Harvest

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Are you my brother?

Trip took each of these photos on the boys' first visits to the pediatrician's office. Jack is on the left and Henry is on the right. There is no doubt that these two are related.
The first two weeks home have been a true "learning experience". A dear friend of mine, who recently had her second baby, joked one day that "One + One does NOT equal Two...it equals ZOO!!" And oh how right she was.

Henry is a very sweet, cuddly baby who LOVES to eat. That sweet baby was born starving. And until my milk came in I swear every time he cried I heard him saying, "I'm calling DFCS...I'm calling DFCS...this woman does not feed me..." Luckily, he has since stopped saying that. Well, at least when I'm around.
Jack is slowly adjusting to yet another change in his world. These last few months have presented so many different challenges to him and his comfort level. Those changes, along with being two months shy of turning 3, are testing all of us. But at the same time, he is a living example to Trip and me of how much our Heavenly Father loves us. If it were not for the grace that I wake to each morning, I'm not sure I would ever get out of bed.
 
Trip and Jack have made up for lost time these last two weeks. They have played every minute that they are together. Jack's affection for Trip makes my heart burst with joy.

Thank you for the calls, notes, emails, and texts of congratulations and well wishes. Thank you also to each family who has brought us a meal. We are so blessed by the love and prayer covering our family {and the incredible food that has filled our tummies.}

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Welcoming Henry

The following post is brought to you by Trip's photographic talent. After months of not being able to hold his camera, these pictures capture more than just Henry's arrival. They capture the hope and joy that we have looked forward to since Trip's surgery. Enjoy!


 
 
 
 
Jack meeting Henry for the first time.
I thought my heart was going to explode in this moment.
Radtke Party of Four!
 And finally, a picture I have waited months for...
 
~Job 8.21~
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with shouts of joy.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

His Name

Now that Henry is here and we have revealed this sweet boy's name, I had to share with you the significance of his first and middle names.

Henry ~
Together, with his big brother, a man of great honor in our family has been acknowledged. Henry Jackson is a man several generations back on Trip's father's side. He was a Methodist preacher who loved the Lord and used music to lead others into an understanding of how much God loved them. He and his wife Alice spent many years in Buenos Aires, Argentina as missionaries. Trip and I love to hear Grandma Radtke tell stories of this special man. We consider him a great standard for our boys to consider as they live a life that reflects Christ.

John ~
Trip's maternal grandfather was very special to him. He was beloved for being an incredible teacher and a loving, patient, and generous grandfather. Trip and his brothers spent hours in Papa's basement workshop, learning how to use the saw, router, and other woodworking tools. Papa also taught Trip and his brothers how to play all sorts of card games. Perhaps most importantly, Papa was known for service: whether serving in his church, as a docent at a museum, or the people in his community, Papa was always willing to lend a hand to those in need. Papa Miller's first name was Floyd. {Bless it.} So, we were relieved delighted to know his middle name was John. Thus, Papa Miller's middle name is now our Henry's middle name.

During the trials of these past few months with Trip's crippling pain, surgery and recovery, the Lord kept giving me a phrase as I focused on Henry's arrival. "He will bring you Joy." As we considered that and made it our focus, we knew that this child would be named Henry John.

Each of our boys have answered prayers that were months or years in the making. It is God's testimony to us as a family that we are in His grip and "The Lamb of God" will never let us go.

Look to the Lamb of God
~by Henry Jackson

If you from sin are longing to be free,
Look to the Lamb of God.
He to redeem you died on Calvary,
Look to the Lamb of God.

Look to the Lamb of God.
Look to the Lamb of God.
For He alone is able to save you,
Look to the Lamb of God.

When Satan tempts and doubts and fears assail,
Look to the Lamb of God.
You in His strength shall over all prevail,
Look to the Lamb of God.

Are you aweary?
Does the way seem long?
Look to the Lamb of God.
His love will cheer
And fill your heart with song.
Look to the Lamb of God.

Fear not when shadows on your pathway fall,
Look to the Lamb of God.
In joy or sorrow Christ is all in all.
Look to the Lamb of God.

He's Here!!


"Kristin, you will give birth to joy.
I, the Lord your God, 
knew what you & Trip would walk through between
this child's conception and birth...
and I choose to give you JOY."

~ Henry John ~
June 2
8lb 3oz
20.5in