Nate the Great – 18 months

Oh sweet boy…how are you 18 months?!  OH my goodness.  I truly think that God timed your 18 month birthday and William’s 2 week birthday to be on the same day intentionally.  Such a contrast.  I think I was a bit more reflective since one date shared two milestones in our little family.

Nate – you are crazy.  And you are such a little lover.  No one gives hugs like you do (except your daddy, but from all accounts, you are quite a bit like your daddy when he was a little boy!).  You make me want to scream and make me want to cry with joy in about 30 seconds.  I am laughing and then I am begging God for patience.  Your little life is sanctifying me so much right now.  I am being driven to my knees, and while I cry at times while going there, I am so thankful.

You have my heart in a way that only a little son can grab his momma’s heart.  I have been so delighted by you.  You have a great laugh – you LOVE your sister something fierce – you are learning about timeouts and consequences – you have the stinkin’ cutest lower lip pout I have EVER seen – your eyes mesmerize me – you love to sing – you are learning words – you are so intelligent and understand everything I say (and are often very sneaky pretending you don’t so that you don’t have to obey…we’re working on that too!) – having daddy come home is one of your most favorite things – like a true child of mine…you adore animals – you really enjoy being dirty – have I mentioned that you drive me crazy? – have I mentioned my love for you?

My darling Nathanael, we pray great and wonderful things over your life.  I pray that you continue to have a heart that loves easily and strongly, and that your will would be molded to love the things that reflect the heart of God.  You have blessed us richly these past 18 months.

A wait well worth it…

‘I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry…’

Psalm 40

As soon as we found out the amazing news that we would have another little Wallace in our family, I didn’t put much worth in my end of July due date.  I knew that there would be a wait.  This just seems to be the case with my body and babies. 

(ohhh, look at that belly!  Not too many days before the wait was over…)

I anticipated a season of refinement, as the Lord was patient to teach me many lessons through my pregnancy with Nate and I hoped (with holy trepidation too) that this would be the case with my third pregnancy as well. 

 

(waiting while enjoying and being taught the value of living the in the beauty of each day)

(waiting while preparing for the little one who would soon be swaddled and snuggled)

I waited…for the waiting.

And, in the beautiful way of the Lord, His timing unfolded so beautifully.  A date was selected for an induction three days shy of 42 weeks – Donald & I wrestled with having the induction, begging the Lord for His peace – He is faithful and granted peace in so many areas, and our hearts were still and filled with excitement at meeting our son on a Thursday morning.

(Donald & I out to dinner Wednesday night – we planned on enjoying our last date night for a while…and were also accompanied by contractions!)

And my contractions started Wednesday evening.  In the same manner as with Nate.  The Lord had me wait / had me place my faith in His perfect plan daily / He showed me the joy that comes with depending on Jesus.

He put a new song in my mouth; a hymn of praise to our God.

Psalm 40

And our beautiful wait ended just five hours later with the arrival of our son, William!  He is amazing – we all are quite in love with his “little/big” self.

And one week later…

Something simple…yet helpful

I really do love to cook – however the heat / huge preggo belly / little hands needing things during the ‘cooking hour’ has led our family to lots more Mi Cocina pick-ups.  Bless those fajitas.

However, I was convicted by the cost/lack of control in how the ingredients were sourced/some of my own laziness (yes, I do realize that I’m uber pregnant – but I can still be lazy too!) and I am really trying to fix more meals in the wallace family kitchen.

Do you know what revolutionized this event actually occurring?

well, not that…although that sure does help!!  I will also bless you, 1/2 caff americano with cream!

But, THIS!  Prepping ingredients during naps.  I’m sure that most people already know this little trick – it does seem pretty obvious – BUT, I had always equated nap time prep with making something in the crock pot (which doesn’t always jive with my palate/cravings in the summer) – but this has really, REALLY helped me!

Just to pass on a little helpful hint – from my sporadic/not always with it brain!

Oh, how I love him and his messy little face…