Children are Blessings

Today we had Xavier's baby dedication at church.  What a blessing he and Addison are to us!  We love them soooooo much and can't imagine life without them making us laugh each day, keeping us on our toes, giving us hugs and kisses, and every once-in-a-while making us a little crazy. 

God has a perfect plan for each of their lives and I can't wait to see that develop throughout their years.  Todd and I constantly remind ourselves that these two blessings have been entrusted to us for a short time...  they aren't ours, they are God's.  We get the privilege to love, train and raise them up and then send them on their own.  We get to share Jesus with them each day and show them what it looks like to love God and live it out in our lives.  God knows what the next days, months and years hold for their lives and that's exciting.  I can't wait to see where they'll live, what they will do for a profession, how they're going to serve God, who they will marry, etc etc etc.  It's comforting to know that regardless how far they move away one day or what they're future days hold, God's got them in His hands and has a perfect plan laid out for them.  

All these thoughts today made me think about our baby boy in the DRC.  I struggle each day with wondering how and what he's doing.  Did he eat today?  Does he have somewhere safe to sleep?  Does he have a blanket?  Is he fussy and have someone to cuddle him?  What has he already had to face in his short life?  I don't know the answers but God does.  He already knows our little boy and He loves him so much.  I have given our little boy to God in my heart.  I'm learning to lean on the fact that God's holding our little guy in His hands.  God knows the difficulties that our little boy is facing and none of it is surprising to Him.  He has a perfect plan laid out for him too.  I've been praying that our little guy will have a peace and comfort that only God can give him.  It hurts not to be able to physically be able to love on our little boy but God is teaching me a lot about trusting Him and relying on Him to love on our baby boy until we can get him into our arms. 

Here are a few pictures of our family at lunch today after Xavier's dedication...  

We were blessed my parents were able to join us to dedicate Xavier and have lunch today.  So glad they live close - except for the fact that our kids cry 

EVERY time we say goodbye to Mimi and Pop Pop.  

They sob like they won't see them for days...  we see them multiple times a week. Crazy kids!

Family of four for now...

Lovin' their Pop Pop & Mimi!