Our babies and our posts.

Hey friends, I have read peoples posts that are similar to this - but I just really want to offer my two cents (or whatever my thoughts may be worth). 

Obviously I am on Facebook and Twitter - and lots of other social media sites. Since I have had a child, I really consider my posts. You may notice that I don't post many pics of Foster and I don't actually post anything about him other than the good stuff. 
I have sat in on conference sessions about how moms form their child's on-line identity and the sort of issues that can cause as the child grows up and takes on an identity of their own. I have read plenty of other blogs and articles that talk about how much of our child we put on line and how we need to be careful. 
The thing that sticks out to me the most is how DAILY I see moms post negative things about the "effects" of their baby's behavior. 

"We didn't get "baby" to sleep at the right time, now baby is fussy and I'm tired."
"There goes another temper tantrum."
"Teething babies = Exhaustion." 

While none of these are extremely negative, they are all negative thoughts. We have spouses, moms, and/or friends who would be a much better sounding board for these thoughts rather than "everyone". When we allow thoughts of negativity to make their way through our fingers into the world, we are mostly looking for someone to say, "I know, right!?! I totally know what you are talking about!" and that most of this is innocent at its root...BUT..What I think we are really doing is complaining about the things we mostly have no control over and putting it out their in this space that our kids will most likely be able to see. I don't want Foster to look at post from his first year of life and think, "Wow, my mom was an exhausted, miserable mess throughout the my child hood. All I did was make her so tired frustrated that she had no choice but to complain to the world." Sure, he may never see anything I post, but a simple "google yourself" is going to pull up thousands of hits by the time he is 13 if all I do is blog/comment about him. 

The Word challenges/commands us to "14Do everything without grumbling or arguing" (Philippians 2) and I am fairly certain that parenting is not an exception to this. 
We have been entrusted to care for these kids and if we act like it is such a chore (EVEN IF IT'S NOT) it sends out the wrong message to the world. The last thing a new mom or expectant mom needs is to hear all the negatives. And yes, "she" is reading your posts and comments. 

Build each other up! Encourage one another! 

I just think that maybe we ought to be a little more careful about what we think may be appropriate for us to post. I have friends who post about their kids and they are joyful and hilarious and celebrate their children. I say we leave the commiserating to face-to-face community - where it can actually be talked about and dealt with! 

I should say, I have to fight this urge too. We are so used to just saying what we want and not considering that it has a consequence...esp if we are talking about a baby that can't read. It is really hard to see how that may be doing damage. And lets face it, exhaustion does bring out the desperation. Somehow, I think it does damage to us too if we are always putting out the negative emotion we have...who wants to be around Debbie Downer all the time anyway. 

For what it's worth. These are my thoughts. 

And here is a new pic of my little Dude. 

It's a battle

Well, Mothers Day has come and gone. It was my first official Mothers day...let's just say a year ago, there is no way I would have imagined a little buddy like Foster and being pregnant this year. geez.

The last few mothers days I have posted very openly about my feelings and emotions. This year, I let the day pass without much dialogue. But I feel like I can't really let this one pass.

So, Saturday I was sensitive to all the women who will mourn through Sunday. My heart ached a familiar ache and I fell asleep groaning with the Holy Spirit, to the God of Peace, to comfort these women. These strong, beautiful, women.

Sunday, Andrew woke up early and took Foster to church with him early - this gave me time to shower and paint my toes. (which was a rare Sunday morning treat). I went to church and received lots of love through words from friends and Andrew and Foster. I heard a lot of "Happy Mothers' Day". It was sweet and I received the freedom to celebrate.

Instead of letting Fos stay in the nursery, I snagged him out and cuddled him on my lap while my pastor, Paul, spoke to the Men about their treatment of women being the "benchmark" of how everyone else in your home will treat her. Foster slept on my lap and Andrew and I held hands, and the baby in my belly kicked and moved. I teared up several times for four reasons.

1. I am incredibly grateful that the Lord has allowed me to take to the task of being a mom. I love my babies.
2. I am too familiar with the sadness that comes on a day where everyone is celebrating something that you think you may not ever be able to "naturally" be.
3. In the midst of pain and hurt, the Lord makes beautiful things.
I think God is taking my generation to task on fostering and adoption, and I got excited about all the kids that will have loving homes and the people who will love GREATLY...and I cry.
4. I'm pregnant, so I cry.

