Bean Posing & an Epiphany

I have pictures taken of LB every year.  Last year, I took the pictures:

This year, I went to a different park and took more photos:

I took this year's photos with a different camera, my old one broke, and I didn't like the quality as much as last year.  So, I've borrowed my dad's fancy camera and will be taking more pictures this week or next. 

I like to take pictures....as may be clear from the volume on this blog :)  When I grow up, a photographer is one of the things I'd like to be.

Things are going well with Sweet Baby.  It feels like being a new parent all over again.  LB was breastfed without pacifiers or bottles (not because I found this virtuous, but because I could NOT get her to take either).  SB is formula-fed and takes a pacifier.  It's a totally different kind of parenting....aside from the fact that we have no idea how long she'll be with us.

It feels like she's always been a part of our family and it still feels unreal that there's a baby in the next room, it's quite a dichotomy.  We will enjoy her for as long as she's here :)

My husband's work situation still isn't what we had hoped for.  We're in a state of limbo, waiting to see where our family will be led.  It's been a long 4 months of unemployment/underemployment.  The blessing has been that I have been able to do more consulting from home during this time to help fill in the gaps.  I've applied for a few jobs and continue to not be interviewed....with a master's degree and five years of consulting experience, I'm taking it that it's God's will that I be home right now.  Going back to work would require a huge lifestyle change for our family.

Last week I had an epiphany.  I was anxious about my husband's work and finding some security after 4 months of insecurity and I was watching a story about a military family; reality check!  It's true that our own crosses are nothing compared to the crosses of others.....my family has health and home......next time I think about complaining, I'm going to offer it up for all the families who are truly suffering right now - whether it's the family that just lost a  father overseas or the family that recently lost a 7 y/o daughter in our homeschool community - my cross is a splinter and I will pray for all of you carrying around true timber.