this (part 3)

this is where i have rocked and cuddled and rocked and snuggled and rocked and sang to my sweet baby boy. this is where i have been greeted with squeals and flailing arms of excitement to be picked up.

this is also where emma slept in this same crib in this same room when she was a baby. i remember one night when she was about a year and a half old. i had put the girls to bed already and was making a late dinner for russell and i to eat when he got home from worship practice. normally she would go to sleep pretty easily, but this night she wouldn't do it. i couldn't stay with her too long because i kept having to come down to check on the dinner i was cooking, but after being with her a few times it was clear that she wanted russell before she would go to sleep. she was really upset about it and he headed home a little early to get here. he went up to her and kissed her goodnight, letting her know he was there, and then she immediately fell asleep after an hour of being upset. it was so sweet. she just needed her daddy.

russell got a clear picture that night of us and our relationship with our Father. what if we longed for Him and His presence so much that we just had to spend time with Him before we could sleep? before we could live, breathe, and move? before we could be okay? before we could be at peace enough to rest?

this has been a room of comfort and rest, and sometimes a lot of baby crying in the middle of the night. and sometimes a lot of baby crying during the day (generally when we are teaching them how to go to sleep without me there constantly).