Our Second Yes

One would think that this story begins Friday, May 20th when I got the call from Child Protective Services. It begins a week before.

May 13, 2016 I was at the Pink Impact Conference in Dallas. I will write more about my time there later, but for this blog I want to focus on one important part.

Kari Jobe was leading worship. The song was The God of Miracles by Jesus Culture. Kari instructed the audience to be still in His presence.  The violin played a few measures of the song. No singing. Just stillness.

I knelt on the hard concrete floor, face to then ground, and started to weep. I could feel that God was about to do something in our lives. I had no idea was it was, but I could feel Him nudging me. I have never heard the audible voice of God, but if you're a believer you've felt His still small voice whisper
something to you. In that moment of surrender and complete dependence on Him, I felt him say, "It's going to be hard because you are willing." I quickly pulled out my journal and in that moment in the dark I scribbled what I felt He spoke to me.

God does not ask us to do easy things at times. All He needs is a willing heart and a spirit of surrender to complete what He needs done. He asks us to follow Him in full surrender and to trust Him. He calls upon the unqualified and qualifies us for His work.

When the next Friday came, Fabian and I called each other to discuss what we should do.  If I'm being honest, a part of me wanted to say, "No." To live in my comfortable bubble of doing life the way I have. Quickly though, my response was, "Do the right thing." With that, we took in a vibrant 20 month old boy.  We are now a family of 6!

There are so many more details and set ups in the way God orchestrated everything.  It's been amazing to see His hand working.

I want to take a moment to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you. For all of the support, kind words, and donations. I mean, Wow. At a moment that could have been stressful and overwhelming, our friends and family have made us feel so loved and cared for. Y'all didn't miss a beat and I see God's hand all over this. Fabian and I have prayed over you. Asking for God to richly bless you with promotions and unexpected bonuses.  That God would pour out onto your generous hearts as He loves to bless generous people.

We may have this boy for 3-6 months.  Would you pray for his mommy? She needs strength and courage.  She loves her son so much and needs our help to cheer her on.

Love,
Leah

If you are interested in reading more, this is our GoFundMe link: https://www.gofundme.com/helpthemandujanos

Our Best Yes: How becoming a mom to a 16 year old when I'm only 25 changed my life.

Today, I'm sharing about the beautiful new addition to the Mandujano home.

In January, my 16 year old sister-in-law came to live with us.  She spent the night after babysitting for us and one night turned into a week.  After the week, we asked her if she'd like to stay with us permanently.

She began to slowly move her things into our spare guest room.  Now it's fully decorated the way she wants and the furniture is arranged the way she likes it.  It's her room.  It's her house. Her home. 

Last month, a very dear woman in my life said, "You are saving her life."  I wrongly brushed her comment off.   I guess it's hard to hear that as I don't think I am. I think we are just doing what's right. What everyone should do, if they are handed the situation.

See, the truth is she's saving our lives. She saved our lives from living within ourselves in our four walls.  She's made us think outside ourselves. She truly shows us how Jesus cares for the broken. She shows us what true gratitude is. She gives us a steadfast perseverance. She gives us new perspective.

A few months ago I thought the boys were giving me a rough time.  And I looked at her and said, "Girl, these kids are going crazy tonight."

She looked at me seriously and said, "Honestly, I think it's you. They're acting the same." 

That comment put me in check.  This girl makes me a better mom.

On mother's day she wrote the kindest most loving words that had me in tears:

I responded by saying, "Love this girl. She teaches me what it means to do what's right even when it's hard. She teaches me to climb mountains while rocks are coming down. She reminds me of what Jesus can truly do in a person's life to completely turn them around set them on solid ground. To the girl who made me a girl mom. Love you and I'm beyond proud of you." 

I mean every word.  I would have never dreamed that I'd be a mom to a 16 year old in my twenties, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  She grows me. She challenges me. She makes me better. She's been my best "yes".  

When you see a need, don't think of excuses of why you can't. Find excuses to say, "Yes." Maybe it's not taking someone into your home that needs a safe place. Maybe it's mentoring a child by taking them to dinner or lunch, even if it's while your kids play at Chick-Fil-A while y'all chat. Maybe it's being a father figure to a son/daughter of a single mom by taking your family to attend their game or by inviting that child over to dinner with your family. God is calling His people to care for those in need. Next time you find yourself conjuring up multiple excuses, find one reason to say, "Yes." It will change your life. One "yes" certainly changed mine. 

