Thankfulness on Father's Day

I'm grateful today because I have an incredible Dad who protected, loved, and nurtured me as I grew and still loves and supports me in so many ways today.

I'm grateful today because I have a wonderful father-in-law who has sacrificially loved his sons and carefully guided my husband to the man he is today.

I'm grateful today because I have a heavenly Father who lavishes His love on me when I have nothing to offer that He hasn't already abundantly given.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

I'm particularly grateful today because I'm married to this man:

Wow, he's been my champion 10 times over these past couple weeks! I don't know that we would have survived without him, seriously. He's given himself over and over again. He has completely stepped in to take care of all things at home - cooking, cleaning, taking care of Ellie & Meg, on and on... 

He is also a miracle worker when it comes to getting Samantha to sleep; I'm going to start calling him the Pied Piper. Oh, and he's had to still go to class and try to fit in his studies where he can! And can I just say he looks good doing it all? He's the best looking sleep-deprived seminarian I've ever laid eyes on! I mean, I'm living with Superman over here...

... or Flash...

He's not perfect, which is good because who would want to be married to someone perfect?! Like this morning when we were all ready for church and Robert realized he'd left the keys in the car ignition draining the now-dead battery for 3 days. Even on days like this he comes to our rescue with some sweet church-at-home worship and bible lesson. What a gift he is - he keeps us (especially me!) young and laughing.

We are all counting down the minutes until Grandma gets here - but in one way I'm thankful she's not here yet because I've discovered anew what a hero I married. I've been able to see and experience the supernatural loving service of this man as we've welcomed our precious Samantha. And I've been the only person on earth to see it, which makes me feel like a special insider into these sacred moments of sacrifice. He's been a rock for ALL of his girls (and there are quite a few of us these days!).

Samantha's first walk in the park

For all these things I'm overwhelmed with thankfulness on this Father's Day.

She's Here!

Our little Samantha has arrived! We're in love to say the least.

Hers was a different birth experience than Ellie or Meg for many reasons, including that I'm in another country, I did not have to be induced (Praise God!), and I delivered in a birthing center without that lovely epidural :)

Hers was a similar birth experience to Ellie & Meg in that I'm still just pinching myself over the wonder and amazement of new life. I cry often with deep gratitude (mingled with new baby exhaustion and hormones :) for this sweet gift.

Just can't stop kissing her.

Having a photographer for a neighbor is really coming in handy!

There's lots of other things I (think) I want to say about her birth, but I thought this time I'd leave off with what - in retrospect - is a hilarious blog post I started right before I knew I was in labor (I guess the hiking worked!?!?!):

PAST DUE DATE RAMBLINGS

My due date was on Tuesday. Today is Saturday. Here are some of my Past Due Date Ramblings:

~ Some things I've tried to encourage Baby Sister to come: Tuesday I cooked Tacos and we had friends over, Wednesday did lots of cleaning, Thursday took the girls to the doctor and walked home, Friday did lots of laundry and ate some delicious & spicy chicken curry, Today we hiked all over massive park grounds near by... Tomorrow we are having an awesome street party at church and I'm telling you I will BE on that bouncy castle with my children! :)

~ I know I've successfully birthed 2 beautiful girls, but I feel like a COMPLETE first-timer with this one! I'm on this crazy cycle of googling and timing every twinge of pain I feel, deciding it's nothing, reminding myself that I MUST know when it's TIME... right?? ...

And then it was dinner time, but I couldn't really eat because my insides started screaming at me in more regular intervals. And off to the hospital we went!

So thankful for all those I know were praying for me, and continue to do so now that we're all home. God has been so gracious and tender with us.