May Garden

• Jun. 16, 2007 - For the New Parent

Our oldest and our youngest. Sophia in her first week. 2006 The very things that drew my husband Michael and I together in courtship and then marriage were the things that drew us toward the decision to become parents shortly after marriage. ( conceived 5 mo. after marriage) We discovered early on how much we each wanted to start a family. while we were still courting we worked in some of the children's church ministries together. One afternoon as we were at a local library looking for some books to illustrate our lesson with the 4-5's we had an interesting experience one that I know I will cherish. We were both at the same bookcase I looking on the upper shelves and Michael on the lower. Somehow our eyes caught books of similar subject that had been separated. Both being those awesome books created to teach children about where babies come from. The real photos of baby developing in the womb were just riveting! When we both discovered what the other was looking over we shared our books. That was one of the turning points in knowing that we desired to marry one another. And have many children. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I being the nurturing caregiver in personality was strongly attracted to Michael's boyishness. Oh, how I loved to cook and bake for him; our laundry mat dates where we talked as we washed and folded and our late night / early morning trips to the local Meijer store! Ours was a match made out of practicality. He needed me and I needed him! He worked 2nd and 3rd shifts and I 1st so most of our courtship was over the phone talking until exhausted and responsibility to work or church took us away from one another. I cleaned for and sat with an elderly man so Michael was able to join us several times for a meal and a chat. As well as an evening a week in the home of a lady I lived with. Our friendship encouraged him as he was going through a rough time with his family. Now we have Luke Daniel name meaning illuminated, enlightened / God's judgment He has proven to be a bright light full of joy in our dark world. Someday he may direct people to see our Savior's sacrifice and atonement for us as God's judgment demands a payment for the trespasses we commit in our wicked sin nature. As the dross of our hearts have risen to the surface more and more through our new roles as parents I believe we see ourselves more clearly for who we are ~ this is so humbling! Through these children we see God's grace and mercy and are given days of special blessings. Seeing not only Luke develop into a little toddler but also seeing each other in our roles as mother and father has been special. To be able to let go of our need to fulfill ourselves now with whatever activity WE want to participate in and have a willingness to carry out our obligation to our family has brought more fulfillment than we ever thought we'd experience. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Little glimpses into memories...... Learning to be a team : Michael helping me so much , encouraging me to keep my courage in learning to breastfeed our baby, discipline him in toddler-hood, and choose activities for his development. Also to get out for walks and just breath! Special time alone together talking, planning or snuggling is precious. Being parents changes you for good ~ from the inside out! Many times women experience hard pregnancies ~ feeling as though your body is gonna break and crumble ~ that God is allowing you to be crushed with great afflictions; sickness, listlessness, emotional trauma through the emotional turmoil caused by worry about the future .... believe it or not this is working something special in you!

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