Giddy About Laundry

Now that I know what my little Chinese peanut weighs, I was able to haul up from the basement (well, let's be honest, Shaggy hauled!) two bins of 6-9 month girl and 12 month clothes. After a quick call to my SIL, Teagan's mommy (the cousins are 2 weeks apart in age, and weigh about the same!), and a search through the photo albums from LadyBug's first year, I determined that I will likely need a blend of both sizes for at least our trip to China. And so the fun began. It was quite a stroll down memory lane for me, and not surprisingly, a few tears were shed in the reminiscing. I had been a little frustrated earlier this week, that we were getting an 'older' baby, frustrated that we were missing her first year. Pulling out these clothes and remembering my little LadyBug in them was such a vivid reminder that a 1-year old is still such a baby! Holding up little denim jumpers next to LadyBug's long, lean 9-year old body brought a fresh rush of tears. I can't believe how quickly the years have flown by. I can't believe she was ever that little!

I put together a nice combination of two-piece 6-9 month clothing with a pile of smaller 12 month jumpers and one-piece rompers. While I was doing it, I was reminded of the prayer times I used to enjoy while folding my little ones' laundry piles. And with four kids in 7 years, I had me some serious laundry piles. And thankfully, some serious times to indulge in little snippets of conversation with my Father about the children He'd given me.

I saved the folding and putting away project for later, when I knew LadyBug and Baby BlueEyes would be around. The oooh and aaaaah fest was a special time to share with them. By the time we were done folding the first 1/2 of the pile, even the older boys had joined the perimeter of the room smiling at the cute combos and outfits. They even remembered seeing some of those clothes on LadyBug. I reminded them of when she was really starting to get her hair back in, how they used to tell me to put a bow or a headband in her hair. Even if we were just staying home that day! It was so much fun to sort all the clothing out and fill her dresser, praying over each pile and covering her from afar with my love and the love of Her Father.

I must say, given this chance to parent "again" after the whirlwind years of raising my first four in quick succession, I am thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to cherish the time of preparation. I am trying to savor the moments a bit more and remind myself regularly of the power of my prayers over her life. I've seen first hand (and still see daily) the impact that praying over my kids has, now that at least two of them are in their adolescent years. I'm so grateful that even in the crush and press for time when they were so young and "all on top of each other," I found time to pray and fill our home with the Spirit of the Lord. Most of those prayers were of the one-liner, frantic, over-the-kitchen-sink variety. And others were of the falling-asleep-in-my rocking-chair or over-my-Bible variety. But I sit here today, straddling the fence of "experienced mommy" and "new mommy-to-be" and I know beyond a shadow of any doubt that no matter the variety, those prayers were heard. They were attended to with loving care by my Father. And they will not and have not returned void.

So, am I giddy about my first load of baby girl laundry? You bet!

Psalm 61 (NIV)

1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.

2 From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.

4 I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
Selah

5 For you have heard my vows, O God;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6 Increase the days of the king's life,
his years for many generations.

7 May he be enthroned in God's presence forever;
appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.

8 Then will I ever sing praise to your name
and fulfill my vows day after day.