Hey Guys? Come get me!

My daughter is a rooster. She wakes up with the first dawn of day. Sometimes earlier.

I haven't used an alarm clock in 2 years and 5 months.

She still sleeps in a crib, and has only ever climbed out once. So most mornings, she stands at the rails and yells "Mama? Daddy? Hey guys! Come get me!"

If we don't go right away, we hear the following:

"Guys? Hey guys? Come get me dressed!"

I can hear blankets hitting the floor, or a "ker-plump" sound of her doll being tossed from the crib.

Its usually at this point that I throw my feet over the side of the bed and stumble into her room. And just when I think to myself "Can't-somebody-teach-this-kid-to-sleep-in-what-do-I-have-to-do-to-get-some-sleep-around-here-sheesh---" I crack open the door and see...

that smile.

Faith, Hope & Lullabies

Like most expecting mothers who daydream about their newborn, I had pictured calm, quiet, and soothing moments in a rocking chair as I held my sleeping baby.

A few weeks after I delivered Olivia, what I actually found were frantic, exhausted moments on the couch downstairs while I tried to let Joel sleep upstairs as I swayed with my crying infant. And when I'd had as much as I could take, I'd hand her off to Joel and he would take his turn.

Picturesque? Not quite. Reality? Absolutely.

A few weeks later, Joel installed one of those wall-hanging CD/Radio players in our bedroom so I could play some soothing music...usually as I cried. It didn't take much for the tears to flow, and there wasn't much that could comfort me except for music that focused my thoughts on God. As soon as I'd push the play button, I would take a huge sigh and let the worship music wash over me. Sometimes I would sit and pray and let the music guide me because I was too tired to think up words for prayers. Ever been that exhausted? Where you can't string a sentence together, so you just hope that the Lord can feel your heart instead and know what you're trying to say?

I love this new CD that just came out - I feel like it would be the perfect compliment to those moments. On the one hand, I was overjoyed at my sweet, healthy newborn in my arms. On the flip side, I had never been more scared in my life. I feel like I've finally found an album that honors both emotions! Its soothing lullabies that your baby would love, mainly instrumental tracks, but your mind hears the familiar comfort of songs like "Voice of Truth," "Cry Out To Jesus," and "How Great Is Our God." If you know someone who is having their very first Mothers Day this weekend, this is a must-have gift.

Here's the best news: I'm giving away 30 copies! That's right, 30! And all I ask is that you leave a verse in the comments section that has encouraged you when you were feeling low and exhausted. I ask this because I remember how helpful scripture was to me when I was a new mother. I was filled with anxiety and panic most of the time, and the only thing that could help me get through the hard moments was praying Gods word, often times out loud, and clinging to His promises.

I'll go first with my scripture: The one that brought me through thick-and-thin was given to me by my co-host, Tom. I think Olivia was about 7 days old, and I told Tom I was really scared. Tom said: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 I would recite that over and over, and picture in my mind God replacing all my fears with a sound mind. It really brought me through. Well, that and some medication. :-)

So please leave your scripture in the comments section - and if you are one of my 30 winners I will contact you right away, because I have all the CDs here at my desk.

Happy Mothers Day to you!
Sarah