Thoughts on being a wife a mother and a friend

It seems as though every night when I kiss Ella goodnight I get this feeling... it's overwhelming... sometimes it feels like a happy bubble that wants to burst out of me... and sometimes it's so heavy like my life depends on it... I still can't believe she's MINE! I get to keep her! I don't have to give her back or even share her. I don't have to ask permission as to how her day is going to be or what is best for her... Don't get me wrong, I realize that she is a gift from God and that she is really His, and that I do share her with Phil and we are in this parenting thing together... but all my life I've enjoyed being apart of everyone else's baby's/child's life, and now I have my own. Phil and I are in charge of raising her to know God...that's a big task. But right now... while she is young... I am just enjoying the snuggles, how she follows me with her eyes and head around the room... how she responds to my voice.. how she smiles at me...

Today as I was cleaning my house I was thinking about a friend and some of the opinions she has about life. I found myself sad because I don't believe they are how God would want us be thinking... then it became somewhat judgmental... then this Bible verse that I learned way back in AWANA came to me. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Galations 6:7 It challenged me in a couple ways. I need to guard my thoughts... if I'm just 'sowing' negative thoughts about others I will become quite negative. Also, it's not really my problem to worry about the opinions she has. God is not mocked....

Why do the best people move? Throughout my life I have made many friends. And throughout my life many of them have moved away for one reason or another. It never gets easier. Some I've been good at keeping in touch with... others are just a great memory. Until 2008 I have never been the one to move away. Moving has been such a hard thing. Making new friends in a whole new area is different than being the person who greets the new one in town. I have struggled with still 'living' in my old city. In my mind it's still the best place to live and that's where all the best people are. I know it's not right or fair to my new friends, but that's the truth. Making real friends has been even harder.. which brings me to my original question, why do the best people move? I was just getting to know a friend here even better, and tonight she was at my house.. and I was thinking, 'Wow, I really want to get to know her even better. She has such a love for God and great...