Present.

Today was kind of a blah day. One of those days that you wish you could do over. I was home all day and preoccupied by things I needed/wanted to do: get my online Christmas shopping done, return phone calls, make appointments, make my to-do list, take a shower, and some other time-sucking things. My kidos were wanting me and I was not "present" for them today. As Laekin and I sat down for dinner I realized what my day had entailed as she told me a couple times "Mom- look over this way" wanting me to look at her, make eye contact with her, be present. Micah needed me too today... and was tired of me picking him up and then setting him down. He was finally content tonight as he layed in my arms as I rocked him to sleep.

After dinner I finally shut everything else out and bathed them, read "Just The Way You Are" by Max Lucado, and held them. As I read Max Lucado's book it was a good reminder to me to slow down and spend quality time with my kids. The book is about 5 orphan kids that get wonderful news that a king is going to adopt them. They all desire to please the king and they work really hard on their talents. They each have a different talent- wisdom, creativity, carving wood, and singing. One of the girls has a difficult time knowing and finding her talent and she goes to her brothers and sisters asking them to teach her a talent but none have the time for her. She on the other hand spends time in the town talking with people, taking care of animals, and just being there for people. One day she meets a man that comes into the town and she helps him take care of his donkey. As they talk and get to know each other the girl finds out that he is the king. He has come to adopt the 5 children, but 4 of them turned him away as he sought their time. They were too busy "working" on their talents. But the girl with "no talent" was there to listen to him. She was the one that was present and gave the king the best talent she had which was her time and he loved her "just the way she was." This book spoke to me tonight in a few ways. God desires us- He seeks after us-He wants our time. My children reminded me of this Truth today as they sought after me and I was "too busy"-they just wanted my time. I am grateful that God's mercies are new every morning and I look forward to a new day and another chance to be PRESENT.

1 Month!

Micah is one month old today. We are having lots of fun with him. He is Mr. Chill Baby and loves to snuggle. Here are some pics (don't look too close... he is going through the fun baby acne stage).



MICAH (above)

LAEKIN - thought we'd show you Laekin's 1-month picture too!

Halloween

Laekin's Medley

Laekin has been a bit of singer lately. In the car she is always asking for "church music" and once it's on, she says "youder! youder!" (louder) and tries to sing along. On this video she gives you a medley of her bedtime songs.



For those who need an interpretation:
Nighty night, yes its time to go night night. Mama loves you too, daddy loves you to..
Twinkle star how we know why...
wheels on the bus round and round all through town, move on back! move on back!

Bro & Sis

So far we think that Laekin is a big fan of her brother. She calls him her "baby brother" most of the time or she chants "Mi-cah Mi-cah" (that she picked up from daddy). Here are a few pics... that's all for now... too tired to write much more.




Laekin holding Micah's hand

My Son

Little Micah is already over a week old. We are taking it all in every day and enjoying having a son. I continue to be so grateful for the gift of pregnancy and childbirth. Though pregnancy and childbirth can be long, uncomfortable, and painful, I am humbled that God gives us moms the experience of birthing our children into this world. My birth with Micah was so beautiful and greater than I would have imagined. I was able to labor in the tub and give birth in the water. Micah was born at a birth center in Whittier with the incredible support of my husband Jeremy and midwife BJ Snell.

Micah James

Our little guy was born on October 8th at 2:49am. He weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. (just under 8 lb. like mama was hoping) and measured 21 inches in length. Here our some pictures of our cutie.





1st Dodger game with dad