11 months!

October 7, 2012

Dear Elliot,

I have enjoyed writing these letters to you every month.   They've been a wonderful opportunity for me to reflect on my new life as your mom.    I can guarantee with 100% certainty that I will teach you much more than what these letters reveal.   I can also guarantee that experience will be your best teacher.  

In these letters you have read/learned about faith, God, learning, laughter, the importance of following your heart and never giving up, the importance of constant growth, music, Godparents, friends, relationships, having an escape, happiness and forgiveness.  This will be my last and strongest lesson for you.    This lesson will be on LOVE.     Your letter for next month will be all about what YOU have taught ME.

You're going to experience many forms of love.  You can read all about love in the Bible.   I want you to hold 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 in your heart.   This is the verse that was read at our wedding on May 14, 2005.  
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails ..

In addition to this verse,  we chose some rather detailed and powerful vows:  "I, Leigh Anne, take you, Mark, to be my husband, my constant friend, my faithful companion and my love from this day forward.    In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to remain faithfully by your side in sickness and in health, in moments of weakness and moments of strength, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow.   I promise to always believe in you, to dream with you, to listen to you and at the same time, hear you.   I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

Love is a powerful emotion.    Your heart is a fragile part of you.    Love is not something that should just be given away.   It is special.   It is sacred.    You will experience many forms of love!  During our wedding sermon, Pastor Lee taught us that when it comes to marriage there should be one main rule:  "Love God.   Love One Another.   Nothing Else Matters."    I can't even begin to describe how accurate he was when he said this.     Love God.    God loves you and will always love you.   There is nothing you can do that will stop God's love for you.    

My hope for you is that you have a love like the love your dad and I have.   

Your dad is my best friend.   He can always make me laugh.  

He listens to me.   He respects me.   He treasures me.  

He makes me feel special.   He's always there for me.   He loves me when I don't love me.  

He helps me grow.   He encourages me and he supports me.  

Believe in love.   Enjoy the love you feel.   Enjoy your emotions and your experiences.  

Reflect on the feelings in your heart.    Love God.

Please know how much you are loved.    You are my love and my joy.   

You are my greatest blessing.    I am proud to be your mom.   

I love you!

Mommy

10 month letter!

September 7, 2012

Dear Elliot,

           

You are ten months old and on the move!   As you begin to explore, you are slowly learning that there are consequences for your actions.    Even though you are still so small, Daddy and I have been teaching you about the power of FORGIVENESS.   

You love to touch our cat, Millie.   She is so patient with you as you learn good touch and bad touch.   Sometimes you whack Millie.   Sometimes you rip out a huge chunk of her fur.    She becomes startled and runs away.   A few hours later, she will come up to you and "kiss" you.    You smile.   Even in her cat world, there is forgiveness.    Forgiveness is a powerful act.     When you are older, you will find forgiveness challenging.     Please know that there is nothing in this world that you could do that we wouldn't forgive you for.    Whatever mistake you make, you will always be my love and my joy.  

Love,

Mommy

Forgiveness 

If you look inside of your heart, you can find forgiveness or at least the start                                                                                               
And from that place where you can forgive is where Hope, and Love, also thrive and live 
                                                                       
And with each step that you try to take and with that chance that your heart might break                                                                                   
Comes so much happiness, and so much strength which Alone can carry you a fantastic length 
                                                                                                                                               
For hate and anger will not get you there and though you say that you just don't care           
You can EASILY avoid the pain on which hate feeds                                                                        
 ...the kind of pain that no one needs 
                                                                                                Just make the move, take the first stride let go of the thing known as "Foolish Pride"                   Maybe then you can start to repair the past into something strong, that will mend, and last!                                                                                    (c) Barry S. Maltese 2000

9 month letter

                                                                                                            August  7, 2012

Dearest Elliot,

With each passing day, I can't help but stop and realize how happy I am.    You are only nine months old and SO full of life.    Your laugh can brighten anyone's day.   Your smile is contagious.    Your heart is so pure.    Your curiosity is inspiring!

I could not help but sit back and smile the other day.     You were crawling around and very busy.    You were on a mission with your blocks and your cars.    You were giggling and maneuvering.    You were smiling while you played.    At one point, you just STOPPED what you were doing.    You turned around and looked at me with those big brown eyes.    You smiled.    And in that moment, I prayed for you.    I prayed that you will always find happiness.   Even in the simple things.   

I love you.     I've always considered myself to be a happy person.    Being your mommy has redefined the term "happy" for me.   Happy for me is knowing you're you.    

All my love,

Mommy

Happiness Is...

Acting on your dreams.

Building bridges, not walls.

Common sense and moderation.

Disposition, not circumstance.

Embracing optimism.

Feeling what you do matters.

Giving more than receiving.

Having good friends.

Inside you, not ‘out there.’

Job well done.

Knowing when to let go.

Living within your means.

Making the world a better place.