Always,

Leah

P.S. I'll be sharing about how we've been teaching her about money soon! And how to get started teaching your kids/teenagers about money. 

5 Free or Inexpensive Activities to Do During the Week With Children Under 5 Years Old!

As a one income family,  just like many, we are on a tight budget.  We are trying to save money and cut loose ends in the budget.  The temptation is real when you've been home for days and want to go to Target and start throwing money at them.  I sometimes just want to get out of the house and  find excuses to spend money. Anyone? No?  

The boys get $15-$20 a month in the budget.  This budget is for out of the home activities, toys, or if I forget their lunch and buy them Chick-Fil-A while we're out and about. Yes, that's totally happened. Purposefully? Maybe. Both the boys and I do well by being away from the house for at least an hour a day. So we get out and I try my best to choose activities that our budget friendly. 

Here are 5 Free or Cheap activities we do during the week to save money and get out of debt. 

1. Local Parks and Nature Trails

I know this one is kind of obvious, but it counts. I pack the boys' lunches and we'll go to a park for two hours.  I switch up the parks we go to weekly. So it's a new(ish) experience everytime. Completely Free.

2. Library
If you stay at home and don't take your kids to the library, start now! I love the library! One of the best parts is that they have a  Baby Time, Toddler Time and/or Preschool Time.  They'll do a few songs and then we'll do a craft. Afterwards, we'll go play with the library toys and then pick out some books.  Normally, there's a park with a picnic table nearby where we'll eat a packed lunch.  If the weather isn't good, we may eat in the car. Completely Free.

3. Mall
Houston has two indoor mall play areas that we go to. We'll go play for a an hour or two. Then we'll go to the food court and I'll feed them a packed lunch. Completely Free

Anyone else have children that never look at the camera? Lol.

4. Memberships
This one is not cheap upfront.  However, it's super inexpensive if you use it all the time like I do. We have a Houston Zoo Membership and a Children's Museum Membership. Both cost around $100.  We pay for these by asking family members to, instead of buying gifts, help us purchase memberships to last the entire year.  I don't know about your kids, but mine play with a toy for one week and never touch it again. However, Benaiah asks to go to the zoo daily.  It's his favorite.  We've gone at least twice a month if not more the past year for our zoo membership. In the month of April, we went once a week. 

5. Fast Food Play-Place aka Chick-Fil-A
Now, I know this one seems like it couldn't be cheap. Etc. Spending money eating out... and then I'm paying for my meal.  You might find this really cheap of me. Lol. I do this one of two ways.

A. I get the boys a meal to split and have extra snacks.  The kicker and way I save money is by not buying something for myself. Instead I eat at home or eat the stuff I've packed. Normally this costs me $5

B. On a rainy day, I have literally gone to Chick-Fil-A purchased a small fry for the boys to share and had their packed lunch in my bag.  This costs me $2

Do you have any more ideas?! Share them with me. What are your go to cheap or free activities to do with your children? Comment below or comment on Facebook!

All my love,

Leah

Mom Guilt

Mom guilt is a very real thing. It comes in all shapes, sizes, and circumstances.

 I go to the Children's Museum here in Houston quite often.  A few weeks ago,

I had someone ask me if I take Malachi, my 10 month old, to the Tot Spot play area.  My reply was "No, we go wherever Big Brother wants to go." And then it was there. Mom guilt.

I have been struggling with this specific kind of mom guilt since Malachi was born.  I feel and at times feel guilty because I don't do the same things for Malachi that I used to do for Benaiah.  Benaiah doesn't get to do the same things he use to.

Benaiah got my undivided attention.  Malachi does not. As the boys are constantly battling for my attention.

Malachi has had many interrupted nursing sessions because I had to stop his big brother from coloring on the walls.

I've had to let Malachi cry more on the floor by himself while I attended to Benaiah.

Benaiah has had to climb the chairs and counter tops to get something to eat because I was preoccupied.

Malachi never gets to go to library story time because Benaiah doesn't like it.

Benaiah doesn't get to go to a gymnastics center anymore because I couldn't keep up with both of them.

More recently, Benaiah got to play in the Tot Spot area as a baby and small child. Malachi will not except for very special occasions.
The list can go on and on.

I spent months crying and battling over this guilt that my children have to share me.  That my arms are not fully theirs at all times. The transition from one child to two children is not easy for any one. I've learned that though we can't do the same things we use to in the same way, my boys are learning a lesson that can't always be taught.  It has to be learned from experience.

