Fun Friday!

I have a date tonight with this man!  Needless to say, I am pumped about this much needed time with my husband. . . and grateful for parents that live so close to keep my babies!

5 Weeks of Claire

It appears that she has slept for 5 weeks . . . do not be fooled! :)

1 week old

2 weeks

3 weeks

One Month

5 weeks

For 5 weeks now I have known the grace           

Of looking into your precious face

And learning its lines – when you sleep, when you cry

And when you’re wide awake, trying to focus your eyes.

 

Although I’m tired and overwhelmed at times,

I know how quickly the days are passing by.

So I’ve resolved to enjoy each moment with you,

For I remember with your brother how this “baby stage” flew!

 

When you are crying and sometimes hard to console,

At times I cry too, and I already know

That it is just the beginning of tears we will share –

A sweet closeness with you, that is my prayer.

For one day a big girl you will be!

I pray you will share your heart with me . . .

All your joys and struggles, laughter and tears;

Through it all know that I will be here,

In every circumstance that God ordains for you

During the time that you are passing through

A world that is often so unkind.

Oh, my child, may you learn in time

That all of these temporal things will pass;

Only what is done for Christ will last.

So I pray you will make Him alone your Treasure,

For life in Christ is the only true pleasure.

And though you are only 5 weeks old,

It excites me to think what is down the road.

But what’s down that road, only the Lord knows.

So I’ll take a deep breath and hold you close

And continue to look into your face

And savor the joy of God’s kind grace

Of having a little girl that belongs to me;

Ever since I can remember, I have hoped this would be!

 

Little Claire, you are so sweet,

And I love you more with each day that we meet.

To watch you cross your hands under your chin

And as you sleep, to make those little grins

That have now turned into smiles that are real . . .

Each time I see one, my heart is thrilled!

When you stretch and pucker your little lips,

I can’t help but give you kiss after kiss!

I love your eyes, your ears, your round face, and your nose,

Your tiny feet and your little toes,

Your dainty hands and your soft, pretty hair . . .

I’m so thankful for you, my sweet little Claire.

With Love, Your Privileged Mother

Adoption

I made a post a couple of days ago entitled "Rejoicing with those who Rejoice!"  I hope that you were able to read about my friend Amber and the process of adopting her son that has just been completed.  Here is the link to Chad and Amber's blog if you have not yet read their story: 

http://chadamberandjames.blogspot.com/   

I encourage you to take time to do so.   

 

Click HERE to read of yet another beautiful story of adoption.  Our friends Kenny and Jana Cook recently adopted two precious boys from Ethiopia.  The account of their new life with these precious boys, and the process that it took to get them, is all wonderfully documented on their blog.  (Also listed as "The Cooks" on our blog list.)  May your heart be blessed, encouraged and challenged by reading about this newly established family of four and the ways that God is providing for them.  How beautifully they are displaying the gospel of our own spiritual adoption through this literal picture.  We praise the Lord for the Cook family! 

Grins and Lots of Growing!

I tried to catch one of Claire's heart-melting smiles today, which began about 3 days ago.  Not completely successful but you can see a little grin.  How fast they grow! 

And here is a recent picture of my John David . . . talk about growing!  He is eating and sleeping so much and getting so big and tall.  I am so thankful for my children - what a blessing they are to me and their daddy.

... and more Rejoicing!

With a newborn and a two-year-old, there is little time for blogging.  But I didn't want any more time to pass before I made mention of more reasons for our family to rejoice and give thanks to the Lord!  Exactly a week after our sweet Claire was born, my brother, K.J., and sister-in-law, Lynn, gave birth to their son, James Harrison Pugh.  Lynn delivered James at the same hospital here in Tuscaloosa where I had Claire just a few days prior.  Needless to say, my parents are thrilled to have TWO brand new grandbabies.  Welcome, baby James!  We love you so much!  

sweet cousins, Claire and James

the big cousins, Ella and John David . . . 

both are enjoying their new little siblings (most of the time :)

my proud parents and their grandchildren

Rejoicing with those who Rejoice!

This past Tuesday, my sweet friend - Amber Darty Rollins, along with her husband Chad - officially welcomed James Anthony Rollins into their family.  For almost a year they have been in the process of adopting sweet baby James.  No longer a baby, he has grown into a precious little boy who has been lavished with so much love from Chad, Amber, and the rest of the Darty/Rollins family.  We are truly rejoicing with this dear couple who have prayed for a child for so long.  Although the Lord answered their prayers in His own kind, wise, and perfect way, He indeed has blessed them immeasurably.  After being in the courtroom for the final hearing on his adoption and officially receiving custody of James, Amber made the comment . . . "Not the delivery room, but just as sweet."  

We love this family and are so thankful for their lives.  What a ministry they are already having through the story that our Sovereign God has written for their lives.  For more on their story, you can visit their blog by clicking HERE.  (They are also on our list of blogs as the Rollins family.)  

One Month Already

It is early in the morning, and Claire's little tummy is full.  She is propped up now while her food settles (doctor's recommendation to help with some reflux she has struggled with.)  I thought I would use this time to get online and honor her with a little birthday post. Having been born at 6:01 a.m. on September 24th, I am looking at my now officially one-month-old little girl!  How this month has flown!  Here is a picture of Claire that I took yesterday.  More photos to come from the past month.  Happy One Month, my girl!  

Oh, how we love our sweet little Claire!

Grateful

We wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who has been praying specifically for our John David during this time of our transition to a family of four.  Despite a few hard moments - which were only to be expected - John David has made the adjustment so beautifully.  We praise the Lord for His grace and mercy, and we praise Him for you who have stood as faithful prayer warriors for us.  We are forever grateful.  And you can continue those prayers, if you like . . . I realize we are only a little over a week into this.  However, I feel John David's love for his sister and his willingness to share his mommy and daddy will only increase.  May God be glorified in our family as we seek to love and serve each other.