Leila & Her Band of Brothers
Leila is not only the most gorgeous pregnant woman you've ever seen, but also my dear friend who was my doula during Norah's labor/birth.I was thrilled to hear she would be visiting the DFW during her pregnancy...it took everything in me to not just attack her perfect, round, gigantic, perfect belly.
Soon, these two boys
(Turner & Tripp)
Will meet this third boy
I love the way he loves her...
I love you Leila! I can't wait to meet your new son!
Boogers & Blooms; How He Loves Me
First of all, I forgot to thank you all for your feedback, love, support, and questions over this post. It's one of the most popular posts I've ever had and have received all sorts of emails, texts, comments, fb messages, you name it, that have all been really humbling. Thank you for allowing us to share this part of our life with you.
A few weeks ago I was talking to one of my amazingly talented birth photographer friends about a birth she had attended. She told me the story of this mama's little girl and how she had desperately wanted a little sister, so she and her husband told their daughter to pray for it. Soon enough, they were pregnant with their fifth baby. Then, halfway through, they found out this new blessing was going to be a baby girl! So then she gets to the make me bawl my eyes out part. When she calls her kiddos into the room after the delivery she stops big sister and says "This is God's gift to you. God did this for you K because you asked Him. He will always do these things for you when you ask Him."
I am blown away by this mama's ability to give God all the Glory and instill this kind of beauty in her children.
So wanting to steal a piece of this beautiful uniqueness, I decide to have my own deep, tear jerking moment with Lily at bedtime, because, you know, that's how it works. I read to her, lay her down, sing to her, pray for her, and tuck her in. Before I turn off the light I lean in close and say "Lily, you are a special gift from Jesus to me, did you know that? He loves us very much and loves giving us things, and he gave me YOU!" As I'm talking, she's staring at me very intently, and as I finish, she lifts her hand, points her finger...and sticks it straight up my nose.
I couldn't help but laugh and say "Ok, God, I got it, you're a comedian, you got me." He said "These are your children, I have given you a special joy in them, delight in that joy!"
So days go by and I've completely forgotten about all of this. Eamon and the girls woke up early to drive me to a midwifery convention and we're stuck in morning rush hour traffic. Along this particular stretch of highway, the Texas wildflowers are covering everything in sight. It's my favorite time of year.
From the back seat Lily yells "Hey Mama..."
"Yes, Lily?"
"Those flowers for Lily Burke?"
"What baby?"
"Those flowers! They for Lily Burke because Jesus loves me!!"
I actually turned into a puddle of liquid emotion and gratitude right there.
Jesus has always courted me with sunflowers. I have a tattoo on my ring finger to remind me that I am first Christ's bride and that He loves me in a very special way. He has given me indespensible knowledge while gardening, and pulls me into nature any time He wants me close. I have always loved this part of my relationship with Jesus.
Lily, at the ripe old age of 2 and three quarters years old, had realized that her Father, Creator, First Love, and Friend, not only loves her, but loves her in a way that her mommy and daddy can't, and GIFTS her because of this love.
I am still in awe of just how invested He is in my life. In my growth as a woman, wife, and mother. And I could fall on my face in gratitude that He has chosen to continue His work in my precious daughters.
Hope you are having a great week,
Mae
PS,
we're headed out to see family this weekend, so a major photo dump of my babies in their bathing suits is about to happen ;]
When You've Had A Good Season
Things around the Burke household have been...GREAT.
The girls are growing so close every day. Norah is so adventurous and bright. Lily is so dramatic and loving.
I feel like God's given me all the things I've asked for.
Amazing friends who are close, wise, funny, Godly.
A house that suits all of our needs. We eat out on the porch at least once a day and have friends over to grill...JUST BECAUSE?! Who does that?! ;]
God led us to a church that believes in spiritual gifts and is disciplining their congregation to learn them, humbly practice them, and grow closer to God through them.
My photography schedule has been appropriately busy, despite how many inquiries I never hear back from and yell at God 'WHY DO YOU CURSE ME SO!?" I'll be sharing some big, exciting, amazing, holy sh- is this really happening/it's about time I'm workin meh ACE off over here news with you all about that soon.
aaaand...best of all...
A huge, gigantic, fantastic prayer has been answered.
Eamon had his first day of exclusive self employment today.
Yep. He's done with the kitchen job and doing what God has been perfecting him to do for the past two years. I'm so proud of him. So. Stinking. Proud. Of. Him.
Life is going to change so much with having us both work at home, but we are ready.
I feel like as I'm writing this, there's so much to say. So much that my God has done that I just want to brag about. He is extravagant!! I feel like I "owe it" to my readers to let you know about all the little details and happenings, but things are just good, friends. So good. And it kinda makes me nervous. Life happens in seasons. So what's next? A lull? A chatastrophe? I couldn't tell you.
We will just continue to soak this all up and love all the moments. In the meantime, take a gander at these two sleeping babes. These will most definitely be hanging in the girls room soon ;]
Happy Tuesday friends!