Blessed Beyond Measure: May Celebrations

I love the month of May. Not only do I love hearing the sound of race cars a few miles away (the nostalgic feeling I get from that noise always makes me happy), but I also love that it is the unofficial start of summer, my favorite season. I am especially excited this year because I can't wait to experience all of the "outdoorsy" stuff with Leah for the first time. Judging by the way she stares out the window and how she watches everything around her so intently when we take her outside, she is going to love summer, too.

This May in particular has been special for a few different reasons. First, Brian's brother, Mike, graduated from Trinity International University with a degree in Christian Ministries. He and his wife, Carey, will be living in Haiti this summer working at a Christian camp and clinic (Carey is also a nurse). We are very proud of them both and know they will do a great job serving God in this capacity. You can follow them along on their journey by reading their blog, Belchers Meet Haiti.

It's official...he graduated!!!

Mike and Carey after the ceremony.

Leah had a great time visiting Uncle Mike and Aunt Carey in Chicago for graduation. She sat through the 2 hour ceremony like a champ and did great the whole trip, except when we got stuck in traffic on the way home. We were not able to safely stop and feed her until almost an hour and half past the time she was due to eat. At that point, Leah and I were both in tears because no matter how loud I sang, she could not be consoled. She was starving and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it. After that trip, Brian and I both agreed that we would prefer Mike and Carey move anywhere BUT Chicago when they return from Haiti.

Leah is so proud of her Uncle Mike!

"I want to go to Haiti, too!" (helping Mike and Carey pack)

Another reason this month is special has to do with Mother's Day. (WARNING: I'm about to get all sentimental/emotional. I don't think I can blame it on my pregnancy/labor hormones anymore, so I have just accepted that crying while watching the news and during commercials is my new normal. Don't worry, I'll make this quick.) Yes, this was my first Mother's Day and Brian and Leah made it special...for this I am very thankful. But more than that, this was the first Mother's Day I was able to have a true understanding of my mother's love for me. Even though I have always been grateful for my mom and all she has done, I was not capable of comprehending the depth of her love and sacrifice until I had Leah. Now, there are no words to describe how blessed I feel to have been given such a selfless, compassionate, godly woman to be my mother. I hope and pray I can follow her wonderful example as I raise my own children.

I am also fortunate to have a great mother-in-law. Not only did she raise an excellent son (who has turned out to be an amazing husband and father), but she is also a very kind, caring, and giving person who I can honestly say I have enjoyed working for the past 2 years (I think that says a lot right there, haha). Brian, Leah, and I are so blessed to have such wonderful Christian women in our lives! Here are some pictures from that special day:

This was the sweet note on Leah's door when I went in to wake her up that morning for church. It was written on a piece of scrapbook paper she had played with the day before. Oh, and that is me in the background feeding her...Brian decided to get all artsy with his photography :)

Brian, Leah, and I made 3 of these plates (one for my mom, Brian's mom, and me). We were at the pottery place for over 3 hours, but Leah was a great sport and she did an awesome job with her footprints, don't you think?


I am so glad God chose me to be her mom!

Brian with his mom and Leah

4 Generations!

And one more thing we celebrated this month...Leah turned 5 months! I know I was really late posting her 4 month pictures, but I feel like this month went by especially fast!

5 months is just so exciting!

Love those chubby little legs!

Precious smile!

Here is more of what Leah has been up to since you last heard from me:

Moved up to size 2 diapers (I know, so exciting, haha)
Finally wearing some size 3-6 month clothes
Rolled over from back to stomach
Experienced her first sunburn. She was outside two different times that day, once with Brian and once with my mom and me. We aren't sure exactly how she got burnt (she wasn't out very long with Brian and I kept her in the shade), but we both felt awful that it happened. However, her rosy cheeks were pretty adorable...