She's Here!

We welcomed Nelia Frances Avery on Sunday, December 18 at 5:21 p.m. She was 8 lbs 1 oz and 20 1/4 inches long. Oh, and she's stinking adorable in every way. Just ask Emma. She'll tell you.

Thanks for all the prayers and support over the past few days! We have felt so loved and I am very grateful. We are looking forward to celebrating Emma's birthday and our Savior's birth as a family of five! We rejoice in His plan for our family and His plan to redeem the world!!!

Expiration Dates

Hello blogging world! I'm checking in so as not to forget these last few days before becoming a family of five! Speaking of....there is nothing like buying milk that expires on your due date to remind you you're about to have a baby!!!!

While the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season is all around us, I find myself uncharacteristically calm and peaceful these days. I'm constantly fielding questions (like many of us this time of year) that begin with "Are you ready...?"  I often pause, stare curiously and wonder: What event are they talking about? Christmas?  Getting all our presents taken care of?  Celebrating the birth of our Savior?  Emma's most special 4th birthday?  A new baby?  The labor process and whether I'll be able to have another successful VBAC? Returning to life with a newborn?  Adjusting to life with three kids 4 and under? As a result, I think I'm giving off some pretty hysterical stares at people these days.  


Regardless, some of the proverbial to-do list has resulted in "shrinking" expectations this year.  Like our "shrinking tree."

sorry for the poor picture quality--seems my hand (or the iphone) isn't too steady these days.

Hands down this is the easiest tree I've ever done.  I like it more and more.  I picked it up with one hand and it already came on a stand!  Emma and Robert both seem to love it and it also keeps Robert from destroying inspecting it too closely at his tender age.

Despite finding a few solutions to simplify celebrations this year, stress still remained.  A few weeks ago everything came to a head and I'm so grateful the Lord interceded and comforted me in ways I couldn't even think for to pray.  Truly. The Spirit moved when I had no words or ideas of what I actually needed. HIS presence has made me all the more grateful that I am now at peace with this season.   The peace is NOT because I'm "ready."  (I'm not).  There are still presents to buy (and make--call me crazy I know), Advent devotionals to complete, clothes to wash, labor exercises to continue, birthday plans to finish, etc...but HE has overwhelmed me with HIS everlasting, never giving up, comforting PEACE.  

For a slightly controlling organized lady like myself, HE has spoken to my heart to confirm that HE will make sure my children feel loved and cared for in my absence while we welcome (and adjust to) this new baby. HE will make sure our family and dear friends feel the same if I'm not able to complete my to-do list.  HE will continue rescuing me and continue saving me, all the while ALLOWING ME to celebrate the birth of the most WONDERFUL, most SACRIFICIAL Christmas gift of all--our SAVIOR.   

I'm so thankful HE has finally imprinted on my soul the answer to all the questions---"Am I ready?"   

Nope. 

Not really. 

But it doesn't matter.  Thousands of years ago the Lord sent LOVE down as a baby to SAVE us. To LOVE us. To RESCUE us.  That is the PEACE that matters, and sharing that PEACE and LOVE with others matters too---especially as we await our own baby this year.  What. A. Blessing.

So, here I sit. Outlook changed.  Spirit inspired.  But still trying to chip away at last minute to-dos as much as I (and the kids) feel like it.  Thankfully, the Lord's presence continues to cover us even when Emma comes down with a nearly eardrum rupturing infection last night.  Poor angel.  And poor Jason--who slept laid with her on the couch all night long because Emma could not get comfortable enough to fall asleep--and he wanted me to rest as much as I could--despite the mountain of work sitting beside the couch he needed to complete.

This morning we were the second people at the doctor's office and the infection was confirmed.   Something so many families have to deal with repeatedly--for which I have new found respect.  Thankfully, we avoided having to drain her ear drum, and started the regime of drugs instead.  Now, medicated and resting, she is. 

SO, do to-do lists matter today?  Not one bit. 

Be back soon!!!