We have to put others first and our needs and wants will not be met immediately met when we want them to be. When I am faced with mom guilt that deals with my children battling for my attention, I have to constantly remind myself that it's good for my children.  They are learning life lessons.


Malachi may never get to play in the Tot Spot area, but he gets to play right along big brother and learn life lessons that can't be taught. He gets to be apart of the action.  He constantly gets a loving pint-sized sometimes rough hug from his big brother.  He may not get all my attention, but he is so loved.

Don't let mom guilt cripple you.  Allow yourself to embrace your new season of life.  It is oh so hard, but very rewarding.

Don't become weary in doing good. For at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up.  Galatians 6:9 (Leah's Paraphrased Version) :)

Second Birth Story: Malachi Louis

I love hearing birth stories.  They are all so unique to each individual and still all beautiful.

Malachi Louis Mandujano

Born March 17, 2015

At 4:43 p.m.

8 pounds 6 ounces

20.5 inches long

 

The day before Malachi was born I was miserable!  I took Benaiah to a playdate at a park with a few other mom friends.  They all could see I felt like, well, poop. All evening I felt like I was having stomach aches, which I now realize were contractions.  (Duh, Leah.)  I told Fabian that I figured it was nothing and if I truly was in labor they would get worse and closer together... And I also had a Doctor appointment at 9 a.m. for my 39 week check up that very next morning, the 17th. 

I woke up and I felt worse.  I felt drained and exhausted and still had stomach cramps.  They weren't worse than yesterday, but still there.  I didn't want to cook breakfast so we went to Chick-Fil-A that morning, which would unknowingly be our last family meal of 3 together.  When I was leaving to go to the doctor's appointment, I jokingly told Fabian, "Hopefully, I won't be back and I'll see you at the hospital." 

I arrived at Dr. Gonzalez's office anxious to be checked to see how I was progressing.  When my doctor arrived in the patient room, she said, "I can't believe you are still pregnant!" Me too, Doc, me too.  I told her I wanted this baby out! 

When she checked my cervix, I was a whopping 5 cm dilated.  She proceeded to tell me that I was not going home because if I did I would possibly be having this baby on the Houston highway.{Yay!!!} In the doctor"s office, the nurse hooked me up to a machine to check my contractions. I was definitely contracting!  I am assuming I didn't notice them earlier because they were SO irregular. 

My doctor told me to go get checked in downstairs in the actual Women's Hospital. I checked in, called my husband, and my mom. 

It was go time! 

My nurse, Diane, was amazing.  She hooked me up and I continued contracting.  It was about 11:30 a.m. and I was contracting 2-7 minutes apart {very irregular} and they weren't entirely strong.  Still very uncomfortable, but not unbearable. My nurse asked if I wanted the epidural and I said, "Yes, please." :) 

Doctor came in and broke my water around 12:30 p.m.  The anesthesiologist came in and gave me my epidural, which again only worked strongly on one side of my body. (Why does this keep happening to me?!)

Fabian came around 1:00 p.m. He was nervous as can be.  I am certain he prefers to be out of the room.  He selflessly stays to keep me company.  

Labor was fairly "easy."   I pushed about 3 times and Malachi came out seamlessly at 4:43 p.m. Labor was a little over 4 hours long. Thankfully it was only a first degree tear.  

Little note:  I was completely nervous about the baby being over 9 pounds.  My doctor assured me that he would not be.. When Malachi came out my doctor exclaimed, "Wow! He's bigger than I thought." I shouted, "I told you!" He was 8 pounds 6 ounces.  Had he stayed in until 40 weeks, he would have been 9 pounds.  Thankfully, he came right at 39 weeks!

I loved this new hospital I was at.  As soon as Malachi came out, the nurses placed him on my chest and not just for a few minutes for a long time.  The first thing I told Chi was "It's okay. Mommy's here."  I love how he recognized my voice. Makes my mommy heart melt.  

There is just something about the second baby.  There is a familiarity to Malachi.  I am not as scared and overwhelmed by the thought of keeping him alive.  I know now how fast this time goes by until he's two and talking up a storm.   He is my son and I am his mommy.  His first love.  As his mommy, it is my privilege to guard and hold his heart.

Thanks for taking the time to read. 

Love, 

Leah

First Birth Story: Benaiah Fabian

Does anyone else love hearing birth stories? I do!

