Baby Desiree--Here At Last!

As promised, this is about the new addition to our family. She was born yesterday at 10:23 a.m. She weighed in at 7 lbs., 11 ozs. and her name is Desiree Adeline. How beautiful is that? We are all thrilled and can't wait to watch her grow and turn into the person she'll become. Desiree is the latest addition to the family that includes her parents and big brother, Daniel. May God bless them all!

On Baby Watch!

This morning I woke up to my cell phone ringing. My mind was still not quite awake but I instinctively picked it up and looked at it. When I saw it was my sister's cell phone number, my mind snapped awake and I answered with a little excitement. The reason for the call and my excitement is that my niece is in the hospital ready to deliver her second child! In my family every birth is viewed as an event. All the cousins gather around the prospective parents to oooh and aaah about all events in the pregnancy and the impending birth.

Like my dad before me, I view every new baby and a special gift from God to be cherished and loved. As thrilled as I am about every new baby born into our family, I still can't help but think about what my dad's reaction would be. He adored his grandchildren and would have been beside himself with joy about his great-grandchildren. I've often told Candie that my dad would be at Fort Irwin at least two weekends a month to see Noah. It's the cycle of life and death I'm discovering...the joys of a new life and the sadness of losing a loved one. It's odd to me how closely they are linked.

For now I'm focused on the birth of the new baby. When there is news, I will write about it. God bless all mothers and babies everywhere.

Summer Nights

At last today it began to feel like summer! We've had unusally cool weather this year and I'd started thinking summer would pass us by this year. On the 4th of July Ray, Nicole and I went to my sister's house to barbeque and watch fireworks at the local high school from the field behind her house. It was cool when we got there and by 7 p.m. we were sitting outside in sweatshirts freezing. We watched fireworks in bundled in sweatshirts and blankets, too!

Last weekend Ray finally got the pool ready so on Sunday we actually got in for the first swim of the season. It was great! I've always wanted a built-in pool and realized that if I lay on my floatie with my eyes closed, it feels exactly like a real live built-in. I'm almost ready to give up my dream of a built in pool and be happy with the little pool I have. Now that summer nights have arrived I look forward to sitting outside with Ray, watching the stars and talking about whatever comes to our minds. I treasure those evenings outside, lost in listening to him talk, exchanging ideas for our future and our hopes and dreams. This is our 10th summer together and we still haven't run out of things to say to each other during our summer nights outside in the driveway. I guess this is what a happy relationship is about. Here's to summer! Thanks, Lord, for all the blessings You've given me in my life. It's been a great ride!

Passages

It's July and we are days away from the birthdays of my two youngest children, Nikki and David. This is the year that David will turn 18 and Nikki will be 15. Wow, where did my babies go? Unlike their older brother and sister, these two were born to more "mature" parents. Dave and I were 38 when we had David and 41 when Nikki came along. Having experienced how quickly babies turn into young adults, I was determined to enjoy every moment of their lives. I'm happy to say that there has never been a regret or a dull moment involving these kids.

David recently graduated from high school and this achievement has filled him with confidence about his future. He has had a life-long love of cars and he's developed a lot of knowledge and ability when it comes to fixing them. I know he's also looking forward to getting his driver's license (his appointment is July 21 at 10:15 a.m.) At this particular moment he's teetering on young adulthood and I'm in the early stages of opening my hand to let this little bird test his wings. My heart is beginning to ache but it's time to give him over to the Lord and let him fly. Soon a new relationship with my son will begin to form and I'll be reminded that if you do a good job as a mother, your children leave your side and prosper on their own. It's one of the thorns of motherhood. I must remember to tell that to my daughter, Candie.

Nikki started high school last year and will begin her sophmore year on August 30. She loves sports (volley ball and softball), the beach and hanging out with her friends. She's a pretty normal kid, despite the fact that she is my baby and has been treated accordingly. I've loved watching her grow from a curly-headed toddler into the straight-haired teenager she is today. She has struggled with normal issues and a couple that most kids don't ever have to face, but she's come out on top. She's a good student, great athlete, and a sweet, loving daughter, sister and aunt. She will be my last child to graduate and I'm going to treasure each moment of her remaing years in high school.

I remember reading somewhere that you always remember the "firsts" but seldom remember the "lasts". As I grow older I realize that it's true. Maybe I will make a greater effort to remember the "lasts" these two children have. God bless everyone and cherish each moment of your life and the lives of your loved ones.