"New Year's Eve, 2011"

I always get to this time of the year and am humbled and in awe, when I look at God's hand of provision, protection, and sustenance of and for our family. The truth is that when any of us get up the next morning and make it through a day physically or emotionally, is only because of God's mighty hand of grace and mercy. This year has proved to be a year filled with a myriad of emotions, unexpected twists and turns, and blessings without number. Yet, our family has been sustained, upheld, protected, and loved beyond measure by our Great and Mighty God - in times of light and in times of darkness - in times of plenty and in times of want. We close this year thanking Him for all that He has done for us, and we open the new year, thanking Him for all that He will do. 

Our precious son Elijah Brooks, now 3 years old, brings us more joy than we ever could have imagined. He is everyone's best friend if you will let him be. I echo what I have said numerous times over the past 3 years, he is full of life and love for all people. He lights up a room when he walks in it, and his smile can heal any wound.  He is compassionate and feels things deeply, and is very conscientious of other's feelings.  He is a lover, loving even the unlovely and unlovable. He loves life, and life loves him back. He is cautious and does not take many risks. He reminds us daily not to take life too seriously.  He has especially helped to heal some hurts in all of our hearts this year over the difficult things my family has faced this year. He has been a minister to our family in numerous ways, reminding all of us that "Jesus can fix anything, you just have to ask Him"!

As we prepare to welcome our precious daughter into our family this week, I have decided to finally turn this blog into a book from the past 3 years.  This seems to be a good time to do what I have wanted to do for quite some time. Tomorrow is a new year and our daughter will enter the world this week, bringing hope, joy, more love, more laughter, and more healing into our family. 

So, today ends "phase 1" of our new life with our precious gift from God - our son, Elijah Brooks.  Tomorrow begins "phase 2" of our new life with our other precious gift from God - our daughter, (name to be revealed this week), and her life with her big brother. 

In 3 more years, I will be writing a similar post about our 2 precious gifts from God, our son AND our daughter, and will be printing another book which will include both of them.

Goodbye 2011, and hello 2012!

(Spoken by Elijah Brooks tonight at dinner, after this post was written):
EB: I love you sooooo much Momma
Me: Well, I love you too sweetheart. Why do you love me?
EB: Because you're so sweet to me!
EB: Daddy, I love you sooooo much
Jay: I love you too buddy. Why do you love me?
EB: Because you work hard so we can have food to eat :)

"Merry Christmas"! (And ALOT of pictures)

The kids were surprised with a ride on a vintage fire truck the morning of the 23rd.  They LOVED it, and it attracted quite a bit of attention from the neighbors.

Jay, Bradford, E-Daddy, Elijah Brooks, and Wyatt (momma couldn't climb up in the fire truck 9 months pregnant)!

Just the 2 of us (37 1/2 weeks pregnant)

Aunt Elliot and Elijah Brooks.  She is truly his hero. He has the biggest crush on her!

Daddy and his girls

No day is complete without a ride on the ole' JD

Sweet boy giving his great-grandmother a big hug after opening his new remote control truck she and my grandfather gave him.

Wyatt being so kind and sharing his new "angry bird" stickers with EB

And of course, Shelby was in attendance at the Christmas gathering

My new diaper bag! Will need that soon.

Bebe and her new jacket

The Lily flower has become very significant in our family since my grandmother's death this summer, and now with Elliot's cancer. Scripture speaks about the Lilies of the field not worrying or being anxious about anything. My Dad surprised the family with a portrait of Lilies painted by a man in our church.  It will stay at my parents house, but anytime any of us are having a difficult time in our life, we can bring the painting to our own home and hang it in our house as a reminder of God's promise to take care of us and provide of our every need.

And I surprised Elliot with this collage of pictures of the sky that I have been taking for the last several months. Elliot and I both have a fascination with the sky and we are always looking for God in the sky. Every time I look at the sky, and the myriad of colors and patterns, I am always reminded of the majesty of God.  Over the past 2 months since Elliot's diagnosis, I have looked at the sky a million times and thought, "if God can paint the sky with His fingertips, certainly He can heal my sister".  I carried my camera in my car for the past few months and would just stop and take pictures whenever I saw something amazing, beautiful, or unique. I printed them out, framed them, and put the verse, Psalm 19:1 in the middle which says, "The heavens declare the majesty of God ; the skies proclaim the works of His hands".

I think this may be our 10th (or more) picture like this in front of the Christmas tree at my parents house - same place, and same exact position we are always in!

Sisters, loving a new daughter and niece

Special moment with my sweet son - he was so tired after a long day of excitement

Of course, had to eat the Christmas cookies made by the children. I think it was about 9:00 in the evening, and they were all up eating cookies and drinking milk. These are the same kids who usually go to bed at 7:30 - at the latest.  You can break the rules on Christmas!

Elliot, Bradford, and Wyatt

Elijah Brooks and his friend Jackson from church. This was taken right before the Christmas Eve service at our church

A boy and his candy cane smile :)

Reading books with E-Daddy by the Christmas Tree at our house on Christmas Eve

Me and baby girl!  Somehow this one got out of order.

Christmas Morning! EB was very slow and meticulous about opening his gifts. He wanted to take his time and play with each gift before moving on to the next one.  It was such a calm and low-key morning for the 3 of us. It could not have been more perfect. It was pouring down rain outside, but so calm and peaceful inside of our home. It was so warm and cozy with candles lit, music playing softly, and cinnamon rolls baking in the oven.  Jay and I thought he would be up really early, so we got up about 6:00 and waiting for him.  We decided to read our Bibles and pray for awhile until he woke up.  Finally, the sleepy head walked down the stairs at 7:30!  It was perfect - so perfect.

