Our Ashley and her two precious girls-Bristol and Willow (Vito not pictured) 🙂

We are in waiting mode–our son and daughter-in-love are expecting their 3rd baby any day. We have had their two adorable girls for a couple of days so Ashley can rest. Although this is difficult even without the daily responsibilities of motherhood. She is due on the 22nd, but has been having contractions for a couple of weeks making it nearly impossible to rest. So we are doing what we can to make her wait easier. (As a result we may not post as often as we normally do. We have pages to color, Polly Pockets to play with, and pool time to enjoy before the warm weather ceases.)

This has caused us to think about all the stories couples have about their babies being born. Each child comes into this world the same way, but never with the same experience. All are unique.

But there’s nothing more amazing than your very first baby.

Realizing that your love has created life is miraculous and wonderful. Looking at our baby boy in 1982 was like looking at a little person half Tom and half me, and he was beautiful in our eyes.

Tom with Jason 1982

We felt closer to each other and to the Lord than we ever had before when we became parents for the first time.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
(Psalm 127:3 ESV)

Our son was ten days early and was an easy delivery with no medication needed. Twenty-two months later our first daughter arrived, but she was ten days late. After twelve hours of exhausting labor we found out she was breech making delivery impossible.  I had to have an emergency C-section. Then, two years later we were surprised and blessed with the birth of our second daughter/third baby who was a scheduled C-section. All experiences were different and couldn’t be predicted. Each pregnancy required a dependence on God in a way nothing else had. We had no control over when or how our baby would be born. We were forced to wait, when waiting was the last thing we wanted to do.

Tom and I have talked often about those days so many years ago. It seems like a different life, things were so different as our family was growing. We were in the throes of change which effected the dynamics of our family–but never forgot that each baby is a marriage miracle.

The only pic of me pregnant with Jason. Things were different then.

So if you’re in this season of life where your family is ever expanding, enjoy every moment! You will recall this season decades from now and remember how God was caring for you every step of the way. This is your story–the one your children will love to hear you talk about when they’re having children of their own–who will be your grandchildren.

So what is your story? With how many children has God rewarded you? How did God help you trust Him more as you waited with great anticipation?

Let’s glorify His goodness to us in allowing us the privilege of raising the next generation of those who will worship Him.