Jaynie Hope

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.

Psalm 127:3

For you formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb.

Psalm 139:13

She is two weeks old now and from the day of birth, things have been a whirlwind!  I figured this would be the best way to share the details of the past couple weeks and show off our sweet baby girl.  (I have tried several times to sit down and write this post and upload pictures, to no avail).

That Monday seemed normal initially.  Sure, I'd been having contractions for a few hours, but I'd been doing that on and off for weeks.  I did finally start to time them and started to think maybe she'd come that night or the next day.  Brendan took over the job and was on me like glue (when was I having one, how painful was it, how long since the last one?).  The day progressed as any other with chores and school and meals.  And Brendan keeping track of every contraction!  I was non-chalant with Jay because I didn't want to alarm him seeing as he was in Orange County with a ton of work to do.  Finally about 12:30 I called him to come home, but assured him there was no need to rush - stopping for lunch and gas was fine.  I put Aaron down for his nap and sat down to read with the girls.

By the time Jay got home at 1:30 they were getting closer together and a bit stronger.  It was then I decided to call my mom so she could get on the road and avoid afternoon traffic out of Pasadena.  Jay kept saying we needed to go, but I was in no hurry.  We left the house about 1:50 for the hospital.  Labor progressed very quickly between my house and the hospital (obviously), which is only 8 miles from my house.  I was in terrible pain, not able to talk through contractions, by the time we arrived. 

I checked in at 2:15. 

I got to a L & D room and was 8 cm when the nurse checked me at 2:22. 

Jay and the nurse were the only two people in the room.  As the nurse was turning on the monitors to hook me up, I pushed my first push and her head came out at 2:23. 

The nurse asked me to wait on the pushing so she could get some gloves on, but that wasn't happening.  So at 2:24 Jaynie was born, delivered by one nurse with gloves half on.  Jay admitted later that he was a tad bit nervous this time around.  Can't imagine why?

Jaynie is very docile and easy.  She has nursed well right from the start.  After two days we came home from the hospital.  It was a rough start, not for she and I, but for the other kids.  I was at the pediatrician's office the first two days we were home.  Gracie, Brendan and Emmie had sinus infections.  Aaron had an ear infection and tonsilitis.  All four of them went on antibiotics.  Keeping them away from the baby was challenging.  Aaron was cranky and wanting mommy more so than just adjusting to a new baby. 

Yet it was such a sweet and joyful time.  I couldn't stop reflecting on how thankful I was.  Jaynie was healthy and the delivery went smoothly.  The timing worked out so well.  Jay was actually able to stay with me one night, which he has never been able to do.  It was a quiet time for us to be together and have that experience.  He went right back to work, but has not complained.  I so appreciate him and the way he provides for us.  And he has been good about loving on the others since I'm consumed with baby.  My mom has been here ever since, filling in for me in all areas.  She has such a servant's heart, asking me what she can do each morning.  I want to be like her when I grow up.  And we have been so blessed by meals from our homeschool group and church.  By the end of the day the three of us adults are wiped out so it's such a relief to not have to worry about dinner.

Her name didn't come right away.  It had been on my list all along and was one of Jay's favorites.  As we were having our alone time with her after the delivery, we agreed we liked that name best.  Rather than the typical spelling of Janie, we put the 'y' in after her daddy.  Jay looked up the meaning and we both knew it was her name.  JAYNIE means "Jehovah has been gracious; has shown favor."  This was especially meaningful to us because over the last couple of years we have come to understand and appreciate God's grace more than ever before.  And HOPE was the obvious middle name because our hope is in the Lord - the two names went together so well.

Jaynie Hope Nelson
January 30, 2012
2:24 pm
7 pounds 5 ounces
20 inches

Just waiting...

Due date is two days away and no action yet.  Well, lots of action actually, but none that's doing anything worthwhile.  So we wait and we anticipate.  And of course we continue to look at the list of names in hopes that one might jump out at us - no luck yet.

Emmie is so anxious!  She just keeps asking when and is bothered that the doctor can't give us an exact date and time.  She did say to me yesterday that God is the only one who knows because he made my stomach. 

Aaron attempting a heart on my tummy like his sisters did.

Brendan assembled the swing and vibrating seat for me.  He and Jaylon did the stroller together.

Last picture for Gramma Dedee and her 5 grandchildren.  Next picture she'll be surrounded by 6!!

Us trying to be cute and form a heart on my belly, but the kids all said it looked lame.  We tried.

Gracie playing "mommy" with her baby doll in a Moby Wrap.

The girls had a baby shower for Gracie.  So funny to watch them play and mimic real life. 


We are all excited and ready!!!  Now all we need is a baby girl and a name.

The B-I-B-L-E

My girls came home recently and had been encouraged to memorize the books of the Bible for Sunday school.  We got right to work learning the catchy little songs and even the boys joined in.  I vaguely recall learning those songs as a child in Sunday school.  But what struck me was how clueless I had become as an adult when it came to the Bible. 

I certainly didn't know the books of the Bible by heart.  No wonder it had always been a challenge for me to look something up.  I either flipped around a lot until I found what I was looking for, or better yet, would go right to the Table of Contents for help.  Ultimately what I realized was that I didn't know the Bible because I rarely, if ever, used to read the Bible.  I never even took my Bible to church with me and on the rare occasion that I did, I used it as something to press on as I filled in the pastor's outline.  As I continued to learn the songs with my kids, I found myself reflecting more and more on these sad realities.

About four and a half years ago I joined a woman's Bible study.  We met each week and we studied the book of Matthew.  I remember wondering how on earth we were going to spend nine months studying one book!  As I look back now, that was the turning point for me.  Opening up the Word of God, studying it in depth, memorizing it, discussing it within a group, but most importantly the format was such that I was to be in the Word every day of the week.  This is where the Lord began to work mightily in my heart.

Then about a year and a half ago we came to a new church.  The two previous churches we had attended left both of us longing for something more.  We weren't sure what, but both of us had that sense of something missing.  From the very first Sunday at this new church our world was rocked.  Never in our lives had either of us heard the exposition of Scripture in that way.  We had never studied it that way or applied it to our lives the way the pastor did.  Everything centered on the Word of God.  And to our amazement everyone in attendance brought their Bibles with them each week...and actually opened them up as the pastor taught.  What a concept.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts.
                                                                                 Colossians 3:16

As we continued to attend and get connected, we were challenged to examine our lives and ask ourselves ~ Did Scripture permeate every aspect of our lives?

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.                                                              Hebrews 4:12

So as I have reflected back on all of these events, the Lord has reminded me how crucial the Word of God is. It must rule in my life. Everything I need is in the Bible and through His Word, He will equip me for anything that life may bring. It is how I have grown, and will continue to grow, spiritually.

...you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.                                    1 Thessalonians 2:13

So how can those of us who believe and call ourselves Christians grow and experience the working of God in our hearts and lives without being in the Word consistently?  I am reminded how crucial it is to open up the Word of God, read it, study it, meditate on it, memorize it, talk about it and journal through it.  And my prayer is that it will saturate my thoughts and words and actions. 

God has provided everything we need in His Word and sadly, there are so many that neglect It.