A Sweet Time

It will be four weeks tomorrow since we welcomed Grace into our family. Since then, the older three have been in and out of the house, spending a lot of time in Beaufort.

It has been a nice break. I feel like I have been able to get some much needed rest, and I really have been able to get to know Grace. I have been able to respond to her every need. I now know her cries. I know when she is tired, hungry or happy. I know her daily routine (for the most part). In some ways it has felt like I am a first time mom, having only one to care for.

It was also a great time for the older three to spend extra time with Amma, Granddaddy, and Aunt GraceAnna because I started treatment last week. It wasn't the "real" treatment that I will be doing on a monthly basis, just a three day steroid treatment to keep my body from having a relapse. The relapse rate is high in postpartum women, so the doctor wanted to treat my body before an attack could happen.

I was nervous. I didn't want the steroids. I was worried about the side effects.

But, once again, God was so faithful to answer our prayers and the prayers of our family and friends. With the exception of the first day, I felt terrific. I had energy during the day, but would crash at night. Even little Grace started sleeping 6-8 hour stretches the night of my first treatment, and she has been since! Praise the Lord! God is so good.

During the past four weeks I have had a lot of time to pray. Having a nursing baby has always been a sweet time for me. Those night time feedings allow me to get close with the Lord. There are so many things that go through my mind in the middle of the night. I am able to have devoted times of prayer for my husband and each one of my children. The Lord brings others to mind, and He always brings things to my mind that need to be done, changed, or incorporated into our family life. It is truly an awesome time.

I feel like my relationship with the Lord always grows deeper with each baby, which I am thankful for because I know I will need the Holy Spirit's help this year! I want this year to be filled with devotion to the Lord. I want to be shaken to my core with the things of God's word. I want to be more knowledgeable of the Bible at the end of this year. I am asking the Lord for a great year.

I want to have lots of joy in our home. Lots of laughter. Sweet times with each of our children. I don't want to miss out on the every day moments that take place in a house with four children under five. I know I will only be able to achieve this if I am walking close to our Lord. I need to be sensitive to the Spirit's leading. I want to be.

Last year was tough, but I don't write it off as a year to forget. In some ways it was the most difficult year of my life, but it was through the trials I faced that my faith became rock solid. So I am thankful for 2011. Yes, it was hard at times, but God sure did put a happy ending to the year by blessing us with Grace Catherine!

"Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;" ~ Psalm 103:1-4

Jack, Luke, and Claire will be home today! I am excited to see them, and I know they are excited to see us and their new sister!