...just because

This is sweet Kate, 3 weeks from her birth date. She is a precious baby and we thank God over and over for His kindness in giving her to us.

The prom -- 2009

Every year, Jeff's firm gives a dinner dance at the Hotel Hershey for all it's attorneys. It's a fun evening and we enjoy the chance to dress up a bit. (Jeff even taught himself how to tie a bow tie this year for the event.) We are very thankful to Kate for coming early. Otherwise, I'm quite sure I wouldn't have been up to going if she'd come on her due date. She was a superstar and took a bottle while we were gone so that Jeff and I could have a relaxing first-date-after-baby.

so, it's been two weeks....

Kate will be two weeks old tomorrow. A lot has happened during those two weeks and to do a quick catch up, I thought I'd share a few of the (many) pictures that have been taken over that period of time....

This was taken Kate's 3rd day of life--what love she has received from her brother and sister!

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She enjoyed her first bath. As the top picture suggests, she did not enjoy coming out of the bath.


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There have been many visits from friends and family. On Saturday we enjoyed a visit from about two thirds of the vB family. The kids loved having time with their cousins and the 2 newest additions (Kate & Brianne) were able to meet.

(Here are 6 of the 10 cousins that were in the house on Saturday--Kassie, Gracie, Aleta, Joshua, Paul and Joost. Kate and Brianne you see above and Michael and Caleb missed the camera frenzy.)

Tuesday's Child

Monday's child is fair of face

Tuesday's child is full of grace

Wednesday's child is full of woe

Thursday's child has far to go

Friday's child is loving and giving

Saturday's child works hard for a living

But the child born on the Sabbath Day

Is fair and wise and good and gay.

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Today we welcomed the newest member into our family. Kate Marjorie was born at 11:18 am and weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces and measured 19.5 inches. She surprised us all by arriving 10 days before her due date. She is beautiful and the kids adore her already.



The name Kate means "pure" and is an attribute that we hope will characterize her life. Marjorie is the name of Elizabeth's maternal grandmother who passed away many years ago, but is still loved dearly.



We praise God for this wonderful gift of a daughter and pray that she will love Him with all her heart and serve Him all her days.

New Year

When I sit down in the mornings to read scripture, I also start by reading from The Valley of Vision (a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions) to quiet and focus my mind and heart before opening God's Word. Today's reading happened to fall on a very timely prayer called "New Year". It is the prayer of my heart as I enter 2009.



O Lord,

Length of days does not profit me except that days are passed in thy presence, in thy service, to thy glory.

Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour, that I may not be one moment apart from thee, but may rely on thy Spirit
to supply every thought,
speak in every word,
direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire to show forth thy praise, testify thy love, advance thy kingdom.

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year, with
thee, O Father, as my harbour,
thee, O Son, at my helm,
thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.

Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
my lamp burning,
my ear open to thy calls,
my heart full of love,
my soul free.

Give me thy grace to sanctify me,
thy comforts to cheer,
thy wisdom to teach,
thy right hand to guide,
thy counsel to instruct,
thy law to judge,
thy presence to stabilize.

May thy fear be my awe, thy triumphs my joy.