Harvest

Saturday, May 26, 2012

The Nursery

Today the chair that Trip slept in during his recovery was removed from the nursery. So, before this little rascal makes an appearance, I thought I would share the nursery photos.
I loved using the bedding and furniture from Jack's nursery. Since I looked for so long to find what I wanted while I was expecting Jack, I didn't have any desire to do anything new for his brother. I have added a few new touches, but the nursery is essentially the same. I like that. I like the connection the boys' rooms have from the beginning.

Trip and I found the lighthouse prints during one of our visits to Corolla, NC.
This chair is God's gift to a nursing Mama.
There's a lovely first initial that hangs above the crib. But for sneaky purposes I have edited it out of this photo. :)

One of the personal touches I put in the room was this reminder... I want to remember this truth when I'm up at 3am feeding my son or changing a blowout. He and his brother, and the future God has for us, has been our focus these past few months. We gratefully await his arrival.


Before I sign off, I must show you one more special treat. Before Baby Radtke officially moves into his nursery, he'll spend the first weeks in our bedroom. The cradle is on loan to us from my brother and sister-in-law. My brother made this cradle for his children. It is such a treasure and I love that all of our babies will have slept in it their first nights home.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Bionic Man!

Today was such a special day for us as a family!

Eight weeks ago Trip looked like this:

But as of TODAY he now looks like this:

He still has a way to go in his recovery. But at his post-op
appointment this afternoon, the surgeon cleared Trip to
take off his neck brace and resume "normal" activity!

A few weeks ago during a BSF lecture, my teaching leader said:
"Hope is an adrenaline rush...not a sedative."

As Trip and I reflect upon the last eight weeks, that "rush" is exactly
what we experienced. Sure, there were moments, or days, that were
harder than others. But because of God's great faithfulness,
and the hope that we have in Him, we did not grow weary.

~ Psalm 33.18 ~
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love...
Jackson is particularly excited that Dad is no longer in the brace.

Thank you for coming alongside us & praying us through this journey.
We are forever grateful.


Sunday, May 13, 2012

Mother's Day

My precious firstborn decided to give me his Mother's Day present a few days early this year... a nice yucky chest cold. {Apparently, he lost the receipt, so I can't even return this wretched gift.} :) So, this weekend has been atypical for me. I have been in the bed most of the weekend and doing everything to not cough out his brother.

While I have been sitting, I have had a chance to reflect upon Mother's day and truly give thanks to the Lord for the many women who have helped me to grow up spiritually and become the woman God is asking me to be.

Among those women is my mother-in-law. 
She is such a treasure to me.

Last week I had a bit of a meltdown. {No, not Kristin Radtke...} Yeah. In the midst of my humor about due dates and neck braces, I completely panicked that Baby Radtke would come early. My MIL saw right through me. And rather than scold me, she sent me an incredible note. I had to share it because I'm sure someone else needs to be reminded of God's power and plan. 
 
~~~~~
"...Right now I would remind you that the Lord has been in your womb fashioning every detail of this precious child. His attention is intensely focused upon this baby and on his welfare. He is also moving on your behalf, the welfare of a family devoted to His kingdom purposes. He will not release this baby until his design, until His plans have been completed.

Take your timing concerns, place them at the foot of the cross, and turn and walk away. 
Surrender to the perfection of his timing for this baby, for you, Trip and Jack.

That is the way of shalom.

I definitely understand your apprehension. You have been in a place of non-stop service for many months, and a rest would be nice. If
this baby comes early, it will not be by accident, but by divine purpose. And with him will come an invitation to find all you need in the all sufficiency of your loving Father.

This may all sound too simplistic, and lacking in understanding of your concerns. 
It’s not. I have every confidence in His presence in and with you, and His 
good intentions and powerful love working on your behalf.

Truly He is faithful and trustworthy. 
For this moment, find your rest there.."
~~~~~
 
I am so grateful that she is a woman in my life who points me back to the cross every time I need guidance. She does not rely on her own wisdom, she knows that in Him I can find everything I need.
 
Happy Mother's Day to each of you.

Monday, May 7, 2012

{36 Weeks!}

~It's hard to believe I'm four weeks {4!} from my due date. I could barely pull my shirt over my belly for this picture. Hopefully I'll be able to squeeze it on one more time for a 40 week picture. And yes, I did say 40 week picture. Because I am confident that you are all praying alongside the Radtkes that this baby will be on time or even...LATE. {And if you're not...shame on you. Shaaaame...ahem.} :)

~I mentioned in my 32 week post that I had noticed that this baby boy had put on some weight. Ha! That was nothing compared to the last four weeks. His jabs and kicks have literally taken my breath away. And he seems to think that he needs even more room. One night last week I woke in the middle of the night to serious pain in my ribs. I got up and checked things out in the bathroom mirror... Y'all I am not kidding. That boy had looped each of his feet on a lower rib. It took me several minutes to coax his "little" feet back down. {Apparently, he's part bat...mercy.}

~We are one week away from Trip's neck brace release "party". Following that we are hoping that he can move out of the nursery and start sleeping in a bed again. Once that happens I will put the finishing touches on the nursery and share those pictures.


~This picture is so precious to me...holding my two boys. The emotions of preparing for the arrival of our second son have overwhelmed me at times these last few weeks. Because I have been so distracted with the physical needs of Trip and Jackson during this pregnancy, I really hadn't taken the time to emotionally process what my heart is about to experience. As I play or read with Jackson, I have had to fight back tears knowing that these are the last days that it will be just the two of us together. To have wondered at one time whether I would ever have a child, it is surreal to acknowledge that I will soon be the mother to two children. But as God has faithfully given me everything I have ever needed, I am confident that He will help me to raise both of my boys as the precious individuals that they were created to be and to love them both passionately.