Bedtime. You know the routine. "Get a snack. " "Get a drink." "Get to the bathroom." "Brush your teeth." " Get (insert name of beloved stuffed animal here)" " OK, one more drink." " Again?!! " "You just peed like 5 minutes ago! UGH!!"  A story book on a good day. Prayers. Hugs and kisses. Lights out. Oh, wait, one more drink of water....ok, now it's light's out.

Some days I actually dread this ritual, even though I know it will be followed by silent bliss. Probably because I am more exhausted than them. My nerves are shredded and my patience is, well, absent.

So tonight was no different than most. Between prayers and lights out, we discuss the highs and lows of the school day. My middle son is eager to share, often needing much more time than allotted. My daughter is less forthcoming. When she hits the pillow, she's got nothing to say. But, she still wants to engage. With hugs. And lots of them!

Throughout her brother's and my conversation, she reaches for me with come here gestures. I continue to listen as I reassure her with a few more hugs.
So tonight, when he completes his commentary of the days' events, she looks at me with a grin and asks,
" Is it ok?"
"Is what ok, honey?"
"That I need multiple hugs."
"Of course it's ok, in fact I love it!"
I received the broadest most amazing smile in return.
We should all be so bold to ask for multiple hugs. Who doesn't feel more at peace and put together after a warm embrace?
I cherish this season and am grateful that her dad and I are getting  all those hugs. All too soon, she'll be off hugging someone else!

Moments like these remind me that motherhood is the best job  with the best benefits!


Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
    the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
    are the children of one's youth.
 Blessed is the man
    who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
    when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:3-5

               

They are happily married, but their dream of a home filled with giggles and the pitter patter of little feet seems out of reach. The medication and the surgeries have all but consumed their lives. But so far, there is no baby.

She is a student. Her dreams do not include a family right now. There is plenty of time for that later. Right now, it’s about her, her goals, her education and her life.  She is frightened and confused. Her parents are angry and embarrassed.

This mom and her baby are the answer to this couples fervent prayer.

They are a 40 something couple. Their kids are growing up and moving on.  Empty nest syndrome is just around the corner. They still have a heart for little ones, so they prayerfully discuss the possibilities. There is a need, and they have enough love and time for another.

She lacks confidence and crossed the line looking for validation from a man, any man. Pregnancy does not even cross her mind. Addiction rules her life. Self care is a challenge most days, so how can she care for a child? Family support is absent.

What a blessing her child will be to this couple willing to put retirement on hold in the name  of love.

While these are hypothetical scenarios, they are reflective of real life dilemmas happening every day. The intersection of these situations can be a beautiful thing. I pray that God makes a way for young moms like these to reach out for help, and for the families looking for children to love, to more easily connect with them. The healing power of Jesus Christ can transform these women from desperate and defeated to forgiven and free. God who is faithful is able to build families even when things seem hopeless.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

  We are about to celebrate the 6th birthday of our youngest child. He was a gift from God and from his birth mother. I joke that he fell from the sky and landed on my lap, but I know this was God’s plan all along.  Had his mother chosen abortion, there would be no birthday parties.
We are not perfect parents. We struggle to be good ones some days. But God knew that this birth mom needed an option. Bad decisions changed her life. If she was able, she would have cared for this child. But she knew her limitations, and so did God. I know He made people and events come together in a specific way so that there would be a good outcome for this baby. There was an emptiness in her life that made it impossible for her to raise him, and a calling in ours that made it impossible not to. My prayer for her and all who have made the unselfish decision to give their babies a chance is for healing, physical and emotional, and for a relationship with Christ, the great physician.

Thank you "CC" for choosing life. And thank you, God for      beautifully orchestrating this from the beginning!
                                   
                            Happy Birthday, Jay!               

Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.