Think...Think...Think...Think..

All day, I have tried to think, but to no avail. I think I need to visit Pooh Bear's thinking spot, only to be interrupted by Owl, Gofer or Tiger. The whole week has been "one of those weeks" and I don't know why. James was out of town (he flew out last Saturday) in Chicago at the EPA Convention (Evangelical Press Association - www.epassoc.org) and came back to Houston on Thursday. He took my computer with him, so maybe that is why I had one of those weeks. I don't know. From what I hear, he had a pretty good time. He was able to meet some great people, had the chance to see a private viewing of "Cinderella Man" but didn't go. I'm not sure where he went instead.

Shayne flew up to CT to see his family and to run our booth in MA. We're going to have to clean his desk before he gets back on Monday. When he called this morning, there were a few bugs that had not been worked out with our POS system, so we had fun trying to figure all of that out. Nathan left the office today a little after five since he is driving to San Antonio to see his family.

Brooke is coming to town tomorrow. She came down with her Mom last time, so I was able to meet her. She is so sweet. This time she is bringing Jesse's youngest brother, so this time I think I'll be able to really meet him.

Well, I suppose I should close down and head home. It's been a long day, and I'm pooped.

William Alexander holding my finger.

Caleb rocks his baby brother to sleep.

William Alexander finds his thumb.

Daddy and his new son rest a while on the couch.

Caleb kisses his long awaited brother.

Melissa and Emma Katherine help put some booties on William Alexander

Mimi and her newest grandson, William Alexander.

Mimi, Papa and Caleb come take a peek.

Virginia Grace and Abigail visit Mom and William Alexander

Dad and Baby William Alexander

Mom and William Alexander

William Alexander McDonald

William Alexander was born at 6:45 this morning! He is 8 lbs and the midwives have yet to tell us how big he is. :) He is definitely a McDonald. Mom and Baby are both doing very well. More pictures to follow!

He's Almost Arrived!

At 4:42 this morning, Dad brought Emma up to our room. After he put her in bed, he told us that Mom's water broke and the midwives were on the way. Melissa and I lay still for a while, hoping that Emma would soon fall back asleep, but she knew something was up and kept looking at me in the dark and asking, "Mama's water broke?" :)

One of the assistants arrived, so we threw some clothes on and came downstairs. Cathy Rude, the midwife, pulled up and began unloading her equipment. We turned on a movie for the little ones to keep them busy as they couldn't go outside. The other assistant soon came in, and now all three of them are helping out.

I just heard that the baby was on his way out. As soon as I hear more, I'll put it up! Keep posted.

On Tea and Lawn Parties

We had a very pleasant lawn party this afternoon. We played a little game of Bocci Ball, had a great Italian dinner and then shared sweet memories and stories over a pot of Earl Grey tea. Is there any felicity in the world superior to this? :)

Sweet Emma Katherine

Our Lawn Party

Sister...Sister...watching the progress of the game in the shade of the trees.

Our Lawn Party

Abigail and me during the lawn party.

Our Lawn Party

The setting for our lawn party...so refreshing.

Our Lawn Party

Emma Katherine....isn't she sooo cute!

Our Lawn Party

Virginia Grace gets a little tired...

Our Lawn Party

Abigail during a serious moment in the game.

Our Lawn Party

Virgina Grace and Emma Katherine spending time under the arbor.

Our Lawn Party

Emma Katherine getting the balls out to play Bocci Ball

Our Lawn Party

(L-R...Jessica, Abigail, Emma Katherine, Virginia Grace and Me)

Our Lawn Party

Rain

It rained this morning. Weather in Houston is most interesting. I woke up in the wee hours of morning, and while I was getting ready, there didn’t seem to be much light. As the morning progressed, the winds began to pick up making whirling noises outside my window. I looked outside and watched as a few rain drops fell from the sky and splashed onto the lawn below. It wasn’t long before the rain fell hard, thunder was heard so loud that it did not seem far off, and the lightning was bright and blinding.