The Tonka truck he has been asking for

1st tennis racquet! Jay and I both love to play tennis, so we are hoping that EB will learn to enjoy it as much as we do.

And his 1st baseball bat (T-ball, glove, and balls)

Digging through is stocking

Christmas morning breakfast with mommy and Daddy

Mommy read the Christmas story over breakfast

After church on Christmas morning, we went back to my parents house and spent the afternoon with them. It was very low-key and very calm and relaxing. It poured down rain, so we just stayed inside by the fire and enjoyed a very relaxing day with no agenda.  Most of us took naps too :)  EB is a little boy after his momma's own heart - we rounded the corner and saw him sitting on this little stool by the fire, all by himself.  He turned around the told me that he was warming his feet by the fire! He loves a fire as much as I do!!

"Just so I Remember..."

Today is Christmas Eve.  I, like Mary, am very "full of child". Granted she was carrying the Savior of the World, I wonder if she felt many of the same things that I am feeling.  Excitement, fear, uncertainty, and humility.  Bringing a child into this world, is one of the greatest privileges a woman can have I believe. I know there are many people reading this whose hearts are hurting today because they can't bear a child, it is taking longer than they want for it to happen, or have lost a child. I have been there too.  It has not been an easy road for us either, which is why I am so full of humility this day...., that I was chosen to be this baby girl's mother and have been given this amazing privilege.  What an amazing weekend to be in my last days or maybe weeks of pregnancy. This weekend has such great significance for so many reasons. I am trying to savor every last second - even the hard ones.  I have only shed a tear or two this entire pregnancy, so I guess I am due for the flood to come now!  I am 37 weeks along, but already dilated 2.5cm.  I found myself in a puddle of tears this morning, for no particular reason. I just felt teary.  I took myself into my bedroom, closed the door, and lay in my bed and shed a few tears. Just so many emotions right now, for so many reasons. Well, it wasn't long before I heard the door quietly open and a precious little voice saying, "Mommy, are you okay"?  I assured Elijah Brooks that mommy was fine, but sometimes mommies just need to cry. The response to this was something that I never want to forget, which is why I need to write it down now.  Elijah Brooks said, "Mommy, I know Jesus will help you, but I sure wish I had a rocking chair so that I could rock you".

I was so stunned by his response, and marveled at his tender and compassionate heart. We have always known that he was a nurturer and gravitates towards anyone who is crying.  I just loved that he 1. trusted and believed that Jesus was going to help me,  and 2. that he associates rocking with compassion and comfort.

We just sat on the bed and had the sweetest little moment together looking in each others eyes, and then he said, "Are you happy now? Want to play trucks"?

It truly was a moment that I always want to remember.

So, on this Christmas Eve, my heart is so full of humility on so many levels.  I think of the angel who told Mary, "FEAR NOT".  I think of the wonder, amazement, and excitement of meeting my daughter soon. I think of the wonderful privilege it is to be a mother to my amazing children. And, I think of Christ, who humbled Himself and came to US - to me - to you, to bring hope, light, peace, joy, salvation, forgiveness, and healing.

Merry Christmas, and Emmanuel, "God with US"! 

(Pictures coming soon)

"Some recent Christmas activities"

Elijah Brooks' gingerbread house

Of course he had to taste the frosting

Visiting Santa at Bass Pro Shop.  EB was very suspicious of him and we barely got a smile out of him.  You can tell from the picture that he was ready to run at any given moment!

Was much happier playing archery :)

And racing cars!

And racing Mommy!

E-Daddy and EB at "breakfast with Santa"

I missed this particular event again this year because of a choir rehearsal!  Maybe next year I'll catch it.  Surely 3 times is a charm right?

Visiting Santa take 2!  Jay said it still took him a few minutes to warm up to him, but he said that this Santa was so good with the kids, and it didn't take long for EB to drop his guard and trust him!  And how precious is this Santa??

Hasn't gained total trust yet, but what a precious, innocent face!

Getting closer - whispering that he wants a "Tonka truck" to Santa.  I am pretty sure we have 100 tonka trucks in this house!

Decorating cookies with Jay

Making ornaments with E-Daddy

Date with Mommy to see the "Living Christmas Tree"!

35 1/2 weeks and counting!  Any bets on when this baby girl is coming?

Our family had the privilege of ringing the Salvation Army bell recently at Wal-mart.  I dare say this may have been one of the most fun hours we have spent together as a family this season.  We had so much fun all ringing bells and shouting, "Merry Christmas" to everyone who passed by.  It was a particularly crowded evening, so that was fun too!  We saw alot of very happy people, and alot of very sad people.  You just never know what people are going through at Christmas time.  Elijah Brooks got the hang of saying, "Merry Christmas" to everyone, and was pretty dismayed when people wouldn't say it back to him. We told him just to keep saying it and keep smiling and showing the love of Jesus. He then decided (on his own might I add), that it might be more effective if he just went up to people very plainly and said, "Would you put money in my bucket pweeeze"???   All I can say is when our hour was up, we had a pretty full bucket of money going to the homeless and less fortunate!!  (As a disclaimer, I promise we didn't teach our child to manipulate people into giving by his cute little self.  After a few times of him saying this, we told him just to say, "Merry Christmas" and let it be the people's own decision whether or not to give).   I have to admit though, it was pretty darn cute, and I couldn't have resisted putting money in his bucket either!

Various families in our church were the bell ringers for the whole day, and we just rotated around.

Seriously cute!

He loved pushing the money through the hole with this paint stick.