Baby Delaney

Sweet little girl

Delaney Rosemary Ervin was born Wednesday, she weighed 8 pounds 2 ounces. She has more hair than the other children and it is darker, as is her complexion. She is doing well and we have been blessed with a fourth, healthy, hungry baby.

Although I anticipated a high level of stress, as our rental lease ended on the new baby’s due date, I underestimated the impact that our temporary circumstances would have on our ability to enjoy the wonderful arrival of a newborn child. I truly believed she would be born healthy and that the gratitude from having each and every prayer answered would outshine any temporary inconveniences. She is healthy, beautiful, unique and perfect to me. God has provided us with an opportunity, again, to be amazed that he has had us safely in his care, He never stops.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Phillipians 8:4

We were very fortunate that my father in-law and stepson Thomas (who is a grown man now) were able to travel to Missouri and help us move all of our furniture and boxes to Arkansas. Josie and Bruce went back to Illinois to visit my husband’s parents. The animals are all alive and well, Rose and Sophia, my surviving hens are just trapped in the coop with 5 rowdy roosters.

We have had the electricity and water turned on, now we just need to hook everything up. I have a lot of boxes to unpack to clear out our “wash house,” so that we can use the water and electricity. It will be hot 105+ today, so my plan is to get up early and work on cleaning and organizing the camper before the heat really begins to make things difficult.

I am looking forward to going to church tonight and enjoyed the women’s bible study last night. So… I have been going to two different churches near our home. I don’t think they are super possessive about it, they just seem glad I am there. I don’t think it’s selfish to seek out the things that are available to help me focus on learning about God and building my relationship with Him. Still, obviously, I must recognize some sort of guilt because I am currently writing about it, and defending my choices. I enjoy the friendships I have made at one church with the women in the Bible study and appreciate the groups ability to share our experiences as wives and mothers, and to confide in, and mentor each other. The second church has fun activities for the kids, is very involved in giving to the community, and I enjoy the worship service and music. The churches have differences, but they are both helping me to be a better mother and wife. As they say, only one opinion really matters, luckily it isn’t mine.

Julie Voth - Mrs.Prairie Wife wrote an article here on substack this week and it keeps coming back to my mind as I get to be a mom to Iona and Delaney this week. She describes a tantrum her two year old had during a dinner in a restaurant and how she had a clear vision as she was struggling to get through, of her and her husband in their ‘later years’. She wrote, “I heard “future me” say, clear as day, “you know, it was hard, but I miss them. I’d love to spend another Sunday evening as a family enjoying nachos and pizza, even if only to see their tiny faces and smiles once more.”

Now is my chance.

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Thank you for reading this and for your prayers.