love, love this post. Thank you!

lovely post Amy. One of my best friends, who I often swap childcare with, loves and treats my son John as I do. (He even sometimes calls for her instead of me when he's in trouble! lol) It's such a gift to have someone who loves your child the way you do.

This post helped remind me of all those people I am so thankful for.

"We don’t minister to gain; we minister to give."

This really struck a chord with me. I have to often remind myself that all that I have is by Grace and is a Gift! Our gifts and our faith mean nothing, unless we give them away.

This is a great challenge for all of us. I'm also reminded how I need to encourage others to stir up their own gifts. I find a lot of people my age just getting by or wasting time on a lot of things, and not really giving themselves away. It's amazing what could happen if we put the gift of encouragement into action.

Thanks for your words, Chris.

Thanks Dana. It looks like we have a few things in common :) I agree completely about putting the first loves first!

First off, Congratulations Chris, to you and Anna! It looks like Anna and I may be due around the same time :) I am so thrilled for you guys.

I know people have lots of advice to give and we are only 17 months into parenting, but I would say this far into it all, to allow God to direct your steps (Prov. 16:9) and the path that he has for your children will come after that. When we're in God's word and in prayer, we are much more in tune with the needs of our son John. Right now his sinful nature is starting to come out (more so), and we're disciplining him. It can be really tough but we're trying to lean on the Lord to help us walk in the Spirit and not get angry or frustrated.

Parenting is all about God's grace. And we're constantly learning to depend on the Lord and I will say, more so than we've ever had to before. Children change your life but they also change you.

I'm not sure if we're ready for #2, but when would we ever? I'm sure it's the same for you guys. It's a lot like marriage, how you just sort of dive in. Don't worry, when you look into your baby's eyes for the first time, it will all come step by step :)

Wonderful post.