Blessed and Encouraged

Last weekend I was finally able to attend an Above Rubies Conference. This is something that I have been wanting to do for so many years but the timing and location just never worked out for me to be able to go. I was so blessed to be able to go and I came home feeling so encouraged. First of all, I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband who has no problem being by himself all weekend with 8 children. Gabriel, our 9th little blessing was with his mama, of course! I was able to room with a sweet friend of mine and her 2 daughters. The messages were very encouraging and convicting. It was a good time for me to go and get renewed, to get a fresh vision and to be encouraged in my roles as a wife and mother. I really needed that time and I received so much from God during the weekend.

I have already noticed a difference in my mothering and the way I am doing some things. When you are a parent, it's easy to get stuck in a "rut". You get used to doing something a certain way, whether it's discipine or teaching or any number of things you are called to do during the day. It's easy to lose your passion, your joy. I am feeling a real change in some of the ways I am feeling about parenting, and it's a welcome change. I was getting stuck in that "life is so daily" attitude and that can really make for long days!

As an added bonus, I took home a door prize, a new baby carrier! I LOVE wearing my babies, check out The Baby Wearer. I wore Gabriel all weekend in some of my many different carriers. My new carrier is a ring sling called Hava and I absolutely love the pattern. This ring sling is slightly padded, which I didn't think I would like, but the padding is so thin it doesn't bother me at all. Baby wearing is something that I've been doing since my early mothering days and I don't think I could manage without it. It's not only practical, but I love the feeling I get having my little one so close.