It was a good year!

I finally ate my last free Chick Fil A meal.

Miracles

Just after the new year, I got to experience one of the most amazing things.  Amelia invited me to watch her give birth to baby #6.  I was so excited.  She even asked if Brent would photograph the event.  It was kind of neat to think about how, nearly 16 years ago, Amelia had attended my first birth.  Here she is, 14 years old, watching Emma come into the world.

See teenage Amelia in the top corner?

Amelia also invited Caleb and Grace to watch.  When all was said and done, there was quite a crowd there.  So, I tried my best to stay out of the way and not be a nuisance. She started labor in the middle of the night, so we ran over and waited in her room while she labored.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned (do labors ever?) and she ended up in the hospital.  I won't go into the details, but she ended up laboring for 18 hours, needing to go to the hospital, and getting an epidural and pitocin.  

Finally, baby Abigail came.  I jumped up on the couch so I could get a better view around the crowd. Once I could see the baby coming, I pretty much lost control of emotions.  I totally blubbered.  

It was just so amazing.  Obviously, giving birth wasn't new to me, but watching it without all the pain and distractions allowed me to feel a greater sense of the miracle that birth is.  One minute there wasn't a baby, and then she was here crying and perfect.  I felt intense relief, gratitude, and awe.

I am so grateful that Amelia was gracious enough to include me.  It was something I will never forget.  And you can bet I've been over there a lot since then holding that sweet baby!