Where did the last week go?

If you've travelled to Europe or Asia there's a good chance you've had the opportunity to ride on the high speed rail lines. They're incredible in the sense that you're moving on land at a rate so much higher than is typical yet the journey is as smooth as a car ride. Our newest little bundle came barreling into our family's lives in much the same way.

It's was around 7:45pm last Tuesday when Thiele's water started to break but there weren't any consistent or significant contractions. Since we were having a home birth I quickly rushed off to Trader Joes to grab some snacks for the midwife team because I knew this was finally it. At six days overdue I returned from the grocery store around 8:10pm and the contractions had increased in intensity. It's amazing to me how incredibly unique each birth experience is and yet at the same time how many similarities. In typical fashion my amazingly strong wife (SUPER WOMAN) argued that it wasn't active labor but I insisted that we call the midwife. We had no idea that less than two hours from her first contraction we would be meeting the incredible Adrian James Reece!

That's all it took (Thiele I'm sure can attest that it took more than I'm leading on)! In a record one hour and forty minutes we were holding our fifth child, our third son, and the one our family had been so eagerly anticipating (we were also crying and smiling and laughing). It's amazing to be a week out and returning to work (side note we need to discuss paternal leave) because the memories seem so close. 

For me it's a reminder that every moment has an enormous impact and is also fleeting. We have been given the opportunity to invest in future generations by the way we love our kids. We've been entrusted with the greatest gift and called to love. It reminds me of the first time we gave birth (by we I mean Thiele) and the immediate new understanding of our father's love for us. Each and every time since I have had even more clarity around the undeniable love of our creator and I'm amazed by his graciousness in sharing this gift with us. 

Our family is embarking on a new adventure and we couldn't be more thrilled. There will of course be; obstacles, laughs, cries, fights, encouragement, exhaustion, excursion, selflessness, selfishness, memories, smiles, frowns, joy, and everything else between. Alongside all of this there is a purpose for Thiele and I as we lead our family and I hope that we will be humble in our approach and relentless in our pursuit of our father and his kingdom.