Andrew spent the day spoiling me. I didn't change one poopy diaper, we got carry out from Cheese Cake Factory and had a picnic, he got sitters (The Werms) and we got to go see a movie, and then we ended the day with dear friends.

My heart remains heavy for those women who long so badly to be a mom, but I do feel freedom to rejoice in the Lord for his blessings - Foster is awesome. He is a little dude that warms my heart with every expression he makes, every noise he makes, and each new experience he has. I cannot wait to meet this new little bundle.

Thanks for letting me share.

God Parents

I am not sure that I had ever considered naming anyone my kid's Godparent before I had Foster. I am not sure that Andrew has ever thought about it either- what boy really thinks about that kinds of stuff anyway. Anyway...now that we have a kid, we have been thinking about what the role of a Godparent is and who we would want to name Foster's Godparent/s.

There are 2 different levels of Godparents - traditionally from what we researched.

The first is the most traditional. Godparents take the role of spiritual role models and life shapers for your baby. They are around and are expected to be at the "big things" in the life of the child.

The second is when the Godparents take the role of of spiritual role model as well as being the person the child is named to if something were to happen to the parents.

We decided that the first kind...the spiritual role models and life shaper was something that we would love for Foster to have.

Now, to name those people. This is a big responsibility. We wanted someone/people who had similar theology and beliefs as us, so that when faced with a big deal, Foster would not hear conflicting sides. We wanted someone who we would be proud for Foster to grow up and be like. We wanted it to be someone who knows us and could speak honestly and confidently on our behalf. We wanted someone who wanted to be a part of his life and who loved him...and someone whom he loves.

Y'all, it was a tough decision. We thought and thought and have lots of friends who are wonderful and will have meaningful relationships with Foster, for sure. But there was one couple who I just DELIGHTED in seeing Foster with.


I knew I wanted to name his Godparents when we were all sitting in a room in their house. Foster and I were on the floor. Werm was playing piano, Andrew was playing guitar and we were all singing a song...then on the instrumental break, Allyson did a spoken word. I got choked up thinking about Foster being raised in such an environment. A place of artistic expression, filled with music and love and all as a form of worship to our Amazing God.

Allyson speaks about Fos like I speak about my nephews. She uses words like, "I just love him so much". She shows people pics and videos of him like he is her own. Also, they match a lot!


This week Allyson was in KC and she was able to facetime with Fos. He was as excited as she was!

When Werm and Allyson walk into a room, Foster Lights up! He is so excited to see them and he knows he is about to get to play hard! The best for us is when we walk into a room with Foster, Allyson and Werm light up! 

Y'all, they LOVE each other.
It is funny because Andrew and I played a big role in the shaping of them spiritually, and as a married couple - so, of course, we trust them and would be so proud if Foster grew up to be like either one of them.

So, this is our announcement that Foster has Godparents. 

Allyson and Werm (Andrew) Wermelskirchen. 

We love you guys so much, welcome to the family! 

Small Space Living: for 4

It has been a while since I have done a post on small space living...lets face it, its been a while since I have posted in general.

I have had this post in mind for a few days and then my friend, Holly, posted this blog today. It's baby must have and don't needs - esp. for small space living.  It spurred me on to write a bit.
I agree with Holly 100%. So, since she did all the work for me, I will just let you read her post on that subject.
This is the first "Small Space Living" post I did. It explains our house and situation - all remains the same and this is one of my post on maximizing storage spaces.

I feel like I need to say that I understand that this kind of living is not for everyone. At least it's not preferable for everyone.  You will definitely have an opinion on how we live, and honestly, I'm not interested. This has been a tremendous learning experience - esp. for me - and I know that the Lord is still forming and teaching me.  Im, honestly, not actually sure if we ended up in this situation by choice or necessity. But now, I can say, it would definitely be our choice.

