A Father's Love

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy in the world. He is an incredible man because he seeks the Lord with all of his heart. He is an incredible husband because he loves the Lord first and most. He is an incredible father because he sees his children as precious treasures entrusted to his care by the Father who loves them even more.

Daddy 

In random moments between playing train table or baseball
he whispers, "I love you Jacky"
and a small voice replies,
"I love you sooo much Daddy."

I melt.

He talks to them about Jesus.
Jack says he "loves Jesus in his heart"
and then tells me
"I love Jesus in Daddy's heart too."

I do too.

He plays. He really plays.
Baseball, soccer, trains, "Jesus" (ie: little people nativity), fire fighter house.
"I want to ride on your neck, Daddy!"
A nightly event of running around the house,
two year old on top of Daddy-sized shoulders.

I smile.

He makes the little moments count.
Bedtime stories, "mini hikes"
"Just the boys!" Jack yells excitedly.
Working in the garage together,
barbecuing-real food and pretend
he feels special doing things Daddy does,
with his Daddy.

It is special.

He adores his baby girl.
Calls her little sweetheart
She coos and smiles at him
knowing he's already wrapped around her
tiny little finger.

It is so sweet.

He kisses, he cuddles, he really LOVES
his children.
He cherishes and loves their Mommy.
He leads our family with a quiet strength,
great faith,
a humble spirit fully devoted to our
Heavenly Father.

Incredible man, amazing husband, and the best Daddy in the world.

I am blessed. They are blessed.
Thank you Lord.

"Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him"

Psalm 127:3

linked up here!

Claire Marie: 1 month old!

It's hard to believe it has already been a month since our precious girl was born! The baby haze kind of makes one day melt into the next, so I never really know what day it is.  I was pleasantly surprised on Saturday morning when Sean didn't have to go to work {I didn't know it was Saturday- haha}.

hi jack!

love her little tongue

This little girl is already such a part of us. I love watching her sleep and listening to her breathe. I love how she studies Jack's face, and I love how he calls her "Baby Grull" and says things like, "Everytime, Baby Grull, everytime"- when she poops, right after I just changed her!  He is so proud to tell people she is his sister, that she came out of mommy's tummy {and also that she has no teeth!} It is so precious and I feel blessed to have these two little wonders!

She is an incredibly precious little baby and such a wonderful addition to our little family! I'm so looking forward to watching her grow and learn and laugh and love. 

Thank you Lord for Claire. 

I love her.

{sigh}

What's in a Name

Naming a child seemed like such a daunting task. I mean, they are going to have it for life...so hopefully it's a good one. Some people are really into what the meaning of the name is. That really wasn't me.  I pretty much just picked names I liked, and hoped that Sean would agree. It's funny because when I was pregnant with Jack, we had "Jack" picked out for our boy name, but could not agree on a girl name. This time it was the opposite. We both loved Claire and just agreed on it immediately, while boy names {at least any we agreed on} alluded us. Thankfully- it worked out for us both times {forget the draino test and the Chinese calendar} haha!


Well today I started thinking about what "Claire" means. So for those of you who don't study baby name books/websites:


\C-lai-re\ pronounced "Clare" is of French origin meaning, "Clear, Bright" 

It was the middle of the night, I was awake and feeding my precious new baby, as I thought about those two words. Through blurry, tired, eyes I starred down at this perfect, tiny face and realized that her name is perfect. It really captures what I think she already is, and what I pray that she will grow to be. 

Claire {like her big brother} entered the world with the biggest, brightest eyes I have ever seen on a newborn baby. She was wide awake from the moment they pulled her from the safety of my womb, ready to see the world! She is already a shinning light in my life. I love holding her and watching her study my face. She is already a gift from God, and her new life is a precious reminder of our loving Heavenly Father who creates, lives, and BREATHES LIFE into his Creation. 

I started thinking about the word "clear" and some synonyms {with a little creative liberty}. 

Transparent, genuine, real, see-through, understandable, and simple. 

My prayer for both my children is simple. To love the Lord with all of their hearts, to seek Him and to serve Him, and to know the power of His Grace, the reality of his Love and to live abundantly in His presence. 

So what does that have to do with "Clear"? I think these are characteristics that these "synonyms" spring from a life in Christ. When we are transparent, genuine, and real the Spirit is free to move and work, in and through you. 

I pray that she will grow into the kind of person that when people look at her, they see Jesus; the BRIGHT, redeeming light of JESUS.