Not going to bed angry.

Optional, and so is misery.

Progress, not perfection.

Quality of your thoughts.

Realistic expectations.

Sharing love and laughter.

Today well lived.

Unbridled enthusiasm.

Vintage memories.

Whatever makes your heart sing.

eXuberance for your existence.

Your choice: if not now, when?

Zzzz’s, a good night’s sleep.

                                                            © Meiji Stewart.

Summer fun!

Elliot is such a little fish!

His first trip to the pool was a bit... confusing.   He wasn't exactly sure what to think of the water because it was so different compared to bath time.

He now loves being in the water!   He kicks and paddles with me and loves to splash!

The funny thing is he's not really a fan of the kiddie pool.  He'd much rather be in the bigger pool with everyone else! 

Elliot's 8 Month Letter

Dear Elliot,

            Ok, seriously?   Time flies!   Time FLIES!   Watching you grow over the past eight months has been an incredible adventure.   Being your mom is the biggest honor of my life.    Now that it is summer time ... and you're beginning to crawl ... I wanted to talk to you about several things.    This letter will focus on the beauty of curiosity as well as having an escape.

            The more you move, the more you learn.    When we first took you to the pool, you didn't know what to think.   It was definitely interesting to you.   You knew you were in water.   But where was the soap??   You knew you were wet.   But why were you in a diaper in water?    You had to become more comfortable and before we knew it you were splishing and splashing!   You gave in to your curiosity.  You learned.   You embraced.  

            Sometimes while you are playing, we will just watch you.   We are so curious as to what you are thinking as you manipulate, maneuver and move!  You're definitely a thinker!    Our hope and expectation for you as your parents is that you never stop EXPLORING your curiosity.   It's how you LEARN and GROW.    Find something you are passionate about and pursue it.    Do not let fear get in the way.   Just try.  

            Finding your passion will take you on an adventure all of your own!   But also, I want you to be able to have an escape.   Something you do for you!   Something you enjoy.   Take this escape as something to help you refresh yourself.   It could be swimming!   It could be hiking!   It could be writing!   It can be whatever you choose because it is your life.   

            For the longest time, my curiosity was if I'd ever be a mommy.   When I found out that your little heart was beating within my womb, I fell in love with you.   I became curious as to what you were doing inside of me.   Who would you look like?   When I first held you, my heart became complete.   Would I ever feel such a strong feeling of love as I did that first day?    The reality is I've learned I fall in love with you more and more each day.   Being your mommy has been the best job of my life.   I wake up in the morning super excited to greet you with our good-morning song.   I tell you each day in our song and before bed that you are my love and my joy.  So now, YOU are my escape.   After a long day of work, I am eager to get home.    I am eager to sit down and play with you.   I'm excited to spend time with you!   You are the greatest achievement of my life.   And I know you are still so little (but growing so fast!).... I want you to know how very proud I am of you!   Stay curious!   Follow your passions and be sure to find an escape, too.  :)

                                                            Love,

                                                            Mommy

Elliot's 7 month letter

Dearest Elliot! 

The theme of this letter for your 7 months is about friendship and people you can count on.

One thing your daddy and I want you to know is that we will always be here for you.   You can always count on us whenever you need to confide in us about anything!

BUT Mommy and Daddy aren't silly.   We know that there will come a time or times in your life where you feel you can't come to us about something.    It happens.  We get it!  We've been there!

For these times in your life, we have selected Godparents for you.

And just like they are there for YOU, they've also been there for me and your daddy.

Your Uncle Joe and I have known one another since I was 14 years old!  We met in 1996!    Uncle Joe and I have a great friendship and he holds a lot of the characteristics and qualities we would like you to possess as you grow into a boy and eventually a man.   

Uncle Joe will be there for you to help you understand confusing relationships and he can fix almost any problem with a joke and a smile.   Uncle Joe is awesome.   And you two get along really well.   For only being seven months old, you've got this guy wrapped around your finger!

Now... Auntie Jen!   Oh Auntie Jen!   Auntie Jen is tons of fun!!   Her and Uncle Joe together make a great pair of resources.    Auntie Jen and I have been friends since college.    We met in 2000 and she's got the Bible down!   So she can not only give you practical advice, but spiritual as well.    She is going to help you mold into a true man.   

You're not going to be slacking off on learning manners and how to treat a woman when it comes to her.   I also venture to guess that among all the lessons she will teach you, you will probably learn to love literature with her as well.   Auntie Jen can make you better in an instant.   She's got a glowing smile and gives the bestest hugs.  In fact, one of your favorite things to do is to have some snuggles with your Auntie Jen.    

These two people are two very special people in your life.

Daddy and I want you to know that you'll always be able to rely on us and your family.    We chose Auntie Jen and Uncle Joe  to guide you through the ups and downs of your life.   They're amazing people and they love you, just as much as we love you.

You are my love and my joy!

Love,

Mommy!