Game Day...and So Much More!!

Several weeks ago, my daughter sent a text to all of her family, inviting us for a “Game Day”…. to watch the Illini game!

She shared that she would be making sliders and few other dishes, and asked each of us to bring something to share!

I was excited about this!

Not only was this another opportunity to gather together with family, but also who doesn’t love “Game Day Food”!

My mouth began to water as I saw the list of different dishes that everyone would be bringing to this fun event!

The day finally arrived, and my husband and I could hear Andrew and Bekah’s little boys already playing in the backyard as we pulled up!

It was a perfect day…the sun was shining…the temperature was perfect for being outside!

As we walked around back, Andrew already had a TV set up under a canopy with several chairs scattered around that area!

As you can imagine, the men immediately navigated to this area as they arrived…finding a perfect seat to watch the Illini game!

I went inside to help Bekah, and soon others joined us as they brought in their dishes to share!

I could soon hear my other grandchildren joining the fun in the back yard, along with Andrew’s brother’s little ones!

When we finally had all of the foot set up aside, little ones quickly went through the line with their parents…pointing out what they wanted on their plates!

And it didn’t take long for adults to follow along behind them!

The guys watched the game as they ate, and the ladies fellowshipped as we sat together at the picnic table!

After lunch, the little ones continued to play!

We all had full tummy’s and it was so nice just to sit back…relax…and enjoy the company of everyone there!

My daughter knows that I love pictures, so I wasn’t a bit surprised when she asked me if I would like to get a picture of all of the little ones together!

I immediately said that I would love it, so we began rounding them p!

As soon as we got them seated on the grass, I began snapping pictures…knowing the time for little ones to sit still wouldn’t last long!

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Andrew carrying a sign over to them!

My first thought was that it was going to say something like…”First Annual Game Day”…for a memory maker!

However, I was completely surprised when I saw a little sign with a picture of an ultrasound on it saying…”One More Baby Bruce…April 2018”!

Tears began to slip from my eyes as I quickly realized that my daughter was expecting her fourth child!

I can’t begin to express the joy that filled me heart as I looked at her glowing face!

I hugged her so tightly…wanting her to know how happy I was for her and her family!

The joy (and surprise) on everyone’s faces…and conversations that followed this announcement were priceless!

Hudson looked at the picture and began reading the words!

I could hear Beau and others saying “Baby”!

And then Hudson turned to his mom…”Is it you mom…are you having a baby”!!

His expression was adorable!

And the news finally began to sink in with the rest of the little ones!

It was a beautiful moment…a memory that is imbedded in my heart forever!

After many hugs and congratulations…the men continued to watch the game…the kids went back to playing…and we continued on with “Game Day”!

A short time later, I noticed Hudson looking at the sonogram picture!

He picked up the photo and walked over to his mama and asked,”Is this the actual size of the baby in your tummy”?

Bekah shared with him how big the baby was and that it would be growing over the next several months!

You could see Hudson taking this information in…pondering it as he walked away!

Hudson was only 3 ½ when his youngest brother was born and now he is 6 ½, so I imagine that he will probably ask several questions over the next six months!

The one thing that Andrew and Bekah can share with Hudson and his brothers is how much God loves this precious little baby growing in Bekah’s tummy.

She can share with him how God created this little baby…and HE knows everything about him.

His word states… “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well”…Psalm 139:14.

Birth…this miracle that takes place in a mother’s womb…will never cease to amaze me!

Only God could create this miracle!

And Hudson and his brothers will get to experience this again, as they watch this little one growing the next several months!

At this time, all of the boys are hoping for a girl!

But I’m sure they will be happy with whatever God blesses them with!

Game Day was fun…and truly so much more this year!

Dear Heavenly Father…thank you for the gift of life!  We pray for this little one, knowing that you have fearfully and wonderfully made this precious baby!  Keep your hand upon him or her…and mama too!  Thank you for blessing us with another bundle of joy!  We praise your Holy, Holy Name!