The Darling of Heaven

The Darling of heaven

Came from above.

Drew me to Him

To show me the Father's love.

I can't truly know it

Until I can see

The Darling of heaven

Is Living in me.

He is the Darling

And I am in Him

I took on His beauty

When He took on my sin.

I can't understand it

Until I can see

 That the Darling of heaven

Gave me His identity.

Baby Girl Bedroom

My mom's baby gift to me was to make me a bed skirt. We picked out the fabric online, and she worked her magic.  I am completely thrilled with the outcome!

The fabric as seen on the computer screen during ordering.

A close up of the finished product, paired with a sheet from Target.

 A few extra details (that still need to be hung).

Sweet big bed spread to compliment the look.

Absolutely cannot wait to have this little girl here! 

Snaggletooth

Let me first start by saying that the kid in these pictures looks nothing like Eli.  I can't seem to get one that really represents him.  He's much cuter than he appears, and it seems as if he's caught his mother's non-photogenic genes.  Sorry, bud.

We've reached the all important milestone of loosing teeth, and it has been so fun to celebrate with Eli. The first lost tooth took a little while.  It was literally pointing out of his mouth, and he was just too nervous to let me pull it for him.  Understandable.  

Therefore, this is the last of about ten videos, because I was determined to document this moment.

The after photo

This is what happened about two weeks later.  A result of having a big brother who plays too rough.  He said it only hurt a little, and he was really pretty excited to start school this way.  It was slightly loose, but I don't foresee him having a big tooth in its place anytime soon.

 And this is what happens when he plays ball with the big brother. Sigh.

Now In Session

Today was the first day of second grade for Luke and first grade for Eli.  We thought they were going to be together in a combined first-second grade class, which Eli was pretty pumped about. As it turned out, there were too many first graders, so Eli is in the combined first-second class and Luke ended up being put in a combined second-third class.  He was thrilled with the fact that he would be with his upper-classmates from last year, and Eli was okay with it because he knew one of his friends from last year would be in his class with him. They were, according to them, absolutely not ready and completely bummed that summer was finished.  

I love Eli's teacher, who has been Luke's teacher for the past two years.  I don't know Luke's teacher yet, but he says she's one of the two best teachers in the whole school.  From my communication with her, I get the impression she loves God and feels like teaching is a gift to her.  Which will be a gift to our family.  I'm definitely praying for these two ladies.

School may be in session...

(Judah does not love having to get up early to take his brothers to school.)

 But summer is a state of mind!

(What the boys did with their afternoon.)

33 Weeks!

With Eli as my photographer, I got a shot of where we are in the baby cooking process.  I currently have about four pictures of this entire pregnancy.

I feel like I look much smaller in this picture than in reality.  Which is why I posted it.  That and I felt cute in my outfit. :)

 This is far more accurate.  This is also right before I went to my doctor's appointment, which lasted three minutes.  Not kidding.

I'm having a lot of ligament pain in my lower belly, but wearing the belly belt around the house is helping with that.  My hips have shifted, so that has created some discomfort too.  I do a lot of directing and correcting and loving from the couch these days, but all in all, we're doing just fine.  We are just ready to have Susanna in our family.  The boys are constantly hugging, kissing and snuggling her, which makes me smile.  I did ask Luke and Eli if they would love on her as much when she was out of my belly, and they gave me some undecipherable answers.  We'll see.  I'll just enjoy all the extra snuggling "she's" getting for now.

Girl Baby Shower!

A couple of weeks ago the ladies from my Bible study and some other friends linked together to give me and Susanna a baby shower.  I can honestly say it was the best baby shower I've ever been to.  So many of my favorite ladies, yummy food, baby and mama blessings and an enormous amount of pink in one place was just too good!  I felt completely loved throughout the entire night.

Sweet, silly Amy came from Jacksonville for the shower.  Such a fun friend!

Summer and Mel helped give the shower.

 Bible study ladies!

 My sweet neighbor, Brenda came, even though she knew no one, and I was glad to have her there.  Plus, she was the only one who took pictures! 

 Kris' mom and sister, Erica, and her daughter, Aubrey.  Susanna will be so glad to have her as a playmate. 

This was also the weekend Mama spent getting me ready for baby.  It took her all day Friday to sort, separate, wash, and fill drawers, but we now have drawers full of sweet baby girl clothes and necessities.  I had so much baby stuff crammed in two different closets because i was entirely overwhelmed by the whole thing, and she came in and saved the day.  So incredibly grateful for my Mama!

Third Trimester, What?!

In some ways, I cannot believe I'm this far along.  Twenty-eight weeks, seven months, third trimester.  Crazy.  In other ways, I can't believe this is as far along as I am.  I mean, surely I should be near the end, right?  This pregnancy has been much like raising children in general: the days fly by, but the moment to moment can feel like an eternity.  And, as with the challenges of raising children, it's all totally worth it.

As the fourth of five children, born less than five years after the first, there are about three pictures of me in my baby book.  I always instinctively understood that my mom was doing the best she could.  I'm hoping Susanna Clair will have as much grace for me, just trusting that we absolutely adore her already and truly can't wait for her to help our family be complete, even though I have had little to nothing to say on here lately.  Darling, you are our never ending topic of conversation around here.  I promise.

I really would like to have a picture of me where I don't look A. Huge and B. Exhausted.

However, I am huge and exhausted, so what's a gal to do?