The Hands of My Love

Those Dear Hands...

I remember the very day we first met, we were sitting at the kitchen table playing a game with my parents. I asked you how you got the scar next to your thumb, though I wasn't sure if that was something I should ask about, having just met you. Even then, I remember thinking that your hands looked so strong and kind. 

Those Dear Hands...

I'll never forget when you slid that gorgeous, intricate diamond ring onto my finger after asking me to be your wife. You took my left hand in yours for just a moment, and I knew that I would say yes a million times over to being yours for the rest of my life.

Those Dear Hands...

I remember the morning of our wedding, a couple hours before the ceremony, when I reached around the corner of the wall (so you couldn't see me! :) to take your hand as we prayed together. It was the first time we'd held hands, and mine fit so perfectly into yours.

Those Dear Hands...

They gripped mine with seemingly inexhaustible strength and comfort as I agonized to bring our sweet babies into the world.

Those Dear Hands...

They held me close and so gently wiped my tears as I wept over the way I didn't recognize myself in the mirror anymore. And even many more times since, when I have wept over much sillier things than that.

Those Dear Hands...

They work so hard every day to provide for us. And yet they are always ready to help me with the dishes or a diaper change when I'm weary.

Those Dear Hands...

I watch them as you play with our boys, tumbling their little bodies around in pillow fights and tickle fights. As you teach their much smaller, chubbier, and less coordinated hands how to catch a ball out of the air. 

Those Dear Hands...

They are always ready to do a kindness for others. Always ready to reach across in the car to take my own. Always loving and gentle.

My dear husband, your hands are a sweet reminder to me of the hands of my Saviour. They are Christlike hands, for with them you do so many Christlike things. And I am deeply, richly blessed to hold your hand in mine, till death do us part.

All my love,

Your MK

Long Overdue Announcement...!

Hello, friends!
Wow...so much has happened since I last posted!!

As I'm sure most of you have guessed by now, we had our little boy join the family. :) Eben Gray was born on April 16 (How is he already a month old?!) at 1:30 p.m. He weighed 7lb, 10 oz...not so big as we expected considering that he was 2 days late and I was approximately the size of a tanker truck! ;P His name is pronounced just like "even" but with a B.

Due to the COVID craziness, we actually ended up switching our birth plan from midwife assisted hospital birth to home birth at 37 weeks along. This was a pretty drastic decision to make so late in the game, but it was made easier by the fact that I would potentially have had to give birth without my husband if we had stuck with going to the hospital!! That wasn't something I even wanted to consider. I couldn't imagine having Luke miss such a precious event as the birth of our first child! (I also couldn't imagine going through labor without his support!)

As difficult as the circumstances of the switch were, I honestly am so thankful we did a home birth. It was such a calm and non invasive experience compared to the hospital. We had all the comforts of our own home, complete control over the environment, no beeping monitors or bright lights or people coming in and out...all around it was just a sweet experience. Plus, I got to do a water birth, which I wanted all along, but our hospital didn't allow, so I had given up on that idea. While our midwife was here and available for us throughout the labor, she mostly just stayed in another room within earshot and let Luke and I be alone as we went through the hard work of bringing Eben into the world together.

I was in hard labor for 15 1/2 hours, with 2 1/2 hours of pushing time. It was so, so difficult and exhausting, but obviously very worth it for our sweet little man! Luke was SUCH an incredible help and comfort to me through all the long hours of pain. He stayed by my side every moment, encouraging and supporting me both physically and mentally. I am truly blessed with a wonderful husband!

Little Eben has been such a joy to us over the short time we have had him in our home. He is a very serious little chap...still haven't seen him smile except by accident in his sleep! ;)

Here are a few pictures for you! :)

And here is one from his 1-month pics a few days ago.

We are quite in love with our little peanut! :) So thankful for a safe delivery and a sweet healthy son!
Mykaela