52 Blessings

I may have been remiss in keeping up on Blessing documentation over the past few weeks, but Blessings have not been remiss in coming my way. So here is a little catch-up from where I left off at week 7...
blessing 8:
Caleb Allen Chambers was born at 8:43 Iowa time today. I know I'm only the aunt in this story, but I can't stop shaking with excitement. He has been long-awaited & many-prayered. Megs had expected him to be whisked away directly, but he seems quite healthy & strong. The heart tests & analysis will come tomorrow. But in the meantime I'm joining my Gratitude with Megan & Tom's for having a chance to immediately hold & love on their little man.
blessing 9:
I'm finding it hard to believe that I have so few pictures of Mandi. Christmas??! I wish this was a picture of her in full pregnant glory. I'll have to snap one soon because she wears her baby well. In a way that - in fact - makes me wonder how we're possibly related. Even at 38+ weeks pregnant Mandi blesses my life. Last Monday she took my boys all day and I slept for five hours solid. Since she moved here, I seldom go to the grocery store with children. I feel like we're joint-mothering, joint-obsessing over our tiny humans...and I can't think of a better way to get this gloriously messy job done.
blessing 10:
My cousin Chad got married on Saturday afternoon. I loved being there because it was Chad and I still see him as 10, running around with his head in the arm of his coat like some rabid alien...but there he was somehow grown up and his chin quivered so tenderly and I could tangibly feel how much he loves his Paij. But I also loved being there because I sat looking at my own Love. There are few better reminders of "the big picture" than witnessing another couple being sealed. Real life is raw and rough...so much so that its beautiful perfection can only truly be glimpsed with a little "stepping back". The sealer told the two: "you won't believe it today but in five years you'll love each other far more than you do right now." My eyes turned to Jim with a teary "Amen". Perspective renewed.
blessing 11:
I spent most of last week in my own little sick universe. Emerging from such is no simple task. On Saturday Jim's mom, Kay, watched the boys while we went to the temple, and then played with them while we hung out at her house.. That afternoon I remembered that I had offered to make salsa for a my-side-of-the-family gathering on Sunday night. I asked Kay for her recipe (because it's fantastic). Not only did she print it out, but the woman made me a Salsa Kit. She packed up all of the cans & spices I would need for the salsa making and sent me on my way. I felt mothered. And my own mother is far away right now. And in a week I'll be leaving my littles motherless when I head to Iowa, but I know that Kay will love them as her own (with some extra spoiling, I'm sure). I am truly blessed to have in her an extra mother & a friend.
Reader Comments (13)
The 2nd reason I love it is purely selfish...the last time I posted a "blessing" it was on blessing 7. It was so reassuring that someone else has been as neglectful as I have. I have been trying to figure out how to fix this problem. You have come up with perfect solution I may steal it. THX :)