DiFrancesco Family Missions 2017 - Nicaragua

Please consider partnering with us as we go to Nicaragua to serve at Mundo de Amor Children's Centre.

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SIX sparky years

I have been sitting here staring at a blank page for some time now. It's hard for me to write this post... Maybe cause it's crazy to me that you have been here for SIX years!

It does feel like yesterday you made your very early and scary entrance into the world. I often look back at these two pictures because they are a landmark for me. A fresh start, a shedding of fear and loathing and a celebration.

We had learned alot about parenting but at the same time having one baby was different. And different you have been from day one. You stand out.

You are funny - not even just funny but your humor is so unlike mine.. you get jokes I never think you'll understand. You articulate your thoughts and feelings through not being serious but it comes across. You LOVE people - especially your Papa and your friends. You crave quality time with people especially your Dad and good thing he is SO awesome cause that's what he craves too. You are teachable, coachable and on your way to excelling at every sport you have tried. You don't get easily discouraged but do want to win. At. Everything. You are super easy to be with.
The hardest part this year has been watching you constantly try for your brother's attention and approval and although I know this will change it's been hard to watch some days. I am so proud of you for persevering and although you have your outbursts of frustration for the most part you forgive easily and keep busy. You have LOVED Kindergarten and I can't wait to see you soar in Grade 1.

I am so honoured to be your mom and spend so much time with you. I am excited for you being able to get to school full time next year but will miss my little buddy in the afternoons. Your endless chatter, singing and jokes. Making you lunch and then more lunch and then more lunch ;)
I pray your heart always continues to be open to trying new things, exploring, being adventurous and unafraid. That your passion for the people you love will turn into the qualities of loyalty, compassion and steadfastness. Happy Birthday Jett.

a decade

I went through the archives this week reading through the moments ten years ago that made me a mom. I have tried to think back to that time and remember if I felt ready. Present day I never feel ready for all that comes with parenting. The days of tiny humans is long over in our house but I feel all sorts surrounding the task of raising growing humans.

When I had Noah & Ari I didn't really know anyone else with twins. It was so overwhelming. I am so thankful for this blog because for me that first year is not a vivid memory for me.. it was lots of days filled with survival and more sadness and crazy than I had space for. I do remember having my mom tell me when the twins turned one that the party was really for us.. we had made it.

And each year I hear her say that.. we made it. And now today. It's been a whole decade. Of scary, awesome, sad and joyful moments.

Being a mom actually means more to me now than it did before and for sure means more than it did when they were little. Our relationship has changed - I have to give up more control than I ever realized. Lara Casey (author of Make it Happen) said this the other day and I love it.

"She believed she could so she did" is lovely and instills confidence, but that doesn't last. I know a deeper truth. She believed she couldn't, so He did. I've made every "mistake," and I'm grateful because my falls led me to freedom. If God is your boss, there's no shame for all those imperfections, sister. There's just grace."

It speaks truth to my soul as I wake up each day imperfect in my motherhood but yet in awe of these boys who challenge me, surprise me and love big.

Ari - firstborn. Your compassion and love for life drives you. The start of this school year was tough on you and I am more than proud of all you have done and what you have pursued. You didn't give up and you worked hard. You are flying now! That is going to go a long way in your life. This afternoon when we walked outside you grabbed my hand and as I sat here to write it stuck out to me cause you always take time to grab my hand, hug me or tell me you love me. You care about others and don't have allegiance to any one particular person but love them all. Competition is not something that rates high on your life scale and it's part of what makes you care deeply for others and have an empathy that I value as part of who you are. I think you are going to be a champion for others and call out the good in those who don't quite see it in themselves. You started out life small and I know being a twin and constantly compared is not always easy but I see BIG life for you my boy.

Noah - You are a leader. People want to follow you. You are fun and full of life. You love your people and want to do good - I'm proud of you for realizing that what you do today and how you invest your time will produce lasting, tangible things for your life. A couple weeks ago when we went on a walk just the two of us I was struck by how much you crave one on one time - being a twin is not always easy and you have so much you want to say. I loved our conversation and the simplicity of just being together. You are a creature of habit and I love seeing you push yourself out of those things that make you comfortable.. reminds me of your Dad when we first met. You love excitement and being apart of the action of all things life.

I sat here and read those two paragraphs and realized you are both the best parts of your Dad and me and also uniquely your own. Gosh what an amazing thing! It honestly blows my mind that I get to be a part of this. Your stories. I can't wait to look back at the chapters but I am most looking forward to watching each page get filled.

I pray that you will continue to keep these things in your heart: there is nothing more important than showing up and putting yourself out there. To be seen. I want you to dare to live your life and not be selfish. To think of others first, show compassion, be love, teach humility, to be able to be wrong and to know your footprint on this world will have impact.

You are worthy of love... no matter what you wear or how much you look like each other. Your stories are entwined for sure but you each have your own book! You belong to that.

I celebrate this last decade with more passion and excitement than ever before. I celebrate each of you for who you are and who you are becoming. Happy 10th birthday Noah & Ari. Double Digits. This mama is proud and so thankful you help me each day see myself as worthy of the title mom.

one little word: twenty sixteen

Choosing my one little word each year has been something that has shaped me. It's being present and awake and stepping up to be my best self physically, emotionally, spiritually, creatively and within my relationships.

I feel its so important to establish what I am longing for and looking for this year. I am not into making resolutions - not many seem to ever stick and I also don't' need another thing I feel I have to live up to. That just sounds stressful. It's something I can look to as a yardstick to measure life by.

The process is always different.. this year it came easily. As I reflected on the past 8 years I just knew. You can read up on my past words:   2008: Simplify, 2009: Choose, 2010: Present,  2011: Shine, 2012: Authenticity,  2013: Worthy, 2014: Enough, 2015: She Who Is Brave Is Free

Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light. ~Brene Brown

Light is energy that makes it possible to see things. Something that makes vision possible, to ignite something. I feel this is the culmination of so many things that have led me to this moment in time. I have had some powerful words and dreams spoken over my life and to me walking into the light is being brave... I sing because I am free. His eye is on ME. 

Matthew 5:4 BE the LIGHT. Let your LIGHT SHINE

Chase the light.. wherever and whatever it may be for you. Chase it.
If you want light to come into your life you gotta stand where it's shining

For more info on where One Little Word started head over to Ali Edwards blog: http://aliedwards.com/projects/one-little-word