, and then comes home bearing donuts! He is a rare and exceptional type of man and I am abundantly blessed to be his wife.

There is something magical about marrying your best friend and, eventually, starting a family with them. I can not put into words the feeling that comes from seeing my favorite person on the planet rocking our sweet, tiny son. But with this magic comes the fact that I now have to share my best friend. That sounds silly, but it's true. (When you read the title, you thought this was going to be about Owen learning to share, didn't you!?)
When my best friend comes home from work at night, Owen usually beats me to him. And although I have a million things to tell Derek, Owen usually has two million! And it's unbelievably sweet. But sometimes it's also hard. Sometimes I don't want to share. (See what I mean about Owen and I being on very similar journeys?!)

My best friend is a daddy; the very best kind. He's also my husband; a fantastic one! On top of everything else on his plate he now has to balance those roles and, I must admit, sometimes I'm not very helpful. I expect, I assume, I remember the days when we had each other's full attention at the dinner table. But here's the thing: if I want my children to have the absolute best dad, then I have to be willing to share my best friend.

Derek and Owen will have a bond unlike any other; a father and son connection that I will never fully understand. And that is important and vital! They need each other and I need them to need each other. Derek is teaching Owen how to be a man.
Sometimes I feel guilty leaving our tiny son with my hard working husband so that I can go regain my sanity.. but then I come home and realize they've had the best time EVER and I know that it's not only good, but necessary! And sometimes I wish for uninterrupted conversations or date nights that weren't four months apart. But I know that this chapter of life is unlike any other and it is remarkably significant.
My husband and I have had incredible adventures. We've climbed mountains, jumped out of planes, ventured to other continents... and sometimes I long for those days. But I can not underestimate the absolutely EPIC adventure unfolding before us; raising up a family, giving of ourselves and being committed to this team. We work hard and we come home exhausted and we've had to realize that entertainment and 'night's out' can look a lot different but still be excellent. And this is the adventure that will alter our lives forever. 

This was supposed to be a Father's Day post and I'm a few days late.. But I wanted to express how THANKFUL I am for my best friend. And no matter what season we are in, I can still say what I said seven years ago, 'Any adventure with you is my favorite'. I'm sorry for the times that I grow anxious for the next rush, the plane tickets to somewhere exotic (sounds kinda silly when you know I live on an island..) or the next mountaintop to summit. 

Watching Derek with our son, partnering with him in the raising up of our young warrior, looking forward to our family growing... that is the adventure of a lifetime. And, thankfully, we do manage the occasional few hours away and we slurp chow mein with chopsticks and sneak our peanut butter cups into the movie theater. These times reminds me that we had this before and we have it now amidst the chaos and, in however many years until our babies are all grown, we'll have it still- a bond that words can't describe, a love that grows deeper with each day and the adventure of doing life side by side (even when that means I have to share him..) 

Happy Father's Day, my love. 

A Closer Walk

I absolutely LOVE birthdays! So yeah, I'm 24 years old today.. but it still feels magical. We've been celebrating for awhile, that's how we do it in the Pearl house. Bubbles, berry pie, paddle boarding excursions, friends over for cheeseburgers, homemade lemonade, bonfires on the beach. Owen picks me flowers and weeds, Derek brought home a ballerina orchid! Even though I couldn't decide what I wanted for my birthday this year, it's safe to say I've been spoiled.

And then it came to me in the middle of the night, 'Just a closer walk with You..' That's what I truly want for my birthday, for this new year, for life! A walk with Jesus that keeps getting better and better. Our pastor talked about Matthew 11:28-30 yesterday. Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." 
And he shared about that yoke and how they would pair an inexperienced ox next to an experienced one, so the younger one could learn the ropes of field plowing. And Jesus isn't saying, 'put this heavy load on and I'll be behind you with the reins', He is calling us to be yoked with Him.. that we would walk alongside Him and learn from Him how to do life! 'Just a closer walk with You..' 
The closer I walk to Jesus, the more each day will become a gift in itself. As I take His yoke upon me, the more freedom I will experience. And no, that doesn't mean every day will feel as magical as a birthday; but it does mean that God will fill me with joy that the world can't explain. It means that in the difficult seasons of life He will meet me with strength and grace. And it means that He doesn't expect me to have it all figured out, He wants to teach me.. one step at a time!

So here we go, 24! I'm excited to see what this year will bring and I'm excited to walk it step by step closer to Jesus..

Because you're almost TWO!

Owen, my sweet boy. How are we approaching your second birthday at such break-neck speeds?! I thought we would have such a long time for you to be one. Thankfully, there's no age limits on toad hunting, bubble blowing, watermelon eating and rolling down hills. You may be turning two but there will still be plenty of occasions for building blanket forts, reading our favorite stories and giggling while we hide from Kai. I can still share your drippy ice cream cones, give plenty of butterfly kisses and hold you close when you 'jusss need Mommy'.

Two seems so big and monumental to me; I keep asking how it's possible that we've arrived at this milestone. But you know what, we'll wake up on your birthday and you'll simply be one day older. You'll keep on correcting me with proper terminology for heavy equipment, and when I ask if you'd like another scoop of oatmeal, you'll still respond 'just jellybeans!'
I love you so much it makes my heart hurt. Sure, we have frustrating moments and sometimes I honestly don't have the energy to 'go throw wocks' (rocks). But that doesn't mean for a second that I don't absolutely love being your Mama. You have taught me so much about myself, about life, about Jesus and about what truly matters. And I wouldn't trade these days for anything.

Our conversations are incredible. I love discovering more and more of what's inside you and glimpsing the strong man of God you will become. I love your manners: 'No, thank you!' and 'Yes, ma'am.' And I love your wild, crazy, going-to-give-me-gray-hair antics. (Although your first black eye is cause for serious grief; let's keep those to a minimum.) I love that you're a fruit addict like me and I have mixed emotions about how much you enjoy pad thai. Guess we need to order you your own plate next time.. :)
Thank you for being an explorer, for wanting to know and taste and see and feel everything! Thank you for praying with me, reminding me to 'put phone down' and smell the flowers. Thank you for every hug, every high five, every 'love you more!' I'm sorry for the times I don't savor the moments, the times I allow distractions to pull me in five different directions. Thanks for letting me learn alongside you.

Let's enjoy these last few weeks like crazy. Then you'll be two and, you know what, we'll just keep on enjoying! There's no point in getting weepy over the tiny baby that you once were, there is only time for keeping up with the monkey you are now! And boy, do I love that monkey!
xoxo
Mommy