Our Family Grows in so Many Ways......Welcome August Elliott

My heart is full as I watch my precious girl tenderly holding her new with so much love on her face. The concerns of pregnancy and the questions all fade as the skin to skin touch and deep connection glows between mother and son. This little man who grew day by day, week by week to form the newborn he is and the man he will become. Her mother's eyes reflect her love as she shares three day old August with his enthusiastic, big brother. Dada is busy meeting his families every need while patiently stopping to help three year old Felix take one more picture of his new brother. 

What a sweet time as my daughter's family bonds and just relaxes is the gift that is family. I am beyond thankful for my supporting role as Noni to this precious scene. They know I am only a phone call away perfectly content to remain in the shadows while they glory in one another. Soon Nate's family will arrive and their deep love for our shared kiddos will take center stage. I pray they know that my stepping back into the shadows is so they can revel in their sweet time with this Madlem family of four. I will be home praying for a beautiful time together. 

God has given Ronnie B and me a family that continues to increase. Over our fifty years together we have been given family through marriage, chosen families, friends and one another. Our  hearts soarsthat the family of our children's life loves are included in our family as well. That not only birth moms but also birth grandparents, aunts and uncles, and half siblings are a part of our family story. We still hold the email Barbers6 for the four children God gifted to us but the number is too big to count here decades into life as the Barbers. The bigger the family the more reasons to celebrate and get on our knees to pray over those God has placed in our llves. Perhaps I will spend sometime today reflecting on the names of all God has allowed into our story. This year we add sweet August Elliott to our tribe. What a sweet addition he is. 

We begin our lives in the arms of our father at the breast of our mother surrounded with the prayers of all those who have hearts filled with love for us. God builds families in such beautiful ways. An overwhelming sense of joy is with us today. 

In Him,

Joyful

8-26-23