OCGoodmama

For those of you who know me dearly, you KNOW how much I despise summer ending. And if this last week of weather was any indication of which season it truly is-FALL is indeed here. AGH. I just hate even typing those words. I usually love October’s-we normally still have high temperatures and the Santa Ana winds. (Hate the wildfires that the Santa Ana winds usually bring-but love what the weather does for my hair). 🙂 This year though, we have had the weirdest weather, so unpredictable. (It RAINED on the morning of July 7th on our way to the hospital to have SG!) And while I am still hoping for some warm weather, my hopes are not high.

My hubby on the other hand LOVES fall. Its his favorite season. Cool weather, rain, cloudy days, the Holiday’s, staying cozy indoors with a fire lit & pumpkin candles burning… the list could go on….

So in his “attempts” to welcome me to fall he has brought me TWO gorgeous bouquets of flowers in the past two weeks. He says he is “welcoming me to fall slowly”. Gotta love the boy.

Jordan’s mom (another fall lover) sent me home with this beautiful arrangement compliments of a FAB party she threw yesterday afternoon.

Like it or not, fall is right around the corner (or here…ekkk!). What better way to be welcomed than this?!

Many of you know the story of our Sweet Samantha’s journey to enter this world. I will tell this account from my perspective while I still carried little S inside of me. While she was near, and dear-and I could feel ever kick & movement. My heart has been longing to write it all down, in a time when the house is quiet (rare these days) & when my mind was clear enough to process all that happened. This is only just “Part 1”. I long to write “Part 2”-because there is so much more, but dear friends-I have a three month old, and we all know that time is limited with little ones! So here is part 1-the “beginning of Sweet Samantha”.

We found out we were preggars with Samantha in October of 2009. We hadn’t been trying long, and then several pregnancy tests later, came to discover we were indeed pregnant with a little bundle! The morning we found out-we had taken I think three or four tests the days before-so as I looked upon the little stick I didn’t quite believe my eyes when it said “Pregnant”. I will never forget, I was brushing my teeth and Jordan was pacing our master bedroom. Those two minutes felt like the longest of my life! I started screaming for joy & Jordan ran over. It was hugs, kisses, screams, and prayers of thankfulness. Immediately, since it was early on a Saturday morning, I wanted Starbucks to celebrate. I’ll never forget, I said to Jordan-“Guess I have to switch to decaf!”

The journey of carrying Samantha involved lots of things like switching to “decaf’-which was not easy for me! No sushi, wine, caffeine-Let’s be honest, my three favorite food groups. (Much debate on the caffeine front & being pregnant-I did get to enjoy some caffeine-but it wasn’t like it used to be through pregnancy). Our pregnancy- I use the term “our” loosely here folks. Jordan was the most supportive, encouraging, kind, loving man throughout my pregnancy. Don’t get me wrong-he was the best! But at times-I just didn’t love being pregnant. I mean, come on God-how many months do you need to cook a baby! If he can create the world in 7 days-he can make a baby develop in 7 weeks, right?! (I know, I know God-your timing is perfect!)

Other than being nauseous for the first couple of months (drag), body changing in weird ways (dragger) feeling like the size of a whale towards the end (major drag), and work issues (annoying drag)…I had a very healthy pregnancy comparatively.

All the while, I kept thinking to myself-wow-this little girl-this precious gift from God will be here soon. And I was on a countdown! My due date was June 28th, 2010. Exactly a year from when we had gone off birth control & Exactly my half birthday. The perfect due date in my opinion. Yet, I was convinced that I was going to have her early. I thought weeks early actually. All of my girlfriends who were pregnant during the same season were having their’s weeks early. So I just assumed that I would follow suit. WRONG!

As my due date kept getting closer, I kept thinking. “Today will be the day”! Literally, for weeks on end, I was convinced that she would be coming that day! I kept shaving my legs, doing my hair, re-packing the hospital bag and nesting, nesting, nesting. As June 28th came around-I was in SHOCK that she wasn’t here yet. To use the word frustrated is an understatement. To make matters worse, I had envisioned what life would be like on 4th of July with her. My mom and I even tried to buy a 4th of July outfit to make her come faster! I tried everything to induce labor. EVERYTHING…including castor oil. Oh, my.

So, I did what everyone would do…I stopped shaving my legs, didn’t blow-dry my hair and would PURPOSEFULLY remove essential hospital items from my bag. Yup, I was convinced that doing these things would solve my belly growing bigger and bigger by the moment. They of course didn’t.

