Twelve

My favorite twelve photos of 2012 as I did last year with links to their posts.

"You are the light of the world."
Matt 5:14

My little girl, more independent by the day.


The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 28:7

My little boy, more spunk by the day.

Be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
Ephesians 6:10

He turned one this year.

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
Romans 1:20

And spring held the new for us, with a baby to be born soon, a move and a new career for the momma.

You created my innermost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

Our bellies expanded together, my sisters and me.

For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you
Philemon 1:7

And my little ones grew their friendships.

My mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, 
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
Psalm 63:5-7

T seemed to prepare for his big brother role, becoming more and more toddle, less and less babe.

I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall always be on my lips.
Psalm 34:1

And then, our dear son was here. 

Because your steadfast love is better than life, I will praise you.
Psalm 63:3

Our family was full, full with noise, chaos and love.

Your works are wonderful, I know that full well
Psalm 139:14

And then we counted down to the twins who would join the cousin crew.

For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and to help you, plans for a hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

My little girl was more beautiful by the day, more child, less toddle.

For unto us a Child is born, a son is given and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace...
Isaiah 9:6

Yes, this year was blessed.

Precious

You have searched me, Lord,

    and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise;

you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;

you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue

you, Lord, know it completely.

You hem me in behind and before,

and you lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?

    Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;    

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,   

 if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,    

your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me    

and the light become night around me,”

even the darkness will not be dark to you;    

the night will shine like the day,    

for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being;

    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;    

your works are wonderful,    

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you    

when I was made in the secret place,    

when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;    

all the days ordained for me were written in your book    

before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, God!    

How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them,    

they would outnumber the grains of sand—    

when I awake, 

I am still with you.

Psalm 139.

Here

Here,

we've celebrated

and bunked the family.

We've dressed up, 

dressed down,

and unwrapped the surprises.

We've drunk the milk

and laid out the cookies.

We've played his toys

and puzzled to her heart's content.

Yes, 

Christmas time was here.

Twins

Babies are longed for, prayed for, dreamed for. 

And, oh, are they just the most beautiful miracles.

But, as we all know,

this journey, 

from the hope of conception 

to the sleepless nights of nausea 

to the nuzzling on your chest 

to the countless midnight wakings 

to the joys of the mystery that is named parenthood

can also be so very full with pain and heartache and fatigue and confusion.

It's really a just perfect picture of the love that has been shown to us.

We waited yesterday, 

manned the phones,

counted the minutes,

with more anticipation than we knew what to do with.

And when they arrived,

Emaline Grace and Madeleine June,

two within a minute,

couldn't have been more surrounded with love in body and spirit, 

precious tiny ones,

5lbs 3oz and 6lbs 2oz of absolute cherished loveliness.

And this solid man,
this so very proud daddy
of three beautiful girls,
husband to one amazing woman,
he beamed.

And, 

oh,

is his lady absolutely amazing

Her grace, her strength, her sacrifice, her.

What a mother she will be.

What a mother she is.

Beautiful family.

And,

of course,

their auntie is just a little proud as well.