Jaxon Loren is Here!!!!!

Jaxon Loren made his introduction into the world May 31 at 4:34 pm.  He was 7lbs 7oz and 20.5 inches long.  He is an absolute blessing from God and we can't image life without him.  Our hearts are overflowing with praise to God for a healthy boy and a wonderful and safe delivery.  It amazes me how my heart explodes with love the moment I meet my baby for the first time, and this was no exception.  He has a proud big sister who loves to hold him and sing to him and a big brother who makes sure we know when he is upset and tries to comfort him.  They both are excited he is here too!  I have an amazing husband who has made life simple and easy since his arrival and I have fallen in love all over again with the father of my children!!!  Life is GREAT!!!! 

Waiting

The last weeks of pregnancy seem the longest to me as I anticipate labor and meeting the little person who has been growing inside me.  This time is no different.  I am ready to hold this little boy in my arms and not in my belly.  I am ready to kiss his sweet head, watch him eat, watch him sleep.  I AM READY!!!!  Apparently he is not, but he still has two weeks of bake time left before his due date.  I guess I will keep waiting.

The pantry is stocked, the bags are packed, the Big Sis and Big Bro shirts are ready.  The house is clean, your car seat waiting, all we need is you little man.  We are excited and we can't wait!!!!

Flashback

I love how a sound, a taste, or a smell can instantly transport you somewhere else.  When I hear a certain Enya song I am in the Colorado Rockies, because I listened to it the first time I went skiing there.  When I smell the perfume Escape, I think of my friend Heather.

This past week I bought a new detergent.  When I pulled the first load from the dryer I was at my grandma's house.  I don't know if it is the detergent she used, but it smells like her laundry, like her kitchen (which is where her washing machine was) when she did laundry.  I smiled and couldn't stop smelling my laundry.  I washed everything that day.  That night when I went to bed, my sheets (freshly washed) took me back to spending the night at her house.  I was a little girl again, wrapped in my grandma's love.  This week I have constantly been smelling my fresh laundry just to be transported back to when she was here, making fried chicken, telling the same story over and over and just to remember her face a little more clearly this week.  I don't think I will change my detergent again.  So, if you see me sniffing my shirt or burying my nose in a load of laundry (which is kinda weird I admit), you know I am thinking of my grandma and thanking God for a very precious gift to me of memories.

Change

It is everywhere around me right now.  My home, my family, my faith, my body.  It is all in preperation for a sweet boy I can't wait to shower with kisses.  Moving furniture, switching rooms, painting, organizing, seeing my kids excited to meet their new brother, hearing them pray for him, seeing my faith grow as I prepare for his arrival and just because I know I need God more than ever right now.  My body is expanding as he grows and moving from his gymnastics.   Normally I warm up to change, need time to embrace it, but I am jumping in with both feet this time.  I have prayed about this little one for four years. Now is the time God has determined to bring about his will.  10 weeks and I will be staring at another miracle he has placed in my arms to nurture.  Someone he has entrusted to me for such a short time.  I am excited, I am nervous, but I am relying on my God to meet my needs and I know it will be wonderful journey.

Hats for Village of Hope

From February 9-February 23 $5.00 will be donated from every hat purchase to Heartbeat for Hope. Heartbeat for Hope is a benefit that raises money to help support orphaned children in The Village of Hope in Ghana, Africa. For more information please go to http://www.heartbeatforhope.com/ or contact me at lilmunchkindoodle@cox.net.

To purchase a hat, click on the blog title or email me at the address above.

My Favorite 2010 Pic

Go over to Mandy's blog and check out her photo of the week contest.  I love this photo because we were having a great time in Colorado this summer and I love how much my kids love each other!!!

Worry

I struggle.  I have one constant that no matter how hard I try and can't seem to shake...worry.  A lot of it stems for me liking to be in control, know what is going on.  When I am not, or don't know I worry.  I constantly fight Satan on this one.  I know God is the source of peace, I know to cast my burdens on Him, and when I do, life is easier.  But then worry creeps back in. 

I have worried a lot this pregnancy.  I have in turned prayed a lot in this pregnancy.  I worried I would lose this baby after suffering a miscarriage earlier this year, so I prayed hard for God to make this baby healthy and let it grow and live.  He did.  I have been worried about the weight having a baby brings.  I have prayed about that, and so far that area is going great.  Now, with one week until the BIG ultrasound, the one where a lot think about boy or girl, I worry about this baby being normal, being healthy.  I am worrying, and I am praying. I am praying not just for health but also for peace.  Peace knowing that no matter what, God has knit this baby and has a purpose for this baby. 

So God, you created the little one inside me, you know the plans you have for this baby.  You now the plans you have for me.  Give me faith to know you are the one in control and it is better that way.  Give me grace for doubting.  Please let this baby be healthy, but also give me endurance to face any challenge that might arise.  Wrap your arms around me and let me feel your love.  Thank you for all your blessings, they are too numerous to count.  And thank you for your Spirit that brings me peace. Amen.