great plus attitude equals gratitude (or something cheesy like that)

Story at almost three weeks in a headband I made for her (#don'tworrybabygirlmommyknewyouwouldbebaldsoshemadeyoulotsofheadbands)

Joel, "The Stache", and his two sisters Beth and Sarah

tl:  my dearest Astair  tr: only half of the thirty something family that were there  

bl:  a few of the cousins  br:  pumpkin centerpiece I just had to photograph

And now we are seven.

I'm overwhelmed with thankfulness.

And God is reminding me that this is what grace-filled living is:  to be thankful at all times.

I remember it like it was yesterday, rocking two infant twins, one tucked in each arm nursing.

I wondered then how I would make it through the long nights and demanding days ahead.  

I remember the weight of their warm bodies filling my arms and flooding my heart, doubly blessed. 

My mind had been wrestling with worry and exhaustion, but at that moment, gratitude won.

And gratitude is the orchard where the fruits of the Spirit are grown.  

"Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are all cultivated in the thankful soul,"  I felt that soul deep God voice whisper, "And this is how you will make it through-- by giving thanks continually."

My heart has been reminded and I will continually count my blessings...

1.  The smell of newborn skin

2.  A little girl asleep on her daddy's chest

3.  Giggles from a two year old and his sweet hugs

4.  Gifts and meals from wonderful friends

5.  Grace unending 

6.  Being loved by a good man

7.  My boys  (all of them)

8.  Sweet sister love from the best big sister ever

9.  Almond M&M's  

10.  Christmas lights

and tomorrow holds even more...

my how time flies my darling

If there's anything that can be said after now having five children, it's this:

I know how fast time flies.

It feels like just yesterday I held my first baby in my arms, nursed twins through sleepless nights, and rocked a squirming Legend.

They grow in a blink, their tiny, cuddly bodies grow tall and heavy in my arms.

The best advice I ever received as a new mother was to cherish every single minute--especially the sleepless nights.

They won't last forever (even though it feels like it's been seven years since I've had a good night's rest).

Those twelve, two, and four a.m. mommy and baby appointments are once in a lifetime chances to hold my baby close, nourish that tiny body with my own love and warmth and pray the kinds of prayers only mothers up all night can pray.

This is  meant to be taken slowly.

And I'm not rushing anything.

Time moves too quickly as it is.

As chaotic as life can get with five children, I'm learning not to rush.

To live in the moment and to love in the moment.

That's been my prayer of late.

Story Grace.

Ah, she's brought sweet grace to our home already.

Grace that I'm learning to take hold of with both hands and cling to like the life saver it is.

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8

I'll take it, Lord!  All Grace. 

And speaking of the greatest gifts that come for free,

I've been dying to share pictures of a package I got in the mail   

the day before Story was born.

It  had been a hard morning.

And then this showed up on my doorstep.

The most lovely package from a dear friend, Mary at Finding Healthy Hope.

And it blessed my socks off.

We've never met in person, only through our blogs, but 

she gets me.

Totally.

Just look at all the darling things she sent!

How creative are these felt and stick arrows?  Five arrows bound up with a tag that read:  Psalm  127:4.

"Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth"

And God reminded me all over again what a tremendous blessing children are.
(remember, it had been one of those days and I really needed this reminder!) 

And I could rave on and on and on about these adorable crocheted baby mocs.

Mary's sweet daughter Elly made these and I am in love with them!

Love this sweet baby afghan.

And this.

Yes, Lord.

It says it all.

Everything I want my heart to say.

What a gift from a truly beautiful friend.

I am blessed.

My heart is so full of thankfulness for the friends and family I have.

For warm meals from dear hearts and for the body of Christ, his church, an extension of his love.

Our Story

She's here.

Our Story Grace.

And we are all head over heels in love.

Life has slowed down over here.

We're finding a new rhythm.

Taking every minute in,

 experiencing life through the eyes of the newest born.

She's our Story for now,

but she's God's Story first and forever.

*We are thanking God for her health, her clavicle was fractured during birth, but she's doing wonderfully