He gives and takes away

“He gives and takes away, He gives and takes away.  My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name.”

This girl and I?


We’ve been together since we were 14.  Fifteen years as BFF’s.



The four of us?  We’ve done a whole lot of life together.



From the good to the bad and ugly.  From the ups and downs, highs and lows.  We’ve been through high school, graduations, proms, engagements, breakups, long distance, move-ins, deaths, marriages and births together. 


We’ve grown up together.  Seen each other at our best and at our worst. 



I love this girl like a sister.  I am happy when she is happy and my heart breaks when she is hurt.



Just back in November, Amanda lost her mom.  Amanda is an only child and was just 10 weeks pregnant with her first child at the time.  I can not even begin to know the loneliness and emptiness she felt/feels.  I have tried to imagine what she is going through, and it is just too hard to bear.  So I just did/do what I know best to do, and just be there for her.

All of that being said, it brings me to this extremely special day.  Not that every birth isn’t special, this one was just very emotional.  You knew what everyone was thinking, but you could also just feel all of the love they had surrounding them.  It was an amazing day!

Because I work at the hospital where he was born, I got the opportunity to not only be there with them, but I got to give him his first bath and help the new momma breastfeed!  I feel so blessed to be a part of this big day!

Before surgery and anxious to meet their little man…


Dave, Finley and I waiting for Avery’s arrival…


While we were waiting in her postpartum room, I took some pictures, just for their memory!  I know that everything happens so fast, you can’t remember much as time goes by, and I want her to have all of these memories!

Her room…


The empty crib, waiting on the little man…


Avery William was born on June 8, 2013 at 3:51 pm.  He weighed 7-8 and was 20 inches long.  He is absolutely perfect!





How special is this guy??


Sweet little foot prints!


Aunt Lauren giving him his bath! 




Avery’s first hair wash!



Squeaky clean and precious!


Time for everyone to love on him…
Amanda’s daddy, the proud Papa!


The other proud grandpa, Jarrett’s dad!



The new parents!!!!


Grandma and grandson!




Dave and I with the pretty momma!


Uncle Joel and aunt Suzanne!



Momma and her sweet guy…

How in love does she look??

Some other special moments…







The new family…


A perfect little ending to a sweet story…




Jarrett and Amanda, welcome to this crazy adventure called parenthood!  It is the best, and most challenging, thing you will ever do!  We are so glad to be going through this amazing journey alongside of you.  We have been through SO much together and this is the cherry on top!  We couldn’t be happier for you!  We love THREE so much!!

“He gives and takes away.  He gives and takes away.  My heart will choose to say “Lord blessed be your name.”