This week our precious Gabriel is 6 weeks old!
I know there haven't been many posts or pictures lately, but the truth is that this mommy has been on "baby-moon", followed by precious visits from special family & friends and then the reality of "baby-boot camp" as everyone went home and we have been finding our feet with new routines :0) It's been a full 6 weeks filled with lots of love and learning.
I have found so much joy in introducing this little man to my family who traveled down to meet this little prince (as my mom lovingly calls him). He has brought so much healing and joy to all of his family. On my side of the family, although he is my parents second grandson, he has been the first grandson that they have been able to hold in their arms. It was so hard for them not to hold our precious Zac, so the time they both got to share with Gabriel was a healing balm to all our hearts.
First my precious sister arrived. She has always been a pillar of strength to me, especially in Cape Town with Zac's birth and passing ... so this time, to celebrate nothing but sheer joy with no goodbye's was beyond WONDERFUL. What a wonderful aunty she has been to all my children. Thank you my beautiful big sister for always being there for all the meaningful moments in my life. You are so faithful and I treasure your friendship and love beyond words.
An hour after she flew in, my beautiful Mommy Darling arrived and boy did she come laden with gifts from herself and precious friends in the US. We felt lavished with so much love. I love these next pictures :) It's the first time she laid eyes on her little prince. Her smile says it all. Such a proud and adoring Lala.
Having her here with me for 2 weeks are special memories that I will always cherish. She helped me in 101 ways with absolutely everything, as only a mom can do. My word! I miss you mom! Is it ok that I am already counting down the sleeps till your next visit? :0) What a gift you are in all our lives. A pearl of great price :0)
Next up, my precious Dad surprised us all on Tianna's 12th birthday by driving 12 hours on his motorbike to meet his grandson and spend time with all of us. I have no words ... just a heart filled with so much love and thankfulness for the day that we got to spend with him. It is forever captured in my heart.
It tickles me pink that finally out of all 7 of his grandchildren, Mr. Gabriel has his eyebrows! My dad and I share the Mundy eyebrows and Mr. cutie now carries on the family genetics ;) I absolutely love that I can see so many of my dad's expressions in my son as it is so hard having all my family so far away. Thank you precious dad for driving all those hours for a weekend that meant the world to all of us. We love you so much.
I am learning to soak in each day, even the tough ones when baby boy cries and fights his sleep all while trying to juggle homework and run a home with older children too, because I have learned too well how quickly the days fly by until these little ones grow up and blossom like the two beautiful big girls I now have!
Each day I am choosing to count my blessings and declare God's goodness. While parenting isn't necessarily always an easy breeze, there is amazing joy in our everyday journey! I am learning to capture and treasure these many, precious moments.
What a privilege to watch my children growing up before my very eyes. Each of them colours my world with their uniqueness. Just like I see glimpses of the different traits of my family members in each of my children ... oh the joy of seeing glimpses of His amazing heart in them too as they are growing up. Isn't that exactly how it is meant to be? We have been created to look like our Heavenly Father and represent His amazing heart :0)
All my love xxx
Janine
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Always,
Mom xxxxxx