The display of God’s power is so amazing. The lightning etching its way across the sky in a bright flash, followed closely by a deep rumble in the distance is in a way terrible, and often frightening. How much more the wrath of God? And yet, at the same time of this awesome display, the refreshing rain falling from the heavens is wonderful, just as the amazing love and mercy of God. Without this, where would we be? Whilst I stood gazing out my window, one of my favorite poems came to mind.

Interestingly, William Blake, the man who penned this, gave this poem the title of “Lullaby.” When I first heard this song, (the one put to music by Loreena McKennitt) I had to listen to it again and again as the words were so incredible.

O for a voice like thunder, and a tonguet
o drown the throat of war! - When the senses
are shaken, and the soul is driven to madness,
who can stand?

When the souls of the oppressed
fight in the troubled air that rages,
who can stand?

When the whirlwind of fury comes from the
throne of god, when the frowns of his countenance
drive the nations together,
who can stand?

When Sin claps his broad wings over the battle,
and sails rejoicing in the flood of Death;
when souls are torn to everlasting fire,
and fiends of Hell rejoice upon the slain.
O who can stand?

O who hath caused this?
O who can answer at the throne of God?
The Kings and Nobles of the Land have done it!
Hear it not, Heaven, thy Ministers have done it!

New Beginnings

With the approach of this new life, at the same time of the coming of Spring—when everything comes to life once more, when old things becomes new, it brings thoughts of new beginnings. As each new year approaches, most people tend to make “New Year’s Resolutions,” which sadly, are rarely ever kept. I find it interesting that the “new year” was actually celebrated at the beginning of April, in the early Spring, then later changed to January, the former a far more fitting time, in my opinion.

As I watch Spring drawing near, as the flowers start to bloom, as we anticipate the birth of our newest member, I’ve begun to think of new beginnings. We have started so many new things of late, embarked on new paths, adventures and journeys. The birth of this new child will make yet another change in our lives. Though this will bring challenges and trials, sweet moments and rich blessings also will follow. We are only brought along weary and difficult paths to strengthen our faith in Christ and ultimately, bring glory to our King.

Since we don't have a new baby yet...

I thought that I would post some photos of the other children...that way y'all can see how much our babies look alike. We are all dying to see what this newest blessing will look like.
Virginia Grace as a baby

Emma Katherine  

Virginia Grace again...

And Grace again...

An Update

It is now going on noon, and the baby changed his mind, I suppose. Just like it was with Emma, the contractions stopped soon after the mid-wife arrived, so now we are waiting....again.

Most of the family went to church this morning. Dad, Mom, Emma and I stayed home. I think we are all going to take a nap.

False alarm???

Warm blankets...soft fluffy pillows...cozy pajamas...ah! What could be better than this? Where those lights and voices truly in my dream? Or were they reality? Was somebody having a party without ME!

Rolling over, I forced my eyes open and took a look at my old bright alarm clock. The time showed 3:02 a.m. What person in their right mind would be wandering around at such a time as this!?! Or, were they indeed having a party without me? Crawling out of bed, I stumbled over to the balcony and looked down. And there was the cause of my present state. Not making any attempt to be quiet, Melissa and Dad were in the kitchen, and Mom was talking to them as she went back into her room.

"What on earth are y'all doing up at three in the morning????" I whispered to Melissa.

"Mom." She said to me knowingly as she held up a metal mixing bowl in mid-air.

I just stood there and stared at her, rather confused. She repeated her answer throwing in an extra word..."BABY....." her head bobbed up and down. Ah...now I understood. I headed back to my room to dress into comfy clothes, because if this birth was going to be anything like the last one, I wanted to be prepared for sleeping on our parlor floor. As I stood by my bed trying to decide what to wear, Christa opened the bathroom door, forgetting to turn the light off. I turned and looked at her and told her that people were trying to get some sleep around here. The assistant midwife drove up. Soon after, the midwife (Cathy Rude) arrived. A little later, the second assistant arrived.

So now, on my favorite couch, I'm...blogging...waiting...hoping...praying. This could be a false alarm...but then again, maybe not. Meanwhile, as we wait, I'm going to try and figure out how to post photos...just in case...

A Blogger at last!

[Caleb, Abigail and me at Old Faithful in November 2004]

Okay...Naomi and Alice, y'all have convinced me to get a blog. :)