365 Blessings: #7 Giggles & New Tastes

Giggles

When Emma was 2 weeks old, we went from a baby that slept 2 hours at a time to one that only slept 45 minutes at a time. She would wake up screaming uncontrollably and nothing seemed to calm her. It was exhausting to say the least. Our pediatrician discovered that she had acid reflex and medicine gave us back our baby. Her giggles now are more of a blessing than I ever thought, especially remembering those long days and nights that we struggled through.

Copyright Melissa Kayser

New Tastes

Many days, I find myself looking at extra blessings. This is an extra from yesterday - Emma got to try food for the first time - peas!! She wasn't quite sure about it, but it reminded me that trying new things is such a blessing in our lives. Even though it's sometimes scary, it can make such an amazing impact on us and our growth. You go Ms. Emma! What a blessing that God helps us grow.

Copyright Melissa Kayser

365 Blessings: #6 Forgiveness

Today at church, our pastor talked about love - and forgiveness; he mentioned that if you are holding on to a hurt, you should write down what you are expecting from the person, which may not even be something they can give you, and then write over it, "paid in full". As I visualized this during service and tried to wrap my mind around forgiving the person who had hurt me, I recalled the moment in The Hunger Games when the older sister volunteered herself in place of the younger sister, yelling out that she would take her spot. I felt God tell me that He was volunteering to take away that hurt in place of the person that can't and likely wouldn't anyway. When I questioned why, He reminded me that He would do it for me, so why not her? In this moment, I realized how I have sinned so many times and need forgiveness - and how blessed I am to have it.

Copyright Melissa Kayser

365 Blessings: #5 Traditions

As a child, when I had friends stay the night, my dad's tradition was to make us pancakes the next morning. Last night, my son had a friend stay over and this morning, I was excited by the idea of carrying on that tradition. I smiled as my memories from childhood came back and was thankful to have parents that cared for me in the ways that they did. I know my heavenly Father has set great traditions for me as well, and I am sure it warms his heart to see me carry them on.

365 Blessings: #4 Potty

Aaron was such a challenge to figure out when it came to using the bathroom. Emma, however, is already making faces and noises, and I am taking full advantage of it. This makes the days I can get her on the potty such a blessing (we are on about 10 now). Isn't it amazing how God makes us all unique and different?

365 Blessings: #3 Brotherly Love

Having a son that lends his love to his sister is such a blessing some days. Today, it was a blessing before we left for the store, in the car to the store, and once we returned home from the store. God blesses our lives through the relationships He plans for us - and must stand back and smile when He sees us comforting and loving each other.

365 Blessings: #2 Morning Smiles

365 Blessings: #1 Reflections

After Aaron left on some lights tonight, and had to go back to practice turning them off, I watched his reflection in my window. It reminded me what a blessing reflections can be - especially when we are a reflection of Christ.

Copyright Melissa Kayser