Sacred in the silent.....

There have been several silent blessings recently that have been etched on my heart. Sacred is a heavy word. In my heart these moments were sacred. At this point in life I think I am able to discern when the Lord reveals something purely sacred and uses it to teach me more about His ways and what truly matters to him. Websters describes sacred as highly valued and important. Thank you Father for showing me the sacred in a world full of noise and busy lives.

1. The first moment was after the birth of our son. Our dear friend Tamara came to attend the birth to take pictures so that my hubby could be there for Sam and myself and not have to be photographer. When Sam was born they placed him right on my chest. After several minutes they took him to check him out. He was still in our room as the nurse did a few test and cleaned him up a bit. He didn't like that....at all! He screamed and screamed! Trae was standing next to him and he bent down and starting trying to comfort Sam. Sam became totally silent and turned his head toward his dad. It was like I was watching in slow motion. It was amazing and I knew I was observing the sacred. A sons first look at his dad. The first time a dad brings comfort to his son and as the 2 hearts collided I was so incredibly grateful that I observed the moment.

2. When my youngest son entered the room to meet his brother for the first time he came over toward him and very quietly said, hi Sam....you are a gift from God. Sam and I were the only ones that heard it. That made it even more precious. I knew it was Jacobs heart for his brother and he wanted him to know above all else that he was a gift from God. I was so incredibly grateful that I observed that moment.

3. When we returned home as were together as a family. My heart has been so warm seeing my oldest son with Sam. During the pregnancy he appeared to be polite about the pregnancy but not overly excited. I was fine with that as I know it wasn't the life he had planned. I know all about not having the life you planned and extended grace and understanding to him hoping that at some point he would find value in this new life. The first night we were home Sam was on my lap and Andrew came over to look at him. Sam opened his eyes and reached out his arm toward his big brother. It was amazing. It was sacred to this mom. It was a moment of seeing one precious life reach out for another precious life. I was so incredibly grateful that I observed that moment.

4. Staying in with a newborn is where we are often finding ourselves. The boys were at their dads this weekend. We had a movie night and watched Fireproof. This tired mama didn't make it through the movie before falling asleep. I happened to wake up at the last minute. When I woke up my eyes were on my husband. He was wiping a tear from his eye. I looked at the TV screen to see the verse Roman 5:8-But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. It touched my heart. I am so grateful for the Godly man he is. For his heart. That is what made me fall in love with him many years ago. And it still does today. I am the luckiest woman on this planet! I am so incredibly grateful that I observed that moment.

What about you? In this busy life what moments have you observed? I am sure you have. I think the Lord often put the sacred in the everyday moments. Just don't let them pass you by.

Brothers....

Brothers....they might be far apart in age but their hearts are close.

Samuel Ace has arrived!

Simply put....we are totally in love and totally taken. He is our gift from above and I promise more pictures soon.

I promise I am still here!

I haven't posted anything on my blog in weeks. I keep thinking what would I share, would do I have to say that someone would want to read? Anyway I still don't have anything insightful but I am posting anyway.

I have been nesting here and there and just enjoying life. We had a week without kids and tried to squeeze in several dates and movies before the baby arrives. Those are things we will still do after but it won't be for a while. I plan on nursing and while the baby is young I would much rather have the baby by my side or at least in dads arms.

The room is as ready as it is going to be. We still have decorating touches to add but those will come. I always describe myself that I am not an overnight decorator. I need time to live in the space, know the people who live in it and than I can personalize it.

It is surreal to realize that in the next week or so the baby will arrive. The boys are excited more and more each day. Dad got nervous for the first time just about a week ago and since then has made sure the car seat is in his car!

God is good and we are looking forward and embracing the blessing He is giving us.

Our pup...

Our pup is 13 years old. The boys are gone for a week to visit their dad. Which meant we needed to take some pictures with them and our Sparky. Life is short and with a aging "pup" you just never know. We got a lot of great shots. Honestly after years of taking pictures I think our dog knows how to pose when he sees the camera come out.

Blessing....

A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection. starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

Nesting...

I have been very drawn to nest for the last couple of years. Especially if they have blue eggs resting in them. I found a pretty metal sign that says, "Nest" on it and I bought it and hung it out front our home. As the keeper of our home that just rang true in my spirit.

With a baby coming in about a month I was wondering when the nesting would hit. I often found that between daily task, mothering, homeschooling and family life there wasn't energy left for nesting. Yet, after 2 children I knew that it would hit.

Today it is hitting! I have 2 loads of baby clothes being washed. I cleaned out our fridge and we are about to get busy working on the baby room. My husband asked me well what do you want to get done today? I rambled off this long list (that I think would be impossible to do in one day!) and we both got busy. I can't wait to feel a sense of being ready. I think God put that instinct in us moms for a reason. Just as he is intricately forming our baby boy he is working on mom and the rest of the family too as we welcome this new gift from the Lord.