When Chris and I started dating, we already had a 7-year old. We would often have special “date nights” after Lifa was in bed. (He used to crash by 6:30!) We’d pull out beautiful ramekins, cutting boards, and plates. We’d create amazing tapas spreads and have the most romantically casual meals together. We loved trying new things, making it look beautiful, and tasting life together. It was our thing.

Last week, as my sister’s one-million hour labor began, I felt that familiar sensation in my tear ducts as my heart stretched to another hemisphere. I haven’t seen my little sister-mama in five years. We’ve both reproduced since then! As sweet Evie-baby was slowly making her way into the world, I was having sympathy pains, speaking nonsense, and chucking my to-do lists out the window. We were having a baby. It just could not be a regular Tuesday.

I lived in the same house for my entire childhood. My mom and grandma operated a preschool there during my youngest years, and it was always the gathering place for friends and family. We lost that house and everything in it during a fire when I was in college. I still remember walking through the ashes and feeling like there was no longer evidence of who I was. My parents were divorced by that time, and we never re-created a “home base”…

I’m an aunt! I have a niece! My sister really put me through it this week by laboring for 30 hours on the other side of the world from me. But I am thrilled to announce the arrival of the most precious baby girl on the planet, Evangeline JoAnn Branham. Literal perfection.

There’s a print shop right down the road from our house. They make all the random projects in my head do-able. I email them often, tell them my idea, and they work their printshop magic. I call the staff “Benjamin’s ladies”, and it’s always a treat to visit them. My latest project was brightly colored, laminated cards with pictures and my handwriting on them.

My oldest son is preparing to go to high school, while my youngest one still rides on my hip. As I look at my boys, I often wonder what stories they will tell their children about the home they grew up in. If I keep trying to do everything, I’m afraid they will only remember a frazzled mom without much to show for it! Instead of trying all the things, I’ve decided to start small. I asked myself, “What is one area, one meal, or one routine that I want to breathe life into in our home?” For me, it was dinnertime.

If you’ve been around me or my writing for more than a minute, you’ve probably noticed I talk a lot about the Help Club for Moms. I reached out to the leader, Deb, over a year ago and asked if I could bring Help Club to South Africa and “make it a thing”.

I’ve lost count of how many phone calls, prayers and encouraging discussions I’ve had with Deb and the Help Club team members since then. I’ve been honored to write regularly for the international ministry.

We were created for eternal life, therefore we want our earthly lives to impact the generations to come. I think that’s why I can get flustered by the mundane, repetitive motions of life: crumb cleaning, work commuting, zoom calling, laundry folding, diaper changing, car washing. I probably “should” say that every countertop you wipe down is for the glory of God. It’s true that it’s harder to leave a legacy on two months of toast crumbs. But also.... Maybe there’s more.

Because it’s Friday, and it’s fun!

(Sort of) Irrelevant Story: I met Chris’ mom six weeks before our wedding. When she originally booked tickets to visit her son in South Africa, she didn’t know she would meet her future daughter-in-law and grandson at the same time! I had been single parenting Lifa for several years, and Chris was still learning what he was getting himself into. Lifa was seven and wore a cape every day. We blared the song Uptown Funk every morning on the way to school. Chris invited us on a hike with his mom when she arrived in South Africa….

Have you ever felt stuck in an unending cycle of tired with no rest in sight? If you’re a mom, yes. If you’re past the age of mandatory nap times, probably. Chris and I had THE BEST DATE NIGHT EVERRRRR on Friday night. We were celebrating a new season of life. God making ways for us in ministry that are incredible. We chatted about the ups and down we’d been through since we got married while we drove to the restaurant. While we parked, Chris said, “But you know what’s different about this season? For the first time, we’re not doing it alone.” It was the perfect setup. He didn’t know that I had arranged a surprise - friends were meeting us there!

Last night was one of those nights where chewing was the loudest sound at the dinner table. Conversations were stifled, and you could taste the tension. Here’s the deal... Things have been GREAT! Chris and I are better than ever. I love him more deeply with each day. God has been opening doors, answering prayers, and we are completely overwhelmed by His favor in our lives. Annnnnnnd we have an 18-month old who is developing beautifully in all the appropriate ways. (Ie: sounds, spills, squeals, screams.)

It’s a fresh new week, and it’s time for a fresh face. No matter what last week (or last night) dished out, let’s pick up our shield of faith, remind ourselves that we have a hope that does not disappoint, and put on love.

**And, in my case, do whatever it takes to get that Monday makeup on.

I’m writing this blog from the floor while my toddler stacks rocks dangerously close to our WiFi router. I’ve calculated how long this can go on before a disaster strikes, so I’m using my time wisely. We’ve had a long series of late nights this week. Church events. Help Club meetings. All the good things we’ve prayed into for years. AND we’ve started some 18-month sleep regression shenanigans. (To be honest, this floor-rock-router situation is me resting up the next activity.)

Hi! Let’s take a Thursday deep breath, and do a quick self-inventory. How would you answer these questions about yourself? (They are today questions, but you can use yesterday if you are reading this in the morning.)

What did you talk about today? What kinds of words did you use? Did you build up or tear down? What do you look like today? How do you feel today? How are you talking about those things?

Benjamin is learning how to roar like a dinosaur. We had the greatest playtime in our front yard, roaring, exploring and breaking sticks. It was one of those blissful mom moments you want to hold on to forever. I snapped some selfies so I could savor these sweet times together.

I stretch my limits twice a week with heavy weights, high intensity, and online personal training with David. I scream-lift for 40 minute, and I love it! I’m getting stronger! Lifa (the best big brother ever) plays with Benjamin so I can get in the zone. The second I say goodbye to David and close my computer, Lifa and Benjamin come out with big, expectant grins. With practiced shock, Lifa says, “Oh, are you finished?” Everyone is ready for Mom to be back in charge, incapacitated or not. It’s charming. Endearing. And I feel like I could break.

My husband and I have a great “story”. We still laugh at its quirks and relish in God’s faithfulness when we tell others how we met and married. The details of our first encounters are not really our “story”, however. A story is written page by page and day by day.

Spring has sprung! It’s time to swim and play! None of Lifa’s clothes fit. New wardrobe time for our man-sized child! I’ve always just come home with new clothes and awed and amazed him by my amazing sense of style. Suddenly, Lifa has his own sense of style, autonomy and really cares about what he wears. I guess that’s a good thing!

Benjamin is my ride or die. I take that kid with me wherever I go. We sing Raffi (circa 1989) in the car together and adventure through forests, mountains, puddles and playgrounds.

Benjamin Lee Ladd is a full-on extrovert. Chris and I are two very introverted people with two very extroverted children. How does that happen!?! Benjamin has become very shy since COVID began. I’ve shrugged it off, noticing all the kids dealing with it and assuming he’d warm up sooner or later.