It was an honor and a priveledge!

For those of you who knew that I would be in the Delivery Room with Beth while she delivered Collin, you may be wondering just what it is like to experience everything that goes along with that adventure.

I mean...I am not Beth's relative by blood, or a midwife, or a nurse, doctor or even a janitor(there were janitors who popped in the room while I was delivering the twins).

But I am apparently a trusted friend! And from that perspective I can give you some of the best insight into the experience.

I absolutly count it a gain to have experienced Collins birth. It isn't like watching someone's girl parts in horror b/c you are worried about the "rawness" of it all. It is like watching a miracle. It is like praising God because while you are in the moment of the actual presentation of the baby everything COULD go wrong. And you realize that no matter who you are or what you know...it doesn't matter.

God WAS in control. And experiencing birth changes you. Even if you have had children and remember giving birth...watching it is just different. The pain that Beth was in was part of mankinds punishment but God was gracious by making her labor short and Collins presentation fast. He was in control when he allowed Beth to make it to the hospital and when he allowed her parents to arrive prior to her leaving so that they could watch the kids.

He was in control.

And he still is.

Because you see....the thing that really got to me is that the miracle of childbirth is just the beginning of the miracles to come.

So often I want to take the control and because our God is so gracious he actually has allowed me to think that I am in control for a little while. And then I get reminded so gently of his prescence in our lives, and how I am absolutly hopeless without it.

So today I praise God because my children are all still alive with me. Because they are healthy, happy, smart girls. And because we are not parenting alone. We both bow to a holy and all knowing God. Who knew ahead of Beth all about Collin.

So to Beth and Dan I say thank you! Beth you really did such a good job! You showed your true self yet again and have nothing to be ashamed of! Your determination during labor was what God intended when he created childbirth. You did it girl! And I am so proud of you!

Welcome to the world Collin Isaiah! You are a beautiful boy with a beautiful family. May you come to know the Lord who helped your momma through your delivery.

Love you girl!