It is now summer and we are busy, busy, busy!
The kids are doing great! They are enjoying their days at the pool and exploring the Rocky Mountains. Little Sebastian just took his first holiday to Cornwall, England. It seems as though none of us have a worry in the world. ♥
"Be like the flower, turn your face to the sun." - Kahlil Gibran
Sebastian is now 5 months old...how did that happen?
Seb is growing as fast as he can. He is rolling, eating solids and melting hearts all over England (and a few in the US...)
Father's Day is fast approaching....so I thought I'd take time to list the things I love about Matt and Brett:
1. Their nonjudgmental personality.
2. The way they adore Sebastian.
3. The way they adore my other children.
4. Their generosity.
5. They believe in me.
6. They believe in my children.
7. They kept their promises.
8. They cater to Sebastian and I have never worried about his well-being.
9. They talk to me about the future and their dreams for Sebastian.
10. They always tell me I'm beautiful.
11. They actually care enough to ask my opinion.
12. I am a better person because of them.
13. I know they'll always answer when I call....even if it's in the middle of dinner or a Rugby match.
14. They taught me how to love unconditionally.
15. They are the best fathers I have ever known.
So, I have arrived home from my trip to England to see baby Sebastian and the guys. It was everything I thought it would be and more....
I honestly love all of them so dearly...
Mother's day is fast approaching and I find myself in a very reflective mood.
I have been so blessed with wonderful children and now a surrogate son.
I am not quite sure what I have ever done to warrant such love from these innocent little beings, but I'll take it.
They continue to inspire me to do my very best.
"The tie which links mother and child is of such pure and immaculate strength as to be never violated." ~Washington Irving
As a mother, I've been blessed with abundant opportunities to be present with babies. That's how I know the amazing lessons that we can all learn from observing babies and trying to emulate their joy. You didn't come forth into this world to suffer, to be anxious, fearful, stressful, or depressed. You came from the God-consciousness of joy. Just watch little babies. They've done nothing to be so happy about. They don't work; they poop in their pants; and they have no goals other than to expand, grow, and explore this amazing world. They love everyone, they're completely entertained by a plastic bottle or goofy faces, and they're in a constant state of love--yet they have no teeth, no hair, and they're pudgy and flatulent. How could they possibly be so joyful and easily pleased? Because they're still in harmony with the Source that intended them here; they have no resistance to being joyful. Be like that baby you once were in terms of being joyful. You don't need a reason to be happy...your desire to be so is sufficient. And in case your world is short on newborns right now, take a look at my surrogate-son Sebastian....
That will melt your heart. :)
What does the Bible say about Surrogacy?
We often think of surrogate motherhood as something new, the deep desire for children and the practice of using surrogate wombs is an ancient one, though pregnancy had to be accomplished the old-fashioned way rather then via test tubes and petri dishes. The concept of surrogacy is attested in the Bible as far back as Abraham, who fathered a child by the servant woman Hagar. Genesis 16 asserts that it was Sarah's idea, and quotes her as telling Abraham "You see that the LORD has prevented me from bearing children; go in to my slave-girl; it may be that I shall obtain children by her" (Gen 16:2, NRSV).
We know from reading the rest of the story that it didn't turn out as Sarah expected, but it didn't stop the practice. Both of Jacob's official wives (Rachel and Leah) reportedly asked him to foster multiple children by their handmaids (Bilhah and Zilpah) who would count as their own (Genesis 30). Rachel described the practice of having the child delivered "on her knees" in the cultural language of adoption: "Here is my maid Bilhah; go in to her, that she may bear upon my knees and that I too may have children through her" (Gen. 30:3, NRSV).
The Hebrew Bible even attests to surrogate fatherhood through the practice of levirate marriage. If a married man died childless, his brother was supposed to marry the widow and father at least one child to inherit the brother's estate and carry on his name. (Gen 38:1-11)
The most memorable example of biblical surrogacy is Jesus Christ. The gospels claim that Jesus was born of a virgin, fathered by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-35). That scenario clearly puts Mary in the role of being a surrogate mother for Jesus.
I don't expect everyone in our life to embrace our beliefs, but I do expect them to respect boundaries and not judge us because of the choices we make.
So here I am, planning my first trip abroad! I cannot begin to express the excitement! I have never been out of the country, let alone London. It will truly be a magical trip. One that has been spoken of many times, but has now materialized.
In addition to our trip, there are so many things to be excited about! We are preparing to purchase our first home. I'll admit, making a commitment like this is scary. There are so many 'what Ifs' to consider...
I know the only path that will get us there is hard work. Sometimes, I feel like I will die of exhaustion. It is hard to balance working while going to school. Not to mention the mundane tasks of running a household.
You may ask how do you do it? How do you have the time? The answer is, my children. My children motivate me to be the best woman, mother and person I can be.
Our children teach us to live outside of ourselves and to find a cause more meaningful than our own selfish desires.
A Child Learns What He Lives
If children live with criticism,
they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility,
they learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule,
they learn to feel shy.
If children live with shame,
they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with tolerance,
they learn patience.
If children live with praise,
they learn appreciation.
If children live with fairness,
they learn justice.
If children live with security,
they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness,
they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
....This poem is exactly the legacy I want to leave my children. I want them to be non-judgmental, loving, tolerant and kind.
As far as the guys and baby Sebastian, they are doing great. The baby is growing bigger every day. He has been such a joy and brought a tremendous amount of joy to the entire Griffin- Young family. I will see them in a short month's time. It will no doubt be a very joyous occasion.
Till my next update, here is a recent picture of the little guy. ♥
So, the little man in now 6 weeks old!! How is the world did that happen?? He is weighing in at 10lbs 9oz. I am seriously excited about visiting him and his daddies in 2 ½ months!! ♥
An update...where to begin...??
My guys are now back home in the UK and adjusting to life with a newborn. The nurse visitor came today and the baby is already weighing in a 9lb 2oz. She said he is "thriving".
Sebastian is growing as quick as he can and it breaks our heart. Can't he stay little for just a little while longer? He is so alert now. His eyes are so bright and Brett seems to think he'll be smiling any day now.
I can't wait till April when I get to visit!! ♥
Till then, here are some recent pics!
Sebastian with his grandpa...3 1/2 weeks.
3 1/2 weeks..
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