I love hearing birth stories because all of ours are so different and unique to our own specific family.  And it's such a life changing moment for baby and mommy!

I wrote this down a few weeks after Benaiah's birth when it was fresh in my memory.  As a reread it, I am amazed at how much I forgot.  (Which makes me regret not writing down a lot of Benaiah's milestones... but that's for another blog.)

On May 29, 2013, my son Benaiah Fabian Mandujano was born. He arrived at 4:07 p.m.
He weighed 8 pounds 6.6 ounces and was 21.5 inches long.

On the night before his birth, my husband and I went on our last date as a family of 2.  We went to a movie (don't remember which movie) and ate Johnny Carino's for dinner.  We ate and then we began to reminisce about our child's future. We talked about the first day he would walk.  The first day he would scrap his knee.  The first day he would need mommy to hold him until he fell asleep.  The first day he would climb on daddy's lap to watch a T.V. show together.  The first day he would start school. The first day he would bring his girlfriend home. The first day he would tell us he was getting married.  The first day he told us he was going to have his very first child. Going through all of these "firsts" and more, we cried.

We cried together in the restaurant.



I'm pretty sure the waiter thought we were nuts! We were beyond excited to meet our baby boy.

Okay so back to the day of Benaiah's birth...

We arrived at the hospital to be induced at 6:00 a.m.  ( I was completely fine with being induced. I was right at 40 weeks. I also had high-blood pressure throughout the third trimester.  My blood pressure lowered at 37 weeks.  When my Doctor asked what I had been doing differently, I told her I completed my school semester of 19 hours with grades being all A's and B's. Ha!) My nurse, Rashelle, started my Pitocin at 7:30.  I was already 3 cm dilated and 75% effaced. I chose no epidural at this time.  My mom and my friend Erin arrived at about 11 a.m.  I thought I'd enjoy the free movies and cable, but I didn't care.  I had the T.V. off the whole time and just talked with my best friend and my mom.

By 11 a.m. though my contractions were getting much stronger.  At about noon, I was 6 cm dilated and  I was holding on to the rails of the bed trying to breathe as best as I could remember. Fabian was holding my hand.  I was squeezing tightly as you could imagine.  I began to cry, not loudly. However, it hurt! I truly cannot explain the pain.  The pain leaves you exhausted.  I looked at Fabian and he looked at me.  He asked if I wanted to epidural.  I looked at him as tears continued to flow down my face and nodded. I got the epidural almost 15 minutes later.

I AM SO GLAD I GOT AN EPIDURAL!

I felt so much more relaxed throughout the whole entire process.  Even my grandparents and father came in to visit me while I was in labor.  I got to chat with them for a while and then they left to the waiting room.

I started to push at 2:30 p.m. By this time my epidural was wearing off. I could feel everything right at the peak of labor!! It was awful. The nurse asked if I wanted to get the "epidural lady".  (My words not hers. Ha.) I told her "No." and went ahead on pushing.  I really think I secretly wanted to do this without drugs.

I AM CRAZY!

I was getting so so so tired.  And I have a VERY low pain tolerance. My body felt like a limp noodle (Mulan, I know).  I was crying while I was pushing now.  The nurse looked at my exhausted face and asked if I wanted to get the epidural again... I looked at Fabian and then at my mother. Both of them were nodding.  I told the nurse, "Yes, please." Ha! The baby's heart beat was a little low.  The nurse continued to monitor his heart.  In the end, he was fine.  I got the second dose of the epidural and pushed the baby out 30 minutes later.

His umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck and his face was facing down instead of up.  However, this was all fixed quickly! At 4:07 p.m, my sweet baby was born healthy and heavy. A total of 8 hours of labor.

Fabian started to cry.  He loves his son.   I don't think he had ever felt this type of love before.  Benaiah was placed on my chest.  Afterwards, he was weighed, measured, and cleaned.  Quickly thereafter Benaiah was nursed for the first time.  The perfect bonding moment.

To be quite honest, I wasn't sure what to think.  I knew he was gorgeous. Well, actually he kinda looked like an alien with his long head.  I definitely knew I loved my son with everything I had to give.   However, I was apprehensive about taking this tiny human being home.

I had to keep him alive.

It's been 16 months later and Benaiah's doing really well.  He's alive! I'm still continuing to keep him that way. I feel the older he gets, the more he tries to endanger himself... But, I still love him more than I ever have.  Though, I guess a mom's love grows for each of her children everyday.

