Just in case some of you people out there didn’t know, Amber and I became proud parents of a healthy, beautiful baby boy named Jensen Ray on January 31, 2010. The past three weeks have been an amazing yet challenging blur as we’ve been adjusting to having a new family member and a new routine at home. Here are just a few things that have been on my mind lately:
We are blessed with an incredible family. The first few days would have been 1000 times more difficult without the gracious help of Amber’s parents who cooked for us, ran errands, and held the baby so we could get some sleep. Then just a week later, my parents came to visit and did more of the same—shopping, cleaning, changing diapers! I can already tell that all of our brothers will be awesome uncles. We’ve also had fantastic and encouraging visits, phone calls, and emails from practically everybody in our extended family as well. These past few weeks have been just tremendous because of how supportive and helpful and excited our family has been been for us.
We have amazing friends. So many of our friends have offered congratulations, financial help, food, and advice. Honestly, the love that’s being shown to us by our friends here in Abilene and elsewhere is pretty overwhelming and humbling. I’m so grateful for the gift of friends.
Our church community is awesome. Again, it’s just humbling to have so many people offer support via prayer, meals brought to our home, gifts, and helpful words of encouragement. It has been such a wonderful reminder that being part of the Church is being part of family and a community…thanks to all you awesome North Park members!
They really do grow up fast. We’re only three weeks into parenthood, and already our son has grown (at least 1/4 “) and we can really see him learning and becoming even more aware of his surroundings.
It’s all worth it. Yup, having a kid has already changed our lives drastically—for the better. It would be a lie to say it hasn’t been stressful or overwhelming sometimes, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in world. Every time I hold my son, I’m bombarded with blessings I can’t even articulate. God is good and has been faithful to us, and I can’t help but be reminded of that whenever I’m with Jensen. I just love that kid.
