A Hundred Angels, Singing

Every night before we put Jack to bed (unless it's a meltdown night), we read him a book. The book is always ramdomly selected and easiest to grab. A couple of nights ago, I read a book to Jack that I can not quit thinking about. It is called " A Hundred Angels, Singing" by Dorthy Van Woerkom. It was written in 1976 and the illustrations in the book are pencil sketches entwined with water color - simply captivating. The book is about a little girl on Christmas Eve comparing the environment around her, to what the enviornment must have been like the night Christ was born. Let me give you an example from the book....

Two People walking in the street:
See them hurry. They look cold!
A light shines from the doorway.
They climb the step and go inside.

They do not have to wait-
As Mary did,
And Joseph did-
Or sleep on beds of prickly straw.

We are always praying that Jack will never know a day when he doesn't know the Lord. However, this book reminded that we can teach our children about the life of Christ even in the small things like -

Hot Chocolate in a big brown mug:
I hold it in both hands.
The steam floats up
And warms my face.

Warms it,
Like the donkey's breath
warmed Jesus
In a manger.

Lately

Jack is 7 months old and growing so fast! He is 18lbs and 28 inches. He is in the 90th percentile for his height and 60th percentile for his weight. He can sit up on his own. He has his first two bottom teeth. His favorite foods are sweet potatoes and apples. He wants everything that you have in your hands. I no longer have to take him places in his carrier (such a relief...those things are heavy!) He absolutely adores his Dad! When Jason gets home from work, he smiles ear to ear and bounces up and down. He is learning to drink from a sippy cup. He babbles da da da... da da... da da all day long. He rolls over only when he wants to. He is a little shy. All in all, he is super cute and I love being his mommy! Annnnd.....

Due to all of the beautiful weather, we have been spending a lot of time at the park. It is only five minutes from our house which is very convenient. Jack has experienced a lot of firsts. His first time to swing, slide, and ride in a red wagon with his new friend Sophia. I will leave you with some pics....






fighting over a blanket and Sophia won....look at that mad face!

The Last 6 Months

Since, I have not blogged in the last 6 months, I will try and do a brief overview of what has been going on. Jack was born on August 2 and that was the day that ours lives totally changed. Nobody can prepare you for parenthood. No words can actually describe all of the changes that are going to take place. You truly have to experience it for yourself. With that being said, things got off to a rocky start on my end. Jason on the other hand, was calm, cool, and collective. I felt such a huge weight of responsibility that it was hard for me to enjoy the most precious gift in the world. However, after about hmmmm....12 weeks, I began to tell myself that I could do "this motherhood thing" and it was actually quite enjoyable. Now, I understand why parents say "there is nothing like the love for your child." I would lay down and die for him. He is THE most beautiful little boy in the world. My cup overflows.

So the past six months has been a lot of learning. Learning that not all babies are the same and to stop comparing mine to everyone elses. Jack is the baby the Lord has entrusted me with. Learning why the Lord says to put your marriage first. It easy to get busy and neglect one another. Side Note - my husband is amazing, patient and a lover of Jesus. I am honored to walk through the life with him. Most of all, learning that I will never truly be able to understand God's love for His people. It is uncomparable to my love for Jack and that is so hard to wrap my mind around. He sacrificed His son for me - a silly little sinner. It is beyond humbling.

I look forward to many, many more months with my sweet family and Lord willing adding more little pitter pattering feet to our home.

Jack's first time to swing at the park!

3 weeks to go!

I can't believe that we are so close to meeting our baby boy!! There are so many thoughts that are running through my head. First, I am excited! We are so blessed to be having a child. The Lord is the one who opens and closes wombs and He has given us such a sweet miracle. Second, I am anxious. We are about to take care of a little human being who is going to depend on us for everything for the next 18 years. Third, I am nervous. Dear Lord, calm my anxious heart and allow me to trust you with this little boys life. I tend to want to be in control of circumstances, when I am not in control. I always have the "what ifs" run through my  head and I have to catch them and say "The Lord is soverign, He is in control, He has given you this child and He loves you." We are praying now for a safe delivery, that grants us a healthy baby boy whom we will look at and see our savior that has been knitting him together for the last 10 months. I have tears in my eyes as I write this because we are so undeserving but have been richly blessed. 

Jack = God is Gracious. God has been gracious in granting us with life. May Jack understand God's grace and all its depths. May Jack understand the grace that God had on us when He sent His son Jesus to die so that we can know Him, make Him known, and give him all the glory. May he grow up to be like his dad. Who with Christ's love, stole my heart and is my best friend. I see Christ in him each day and I am so thankful for such a man who reminds me of the gospel and God's sweet grace.

Henry = leader of the household. As I prayed in my last blog, a huge prayer of ours is that Jack will grow up and be a man who leads his family in the ways of the Lord. That he will be a strong leader of his household because He knows and understands the gospel.  May he never settle when it comes to marriage. May he have a wife who will love the Lord first and more than she loves him. May she respect him and join him in raising their children to be followers of Christ. 

The world is only getting harsher and we must be on our knees in prayer for the ones that we love, the lost, and the world. However, we must not get caught up in the sad or hard things. The Lord has given us so much to enjoy! We live in a world with such beautiful sights and beautiful people. May we never forget that.