Joyful Domesticity

Gabriel got his first haircut on Easter. No more temptation for me to give him pigtails, haha! He looks so grown up now, all trimmed around his ears and base of his neck. My adorable big boy. xx

For our Resurrection Feast, my parents took us to an incredible Champagne Brunch after church. This is Steven with the dessert table, complete with chocolate fountain. I’m not even going to show you the other tables full of feasting goodness. Mmmmmmm!!

Gabriel was such a good boy. He loved watching the fish swim around in the fountain there, too.

Family Photo!

We believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of Heaven and Earth,
and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord…

On the third day He rose again from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty!!

Amen!

The Lord is risen!!
He is risen indeed!!

His resurrection reminds us that there is hope ~ it solidifies our faith for the future.
No more tears, no more death, no more sorrow.
Hallelujah!!

We believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of Heaven and Earth,

and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, Who…
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into Hades…

Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Holy His will abideth.
I will be still whate’er He does,
And follow where He guideth.
He is my God,
Though dark my road.
He holds me that I shall not fall
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

Whate’er my God ordains is right,
He never will deceive me
He leads me by the proper path,
I know He will not leave me
I take, content,
What He hath sent
His hand can turn my griefs away
And patiently I wait His day.

Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Though now this cup in drinking
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it all unshrinking.
My God is true,
Each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Here shall my stand be taken
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken.
My Father’s care
Is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to Him I leave it all.

With aching hearts, we share the news that our third baby has left my womb and flown to the streets of Paradise. Joining our first child, Covenant Hope, this new baby of ours now resides in the presence of Almighty God.

Trusting in His great providence and knowing that He does all things well, we have named this baby Glory Hesed.
Glory — for not only does our child now live and praise the King in eternal glory, but we know that this child’s life & death were both accomplished for the glory of God.
Hesed — the Hebrew word for God’s covenantal love & faithfulness, to which we cling.

Please rejoice with us over this third arrow in our quiver, and please mourn with us as we feel the great loss of this little image of God.
May we resound with the hymn,

“Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.”

This afternoon we got to go visit the Bennetts again (now that they are home! yay!) to oogle at the sweet twins. Gabriel is pretty much infatuated with his cousins. It’s so cute. But then again… we’re all infatuated with them, it’s just a necessary reaction. 🙂

Gabriel was playing with his toys earlier, then was excited about removing his socks & staring at his hands. Have I mentioned that he also waves hi/byebye now??

Gabriel, seeing Hannah and desperately wanting to touch and cuddle her! So cute.

He loves the babies’ heads, and I love this picture of the three grandkids together.

Grandmama with Noah, right before she got to help give him some lunch.

Five pound angels!

Noah & Hannah’s nursery — including the amazing changing table Grandpapa made. The cribs are in the works now! 🙂

Grandmama with her two grandsons; Ashley with her two babies.

Baby Photo Shoot!
 
I love these family pictures. 🙂

Time for a boys photo shoot!

Maybe this one is my favorite of the boys.

Praise the Lord!! Our God is good and faithful, and has brought our two newest family members safely into our arms.
Colin & Ashley Bennett are now the ecstatic, overjoyed parents to beautiful & healthy twins,

Rejoice with us over these wonderful olive shoots we have the privilege of loving. 🙂
And please pray with us for God’s grace to continue abundantly upon the Bennett household.

 
L: Hannah (she looks just like Ashley)
R: Noah (he looks just like Colin)
 
L: Auntie!!! loves her niece and nephew.
R: Gabriel, meeting his best friends.

L: I love this picture of their precious little faces!
R: Gabriel is already excited about his best friend Noah, and teaching him all kinds of things about being a boy.

L: Auntie with niece
R: Uncle with nephew

L: Grandpapa and Grandmama and Colin… and Hannah (wide-eyed!) and Noah (sleepy!).
R: I love this picture of Colin and his little son.