My New Name...

I remember when I first got married and David and I were on our honeymoon. We got to our room and there was a bottle of champagne and a welcome note addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. Mendenhall". I remember thinking, "This is so crazy! I can't believe we're married!" And it took me quite some time to get used to having a new name. Not because I didn't want a new name...I couldn't be more excited to share his name! It was more about the significance of the change and the magnitude of what it meant. 

That couldn't be more true as I welcome my new name. One I have longed for for as long as I can remember. A name I have always said I was born to bear. A name I am so proud of because of those that gave it to me...Mother. 

It's always my privilege and honor to celebrate my mom, my Nana, my mother in law, my best friends, and all of the moms I know. Their job is the hardest that there is, and I know many wonderful mothers. They take their job of raising wise, responsible, God fearing, respectable, fun-loving children seriously and they do a fine job of it. I have learned much from them and my mom is at the top of that list. I'm grateful for her example. 

Praise God for this opportunity to be a mother. Thank you for my dear P&C who have given me the most important name of all. 

My beautiful mother, my sister- Kristen, Caroline, Parker, me, and my seet Nana

The Fullness of Grace...

"From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another" ~ John 1:16

April 12, 2013

Parker Edward Mendenhall ~ 9:07am ~ 18 1/4 inches ~ 4.13 lbs

Caroline Sue Mendenhall ~ 9:08am ~ 17 3/4 inches ~ 4.13 lbs

Six and a half years ago, that verse adorned the top of our wedding invitation. We were thrilled with anticipation of one of the best days of our lives- up to that point. God had blessed us with many things~ one of the richest was each other. Since that day in January of 2007 we have most certainly received many blessings, but none more precious than those that arrived on April 12, 2013.

We are overcome with love for these babies. Humbled by the fact that God chose us to love them, take care of them, discipline them, teach them, play with them, and show them and tell them of the Love of Christ so that they will come to know Him. It's amazing to see the fullness of His grace and goodness in the face of our precious Parker and Caroline. Two perfect little loves that were only a dream and the source of many prayers just one year ago. 

God is so good!

A very proud dad moments after they were born.

Holding my darling Caroline for the first time. 

Parker was sent to NICU within about 30 minutes of his birth. I didn't get to see him until around 5:00pm that evening. Unfortunately, I didn't get to hold him, but was overcome with tears when I was rubbing his hand and he grabbed hold of my finger. My precious little man!

Beautiful baby girl.

The most wonderful day! Parker was such a fighter and made some quick progress which allowed us to hold him! Pretty sure I just sat there and cried. Bless that nurse that first said the magic words, "Do you want to hold him?" That baby couldn't get into my arms fast enough! Dave kept telling him we were never going to put him down.

It was so hard to leave him because here we were loving on Miss Caroline 24/7 and we had Parker in the NICU. We knew we had a lot of time to make up with him once he got his get out of jail card!

We spent time telling Parker about his sister, how loved he is, praying over him, telling him about his Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, and all of his friends. 

Every moment has been precious but this certainly ranks at the top. This wonderful boy who is such a fighter was holding my hand and Dave rubbed down his arm and to his hand. When he got to his hand, Parker clutched onto his fingers so tight. I hope he knows we will always be there for him. I literally couldn't love him more. 

The most wonderful day was when we got to bring Parker home to join his sister! He spent 11 days in the NICU before we could be our full family of four. That's the main reason I haven't blogged. We weren't complete. Once Parker came home, all was right.

I would love to know what they thought when they were first reunited! I can't wait to see their relationship as they grow. 

My sweet baby boy and girl, how we have prayed for you. We have waited for this day for so long. We are overcome with love for you and so thankful that we get to be your parents. We hope you always feel loved and know the depth of God's love for you. You are the fullness of His grace in our lives. You are the answer to our prayers. God revealed Himself in the miracle of your lives and we are forever grateful. We love you to the moon and back our precious Parker and our sweet Caroline.