I'm Trying to Be More Back!

I can't say much as it is late and I am tired, as usual! But here are a couple of pics of my newest cutie. He's growing like a weed and delights all of us with his smiles. Enjoy!

Sleep Deprived in Grand Prairie

I'm a horrible blogger. I never shoulda started this thing! Now it's something else to feel guilty about not completing or maintaining properly. Just kidding! I actually enjoy knowing someone out there cares enough to read about my boring life.

So I haven't had a lot of continuous night time sleep lately. Our newest addition, Luke, is the culprit. He's so darn cute, though, I can't possibly be mad at him. No matter what time he wakes me up...which these days is about 4am.

Anyway, just like with my other kids, my body has adapted to it. And now I actually stay up after he goes to bed at night. Besides, if I didn't have this private time to myself I really might go nuts!

So keep coming back to visit me. I'm determined to keep you "posted"!

Hasta,
Jen

By His Spirit

'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6

I wanted to tell you that my second son, Luke Jonathan, was born two weeks ago tomorrow on May 29th. And although it was a wonderful birth, it was a LONG labor! Twenty-three hours it took this one to come.

Okay, so this is the point in the story when those listening (especially women) usually say, "I don't know how you do it! You are braver (or stronger) than me!" I guess I should clarify: I have had all my children naturally, independent of any pain relievers of any kind. People are amazed. I'm writing this entry to help explain how this is possible for me.

Before my second child was born at home I felt compelled to print and frame this quote from Psalm 18:

"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn."

I hung it right above my nightstand. I read it occasionally at first, more as the years have gone by. More and more with this pregnancy and impending birth.

God is so faithful! As I labored long and hard with this last (yes, last!) child I felt the presence of God so richly. He enabled me to endure to the end. I, in and of myself, am certainly NOT capable of natural childbirth. But He in me...well, I believe anything is possible!

I can't fully describe the gratitude and awe I have for God. It is awesome to walk through a major event in your life, whatever it may be, totally depending on Him. Because, I'll tell you what friend, He'll NEVER let you down.

"May the God of peace equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:20-21

Waiting

I'm not good at waiting. Are you? I just thought I was a patient person until now. I'm 9 3/4 months pregnant and counting. I can't believe how long it seems to be taking for my fourth child to make his or her entrance! What's the dill, pickle?

My patience is tested all the time. And I thought, like I said before, that I was doing pretty well learning patience. But this is ridiculous! I know I'm ranting, but I just can't help it! So few people actually read this blog that it doesn't bother me (much) to show my true colors.

I even saw this movie once called "Waiting". (Can't say I recommend it though. If I remember right it's kinda raunchy...but really funny.) Anyway, the movie was about all the different people that worked at this restaurant and all the different things or events they were waiting on in life. In the end they all learn that living in the moment is what life is all about. I do this all time. Do you? Focusing so much on the "next step" in life, forgetting the potential of today.

Or that all we do today is prep for tomorrow. It doesn't have to be perfect. I do this with my kids all the time. I'll think to myself, "I wish I did this or that more with my kids." If I would just do it 10 or 15 minutes a day think of how much time that would add up to in a year. (Okay, if you are anything like me you had to stop reading and calculate it real fast. That would be 84 hours a year devoted to something you think is important, but next to impossible to accomplish, if you just spend 15 minutes a day doing it.)

Okay, not really sure how I got on that tangent. I guess all I'm saying is "Carpe Diem" and "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Hey, I think that's in the bible somewhere...

Hasta,
Jennifer