My wife and son are amazing!

First of all, I am blogging on behalf of Julie. I don't know how much is too much but I wanted to share some pictures. But before I do here is the summary. After 22 hours of labor and 2 hours of hard, hard pushing my wife birthed our son Josiah Paul. All 7 pounds and 9 ounces and 20 1/2 inches of him. He was born at 11:13pm on Wednesday 8.6.08 in Denver, CO. Mom and baby are doing amazing! And he has more hair than his dad already. Thank you for all of your prayers. Proud and happy dad. PJ

Daddy's special gifts for Josiah!

PJ was given an arrow by several of his buddies to symbolize God's blessing in giving us our precious Josiah! Now he needs to fill up a WHOLE quiver! We will proudly hang this above his bedroom door as a reminder of God's faithfulness in giving us our heart's desire.

Psalm 127:3-5

Sons are a heritage from the Lord,

Children a reward from him,

like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth;

Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.

Also, you may notice he's holding a rather SCARY looking knife... this was also a gift from his friends that he is to pass on to Josiah to initiate him into the world of hunting when he comes of age.

BUT, they also suggested he cut the umbilical cord with this same knife at Josiah's birth. Mom (ME) thought that was pretty far-fetched, but it turns out that our Dr. thinks it's cool... so THAT SCARY KNIFE is packed safely with all the cute little newborn outfits for our trip to the hospital!!!! Our Dr. just told us we'll notify the nurses just before Daddy pulls it out so as not to scare them, and to make sure not to poke Mom with it!

Grandma Carrie keeps sending Josiah the cutest stuff... Here's his camouflaged stuffed teddy bear taking a ride in Josiah's tonka truck! Daddy has quite a bunch of camo-styled baby stuff to dress Josiah up in :)

10 DAYS TIL DUE DATE!

Here I am packing for the hospital--I can't believe how soon he could be here... pretty much any minute now. Look at these little newborn diapers and shirts- SO CUTE!

Can't wait to meet this little guy!

But, no new news from the Doctor today, so we just wait now...

Showered with LOVE!

Lori and Julie threw me a shower and it was such a beautiful time with all my dear friends in Colorado AND so great to have both my Mom and Melinda there, too! (notice the tower of donuts! they know me too well!) They spoiled Josiah rotten just like my CA friends... I'm telling you, this kid is LOVED! They gave us a group gift of the glider and ottoman that I registered for... such a blessing!

AND what fun to be pregnant with these lovely ladies

(Sarah, me, Melanie, and my sister, Minna!)

Contractions, swollen feet, stretch marks & 70% effacement!

It's pretty amazing that God decided to put babies in tummies. Here I am at 37 & 4/7 weeks! Went to the Dr. today and am 1 cm. dilated and 70% effaced... stuff is happening!

Here's a close-up of those swollen feet- OUCHIE!!!

I've lost my cherished ankles!

Good-bye at Ransomed Heart-- so SAD!

My time at Ransomed Heart (2 and a half years!) was an absolute gift from God...the people I was able to work with, the dear friends I made, the unbelievable miracle stories I was able to see unfold at the Wild at Heart Boot Camps and Captivating Retreats, and an amazing work environment that allowed me to grow, be challenged, and experience God's heart for me on a daily basis.

I'm so happy that I get to stay home with Josiah full-time, but I also truly grieve having to leave such a wonderful place with such WONDERFUL people!

These are the LOVELY ladies that I got to work with (Sue, Polly, then me, Julie J., and Amanda) that are also all close friends. Thankfully, the Outpost (our office) is only about a mile away...think I've been there almost every day for one reason or another, but mostly to re-connect with them.


At my Good-bye Party, they spoiled me rotten with a chocolate fountain, our stroller and carseat!!!, a slideshow, flowers, balloons, and beautiful treasured words! I felt extremely loved! Check out this blog from my buddy, Craig, about me leaving~ so very sweet: http://www.ransomedheartblog.com/craig/2008/07/julie-m.html

This is Lacey, Gary's daughter, that had an "office" down the hall.

Some of the gang...

Auntie Polly helping put our new stroller together!

Getting the Room Ready!

Daddy, Gramma & Papa all working hard to get Josiah's room ready!

It's turning out so cute- everyone needs to come visit!