Thursday night just before midnight the Lord brought our grandson, Joshua Jude, into the world, weighing in at 8.9.

The Lord was so very gracious in many ways through labor and delivery and even before that because last week on his due date we had snow on the ground, which is a big deal for Alabama.

We were even able to celebrate Javi’s first birthday in the snow storm as we awaited Jude’s arrival.

We were all able to get a good night’s sleep before Emma was woken up with a contraction at 5 am Thursday.

There was a storm coming that promised ice covered roads, so we headed to the doula’s home an hour and a half away to labor before going to the hospital. I followed them and Jeff stayed home with all the kiddos.

It was a very peaceful, quiet, relaxing place to labor in.

Emma’s contractions were on and off all day, so we went to the mall down the road and walked around for a while.

Once we got back to Nancy’s (the doula’s house) we had some good laughs.

(I’ll keep those stories in our family history, not public. )

Nancy made us supper… and then…

labor really kicked in…

and we made our way to the hospital.

Javi’s labor and birth (one year ago!) was AWFUL (see video here), 14 hours of back labor and all natural.

After 5 hours of active labor Joshua Jude made his grand entrance with a natural birth. It was hard, but a world of difference from Javi’s delivery. Praise the Lord!!!

It’s he just beautiful?!!!

I went home to shower and get PaPa, our younger kiddos and Javi. They were all so excited meet this little one that they have prayed for and planned for for so long!

Javi’s not too sure just yet. She doesn’t understand why she can’t squeeze him and love on him like she does her baby-dolls!

Aunt Cherish

Uncle Aaron

Aunt Victoria

And Auntie Liv who is madly in love!

So everyone is home, safe in their own nests now… and we will all learn a new normal, especially Mommy and Daddy. These two babies are 1 year and 1 week apart. I hope they grow up standing shoulder to shoulder intentionally building the Kingdom!

Jude doesn’t know it yet, but he is loved beyond measure by a bunch of crazy family who would go to the ends of the earth for him!