Corie had her baby!

It seems like the word hasn't really got out yet. Corie and Scott had their baby. August 7th, 9:04 pm. Little boy, Tyler Clifton. Apparently, Clifton is for Scott's grandfather...hope I have that right! He was 8lbs 14 oz and 22 inches long. Great size - bigger than both of my kids! He's cute. Corie totally had the birth she wanted, I'm so happy for her (and a touch jealous...since I don't ever get the birth I want...nor will I anytime soon). The new family seems to be settling nicely into life together, but it's not been totally easy. Then again, like I tell Corie, the first little while is never easy. Lots of nursing, not lots of sleep, lots of poop. Fun days....I kind of miss them actually.

Corie has been keeping in touch pretty often with me. I'm feeling a little glad that she feels like she can ask me the "been there, done that" questions. I've also been asked to be a mentor mom in a local parenting program. Apparently, around town, I'm getting the reputation of being a "caring, loving and good mom with creative ideas" Who knew? There are quite a few moms and moms to be who have asked me for my opinion on things lately. Even my in-laws made good comments on my parenting while they were here! I'm finding it strange to be in the place of experienced mom...since I still feel pretty new to all of this mommy stuff. And with all the people around me who are pregnant or new moms, I finding myself increasingly in the role of encourager.

It's funny, in the last year or so I have been saying that my primary ministry is to my family. The more I find myself focused on that *being* my ministry, the more I'm finding that I'm being led into ministry to others who are learning that ministry too. And here I have been, hiding from leadership in most aspects for the last few years, and more things are falling into my lap. It's great too for me to focus on what I do everyday as being ministry....keeps me much more focused on the long term instead of getting frustrated at the minute details...not that I don't get frustrated sometimes, but keeping my focus on ministering to my family makes the harder bits more managable.

Speaking of harder bits, wish my kids would nap better. On the bright side, Isaac is doing a great job in his swimming class. I'm thinking tomorrow we won't even use the lifejacket and see how he does with his floating and bubble blowing.