What's your birth story?!
Share in the comments. :) I'd love to read them!

Do you have a natural birth or epidural?
Vaginal or C-section?
Length of Labor?
What did you think when he/she was born?

The Small Things

Being a mom this past week was hard.

When I gave birth to my strange miniature human, I threw all my selfishness out of the window. Wrong.  I'm still selfish, but now I have to force myself to be selfless 24 hours a day.  It is hard work, y'all. 

My week was so exhausting that I even job searched.. (I know, I know. Crazy.) And I love being a SAHM, but not this week.  This past week I daydreamed about what I could be doing without my son.  While a friend, without kids, was going hiking in Colorado, I was trying to force a babler (baby and toddler mix) to eat his stinking peas and take just one nap.  Hiking in Colorado sounded like an extremely nice get away at the moment. Ha. 

In the past 7 days my son has managed to dump out every open cabinet/drawer or shelf he could find.  I felt like my back was going to explode from picking up so much tub-o-ware, bowls, pots and pans.

Every time I open the door outside and I don't let Benaiah out, he throws a fit.  If he could play outside all day, he would.  We spend two hours a day outside. I'm not exaggerating. 

For some reason, Benaiah pretended that he wasn't 20 pounds.  So he wanted to be carried all day.

  

He also thinks it is super funny to climb up the stairs and run away from me like we're playing tag.  I know it's incredibly cute, but I need him to stay downstairs.

He is obsessed with dog food.  If it's out, he's going to get it.  

He thinks it's hilarious when I say "NO!" Seriously. He laughs. 

He's also figured out how to open the toilet seat and do water play.  If I forget to shut one door, it all goes downhill from there.  

The dish cycle never ends. Ever. If the sink is clear of dishes, somehow in an hour a dish or 50 appear.

Let's not forget that all of the toys should be scattered all over the living room. Not one toy should be left in the toy box.

I know this is typical mom stuff.  As I'm grumbling and complaining about my full-time job, I feel the Lord nudge me gently.  

He reminds me to find Him in the small things.

The small things.

Like when my son runs outside to explore God's creation.  He is so happy throwing dirt in his hair and splashing in his little plastic blue pool.  He loves taking hour long walks around our neighborhood pond.  He has not care in the world if sweat is dripping in his eyes. He loves his view.

The small things.

Like when he pulls a book or 20 off the shelf.  He picks one and brings it to me so he can flip through the pages while I read one word. He loves reading.

The small things.

Like when he bangs on anything to create music.  He pulls the tub-o-ware out to bang on it like a  drum.  I leave a key-board on a low table upstairs. He runs upstairs just to "play" it. 

The small things.

Like when he's playing with his toys, he'll walk over just to give me a besito (kiss in Spanish). 

The small things.

Like when he gets super silly before bed and wants to wrestle on the couch or bed. He loves when I gently push him back. He'll laugh and laugh. 

The small things.

Like when he takes his bath in the evening, he'll have conversations with me and his rubber duck. He's such a talker.

The small things.

Like when I sing him Amazing Grace before laying him in his crib.  He nestles his head on my chest and coos as if he's singing with me.

The small things.

Like when I'm listening to worship music in the car and my son sleeps peacefully in the back.  Instead of dreaming what I could be doing, I'm dreaming of what he will be doing. 

Finding God in the small things.  

When all our complaints seem to overwhelm us, it's important to stop and remember the small things that have a bigger impact on our lives and our little ones' lives. 

This week I will stop and remember that I need God more than anything.  I need His help to remember Him the small things. To remember Him through the laughter and the tears. I need His help to remember where I was and where He has brought me.  I am new because I know Him.  Remembering God in the small things is not just for me, but for those that are around me especially my baby boy. 

Not a Fit Mom

It was a Sunday morning and it had been two months since I had my first born son.  I looked in the mirror and hated what I saw.  I was the biggest I had ever been in my entire life. None of my clothes fit.  I was still wearing maternity pants.  All my shirts were either too tight or my maternity shirts still made me look pregnant.

I complained to my husband about not wanting to wear the same shirt to church again. I put on one of my maternity t-shirts.  The shirt was red and was pretty tight on the stomach. I would regret wearing the shirt entirely, but I honestly didn't have very many clothes that fit.

170 pounds

We went to church.

Now, just because people go to church doesn't mean their perfect.

