Sammy's 4

I woke up a little before 6:30.  I was hungry so I fixed a bowl of Rice Krispies and turned on "Little House on the Prairie."
Brian had a 7:00 meeting so he was up and about.
Then I felt the first one.
Contraction?  Yes.
Five minutes later, another one.
I was so glad Brian hadn't left yet.
We started getting ready.
Soon Kayla and Jack woke up and we told them the baby's coming today!
I remember Jack followed me around and everytime another contraction came, he yelled to Brian, "Contraction!!!"
Around 8:00 Brian took the kids to stay with some seminary friends of ours.  We headed to the hospital when he got back.  He remembers looking at the clock when we got there.
8:38.
At some point that I don't clearly remember, the nurses kicked it into high gear.
At 9:14, our Sammy was born.
8 pounds of pure boy.
Quick.  Intense.
That was my labor and in some ways, that's our Sam, too.
He's four today and I can hardly believe it.  He's a dear little boy who keeps us laughing.  When I say he's always into something, I mean he's always into something.
We all love this little guy.
Happy Birthday Sam!

Happiness

Might she be saying this with her hugs?

I found this in Kayla's room this morning.

Sammy-isms

I thought I was going to be free of this cold everyone's had for a couple of weeks but I think I'm getting it.  Drats.
I did some rearranging today in our school/play/everything room.  I just can't get it the way I want it.  Maybe this time will take.
A couple of Sammy-isms from today:
I was pushing him on the swing (enjoying another warm February day).  As he got higher and higher, he called out "Oh yeah baby!"  Ha.  That made me laugh.
Then after dinner, he was really sticky with syrup.  (I usually make pancakes when Brian's gone).  He said, "Wow, Mom.  We have to wash me up!"  Yep.
And this I love.  Lately he's been asking me all kinds of questions when I put him to bed.  When will we go to heaven?  How will we get there?  Will Jesus bring a car?  And usually some version of this:
Mom, why because God made me?
I always stop on that one.
He can give you the catechism answer.  For His own glory.
And to that I say Amen.
But how do you wrap all of what God did when he made that little boy into an easy answer?
I can't.
So I give him a little at a time, the best I can.  But I always tell him that I am so thankful God did choose to make my Sam.

Birthday Week

by guest photographer Jack

Let the birthday week begin.  It seems like birthdays around here last a while.  This one is proving to be no exception.  Sammy will turn four later this week but my mom brought his birthday present a little early- the football bear.  I'm sure I'll have more birthday updates as the week goes on.
On a different note, we are into the BBC series "Lark Rise to Candleford," which was recommended to us.    So far we're really enjoying it.  I love how they talk.  I know it's scripted but to speak so eloquently...  It's a far cry from our huhs and umms and yahs.

Perspective

Don't you want to just eat her up?
I got this smile out of her by showing her a strawberry- look how excited she got!
Kayla is making pizza dough (again!) so dinner is taken care of for now and I have a few minutes to blog.
It is so good to see the smiles of my children.
This week has been one that has weighed on us a bit- I have a hard time putting it into words.  You feel the burdens of those around you and sometimes there seem to be so many.  Right now, mostly with aging church members and family.  We've seen in some ways the full spectrum of life- a dear man lost his wife of 54 years and a few days later, our sweet nephew was born.  It is a sobering thing to be reminded that we love and raise our children knowing that they, too, will face that last breath one day and we fervently pray that they will know the glory of the Lord.  If we do not give them the truth, the gospel, what else matters?  I think of the things that I let bother me, my own selfishness and I just have to shake my head.
It's good to get perspective- to enjoy this life and live it well, in the strength and great mercy of the Lord.

Welcome Joel Michael

Last night was a fun night for me.
We had talked several times yesterday.
Might this be the day?
Text at 1:00 a.m.  "We're going to the hospital."
Text at 3:00 a.m.  "We're going home."
Praying.
Then at 7:30ish Brian's sister called.  "My water broke."
By 10:30 this morning a new little soul was in this world.
Joel Michael.
Born to a mom and a dad who love the Lord.
Into a family with two sweet big sisters.
I would love to see them meet their baby brother.
I can imagine eyes wide.  Big smiles.
I love this, that's true for Joel and every other baby born:

"For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well...

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, everyone one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them."  Psalm 139:13-16

And today is his first day.
Welcome little Joel.

For Me to Remember

Lucy woke up a little earlier than we would have liked.
She usually rests on her daddy's shoulder when that happens but on this morning I wondered if I might have that treat.
I did.
She rested her little head on my shoulder and reached up to play with my hair.
I closed my eyes, listening to her breath, catching a few more minutes of quiet with her before our day began.
After a few minutes I realized her hands were still.  She was back asleep.
So we rested.
At 7:00, when Sam is allowed to come out of his room, he tiptoed into ours.
He rubbed Lucy's back with his little hand and watched her open her eyes.
He whispered to me.
"Mommy, do you know what I like?  I like being Lucy's big brother."
Oh sweet boy.  I'm so glad you do.