Happy Mother's Day
It's been a while, so Mother's Day seemed just as likely a day as any other lately to post something new, this time hopefully something worthwhile.  :)  I thought I might give a shout out to the moms in my life...

Mama...
I am so thankful for my mom.  She (along with Daddy) have shaped my life and my faith in ways that I hope and pray I pass on to my babies.  Mom has always devoted herself to what she and my dad thought was best for our family.  My dad has always come before us kids, in the way that he's supposed to, showing us that marriage is sacred and covenant and is the most important relationship - behind the one each individual has with Christ - in the family.  She was not ashamed to say that too, even when we (and so many other moms) must have made her feel like she should have been spending more time watching ballet practice, or fixing a three-course dinner, or spending time to herself.  (Frankly, I ate very well growing up; I'm not quite sure how she got any kind of meal, casserole, take-out, or otherwise, on the table after working all day and running us around.)  I am so thankful that she didn't spend her days trying to get "more" in, and that she worked and prayed diligently for us to become well-rounded followers of Christ.
Thanks Mom for all you did and do to make me a better me.

Missy...
What do you say about the woman who raised the man you love?  Missy and Pop raised a man who loves Jesus and tries daily to serve Him better by serving us and others.  I am so grateful for His background, and my relationship with his parents.  Sure, Missy probably sometimes thinks Brad is better and wiser than he is (I do too), and she certainly sees all things through rose-colored glasses, and often makes me (yes, ME! the eternal optimist!) look like a pessimist, but she treats me like a daughter and is full of wisdom and advice.  And she reminds me that "Brad came that way"... meaning all the crazy things he does come from somewhere, and they usually bring something wonderful too.  I am so grateful to count her as my friend; I know of few women as lucky with their in-laws.

my grandmothers...
I have two living grandmothers, Tutu and Grandma.  I was lucky enough growing up to know my great-grandmother, too.  Faithful mothers and wives, church attenders, etc.  Tutu is now as crazy as a loon (Mom, please don't show her this post) and Gram probably doesn't know what a blog is so she won't read this, but I love them and I love the kiddos they put out into the world.
I am often overwhelmed by the legacy of faith Brad and I have to share with our children.  I am so thankful.  It's only by the grace of God that we got so lucky.

Malia...
My sister lives far away.  She is married to a crazy guy we went to college with, who I still can't believe I'm legally related to, and they have a beautiful 11 month old.  It's sad that we only get to see each other a couple times a year.  She always remembers everything - birthdays, anniversaries, etc. - and sends a card or a note in the mail.  She reminds me that life doesn't have to be complicated, and I should take myself less seriously sometimes.  She's so grounding and real.  She sent me a mother's day card that said "You know how mom always said, 'Be nicer to your sister! One day she'll be your best friend!'..."  True statement.  Life is funny that way I guess.

Britton...
My sister in law was the first of my friends to have a baby.  She's taught me a lot about the "basics" I guess you'd call them: swaddling, which stroller to use, introducing food, when a temperature is too high, etc.  Before I even had a kid.  With every child (they're on #5) her life gets a little crazier but she get's a little more laid back, which I think has helped Brad and I adopt a more laid-back approach to the baby years.  I'm so thankful for her friendship, and for the relationship she maintains with Brad; it often comes in handy to have the voice of the logical older sister on my side.

"Mom" friends...
If you are a mom, you know you can't (and usually don't) do it alone.  We all read books or articles or watch reports on TV or ask our moms questions to affirm what we're doing with our kids.  I hope you're as lucky as I am to have friends, too, to call about everything from maternity clothes, to when to spank, to what happens when your child flies out of her crib.  I'm so, so thankful for these women.  After all, "it takes a village."

Brad...
No, he doesn't act like a mom.  At all.  But obviously he's a large part of this parenting team and he's a wonderful father and friend.  He laughs at the things I laugh at, helps me figure out what to do and how, and backs me up when I need it.  (This all may change when our gal hits puberty but still has Daddy wrapped around her finger, but for now it's working, haha.)  He seems to know just when I need an hour to myself - or a leisurely shower, or when we need a night without our munchkin.  I am so blessed by the gift of motherhood, and that obviously couldn't have happened without him.

Now, onto what's new in the Gowing household.  A brief list...
We close on our "new" house this week.  Yay!  Moving will be a chore, though.  Ugh.
Addison jumped out of her crib last week, so she's in a toddler bed.  We're going on 5 days with no nap, and right now she's singing her version of the ABC's at the top of her lungs from the bed.  Sigh.
Brad just got back from a 9 day mission trip to Ukraine working at a camp for orphans.  If he tells me another story, we may be adopting a teenager soon.
I'm 22 weeks pregnant.  (I think.)  I look like I'm 32 weeks pregnant.  Oh well.  We think it's a girl, and have another ultrasound next week to check it out.  Naming this one is going to be a battle.