One lady, whom I have never met before, asked if I'm still pregnant.  Really?! Another lady comes up to me at the same time.  "Oh, you had your baby?!" She exclaimed.  In my head I'm thinking, "yes, we've been coming to church for a month now."  The second woman then proceeded to tell me how to start flattening my stomach. She tells me about using a stomach wrap. Blah. Blah. Blah. (I never will buy one now. ) At this time, I'm politely nodding and trying to hold back my tears.   I know these ladies didn't mean anything by their stinging words. The ladies were affirming that I've gained weight during this pregnancy and I obviously needed to lose weight. I am hoping they were trying to be helpful... 

I tell them that I'm going to go find my husband.  I leave their hurtful comments and find my husband with my son.  I tell him I'm ready to go.  We walk out of the church and to the car.  I cry. I tell Fabian what happened. Of course he goes on to say I'm beautiful and that I just had a baby. Such a sweet husband. In my head I'm thinking, "Blah Blah Blah". 

I was tired of feeling bad for myself and not being confident. 

On the following Monday morning, I nursed my son, gave him to my husband, and went out for a run.  Well, more like a walk-run.  

It's been almost a year and I think I've lost 20 pounds. I try not to weigh myself because the scale lies. I'm down two pant sizes and my pre-pregnancy clothes fit once again.  I feel more and more confident everyday.  I'm ready to continue this journey to being healthier.

17 pounds lost. (I think. Ha.) 

Although, I dare say I am healthy now. I mean that's the reason I decided to lose weight.  It was partly because I hated what I saw, but mostly because I just wanted to fit into that cute shirt I saw in the store.  (That I can't buy right now because we're so tight on the budget! GRR. Not forever though.)

As of right now, I have no desire to get abs or a flat stomach.  I don't want to be skinny. I sincerely just want to be healthy and confident in myself.  I want to feel accomplished. Though, knowing that I can be disciplined and determined to change has brought me to this place of confidence in myself.  To me, that's what being healthy is all about.  It's not about being a #fitmom and showing the world how awesome you are for having a chiseled body. I mean, that's great. Don't get me wrong.
However, I would rather focus on my reality.  I would rather focus on simple life changes that go toward being healthier than focus all my time on why I don't have abs.

If you are struggling like I was, I want to encourage you to be take steps toward being healthy.  So you can't run a mile right now. That's fine. Walk a mile. Don't look at some unrealistic image of what you want your body to look like. Rather be the best healthy you. The results will follow.

Here's is my latest accomplishment!

Feb 2014 on the Left.  June 2014 on the Right.
I am going to continue to lose weight so I can secretly eat cookie dough anytime I want. Ha! 

Progress is slow. That's the way I like it.  I would rather the weight come of slowly because then I know how to keep the weight off. #freeLeahtip Baby steps are key.

I would love it if, along with our debt-free journey, you would join me on my fitness journey.  I will do my best to post recipes, show my workouts, and my results.  After all, being healthier and having more energy during the day is the best! Seriously though, I have more energy and am more alert for Benaiah when I've worked out than when I haven't worked out.

Maybe one day I will be a #fitmom, but for now I am taking steps toward being a healthy mom. <3


Thanks for reading!

All my love,
Leah 

Vacuum Monster

My son, Benaiah, is terrified of the vacuum cleaner.

My floors have been and are a wreck! (I have two dogs that shed.) Ugh!

The other day I was thinking about how much I love my son.  And when he is frightened he clings to me.  He knows that I am his place of refuge.  His place of safety. He knows that I will never let him go.

When I take out the vacuum, Benaiah stops whatever he is doing and stares at the monster waiting for its next move.

Benaiah slowly eyes it, crawling around it by a foot.  He clings to my legs.  Every now and then he'll touch it to see if it will bite.

I pick him up.  Straddle him on my hip.  I begin to vacuum.  He stares cautiously at the noise maker watching its every move.

I thought about the monsters in our lives that come out of the closet.  These monster's could be our finances, our pride, our family, our friends, our fear of failure, our doubts, or our unbelief

When circumstances or feelings come from the closet to show their ugly face, do you stare awhile and run away to avoid danger? Or do you cling to a place of refuge in Jesus and let Him battle the monster?

How many times do we try to battle the monster on our own?   I am still learning to continue to find rest and comfort in the arms of Jesus.

I need to become more like my 11 month old son.  Although I try and teach him things everyday, he teaches me more.

Let the owner of the world hold us and handle the monsters in our lives.