Earlier this year I read the Book "7" by Jen Hatmaker. I strongly suggest this book. Its about an "experimental mutiny against excess" and I found myself feeling convicted about all I have...this was so hard for me because I would have told you that I didn't live in excess. But, this is just not true. It was a serious wakeup call to know how much I was attached to the stuff I did have. Yuck. I found myself jealous of everything...my friends new cars, new houses/apartments, many rooms, dishwashers...fill in the blank and I was coveting it! The Lord has been working and molding my heart on this and it hard and hard to admit, but we are in a good place and I am not finished learning to detach myself from this "American Dream".
So, for this reason, we are getting ready to sign a one year lease to continue our situation. Yes. that will be four people in a one bedroom apartment. And yes, I am smiling, near laughter as I write that. It seems crazy - But hey, it's all we need.

I will post up some of the new layout soon. I will not leave you without a pic of the kid. Here you go.

Yeah, he wears green pants.

momma and baby

Real life.

It is disgusting that it has literally been two months since my last post...I've been building anticipation.

That's right friends, we are going to have kids just 15 months apart. and we could not be any happier.
I feel like my new saying (as I laugh) i, "We didn't think we could have kids for 5 1/2 years, and then it was like, yeah we can....OH, YEAH WE CAN".

There has been a huge range of emotions (I realize these can also be because of the pregnancy) but the two most prominent emotions are 1. This is gonna be nuts.   2. This is sooo fun.

We are thankful that the Lord is allowing us to be the parents of two babies.

It's exciting to think about Foster being a big brother and having a playmate all the time!

We have so many friends who have been helpful throughout the last few months (as I have been sickly)  and I am so grateful for them. You know who you are and we love you dearly.

Thanks for being excited with us!
Love you guys!

I don't know what to say

Look, I know I have epically failed at blogging for the last...THREE months. I don't feel bad about it. I have had some major adjusting to do, and those little bits of time that I get during nap time have been spent working, brushing my teeth, and doing dishes.
I had considered quitting my job earlier this year, but realized that I love the work of His Voice Global so much, that It was actually painful for me to think about not being a part of it. Plus I work with some pretty great people.

In review,
Andrew took a trip to Israel in Dec...(jealous) and that was a great opportunity for me to get to MO to see my family as well as Andrew's mom coming to visit me for a week! I have the best family!

I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed.

We had a great Christmas with lots of traveling. We got to be the "Holy Family" at our home church's Christmas Eve family service (Foster killed it as baby Jesus...and as Santa) That was a strange thing to type.

We got to see lots of Family at Christmas and even SNOW!!!

The past few months have brought exciting things to our friend group, our dear friends Meggie and Dexter got engaged, our little buddy Nathaniel got baptized, and just two days ago Phil and Jessi had their baby girl! So fun! And I was lucky enough to photograph both the engagement and the birth (No pics of the new baby since Phil and Jessi haven't seen them yet!).

Perhaps the coolest thing for me was seeing all 4 cousins together for the first time...and getting to meet baby Eden! I know I am biased, but these 4 boys are seriously handsome!

Thanks for stopping by and seeing what I've been up to! But...before you go, this is my newest favorite pic of Foster.

the last few months

It has been a minute or two since I even stopped by my blog. Since then, Foster turned 3 months...

He is super sweet, but makes this face a lot! 

then 4 months. 

chillin

Life as a work from home mom was a difficult enough balance (hence my blogging hiatus) then we threw a family reunion, a wedding and a His Voice Global Weekend (3 weeks in a row, all in MO) into our October, you know, just to mix things up a bit.
Andrew flew back and forth 2x from TX to MO for the reunion and the wedding, but I stayed in MO and just traveled back and forth across the state with Foster.
I hated being away from Andrew, but I do have a new confidence about balancing and work and mommy-dom.  Here is a quick recap - other posts with more fun details to follow.

The family reunion was amazing. It was a sweet time filled with the entire McGoldrick Clan.

The wedding was beautiful. Andrew got the opportunity to speak at the wedding of Wermy and Allyson.

The His Voice Global Weekend was great and went off without a hitch. Would you believe that I didn't take a single pic?

And Foster, well, that little man met a ton of people and he was a champ! 

Thanks to his grandparents for giving him some stability! 

I could not have picked a better time to be in Missouri. I got to experience the beginning, height, and even some of the closing of FALL!!!! I mean, yall, it was amazing! Look at the colors in the background of some of these pics.

After being gone for 18 days, getting home to my man was a relief. He is an awesome Father and Foster thinks he is pretty funny too!

I'll try not to be away from here for so long next time. Thanks for stopping by.

Sarah