Early morning...

There is something magical about early morning light, soft white cotton, chubby baby limbs, and big toothless grins...  

Isn't there?

How we roll...

While we are little...this is how we roll...

We hang from doorways like little chimpanzees...

and share out swings with elephants...

and rock aviators like it's our job...

I know, I know...

it's a tough job...

but somebody's got to do it ;)

Colors of Spring!

I love my living room, but every once in a while it drives me a little nutty. I have this fabulous rug from target with big red and orange flowers on it, and nice red drapes which are usually my style...but then I hit a season like spring and I have a decorating conundrum on my hands...whites, pinks, yellows, and blues clash terribly with the bold reds, browns, and oranges in my living room...usually leaving me baffled on how to bring a little "spring" into the space...

but this year I found a lovely solution...red tulips!! 

I threw together a few collages for your viewing pleasure:D

What do you think? It works, right?

Here's last year's decor if your interested...(I like this years better...gotta say:)

Hope everyone is having a great Friday!

Beauty for ashes...

Yesterday was glorious...the sun was shining brightly, and the thermometer read 76 degrees by mid afternoon...

All day this verse was on my mind:

"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted...

to comfort all who mourn, 

and provide for those who grieve in Zion-

to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, 

the oil of joy instead of mourning, 

and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. 

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD 

for the display of His splendor."

Isaiah 61:1b-3

Our family has been grieving for the last few weeks as we said goodbye to our
Pop-pop...and it seemed like the gloom had settled in and made itself at home for a while...
and then yesterday, God gave us the sunshine for the second day in a row...reminding me of His promises... 

Here's how they work:
We give Him our broken hearts...He hands them back whole.
We mourn...He comforts us.
We cover our heads with ashes...He lifts the ashes and gives us crowns of beauty instead.
We grieve...He pours liquid joy on us.
We despair...He cloaks us in praise.

Then He stands back and smiles at us, firmly planted like an old oak tree that is rooted in His goodness. He smiles, and then he uses us...(little us!!) to display his splendor...

What a wonderful Maker...isn't He?

Hunter Jacob: A Birth Story

I cannot believe how fast time has gone since the birth of our son on the first day of November. I decided a few days ago that I needed to hurry up and write Hunter's birth story before I begin to forget certain parts:) I wrote it in the way that I want to remember it...in a way that I can relive the emotions and sensations of that day. 


(Although I chose to have an all natural birth at a birthing center, I in no way am condemning other methods of labor and delivery...this is just what worked for me and what I was comfortable with...I believe every mom who carries a child into this world in any capacity deserves respect:)

Four months ago I sat on the sofa with a good novel in my hands and a slightly odd feeling in my gut. I had spent the day shopping, stocking up on essentials. I had frantically organized our pantry like a mad woman, and made a huge crock-pot of chili… I was exhausted…and little did I know… I was in labor.

As the minutes ticked by, I remember thinking that these strange pangs in my gut felt different than Braxton hicks…and they were coming steadily at regular intervals. Since I had begun “leaking” a few hours earlier, the thought occurred to me that perhaps my water had broken and was just s-l-o-w-l-y trickling out. I decided to call the midwife, just to be sure what I was experiencing was normal and to confirm that I was probably not in labor and that my very pregnant body was simply having a hard time controlling my bladder (moms out there know just what I mean…right;)

Instead she urged me to gather my things and make my way to the birth center. I quickly woke Mike up, telling him that the time had come for us to go. I packed our things while calling my mom and a few other close friends…I remember laughing as I chatted on the phone, while Mike nervously (impatiently) ushered me out the door. As we drove to the birth center our excitement mounted and we tried to calm ourselves, reminding each other this could just be a false alarm. I remember holding hands and exchanging knowing glances. I remember peering into the backseat where the empty infant carrier sat, just waiting to be filled. I remember how good the seat heat in our Tahoe felt against my achy back as the contractions continued to roll in.

When we arrived at the birth center it was around midnight. The midwife on-call met us in the lobby and led us to an exam room where she could check to see if my water had broken. She confirmed that it had. She then showed us to the birthing suite that would soon become one of the most memorable places in our lives. She explained that I was still in very early labor and the best thing for us to do was to rest and wait. We climbed into the bed together and turned down the lights. I remember being so thankful that we were at a birth center, not a hospital, which meant that Mike could be right there in bed with me, and not in a cot on the floor.

Hours dragged by as I breathed and counted my way through contractions. The clock on the wall read about 4:30 when the mom in the room next to me began to let out bellowing cries which turned to screams as she gave a final push and her little one entered the world. We heard the sound of a newborn cry. I held my breath so I could hear the commotion on the other side of the wall. Mike asked if I was nervous after hearing a woman in labor, I told him I was jealous…her work was done and mine had not even begun…

I went to the bathroom and took a good hard look at myself in the mirror. I thought, “this is it woman…lets see what your made of…lets do it.” I decided that whatever pain I was about to encounter was for my benefit and that I would pursuit it at all cost. I could not wait to meet my baby.

