Irresistible Invitation

Three weeks ago Matt preached perhaps one of my favorite sermons. The message was quite simple: pray. There was no guilt trip. No, it was an irresistible invitation.

Pray. For it is fellowship with God.

Pray. For it is a beckoning to join with God in accomplishing His eternal purposes.

Pray. For it truly changes things.

Pray. For it is a means of confession + fighting sin.

Pray. For it is an act of humility.

The last statement is what has lingered in my heart and mind. Too often I neglect prayer because, ever so subtly, I am convinced that I have enough control in a situation to effect a desirable outcome. In other words I'm saying, "It's alright, God. I got this one."

"It's alright, God. I can try to be a good wife and do all the good wifely things so that my husband and therefore You are pleased."

"It's alright, God. I can just try to have more patience with my children. Maybe I won't ruin them forever. Maybe if I read the right Bible stories, pray the right bedtime prayers and be a good, happy Mommy, they'll know you."

"It's alright, God. I can give good enough advice and the perfect Bible verse to a struggling saint so that she can struggle well."

And so on, and so on.

Now, I'm not saying that any of the above actions are bad. On the contrary, they are all good and wise things. However, it's where I am starting that is sinful. I'm not beginning with Him, His Son's work on the cross and the Spirit's power. I'm beginning with me--what I can do. To put it simply, I am prideful and presumptuous.

What a weight to bear. Too much, really. How silly to presume that I can carry all of that on my own.

So, instead of trying to "be good," I'm giving it up. Or, I guess, lifting it up. As a mother of three now, my prayer closet looks more like vacuuming or mowing or folding clothes than an actual closet. But it's happening. I'm praying because I want to know Him. I want to be a part of the advancing of His Kingdom. I want to see change--in me and in others. I want to fight sin. I want to humble myself before the Sovereign King.

Awakening

It has been far too long that I have neglected this little blog (aside from photo updates). I feel my heart awakening. Nine months' gestation can send it into hibernation - like Mary, treasuring things up during the winter to share with others in the spring. Soon.

First Day of First Grade + Other Fun Things

Audrey's first day of school

Audrey's oldest friend that's a boy (note: not boy friend) = Parker

Reid + his very best friend Cole

Parker again - such a cutie.

Parker's + Cole's little brother Ryder - don't you want to just eat him up??

Cole + Reid keeping track of downs.

Norah + Ryder

Racing towards a touchdown.

Spectators.

I'm worn out. So this is what you get.

Norah at two weeks. Nine + a half weeks ago. Funny look on her face.

Reid and his buddy Truman at Family Camp.

At the Goat Cave. Quite a hike.

Audrey in a huge chair.

The Bleeckers in a huge chair.

Because Time is a Hot Commodity with Three Kids...

This post will be short but filled with great pictures from Jamie. She specializes in newborn photography and is amazingly talented! Check out her website: www.jamierogersphotography.com.

Norah's Birth

Because of the false alarm the previous week, I had requested to be induced early in the morning on Friday the 29th. This would insure that Matt would be present at Norah's birth. They admitted me at 6 a.m. and started Pitocin around 7:30.  I knew it would be after noon before I would see my doctor so I settled in for a long morning. Thankfully, I was a 3 and 50% effaced and thus the nurse (sweet Melissa) said I could go ahead and have the epidural. It was honestly the most comfortable I had been in 3 months! 

Melissa continued to check me every hour or so. I was progressing but slowly because my bag of waters was still intact. My nurse said if my water had been broken I probably would have already had her. Before the doctor arrived I maxed out at 6 cm and 60%. At 2:30/3:00 p.m. the doctor broke my water.  At 3:30 they checked me...9.5 cm and completely effaced. I was to have the baby soon. 

I could "feel" the pressure and knew it was close. The nurse checked me (this had to be around 3:50) and immediately said, "oh, we're having a baby!" She called in every available person and my doctor. They got one stirrup up but Norah wasn't having it. She literally delivered her head and shoulders by herself. The doctor was there, thankfully! I remember feeling her in my abdomen, feeling a contraction and then feeling her "disappear!" It was truly wild.  Much to my delight there were no "repairs" to be done. This makes all the difference in recovery!

She weighed in at 7 lbs. 8 oz. (exactly what her Momma predicted) and measured 20 inches. She is beautiful, of course :) I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

Early that morning

Waiting...epidural was working, if you can't tell :)

Getting ready

She's here!

Daughter & Daddy

Sweet story: Audrey was incredibly tender at this moment. She was literally overwhelmed with joy and awe to the point that she started laughing and crying. So precious...my heart swells every time I think about it! She later told Matt, "Daddy, I feel kinda funny. It's like I could laugh and cry at the same time!" *sniff* *sniff*

She's Here!!!

Norah arrived Friday, May 29th at 3:51 p.m. weighing 7 lbs. 8 oz. and measuring 20 inches. Details and photos soon!