And, I (*tried) doing what I knew I really needed to be doing-sitting before the throne of God-and asking him the hard questions of “why”, “how come”, & “not fair”. I know that being late in pregnancy pails in comparison to what so many of my friends and peers have suffered-but for me-those 9 days were so overwhelmingly hard. And for that, I almost apologize that my weakness of “self” was so all consuming.

Yet, in true God fashion-He met me right where I was at. He spoke SUCH truth, encouragement, and faith building into me those weeks before Samantha came. The weeks before her due date were all about trust and those 9 days after her due date were all about faith. He was in the midst of my hurt and fear working in me trust & faith. Through the circumstances, through my mini-storm. Words cannot express how that small “desert” & crisis of faith leading up to her arrival have prepared me for situations I have faced since her arrival.

Nothing can stop God from working and moving. Not the circumstances, the situation, the worry, the fear, the problem, the issue. He is working in the here & now-in the midst of the pain, the sorrow, the anguish, the dark night and the “over-dueness” of the situation.

Psalm 73:16-17 says, “When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.” (Today’s New International Version-I love this version & The Message too-sometimes I need it in plain everyday modern speak).

How many of my problems, issues, fears do I think about, discuss, and complain about BEFORE bringing them before God? How many things to do I rationalize, justify, “problem-solve” on my OWN human capacity? Honestly, they are to many to count. But when I enter, the sanctuary of God I can take my “stuff” before the Lord-and He will… & He does speak to me.

Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears”. In those weeks leading up to Samantha’s arrival, I had so much fear. Yet, once I entered the “sanctuary”-and searched for wisdom like hidden treausure-that’s when I really saw the impact of the Lord teaching me and growing me. Don’t get me wrong, I still struggle and grapple with fear about SO much. But these words are a reminder to me on a daily basis that when I enter into HIS sanctuary I will not come up empty handed.

Boy, did HE speak to me during those “over-due” days. I will write more of the words, the verses, and the impact those days had on my life in “Part 2”. It was a “mini-desert” for sure. But, let me tell you, the end, was so worth it.

You Samantha, made those 9 (almost 10 for me!) months worth everything. Happy 3 months my little sweetness. You ARE the blessing I always thought I wanted but never really understood the FULLNESS of until you arrived. You have far exceeded my expectations of mamahood-I didn’t think it was possible to love so much.

xoxo
Mama

About 8 weeks ago (Good Lord, where did the time go??!), my dear friend and FAB photographer, Brynn took some newborn photos of our little bundle, Samantha Grace. We had a wonderful time catching up on motherhood (she just had her second babes about 5 weeks before me). We swapped stories on life with new babies-and with her being a veteran mama, I asked her all those “Is this normal” type questions! Where would I be without all the veteran mama’s in my life? They are so dear to me!

For those of you who know Brynn, you know what a wonderful mama she is… AND you also know how talented she is at taking photos. I mean, oh my goodness, this girl is good! She also is a sweet, wonderful friend, and I was honored that her baby shower gift to me was maternity photos (I will post those in the future!) and these sweet shots. Boy, Samantha sure has grown since these photos were taken. I already get teary eyed looking back at how little she seems in them compared to now! What a fun afternoon-she captured such great shots of little S!

Be sure to check out Brynn’s blog at: http://brynnalysonphotography.blogspot.com/. From what I see, she is booking up fast for the Holidays. Better book your slot with her now…Oh goodness, that reminds me…I got to get our family shot scheduled too!

I am now in the process of working with another girlfriend on Samantha’s announcement’s. (I know, I know-I am running so behind on those!) Love what I am seeing already and can’t wait to post the final product.

For your viewing pleasure….Samantha Grace and all her sweetness! ….Enjoy!

These past couple months since Samantha has been born have been so FULL of so many wonderful events, parties, trips, lunch dates, meeting of new friends & re-connecting with old friends as well. We have been going, going, going in the Goodmama household. This past weekend, in the midst of “IT ALL” by body just decided “enough already” if your not going to slow down-then were shutting down!

Yesterday, we had to cancel things on the calendar, and camp out at home-its amazing what one day of saying NO and doing nothing can do to a stressed out & sick body. Funny how I woke up this morning feeling SO much better. I hate saying no, I am an over-committer and lover of being busy-to me it defines a “full life”. Today, I am still not 100%, but instead of filling the week and the calendar (which I have the tendency to do)-I am leaving it open-not to say “yes” to one more thing-but to do what I know is needed for my body & soul…REST!

In the midst of this forced “slow down”, I am reminded of Matthew 11:28-30 which says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened (I like to replace that with BURNT OUT), 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.”

This week is all about slowing down, sleeping, eating healthy (why does this always make me feel better?!), spending time with my sweet S&J and most of all-re-connecting with the Lord.