Morning came and the contractions were steady but not progressing as quickly as I had hoped. My mom arrived to keep us company as we waited. The midwives suggested going for a walk to the bagel shop down the street…hoping that getting me moving would speed up my contractions. After stopping for a few breaks along the way, we made it to the bagel shop and ordered breakfast. I worked through the waves of contractions as I ate my bagel and drank my coffee. I remember thinking that this was just another day for everyone else in that shop…they had no idea what the pregnant lady in the booth by the window was experiencing.

We walked back to the Birth center and they checked to see how many centimeters I was. After agreeing that I was not progressing as quickly as we had hoped…we decided to have our midwife break my water completely to see if that would encourage my labor. I remember them reaching in to release my water, and the strangest feeling ensued. It felt like a wonderful release of pressure as warmth filled the bed where I was laying. From there, things began to happen quickly.

My sister arrived and we all met in courtyard behind the birth center. It was a fairly warm day and the sun was so bright. I remember thinking, “I want our baby to be born in the sunshine of this afternoon, not tonight or tomorrow”.

I The prayers prayed at that time were from somewhere so deep inside of me that I can honestly say that labor for me was an extremely spiritual experience. I knew that the purposeful pain that coursed through my body in those hours was mine and mine alone to endure. I also very consciously knew that God Himself was the only other one who could share those inward moments with me, being fully aware of what I was feeling, thinking, and sensing. I have never felt so alive, I have never felt so raw, and I have never felt so focused in all my life. It was the most exhilarating thing I have ever done, and the arms of the Almighty carried me through from start to finish.

As the pressure of my contractions intensified, the Midwife prepared a warm bath for me in the oversized tub. As I sank my writhing body into that water, warmth and weightlessness surrounded me. I spent the next 45 minutes riding out contractions in that tub with my sweet husband by my side. He coached me through them, reminding me to breath, take a sip of water, and remain calm. He praised my efforts and told me he was proud of me…his words of encouragement were like gold to me in those moments. It was because of his steadfast companionship and coaching throughout my labor that I never reached the point of  “I can’t do this”, that so many women reach in the final hours.

I remember feeling the pain of my body as it stretched and thinking that I had a choice to make. I could fight the pain, tense my body, fear it…or I could run into it, embrace it, encourage it with each contraction. I chose the latter every time. The pain reminded me that my little one was one step closer to arriving into our arms, and I wanted that more than anything in the world.

After 45 minutes or so, I felt a strong and involuntary urge to push. I had no control over it, and trying to tame it was like trying to rein in a wildfire. The midwife and Mike helped me make my way to the bed in between contractions.

I found comfort on my hands and knees where I rocked steadily through the next 30 minutes. Although I had already begun to push, the midwife suggested altering my position to perhaps move things along more quickly. As soon as I moved into a sitting position with my legs spread wide, I recall thinking, “this is it…I am minutes away from meeting my baby”. That knowledge directed my body as I gave two final pushes, and felt as my little boy flew out into the hands of the midwife. She immediately handed him to Mike to place on my chest. I felt warmth and joy as his little bare body was laid on my skin and a blanket was wrapped around us both. Mike said, “It’s a boy, I have a son!” as I exclaimed, “He’s beautiful, isn’t he?”…Tears streamed down our faces as we marveled at the miracle we had just participated in…I remember looking down at him and thinking that he was the most perfect little boy in the whole world…

We spent the next hour as a family…talking in hushed tones about the experience as Hunter sucked quietly at my breast…enjoying his first meal and the comfort of our voices…

It was spectacular, one of the greatest days in my life…

He is now four months old, and still fills our days with wonder. We marvel at all the new things he is learning and the way that he has captured our hearts so completely. We are so in love with this little guy…

So there you have it…my birth story...anyone else remember the day you gave birth to your son or daughter? I would love to hear about it!!

One man...

Last Sunday a dear member of our family went to be with Jesus. 

Before he went he did a few things:
He married the love of his life and faithfully cherished her for over 65 years...
He had two children, a boy and a girl, who he relished in...
He saw his boy and his girl marry and have boys and girls of their own...
He taught these grandchildren many things, and glowed when he talked about them...
He cheered as some of these grandchildren grew up, married and had children of their own...
He loved his great-grandchildren and delighted in them...
He started life as one man, and ended with a family of 18 and counting...

He lived a legacy, and left us all with countless memories and stories to entertain ourselves with in the days and months ahead.
He was well loved and will be greatly missed.
We love you Pop-pop, can't wait to see you again someday in glory:)