A new arrow for Shane's quiver

The Lord has blessed us with another child. Our little one was born the day after Father's Day. I was hoping that the baby would be born on Father's Day, but the next day was great for me. I am now trying to recuperate, and get back to normal. Shane has been off for the past two weeks and will go back to work on Monday. It will be my first day with all four by myself. I remember the day that Shane went back to work after our first was born, and I was nervous. Now, less than six years later, he is going back to work while we have four at home. I pray that the Lord will give me guidance as I seek to raise these children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Waiting

Now, I am at the waiting time of my pregnancy. This is a pretty hard time during pregnancies for me. I was talking to my friend Theresa yesterday, and I think she put my feelings into words. She said that I am waiting, and all I can think about is delivering the baby, so time seems to slow down. It has seemed to slow down. I have two more weeks until my due date, but that seems like such a long time from now.

All three of my other children have been born before their due date, so of course I assume that this baby will be born before his or her due date. I am actually hoping for a Father's Day baby. I thought that would be the best present for Shane for Father's Day. It would certainly be great for me. I long to hold my baby, and to see my baby.

So, please pray for me, that the Lord would give me patience and contentment as I wait and hope for the baby to come soon.

Babymoon?

Shane and I took a trip to Nashville this past Friday. One of my favorite bands, Over the Rhine, performed at the Exit/In. I have been looking forward to this trip for a very long time. We stayed at the Embassy Suites hotel that is located less than a mile away from the show. Needless to say, it was a very enjoyable little trip.

The Lord blessed us tremendously. There were lots of little things, that made the trip very special. I knew that my friend Tess would be in Nashville for the show as well. She called me last week and told me that she was going to be there with her sister Anna and her friend Grace. She also said that she was going to be staying at the same hotel as us. I really did not expect to see Tess at the hotel because Embassy Suites are so huge, but I ran into her within minutes of our arrival. So, that was a great start. We were all downstairs for the Manager's Reception.

While Shane and I were downstairs, a lovely family of 9 walked past us, and as the wife saw me, she stopped what she was doing and expressed her happiness for us that we were expecting. I told her that she and her husband have the family that Shane and I desire. She blessed us by saying may the Lord bless us with many children. I think only one other person in my life has said that to me. It was such an encouragement. She and her husband told us that they were in town for a homeschooling conference. Cynthia, (that was her name), was very encouraging to me. I told her that I had been praying that I would be able to meet other moms with large families. I have had the desire to gain wisdom from others who are in my shoes, or are where I hope to be in the future, meaning they have been blessed with many children. She gave me her e-mail address and said that she would be expecting an e-mail from me.

As we arrived at the show, we found absolutely no parking near the facility, so Shane dropped me off and said that he would go and look for a parking spot. As I was waiting outside for Shane, I looked in the window, and noticed that most of the people inside were standing. I then asked one of the young men working there if it was standing room only. He told me that there were a few seats, but they were all taken. I asked him if it was okay for me to bring my own chair in since I was expecting. Shane and I brought a folding chair with us on the trip, just in case I needed a seat at the show. Well, this young man said that I could have his chair. He said that his sister was saving a seat for him. So, when Shane finally arrived, he arrived without the chair. Apparently, he forgot it in the car. But the young man told me who his sister was, and she gave me the chair she was holding and gave Shane her chair. It was so sweet. It is so nice to experience young men nowadays expressing gentlemanly qualities. It really blessed me.

The show was great. A band named Hem opened for Over the Rhine. I enjoyed their music. It actually reminded me of Over the Rhine. We were only able to hear about three songs from them, since we arrived late. Over the Rhine's set was really good. They performed a few new songs, as well as some from their last CD. I think the only disappointing thing was that the show seemed very short. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed myself, and the time I had to spend with my husband.

I am thankful that I had the chance to take a little trip. It was good to have a date before our next is born. I think that will probably be our last date for a while, but I don't mind, since we have a lot of excitement coming our way in the form of a new person very soon.

A friend of mine told me that she read an article that said that our trip was a babymoon. A babymoon is supposed to be a trip that you take right before the baby is born. So, I guess we had a babymoon. Now, if only the baby will hurry up and come.