May you find rest for your souls this week as well 🙂

I think I can learn a thing or two from Miss Samantha about Slowing Down!

I Married My Best Friend, My Partner in Crime, My Fellow Adventurer, My Sous-chef, My “Froggo”, My Travel Buddy, My Baby Daddy, My Husband….My Everything.

Life changed the moment I met J. Literally, the moment. I will never forget it. Its a memory so imbedded in my heart and mind, I could spend minutes traveling back to the feelings, emotions, laughter and nerves-my nervousness and excitement at our first conversation. We were lucky to met each other at a tropical resort where our families had vacationed at for years-God sure had this planned so uniquely that we couldn’t deny his Hand in it all-and this week we celebrate our three year anniversary, back-where we met…as my mama-in-law affectionally has named this destination-“The scene of the crime”. 🙂

3 years ago today we walked down the isle-in a equally gorgeous destination of Monarch Beach, CA, atop a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, in a beautiful white church, with gorgeous pink flowers sprinkled throughout and in front of our precious family and dear friends, said our “I do’s”…AND
With that promise, I became Mrs. G-Goodmama.

I have never looked back. Instead, I find myself constantly looking forward, hand-in-hand with hubby, seeking the guidance of the Lord for “what’s next”.

Jordan, life with you is always an adventure. Moments of laughter, love, stubbornness (okay, lets be honest, we both are always convinced were right), funny faces, future planning, hoping & dreaming, convicting conversations, and shared interests of cooking (really eating delicious food), entertaining, socializing, community building and parenting define our life together. Its sweet & special, and everyday I consider myself the most blessed woman to look over at you-and call you mine. Your strong, confident, and your ability to calm me down, make me laugh, and challenge me to be a better woman, mom, sister, friend, daughter, believer and wife is what makes me who I am. Today, I want you to know how loved and cherished you are.

Got a feelin’ that forever…We are gonna stay together…From now until forever
You’re the biggest part of me
You’re the life that breathes in me
You’re the biggest part of me
You changed my life
You made it right
And I’ll be a servant to you
For the rest of my life
You’re the biggest part of me….

Always, and Forever Promises… H

Last weekend OCGoodmama and J Good got to watch our dear friends S & S tie the knot. Talk about a match made in heaven! Their wedding was out of a fairytale-and they definitely fit the parts! The weekend was packed full of fun events. A walk through on Friday afternoon and a rehearsal dinner that followed. Overlooking the Dana Point Harbor, the wedding took place at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott. The resort recently underwent a renovation, leaving the grounds and hotel simply beautiful.

After the walkthrough-we headed down to Talega Country Club. The dinner was delicious, the company wonderful, and watching S & S get ready for the next day made my heart smile! We laughed over a hilarious photo slide show of the couple growing up-SO touching! Both sets of parents made sweet toasts… you could truly feel the love in that room!

The next day began early-we made it down to the coast with a car packed full of a million things (hello, first time traveling with a newborn!) and arrived to see S & S ready to begin all the special day of festivities. OCGoodmama got to spend the afternoon with the gals and J Good strapped baby SG to the baby bjorn and spent time with the boys (That was seriously SO cute!). By late afternoon it was time to watch S & S tie the knot. They both looked GA-GA Gorgeous. Especially Mrs. ST! It was truly an honor to walk down the isle and stand with them as they dedicated their lives to one another. The rest of the evening flew by-we were swept into a party like no other. Truly fitting of S & S. You couldn’t have asked for a better celebration. Sushi app’s, signature drinks, a ballroom decked out, FAB flowers, candy bar, mouthwatering food, and slider’s for a late night treat. S & S thought of every detail (If you know these two, this wouldn’t surprise you ONE BIT!).

Being a new mama and balancing social events has quite the learning curve-but was accomplished so well last weekend thanks to the AMAZING grandparents – on both our sides. We couldn’t have done it without them!

Too S & S-We wish you all the fabulousness you’re worthy of. Like I said last Saturday night-We were blessed to stand behind you when you got engaged, honored to stand with you when you tied the knot, and beyond thrilled to walk with you on this journey through your marriage. We love you two! Welcome home Newlyweds! xoxo

This past week I went to Nordies… lets be honest here, I think I have been three times in the past week. Two days in a row. I know, I know. Scary, right? It’s just that after the anniversary sale, I had some returns and Samantha’s favorite place to be in the afternoon is in her sling right next to mama-which makes shopping in the afternoon so much easier with the little button! And I think she loves the calming affect of Nordies-the piano player, the ice tea, the cafe, all the pretty clothes, shoes, purses, etc. I know – I’m reaching, but she loves it! So enough about my obsession with Nordies and on to the Jimmy Choo sunglass debacle.