December 21st

Five years ago, we welcomed this delightful little girl into our family.  Evangeline, our little Evi.  Being a mom has been somewhat of a "learning experience" for me.  Going from none to two in 18 months was not quite the blissful mothering experience I had expected.  It was a lot of hard work and I was not very confident.  Evi was the child who changed things.  I saw babies and children in a new way with her arrival.  She was so calm and easy going and fat and juicy (well, she was!!) that I just wanted to gobble her up.  She was just the little breath of fresh air that I needed to realize how in love I really was with my children and being a mother. It was so easy to be head over heels in love with Phil.  He made my life easier and funnier and balanced.  Children did not do that.  Being in love was redefined...it was about service, about giving, about letting go, about being selfless, about reshaping (constantly) my selfish heart, it was about.....Jesus.  I fell in love with Jesus when I fell flat on my face.  When mothering yanked the rug right out from under me.  This is not just a one time thing.  I fall flat on my face often and love is battled out daily!  

I can't begin to describe how amazing it is to be the vessel of life.  To see the Lord's masterpiece, His workmanship.  To hold eternity in my body and in my hands.  To be given this gift and entrusted to raise children for Him.  Really, is there anything more significant that I can do in my life than this?  Why do I have so many children?  This is why!  It is my act of worship.

Big brother of two sisters by age 3

Big sister at 18 months


I will never not look at picture of my newborn baby and feel a twinge of longing to experience the newness of life with them again.  Even when I am old and gray (Lord willing), I will always look at my children, even when they are old and gray (Lord willing) and remember that they were once my baby.  (Well, at least if I still have all my wits about me LOL!)


Precious little 5 year old daughter.  How I love this happy little free spirit.  


Admiring her birthday cake with Auntie Tina. 

Is my sister in law not amazing!!!  This cake was even more delicious than it looked!   

Cousins

Happy Birthday! 

Make a wish! 

Cousins, both 5 now. 

Can you see the big smile in Glorielle's eyes?   I love smiling eyes!

Girls, daughters. 
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