Do you know me?

I miss being known.

I knew this was coming… I mentioned it before we moved. 
And here it is…it’s unavoidable. I miss being known

I miss walking into a room and glancing across to a familiar face and knowing that they know me. Where I am not worried about what people think if my kids act out, if they are eating McDonalds, or if they are watching Go Diego. Because I know the know me. They knew me before I had children, they knew my heart, they listened to what I had to say. 
They trusted me… They respected me…   They knew me.

I was somebody...I don’t mean that pridefully either. But after 8 years of living and loving and investing deeply in a church and community, I felt like somebody… Somebody who was known.

I could laugh with them, and joke with them, and be a little sarcastic with them... and they knew. 
       They knew I was just being me. 

They knew I could be ridiculously silly 1 minute, and crying over my sin the next.  They knew I was a good mom even if my 10month old was not sleeping through the night, or if my 2 year old threw yet another tantrum in the hallway.

They knew my story, and they were a part of it. And I just miss that.   I miss being known by those people.  I miss the ease of our relationships...being able to call someone on a whim for a last minute playdate. Or to not have to apologize about a messy house, laundry on the couch, or dishes in the sink.

I miss the glances in the hallway that meant more to me than any 30 minute conversations--- those glances that say --
“I know you, I love you, I am praying for you,
            and I am right here with you friend”

There is something very comforting about being known.
It is safe. Even in seasons where depth is lacking or when time is limited... you can rest easy in the comfort of being known.
Because you are not alone.  These people are your people...

They may not all be your best friends, but these people know you.  They have wept with you and rejoiced with you, they have seen God provide in amazing ways, and you don’t have to explain to them your history.
           Because they know.

And I miss that.
Because now...I am a nobody (not really, but I’m just making a point here).  It’s not that I am a nobody really… just that I am not known yet.   And I have no personal resume I can hand to them to let them know that I am a great person with a lot to offer and a huge heart ready to be their best friend.

I am meeting and greeting and smiling and trying to remember names. Wondering... “What do they think of me? Will my children embarrass me? Will I fit in? ” How long will it be before I can rest in the comfort of being known here?

So today, I rest in the One who knew me in my mother’s womb. Who knows the numbers of hairs on my head.   Who knew me before the creation of the world.  Who loves me (and my wild children)  

He is a God Who knows.

**disclaimer— Everyone here has been more than friendly and welcoming.  Just this afternoon I wrote down well over 50 names of women I have met (and those are the ones whose names I can remember).  I love it here… it’s just that it will take some time before I am known here. 

Have No Fear…

The South is Near….

There once was a mom…
who dreamed of Bo-Berry biscuits, and cajun fries, and chicken,
and sweet tea so sugary you could rot a tooth on one sip….

And then that mom took her kids on a trip to Union Station….

Where she saw this sign in the Union Station food court.

 

So, she paused for a moment listening to angels rejoicing in heaven, and she thanked the Good Lord for being so gracious as to bring a Bojangles to DC just seven blocks from her house. 

And then she prayed a little prayer reminding Him that she had also requested a Chick Fil A, a Krispy Kreme and also a Target to come to Capitol Hill.  You know, just in case He forgot.  
Because the prayers of a righteous man do availeth much.

So, dream with me tonight of Bo Berry biscuits and cajun fries…
And rest easy knowing that my dream will soon become a reality.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

--- of you have no idea what a Bojangles is, then I am so sorry.
I will pray for you tonight. 

--- if you think Carson was just wearing that shirt… he was. Wearing it yesterday, and the day before, and probably tomorrow.  Thanks mom… He loves the Frog Lake Shirt. 

-if you are concerned that I might die of a blocked artery from eating too much Bojangles, do not fear.  It’s all in moderation. 
I probably won’t even eat there once a month... but just knowing it is there will be a comfort. 

Llama Loves--I am a Lover of Baby Wearing.

I will be the first to admit that I am far from 
an attachment parent.  I don’t do extended breastfeeding, I don’t co-sleep, I do believe in spanking….

 

Charlotte at 7 months
In the New Native
(too big on me, but it was our first sling)

 

 

 

 

However, one thing I LOVE is baby wearing.

 
Carson at 4 months in the New Native
(it worked better in the cradle position for me)

  I branched out and bought a ring sling – which I LOVED
(FYI—the shoulder of a ring sling really should be spread out over your shoulder more, and not so far up on my neck)

And then I bought a 2nd hand buckle tai for $20 as I knew I wasn’t going to be into the tying of a regular mai tai.   
It was a great little carrier…  but not super easy for me to use.

Then against all odds I won an Ergo in a raffle. 
I remember entering my $5 thinking… that was just a waste.
And then I won!   I wish I had video taped my response.
Not that I endorse gambling of any sort.

 

  

With Baby #3, I was grabbing carriers left and right. 
But my trusty ring sling is my favorite for newborn froggy holds.

But it didn’t take long to be able to pop Helen in the Ergo
(With big babies like mine, I passed on the infant insert and just froggy’d their legs until they could pop them out)

We still occasionally grab the ring sling,
though the arching of the back tantrum is not too compatible
with this sling

For now, we love our Ergo and it is like
calming waters to this restless little llama.   
At 14 months I am milking the baby wearing as long as I can

I will be SO sad when my Baby Wearing days are over.

If you are new to baby wearing,
I would recommend you check out the following sites:

Peppermint.com – Guide to Baby Wearing is a great site with information as well as slings to buy

The Baby Wearer—is a forum with information on ALL kinds of slings and carriers.  But also a For Sale Forum where you can usually find
a used carrier, and sell your used carriers.  (but I warn you…there are some SERIOUS baby wearers on that site…it is overwhelming to me at times.  So I recommend going in with a carrier in mind to ask about.

Friends and strangers—the best way to learn about a carrier is to ask someone who is wearing it and see if you can borrow it, or try it on.  I remember when I had just had Charlotte I was in Walmart and I asked a stranger about her sling and she asked if I want to try “it” on…  Babywearers are usually very excited about their slings.  So ask them! 

What is your favorite Baby Carrier??

 

*I am linking up with Things I love Thursday over at Diaper Diaries and Just for the Joy of It over at Good, True and Beautiful!