One Month and Two Days

It's been one month and 2 days since we first met Mason.

Here are some random pieces of information we've gathered over the last month, in no particular order: 

• We're teaching Mason some basic sign language to use in combination with English words. He's starting to use some signs independently, such as "all gone", "help", "more", and "please." He appears to be comprehending English more than he expresses it, which is normal at this point. The tantrums are decreasing since he's beginning to understand the language and also since he's getting a grip on our routines.
• He has a shoe fetish. That's what he grabs first thing in the morning, even before getting his PJ's off.
• He loves to climb. Good thing he's not in a crib!
• His favorite toys are balls and vehicles.
• He's beginning to show signs of attachment to us. He has shaken his head "no" to strangers a few times this week when they offered to hold him, which means that he prefers us over a stranger! This was not the case a month ago. Another sign of attachment to us has been when Mom or Dad were holding Zachary. Mason showed some jealousy and wanted to be held as well. A few weeks ago he would have just walked away and played alone.
• We can now see a "light" in his eyes. That was not there a month ago.

 On another note, Mother's Day is coming up. I received this email from MomLifeToday. It was too good not to pass along, so I copied and pasted it into our blog. Hope that's not breaking any laws! Anyway, Happy Mother's Day to all of you out there. Enjoy the read:
1st Corinthians 13... for Moms

If I live in a house that is spotless, perfectly in order, and people are not free to LIVE because my home is more important than my family, I have not love. I have kept a house. I have not made a home.

If I spend an exorbitant amount of money on decorations, and care more about the appearance of my house than the atmosphere of my home, I have not love. My children have learned materialism, not godliness.

If I try to control my husband, responding in irritation to him and finding only fault in him...and I do not seek to build him up, I have not love. My children have learned to disrespect their father, not to honor him.

• Love is patient - seeking to assume the best of those in my home.
• Love is kind - seeking to be a blessing to those in my home.
• Love lays aside it's "rights" and serves those in my home.
• Love sees the comfort of those in my home as more important than its own.
• Love continually looks for ways to build up those in my home.
• Love is not critical, demanding or self seeking.
• Love accepts the role that God has given and sees it as a privilege, not a hindrance.
• Love studies how to fulfill that role in the most God glorifying way it can.

Before I was an adult I thought life revolved around me. Then I took on the responsibilities of marriage. Now I see that life revolves around others and God's glory!

All the expectations I had for my marriage and my life must fade away into insignificance. What should remain is the gospel! The gospel reminds me of how full of grace and mercy God has been, how full of grace and mercy I need to be...and that I need to offer up my life as a living sacrifice.

Now there abides in my home a husband and children, and I am called to point them to Jesus in all that I do. I could seek to have my own way and my own comfort, but the greatest thing of all...the most important thing....is love.

The love of God that I show them each day. A love that I am unable to show unless He loves through me!