In Case They Ever Wonder

The events of the past couple of weeks have overwhelmed me. Because I don't ever want to forget all the kindness, mercy and love I've been shown and because I want Lillie to know all the beautiful ways that the people we love most helped to celebrate her entrance into the world, I want to record just some of the abundant blessings of the past couple of weeks in the life of our family. mom arriving in Atlanta almost a week ahead of schedule when my back went out. She lovingly cared for me, Matt and the kids, took care of our house and allowed me to rest enough to be able to have Lillie without a c-section. a relatively uneventful ride to the hospital, free from panic and fear and a doctor who was willing to sacrifice convenience, trusting that I knew my own body. a sister who moved heaven and earth to see my third child come into the world and a brother-in-law who distinguished himself as the best brother-in-law ever by taking amazing care of Sophie and Will while Lillie was bo...

We were so thrilled to welcome Lillian Hope Roden into our family on Monday, January 18 at 4:49 p.m. Baby Lillie is the peanut of our family, weighing in at 7 pounds, 4 ounces. She is 19 inches long with lots of blonde, fuzzy hair! There is so very much I want to say, but so very few brain cells left, so for now, I will say that we are overwhelmingly grateful for a healthy baby girl, a smooth delivery, and the most amazing family and best friend to support us. Until more coherent thoughts can be strung together, we will be recovering, enjoying family, and getting to know Lillie.

I've been resting for over a week. I'm positive that I haven't rested this much in over five years, and, really, I can't remember ever resting this much. There have been days in the past week, when I haven't ventured past our bedroom and bathroom! I have been the typical mom of young children, craving rest above most all else in life, but now that I've experienced it in abundance, I'm finding resting not to be all I had imagined. A week ago last Saturday night, I pulled my back out. Not an uncommon experience for me. At least several times a year, I struggle with back pain. My mom has horrible back problems, (she's already had surgery and tons of other forms of treatment). My grandmother has terrible back and bone problems, and I'm sure it goes back even farther. At any rate, I wasn't overly concerned because I can usually get flat, apply ice, take pain killer, rest for several hours, and be, at least, a little better. Not this time. I'm not ...

I am so excited that my sister and brother-in-law have started a blog! Keeping Up with the Joneses will document their lives as newlyweds! Tori and Derek are the best aunt and uncle my kids could ask for, not to mention amazing friends to Matt and me! (The only trouble from Tori and my view is that our husbands bring out the adolescent boys in one another! We joke that Matt is really an overgrown fifteen year old and Derek is an overgrown thirteen year old!) Either way, we have so much fun with Aunt Tori and Uncle Derek, and we are so glad that they will be blogging so everyone can read about all the fun they have and trouble they get into as newlyweds!

An SEC championship. A Heisman trophy. A national championship. The perfect season. Happy early 80 th Birthday, Big Dad! I am so thankful you were able to see this in Pasadena. You've taught us all to be faithful fans, and we all have a love of the University of Alabama and Alabama football because of you. Tonight was a wonderful end to a wonderful year and a perfect birthday gift for a wonderful man! We love you and Roll Tide Roll!!!

You could probably count the number of flakes that have fallen in our yard so far, but we are as excited as if it was a blizzard! We have a big pot of chili (thanks to my best friend Ashley ), chocolate chip cookies (thanks to Pillsbury), and the game we've been hoping to watch all year! Sophie and I've already fired up the cocoa and read our favorite "snow" books, Katie and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost, and The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. Will was a fan of The Snowy Day - (I think he recognized "Peter" from Whistle for Willie ). We've made big plans for a snowman that will more than likely never come to be, but we've had fun thinking about him( blueberry eyes, carrot nose, houndstooth hat and black and red scarf). He will definitely wear an be named Nick or Mark, and will hopefully hold a sign bearing #13! So, since Matt is off work tomorrow and schoo...

Two weeks from tonight, I should be holding a new little baby. (Assuming I don't go in labor during the Alabama game tomorrow night...) I've never known the date a child would be arriving and, I guess, technically, I don't know this one since she could certainly whenever she wants! It is strange to think, though, that in just fourteen days the entire dynamic of our family life will change. I am praying for a healthy baby girl, a smooth delivery, and a quick recovery. I pray that this little girl that is already formed and well over 6 pounds, will enter this world and our family with great joy. I pray that the Lord will allow us to get to know her in the precious and intimate ways we've gotten to know her brother and sister. I pray that she will feel securely loved right from the start. I pray that Lillie's will develop an every-growing steadfast commitment to the Lord and that her life will be marked by a beautiful hope. I am praying that Sophie will feel like her ...