Afternoon awakening...

Sometimes when you're alone in a car full of sleeping kids and a screaming newborn you're given glimpses of the incredible stories unfolding. Of course the screaming can be distracting but as you're able to comfort your little one you realize just how much you've been entrusted with. People keep asking what it's like to have five kids and I often respond "it feels largely the same, we were outnumbered before and we continue to be". Obviously this is my lame attempt at moving past everyone's shock of our family size which far exceeds statistical averages. 

While I often look in the mirror and see a quickly aging 45 year old (dad bod to the extreme) I have yet to actually reach thirty...

And the shock continues... Honestly this may be one of the best opportunities I have to share what an incredible privilege it is. Sure, some days seem eternal and there are nights that feel the same but better than that are each of the moments in between. In the stillness (or if you can function in chaos which I believe can be learned) you start to realize that you've been entrusted with a generation. Your family is your greatest gift from God and the greatest gift you give back to the world. If you have kids let that sink in. One day our kids will be charged with the responsibilities we're currently facing; building community, loving others, working the land, providing for family, caring for us (I really don't want the retirement community...). 

And so as I snuggle my fifth child with numbers three and four passed out nearby I'm painfully aware of how quickly time is passing, how quickly they're becoming their own person and how quickly they'll be a contributing member of the global community. We have to be intentional with our pursuit of their little souls and give them abundant grace to learn and to stumble. Our love has to be big and the source has to come from our Father who is able to equip us for the challenge. Right now I need more help than I'm often willing to admit. I need grace too. 

As parents let's step up together to the greatest adventure we've ever been on and biggest gift we will likely receive. In the end I want to know that my kids know the love I have for them and I want them to go forth and share the same love with the next generation. 

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.