Lindholm Party of Four

Welcome (we'll call her Belle), our newest family member. I cannot believe she is here, it seems just yesterday I was looking at a positive pregnancy test - yet at the same time, I cannot remember life without her. We welcomed her on in September. Before she came, I couldn't imagine I could love anyone like I love Cinderella, and now, I love her as much as I love Cinderella. It's really amazing. You meet a man, become friends, find out he's your soul mate, and get married. You cannot imagine life without him, and wonder how you can love someone so much! Then out of that love comes a child, your first child... apple of your eye, and you look at her, and think, "I only thought I knew what love was" she is perfect, and everything she does is amazing, and you are truly fulfilled. Then as she starts to grow, that yearning comes back, you want another "little" baby, you need to grow your family. Then bam! another bundle is on the way, and you wonder how you can love her like the first. Then comes the day she enters this world, and your heart has done it again, it has grown in love once more. Grown enough to embrace this new miracle with as much joy and amazement as the first. God is amazing. How much more does He love us, if he can give us the capacity to love like this. It's a blessing! I am Blessed!

Why Am I Here

I am a United Methodist. I actually never thought of myself as that until recently when I walked in to the church we attend and realized it's my church. My daughter was baptized there, prince charming and I have made our dearest friends there, and I actually work there. It is ours. Well actually it's God's - but He led us to it and gave us a place to belong. As a part of my church, I attended the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church this weekend. Most of it is one big Business meeting, but there were bits and pieces of it that really spoke to me. There were those who were ordained into the ministry that were younger than me this weekend. Imagine being that focused and sure of your path in life that you commit before God to serve Him daily - as a career. Did you hear what I just said? Should you have to be ordained into the ministry to do that? NO is the answer. All Christians are called to be ministers, I should be that way - Committed to serve Him daily for the rest of my life. That commitment or lack of it on my behalf really got me thinking. What mark am I making on this world? Or as my pastor would say "How am I building the Kingdom?" I honestly don't know. I heard testimony from some who went to Panama to build dorms for children to attend a camp. Some who have been to Zimbabwe, and many who serve right in our home town. I asked myself - where am I serving. What am I doing of value? You are asking - Why are you posting this?- I am posting it as a type of confession/accountability. I am going to change this path I am on. I am going to build up His Kingdom aside from my normal commitments, I am going to let God use me and see what happens. I am going to participate in our next local mission project at my church. That is my first step. Stay tuned for how that turns out. I know that raising a family immersed in the Word and doing my job to the best of my ability are both "Kingdom Building" but I think God has more for me and just now at my age, I am open to it. I will let you know how that goes.

The Perfect Day

"This is the Day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24

We should rejoice in every day, but sometimes it's easier than others. This was a day to rejoice. A day to thank God for pouring out his blessings upon us! It was a day to stand back and realize that God is Good and the love we have for our children is His way of giving us even a glimpse of His deep love for us. I didn't even begin to understand the love of Christ had for me until I had a child.

Saturday we went to the zoo. It was wonderful. We got there early, so we could see the sites before it got busy. The monkeys were the favorite, but the kangaroos came in a close second! Cinderella and I both tire easlily so we skipped "Africa" and went for the the water area next. Cinderella laughed and ran and played so hard, she couldn't keep her eyes open through lunch. It was a gift to watch your child feel be so carefee, so full of life and so energetic. I love her more everyday. It makes every day a gift, and I truly do rejoice in it!

Happy 30th Prince Charming

Well, it happened. After much planning and anticipation on my part, I, along with the help of A -LOT of family and friends, pulled off the ultimate surprise for Prince Charming. The night was great. My pince was truly surprised. He walked into Mr. T and Ray Ray's expecting dinner and instead, got 30 of his closest friends and family all there to celebrate with him! 30 isn't easy, you have your mind set on things like what kind of house you'll own when your 30, or what job you will have, or even what kind of car you will be driving. Then BAM!!! it's here, and while the job is great, the house is great, the cars... well, they run, it still isn't what you thought it would be. But when you are standing in a room looking at all these people - friends from work, friends from college, family, friends from church - how can you not realize that on that day even though you're 30 - you're exactly where you never dreamed you could be - surrounded by love and friendship. My prince realized how blessed he is and even though we aren't "rich" by the world's standards, WE ARE RICH - and yes, I am talking about blessings! Happy 30th prince charming - Here's to the next 30 - may they be even more blessed! I love you!

My First Blog

Well, I have entered the world of blogging. Some say it is therapeutic, putting your thoughts on paper. We'll see. There are other things that are therapeutic to me like the feel of my daughter's skin against mine, or the smell of her hair when I am rocking her to sleep, the rhythmic sound of my husband's breathing has he sleeps next to me, or the random sentence prayers I lift up to God throughout the day. Saturday mornings are therapeutic, we get up, my husband makes coffee, we open all the blinds and let the sun light our living room. I make pancakes, and we usually watch playhouse disney... it doesn't get any better than that! My daughter, we'll call her Cinderlla, is two, and never ceases to amaze me. She tells you what her favorite cartoons are, her favorite foods, her favorite books - hey maybe she should be the blogger - she even tells which direction she wants you to drive in. It is nothing less than pure joy to just have the day with her.