So you meet someone
The only one
Take (them) by the hand
Buy some land
Make some love
And then...babies come
Raise 'em up
Raise 'em up
Raise 'em up trophy high
Raise 'em up to the sky
Raise 'em up, show everyone that newborn smile
Raise 'em up tall and strong
Raise 'em up right from wrong
Raise 'em up so damn high they can hear God singing along
These are lyrics from one of my favorite songs by my absolute favorite artist Keith urban. Every time I hear this song I look at my kids and smile. I think about this journey that we are on raising them. Watching them grow and learn and play every single day - seeing them as newborns with eyes of wonder and discovery and then all of a sudden they morph into little people with ideas and thoughts of their own. Every day is an adventure - not always easy - but we do our best to "raise 'em up" to be proud, kind, hard working, self-giving human beings.
Miss Eden Marie was born on July 6th. I don't think I realized how much I wanted a daughter until she arrived. Not that I wouldn't have been happy with a boy - I do really like the two that we already have (: but there is a certain level of excitement and unknown with adding a girl to the mix. She has stole all of our hearts, especially my oldest son Louis who has worn the biggest smile on his face from the moment he met her. He ADORES his little Eden. He talks to her, gushes over how cute she is, kisses her about 50 times a day, and helps gives her baths. Nick is sweet to her too, but is feeling the effects somewhat that she knocked him off of the baby podium.
As with all of my children, I look forward to watching Eden grow and develop into a little person. What will she like to do? Will she be shy or outgoing? Princess or tomboy (like mom)? Will her brown hair turn blonde??? I can't wait to see her interact with her brothers as she grows.
Parenthood is so crazy. It's nonstop and sometimes you just want a break. But when you do get a break from your kids, whether it be for a night out or a few days away, the one thing constantly on your mind is them. And you talk about them. And you miss them. And you are so happy when you are all back under one roof again, because well, that's when you are whole. I think it's hard to understand what real, self-giving love is until you are a parent. I sometimes tell my kid-less friends that yes, you love your spouse, but, wow, you LOVE your kids. It's different. Hard to explain unless you experience it.
Raise 'em up (:
