The Babies are Arriving!

If you are a regular "Swart Life" blog reader, you will recall this picture from one of my Christmas postings. When the Boore family gathered at the lakehouses in Bella Vista for our family Christmas, three of our girls were expecting. My niece, Shawna & husband Nathan were due in March; my niece, Shannan (who is Shawna's big sister) and husband Mike, due in April, and my daughter-in-law Carman and son Andy, who are due in May.
Well, two of those babies have been born - both early! Tristan Ezra Tunnell was born March 5th (over a week early) but weighed a healthy 7 lbs even. Here is a picture of him with proud mom and dad (Shawna and Nathan).

Such a cutie!!!

And then to everyone's surprise, little Cooper Jackson McEuen was born 3 weeks early on March 17th! He is a little guy - weighing 4 lbs, 13 ozs., at birth. My niece Shannan barely made it to the hospital...giving birth only 16 minutes after arrival - didn't even have time to fully undress! Thankfully, all went well and Mom and baby are home. Isn't he precious!?!

My sister, Bev, is "NaNa" to both of these boys, so she has been one very busy grandma. Unfortunately in the midst of all the excitement, she spent almost a week in bed with the H1N1virus and Influenza A. Thankfully, she is on her road to recovery and trying to help her girls out as much as she is physically able to. She is keeping Shannan's other two children, Madyson and Zachary this weekend to help give Shannan and Mike a break.

Congratulations to Shawna, Nathan, Shannan, Mike, Bev & Don on these blessed additions to your family!!

So the Swart family are now anxiously awaiting the arrival of our baby!! Laine Virginia is due May 1st, but if she follows the example of her cousins, she just may come early! I am amazed at the technology they have these days. This 4D ultrasound was taken of Laine at approximately 31 weeks. She seems to have some of Andy's features....nose and lips, but I'm sure she will be as beautiful as her momma!
This is Carman at 32 weeks.....pretty girl!

To our sweet granddaughter, Laine,

DeDe and Papa are so very excited at your soon arrival. We have waited a long time for a grandbaby to hold and love and you are the answer to our long-awaited prayers! We pray for you daily. Not only that you will be healthy and normal and that your delivery will go without any problems, but that you will also bring joy to all who know you. Just as I prayed the following for your Daddy (and your Uncle Josh and Aunt Rachel), I will be praying these things over you daily. My desire for you, precious girl, is that your life will always bring honor and glory to Jesus and that you will love Him with all your being.

YOUR DEDE IS PRAYING THAT:

1. Nothing will hinder you from accepting Christ early in your life - Psalm 63:1; II Timothy 3:15; Matthew 19:14.
2. You will learn to know God and have a desire to do His will - Psalm 119:27.
3. You will have a genuine love for God and His Word and that that will be a basis for making decisions in your life - Ecclesiastes 12:1.
4. You will have a keen sense of what is right and wrong - Romans 12:9; and will have a hatred for sin - Psalm 97:10.
5. You will be caught when guilty - Psalm 119:17; Galatians 6:7-8 (Oh, how your Daddy, Uncle & Aunt hated this one!).
6. You will be protected in your life physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally and socially - John 17:15; Luke 2:52.
7. You will have a responsible attitude in all of your interpersonal relationships - Daniel 6:3.
8. You will respect those in authority over you - Romans 13:1.
9. You will desire the right kind of friends and will be protected from the wrong friends - Proverbs 1:10-16.
10. You will be kept from wrong mates - II Corinthians 6:14-17.
11. You will be kept pure until marriage - I Corinthians 6:18-20.
12. You will be totally submitted to God and will resist Satan - James 4:7.
13. You will be single-heartedly sold out to Jesus Christ - Hebrews 12:1-2.
14. You will be hedged in from wrong people and wrong places - Hosea 2:6.
15. You will develop a thankful heart and a positive attitude - Psalm 126:2,3.
16. That God will protect you from Satan and from evil - John 17:55.
17. That God will destroy the enemies in your life (selfishness, disobedience, etc.) - Psalm 120:2.

18. That God will make you successful in the work He has planned for you - Psalm 118:25.
19. That you, sweet granddaughter, will have a strong sense of belonging to a loving family - Psalm 133.
20. That your entire life will be a testimony to the greatness of the love of Christ - Philippians 2:15-16.

I love you so very much, Laine Virginia and cannot wait to hold you!! Hurry, baby, hurry!

DeDe