::wahoowa!::

we are virginia bound!!

we will catch up as we settle in on the east coast!

wish us well as we travel the 24 hours from TX to VA!

::chief::

sweet finn,

how is it possible you are four??  some days i feel like it was just yesterday that i was so anxiously awaiting your arrival and doing everything i could think of to urge you along.

and other days, it seems like you have been four for a while already.

you are such a sweet big brother and are always looking out for anyone who is younger than you. you have the most inquisitive mind and love all things factual.  you constantly compliment lily and love spending time together.  you have so much patience and do things on your own time...and it has been such a beautiful lesson in patience and smelling the roses along this journey of life.

you have been looking forward to "june 26th" for months on end and we are so excited to celebrate you today.  you bring so much love, wonder and amazement to our family.  

today, as we celebrate you turning four, i am realizing how big you truly are as i have started to refer to you and lily as "the big kids."  

you are such a gift to our family and we adore all that you are, finn wiley smith.

we love you so very, very much!

happy fourth birthday, finn!!!

pam and jason so generously threw a joint party for finn and jack's fourth birthday.  it was filled with all things boy -- lots of cars, swimming and eating delicious food.  thank you, kovac family!!!

::the many faces of della may::

::texas pride::

::amazing::

Whit is heading to Uganda this fall to get involved with a movement to combat local injustice. She is raising money to support her trip and is giving away a Calphalon convection oven. Head over to her blog to enter to win and support her!

http://whitneybiber.blogspot.com/

::surrounded by love::

we are so thankful that whit so generously came all the way to texas to meet her newest niece.

della could not have been happier than snuggled in her arms.

whit was truly immersed in all things that come with four kids, but she didn't bat an eye.  between fort building, kid bathing and meal making, we managed to find time for a few walks, a few iced coffees, some delicious food and lots of wonderful time talking.

thank you so much for coming all the way here, whit.  it warmed all of our hearts.  we are so blessed by you!

::three 3 and under::

finn's birthday will be here before we know it.  

but for now, this little trio of three are all 3 and under.

and my heart swells to see how these two boys have risen to the occasion of being a big brother to their sweet sister.

she is so well loved.

and lily could not be a more loving big sister.

these four are a constant reminder of the Lord's goodness and love.

::one week::

::these first few days::

have been beautiful...

your first birthday cake

so happy to go home

finn wrapped his prized possessions for you as a homecoming gift

adoration

is there anything better than a new baby to love?

::beauty::

della may smith

5 june 2013

7:59 am

8 lbs 

19 1/2 inches

oh miss della.

we are absolutely in love with you.

you are such a gift and blessing to our family already.  your birthday was the perfect perfect day.

my water broke around 1:30 am on wednesday morning.  i tried to rest until 2:30 when the contractions started.  once they started, they were about every 3-4 minutes.

once i realized you were going to make your entrance, my mind started spinning with things i wanted to take care of.  i told your daddy that we were going to have a baby soon and i got up to do laundry and clean and do dishes.  i showered around 3:30 and the contractions became much closer together. 

 i was hoping labor would last a while so that lily, finn and crosby could sleep longer and we would not have to wake the kovacs  up early to help us watch them.  but, by 4:30, i realized you were going to make an entrance sooner than i realized!  ryan got up to get ready and i was still determined not to wake anyone up before 6.  but, by 5:30, he had the wisdom to tell me we needed to start moving toward the hospital.  i am so thankful that he knows me so well to know that we should not wait much longer!  he swiftly got lily, finn and crosby up and dressed.  finn was so excited for you to come that he could not stop smiling and patting my back.  and lily was so excited and nervous for your entrance!

pam was amazing and got to our house swiftly to pick them up for the morning.  we could not be more thankful for their generosity in watching your siblings for those very early morning hours and providing our kids with such a sense of security during such an exciting time!

we made it to the hospital at 6:45 and got checked in.  i was 6-7 cm and i could tell that you were going to come soon!  they had to start antibiotics, but otherwise let me labor on my own.  after we were there for about 30 minutes, i felt like i was getting close, and i was told i was at 8 cm.  after about 10 more minutes, i told them that i thought it was time and i was at 10 cm and ready to push!

you were so ready to make your entrance!  you came out in such a hurry with only two pushes and they kept telling me to slow down!  but, you had plans of your own!  you were ready to meet the world!

when you were born, the doctor announced that you were a girl.  your daddy and i were absolutely shocked and tears of joy and adoration just streamed down my face.  you are such a perfect gift from the Lord to our family!  we truly could not believe we were blessed with another sweet, perfect daughter.  lily and finn were positive the entire pregnancy that you were going to be a girl -- and they were beside themselves to meet you yesterday.

as i look at you today, i am absolutely overwhelmed by the Lord's goodness--

i never would have thought we would be able to get pregnant naturally.  

i had so much trepidation about being pregnant after crosby's tumultuous pregnancy. 

and i never thought that our family would be blessed with another little girl.

God is so good. 

and so very faithful.

you are amazing, della may.

we adore you. 

hapy birthday!