Daddy and Daughter Tickle-Fest

When Jillian tried to climb her daddy, he got her with some serious tickling, which they both thoroughly enjoyed!

And then they were tickled out.

By this time, Daddy was tired,,,

...as was his littlest girl.

Jillian is too far young to remember this riotous tickle time, but I'm guessing that Aaron won't soon forget this very special evening with his 13-month-old just days before his first son was born. God gives such good gifts!

Worth the Pain -- Mommy and Baby Finally "Meet"

Very soon I'll share the story of the remarkable events -- showered in God's loving grace -- that led to the birth of little Jillian.While you wait, dear reader, I wanted to offer this preview of the glorious gift of a third child that God has granted our oldest daughter, Anna, and her husband, Aaron.

The Family's Newest Little One

Newborns might just be God's most marvelous creation.

Staying with Aaron and Anna gave me the perfect opportunity to capture these photos of Jillian.

At one point as I was adjusting my camera, Mocha came over to check out the newest family member.

This big smile was Jillian's immediate response. I think the two of them are going to be good friends!

The rest of these photos can speak for themselves.

To God be the glory!

Like William and Kate?

Anna, Aaron and Jillian the morning after she was born

Today I needed to pick up a few things at Target. While I was waiting in line, my eyes wandered to one of the magazines. Instead of being repulsed by the photo as I so often am, I was drawn to a photograph of a stunningly beautiful young family. The headline read "Will, Kate and their Little Princess". As I smiled at the charm of the the British royals, I couldn't help but think of a certain family in America. They, too, are young with a growing family. They, too, have a brand-new baby girl. If featured on a magazine cover this week, their headline could read in a very similar fashion, "Aaron, Anna and their Little Princess".

This family actually has royal aspirations, too. As they raise Jillian Ainsleigh (doesn't her name even sound regal?), they will teach her about God's love for her. They will help her grasp the concept that she is a sinner (as we all are). And, Aaron and Anna will teach Jillian about God's sacrifice of His own son to pay for her sins. The other thing they will do is pray. Oh, my, but will they PRAY! They will spend countless hours on their knees entreating God to open Jillian's heart to His saving grace and mercy. Because you see, Aaron and Anna's number one goal for their brand new daughter's life is that she will fully and completely surrender her heart to Jesus. Then she will be Royalty. She will be a daughter of the King -- forever.

A Peaceful Close to a VERY Eventful Day

Dear reader, I'm eager to share the story of the addition of our newest family member, and I have begun work on the post.

While you wait, let us exult together in God's goodness. The birth process seems always to result in an exciting tale which often includes unplanned twists. Jillian's birth was no exception. She came so fast that the midwife, who had come for a routine visit earlier in the afternoon, hadn't had enough time to return!

And, yet, despite the speed of the home birth, the day ended with a deep sigh of peace. We were all resting in God's grace. Our hearts were filled with gratitude for the wonderful gift the Lord had placed in Aaron and Anna's arms. In these photos Aaron and Anna are reclining on their own bed just ready to settle in for a much-needed night's sleep.

Will Her Eyes Be Blue? Part 2

Jillian Ainsleigh is now 72 hours old. I believe we already have the answer to my earlier query about the eye color of Aaron and Anna's third daughter. Like her sisters, I believe she's going to have remarkably blues eyes. God is an amazing artist!