Welcome Emma Alison

Welcome Emma Alison Brassell, our Christmas miracle! 

What a joyous celebration it was welcoming Emma to our family. The night before Christmas Eve, John and I set up presents and watched “Christmas in Connecticut”. We rolled over to go to bed, and at 12:02 AM my water broke. I told John and he was so excited. We hurriedly got everything ready and woke up the kids at 1:00 AM exclaiming “Santan came!” By 1:13 AM all the stockings were emptied and presents opened. John and I scurried out the door instructing the kids to charge anything they wanted to play with in the morning, but to get some sleep! 

Labor was long and inconsistent. It was difficult and exhausting, and I was so grateful to have John there with me. 

At 12:04 PM Christmas Day, Emma entered the world. The doctor placed her in my arms and I exclaimed ”oh! You’re finally here. We’ve waited so long for you.” I was so emotional. It was a moment when time seemed to stretch out and I felt I knew her before. 

When Emma was born, she didn’t cry, or even whimper. She looked around and seemed like she was trying to absorb her surroundings. She seemed so present. It took a few minutes of jostling her to get a cry, and even then it was so short. 

We sent pictures to the kids, who were at church. I am so grateful for our ward family who surrounded the kids and celebrated Emma’s arrival with us. The kids were so excited to meet her and hold her. 

That night, Cate spent the night with me and Emma at the hospital. We watched Christmas episodes of “Friends” on the the TV and just stared at our perfect baby all night long. 

It was the best and longest day ever. As Cate slept on the couch next to me and Emma in my arms, I felt so much joy. My girls. I prayed they would stay close and look out for each other. 

The next morning the boys rushed in the room and again it was a battle of who would get to hold Emma next and who was her favorite. John and I hugged and he leaned in and said, “we did it, she’s finally here.” 

It was so precious to share the joy with those kids. 

Day one of a long and happy adventure. Emma, ready or not- Welcome to the Brassell Family, we’ve been saving a spot for you.

William the NINE Year Old!

 William is such a fun child to celebrate. The days leading up to his birthday he was so excited and very sweet. I am so grateful we had a day to appreciate such a wonderful boy!

The Many Faces of Cate Elizabeth

 When I left  my phone in the car to pick up Johnny from a friend’s house, Cate found ways to keep herself busy. She cracks me up.

Homework

I have a love/hate relationship with homework as we started seeing more of it this week. On one end, “Ew.” On the other, it is so sweet seeing these kids focused on their school work!

There were only a few tears as we worked through sight words and spelling. I forgot how hands-on first grade can be as kids are learning how to read. I love Matthew’s little tongue slipping out while he concentrates. I love how William will focus so intently and rewrite words so everything is spelled right and looks tidy. I also love that Johnny loves Math because heaven knows I do not!

Yesterday after soccer, I scurried around the kitchen prepping dinner helping three boys simultaneously with their schoolwork while a 14 year old sat on the counter recapping her day. I was a little overwhelmed maintaining four conversations at the same, but also felt a bit of thrill realizing how full this season of my life is right now. A quiet voice whispered in my mind, “You will treasure nights like this when you look back some day.” It’s exhausting, but it’s fulfilling raising these kids. I am so proud of their hard work and so grateful for them. When we sit around the table for dinner every night I try to savor each of their voices and faces as we recap our days and laugh at silly things one or the other is doing. It is always a calming ritual to end these hectic school nights.