Rhea Lou

Rhea Lou was born on her due date (who knew that actually ever happened anyway?) at 6:30 p.m. weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces and 19 and a half inches long! She is BEAUTIFUL...and I am not just saying that because I am a proud Auntie!  Mama and the sweet girl are doing well!
I had the privilege of assisting Kate as she labored for a few hours and I am just in awe.  Katie did awesome and I am so amazed by the power in a woman to labor and deliver precious little babies into this world.  It is such a miracle...the whole process.  I witnessed amazing strength and courage in my sister today and I am so incredibly proud of her!

Jude was quite smitten with Miss Rhea.  (but who wasn't?) He really wanted to hold her but he settled for a little kiss on the top of her head.  I simply can not wait for him to meet his baby brother/sister! Kylee has yet to meet her newest cousin as she was on a date with her daddy, attending her first Father/Daughter dance.  I have no doubt she will be quite taken by Rhea as well.  I am now more anxious for the arrival for own little one.  I love the experience of labor and delivery.  Maybe that sounds crazy to some but even though it is painful and hard and kind of scary the reality of when you hold that precious one in your arms is just so incredible...one of the most incredible blessings I will ever know on this earth.

Hey Batter, Batter...

We are so excited...so ready for the sunshine!  Mother's Day weekend we spent our days playing at the park, in the back yard, at the ball field, at the river...in the SUN! It was wonderful and we long for summer to begin!  I look at this picture and wonder how in the world Jude got so big.  I am so excited for all the fun he will experience this summer now that he is a big boy.  And check out that catcher back there! Isn't she awesome?
So fun!

Praise

I read something today in Focus on the Family Thriving Family (pg. 11 if you have it) that tugged on my heart.  The well-worn advice to "praise in public, criticize in private" is particularly applicable to children, who can be profoundly affected by what they hear said about themselves in the presence of others. -from the Complete Guide to Baby and Child Care by Dr. Paul c. Reisser.

There were some examples that simply melted  my heart.  Granted, I  have a whole lot of pregnancy hormones that add to my sensitivity but it was such a wonderful reminder of how our words affect people...especially our little people.  I know that I can find more opportunities to praise my children in public!  I was also convicted by the fact that in comfortable situations with friends or at a family members house where I am more distracted that I am less likely to pull the kids aside to talk to them about misbehavior or things that are inappropriate. Instead I call out to them and have that conversation for everyone to hear...or perhaps even worse, I share a few words that show my disapproval without any follow up in attempt to stop the unwanted behavior.  I shudder to think how my words and actions impact them in those moments.  Proverbs 12:25 says that an anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. May the Lord fill my heart and mind with kind words for my children...that I wouldn't make them anxious but that I will continually build them up! I praise God for the good things he has done.  My children know they are loved...I just want to do it better and 110% of the time.