As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Thursday, May 7, 2020

Welcome, Caleb!!


When you're on a (totally unplanned) blogging break, such BIG news may bring you back to Blogland. Our big news is this:


Little Caleb Mark has arrived safely! Praise the Lord!



When your baby has a baby, your heart grows. 💗



I love that photo of Kati holding her brand new dream-come-true!

And Andrew looks equally happy, doesn't he?



Caleb was a big little boy at 9 pounds, 13 ounces and 20 3/4 inches long! 


What a precious gift, this twelfth grandchildWe are so very grateful for him, and I can. not. wait. to have him in my arms! 

It is heart-wrenching for me to be so far away. Never could I have imagined that I would not be able to be with my own baby as she welcomed her first baby. When we learned that Kati and Andrew were expecting, I cleared the calendar for May and made plans to fly down for a visit within the first few days of Caleb's birth. I planned to stay and help for a few weeks. I had not been able to do that for my daughter Kristin or my daughter-in-law Sarah because I was still the mother of young children myself, but this time, I reasoned, the timing is perfect! I was so looking forward to bonding with my grandson while he was still red and new, and being a help to his parents. 

But then  . . . 

Well, you all know the "then."

Travel restrictions. No flights. "My" plans were not to be.

But this . . . 

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

And if I trust Him as I say I do, then it is good. 

(But I still can. not. wait. to have Caleb in my arms! Soon, soon!)

43 comments:

  1. Oh he is a beautiful baby! Kati looks so beautiful herself wearing that "new mother and all is right with the world" smile. Yes, Andrew looks very happy. May God bless them and may that time soon come when you will be holding him. 🙏🏼 Joy in the camp!

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    1. Thank you for rejoicing with us, Vee! Oh how I love Kati's smile here . . . you named it appropriately! ♥

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  2. Cheryl, I do feel for you, but also rejoice in his safe arrival. I'm sure it wont be too long before you will be able to give him a precious grandma hug!

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    1. Thanks so much for understanding both emotions, Barbara! ♥

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  3. Congratulations!! A beautiful baby boy. sally

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  4. He's such a beautiful baby and I know you are all thrilled! Congratulations!!

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  5. Such a blessed event and I'm sorry you had to miss it. Hopefully soon you will have quality bonding time. Congratulations to Kati and Andrew. Blessings,Sharon D.

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    1. Thank you for your (always) kind words and congrats, Sharon! ♥

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  6. Oh how sweet is this. Congratulations to mommy daddy and grandparents, too. Ugh about not being able to be there and to snuggle with him. As you say God's ways are ours to follow and be glad in. Hope that soon and very soon you can have that first snuggle. I know it will be good!

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    1. Oh yes, it will be so good! Thank you for your words of understanding, Ellen! ♥

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  7. Congratulations to all of you! What a beautiful little one he is. Love the happy photos of Mom, Dad and baby.

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    1. Thanks so much, Lorraine! I love those happy photos too! ♥

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  8. Congratulations! He's a big boy! Hope you get to see him soon.

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    1. Thank you so much, GrammaGrits! I am hoping so too! ♥

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  9. How absolutely wonderful, dear Cheryl! Such a sweet photo of Kati and her new baby. Daddy looks so proud. A new baby to love and cherish. Twelve grandchildren! How grand for your family! Praying it won't be too long before you can snuggle the newest member of your family.

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    1. Yes, it is absolutely wonderful! Thanks for your kind words, Martha Ellen! Can't wait for those Caleb snuggles! ♥

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  10. Oh my goodness! Congratulations. Kati is beautiful and little Caleb is too (though he's not so little, is he?). And Kati's handsome husband, Andrew, sure does look like a happy daddy. I can only imagine how hard it is not to see your new grandchild in person and hold him for now. I pray you'll see him soon!

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    1. Thank you, Becki, for your congrats and kind words! No, he's not so little . . . but when I get to hold him in my arms, he'll probably feel like a small, sweet bundle! ♥

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  11. Congratulations to all. Beautiful family

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  12. What a beautiful little fellow! Congratulations to all as you celebrate his safe arrival and as you anticipate and yearn for those first hugs and snuggles and kisses.

    Brenda xox

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    1. Thank you so much, Brenda! We are rejoicing . . . and anticipating . . . ♥

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  13. He's a beauty! I'm so happy for you all!

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    1. Thank you for rejoicing with us! And soon, I'll be rejoicing at your happy news! ♥

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    1. Oh, how wonderful to have another grandchild! Just clicked over to read Katie's updates on her blog, what a year for them!
      Trust you'll get to see the new family soon.

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    2. Yes, it has been a big year for them! Thanks for your sweet comment, Melissa! ♥

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  15. Congratulations to the parents AND the grandparents! I love his middle name too! I hope maybe by now you have face-timed with Caleb and his parents to help with the wait for the in person visit. Things are slowly opening up down here. By the way, ours had a nickname: KB, and when older, and still: Cabe. :-) I know your arms are aching to hold him!

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    1. Thanks so much, Dotsie! We have Skyped a couple of times (easier to get more people in the screen via the laptop) and I want to just reach right in that screen to get some snuggles. Soon! 💙

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  16. Congratulations! Such a beautiful mama and baby, and a proud father. Welcome, indeed! His name is lovely. I hope you will soon be able to go visit and cuddle that precious bundle while helping out for a bit.

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    1. Thank you, Lorrie! They are a beautiful family. (I added a new family photo onto my sidebar over the weekend.) We are hoping to visit them soon . . . not soon enough, but soon! ♥

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  17. Oh Wow! Congratulations everyone! He is adorable and perfect. A dozen grandchildren - you are truly blessed! When you finally hold him it will be such a joyful day! Take care and stay well.

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    1. Thanks for the happy congrats, Rosella. We do feel very blessed with our dozen! Thank you, too, for the perspective of your words, "When you finally hold him it will be such a joyful day!" That is so much better than feeling sorry for myself that I have to wait. ♥

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  18. Each baby is beautiful and precious!
    Congratulations on number 12!

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    1. I agree with that wholeheartedly, Christine! Thank you for the congrats!

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  19. Congratulations, to all, Cheryl! Little Caleb, is absolutely beautiful! Praying you get to hold that dear grandchild soon.

    I certainly can relate to blogging breaks.
    Blessings,
    Sue

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    1. Thanks so much for your congrats and kind words, friend! (Yes, sometimes blogging breaks just happen. 😉) Blessings to you!

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  20. Cheryl, he's adorable! I always say the one good thing about a big baby is that they are a lot less scary to handle for first-time parents! Hope you get to be with him soon.

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    1. Thank you, Jean! You're right about a bigger baby feeling sturdier and less scary. Of course, Kati is a first-time parent, but she's been holding babies since she was seven years old . . . first her baby sister, then her eleven nieces and nephews!

      Soon(ish)!

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