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.}

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.

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

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.

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.

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.