Adjusting to Four

Can I be honest? 

I was nervous about having our fourth child. 

I was wondering how I was going to be able to handle 4.

I've heard some mothers say that adjusting to their 3rd child was the hardest transition and I've heard others say the same about their 4th.

I'm so grateful that I didn't feel that way about having our third child since we were living in a camper at the time of her birth and Nathan was in the heart of building our house.

But knowing the arrival was soon approaching for our 4th child to join our family I faced a lot of fear. 

I think part of my concern was the fact that Janessa was going to be only 20 months old when the new baby arrived. 

She was still a baby!  And now I was going to have another one.  How was I possibly going to get around?

Not to mention that my oldest is only 5.  That's a lot of littles to manage on my own.

And what about feeding.  There's so much time spent feeding the new baby, how was I going to manage the other 3.  One of which is still in need of a lot of training.

These were just some of my concerns. 

I was very overwhelmed.

Even the birthing process scared me like I've never been before.

All these fears I had to take before the Lord and ask for His help.  I had to put my trust in Him knowing that it's through Him that I can do all things. 

It wasn't going to happen if I tried to do it on my own, in my own strength.

I was aware, yet again, of my desperate need for Him. 

And I am so thankful that He is our Helper, that He is always faithful, He's our ever present help in our time of need. 

The birth was a precious experience, leaning on the Lord like I've never done before through my deliveries.

Janessa, our third child, absolutely loved her baby brother right from the start, as well as Zeke and Kenzie.  This made the transition so much easier. 

And low and behold, I had to stand in line to hold my own baby for the first time.  I realized that I had capable helpers this time around!  What a blessing!  For me and for baby.

And those fears of 'what if' began to dwindle as the Lord showed me His strength. 

Of course I absolutely love that Nathan could be home for the first week as we all adjusted but then as he went back to work and I was left on my own I realized my fears were greater than reality. 

I truly had nothing to fear if I turned to the Lord for help.  And help He did. 

I even made it to a doctors appointment with all four kids by myself that first week and we all survived.  Not just survived, but it went smooth and everyone did great.  It was possible to get around with 4 littles.  (Our double stroller came in handy once again!)

My baby has even napped on the same schedule as my others almost right off the bat.  Whaaat?! 

All these little things were unexpected blessings.

And I am so thankful for our precious bundle of joy.  He is such a sweet added blessing to our family and we are all head over heels in love with him!

Here are some pictures from the first month of our little Eli!

Big Changes For Our Family

My baby is already 4 weeks old!  How time is just flying by.

There's been a lot going on lately, which is to explain the lack of posts lately.  And there will probably continue to be a bit of a lul for the time being.

Since Elijah's arrival life has not slowed down much.  Nathan was able to be home with us for a week and then I had a little less than two weeks, before family arrived, to adjust to being home with 4 kids all on my own during the days.

Then this past week we had the joy of having Nathan's mom, sister and her family visit us for a week to meet Elijah and help out. 

Also, Nathan changed jobs during the last couple weeks.  His 5 year career with ACB has come to an end and the Lord faithfully provided a new job for him doing what he enjoys, construction.  He started his new job last week and hopefully soon I'll be able to share how the Lord lead us through all those changes.

And I'm currently working on trying/planning to get to California for my precious grandma's funeral.  As I write this she is in the hospital with kidney failure and her time is coming soon for her to go home and be with her Savior.

As well as colds, chiropractor appointments for my back, blizzards with an added foot of snow in April and of course many hours of snuggling our new little one, life has been a little bit of a whirlwind lately and will continue to be for a little bit longer. 

But through it all we have seen the Lord's faithful hand guiding and directing our family.  He has been there helping us through all these big changes. 

These are all things I would love to share in more detail with you eventually. 

Until then here are a few pictures of my precious new baby boy!

An Extra Special Resurrection Sunday

We have a Savior!

Who chose to die on the cross for our sins

and rise again 3 days later.

He has risen!  He is alive!

And He has offered us a free gift of salvation to all who would believe.

Our precious firstborn has chosen to accept this free gift and asked Jesus to come and live in his heart the night before Resurrection Sunday!

Even thinking about it now brings tears of joy!  This is the most important decision my children can make and we continue to pray for our other children, that they too would come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. 

I am one thankful and blessed momma!  And what a wonderful and special Resurrection Sunday it was this year, one we will never forget.

One happy boy:  "Jesus is in my heart!!"