Devotion & Redemption

The Miracle on 116th St.

March 30^th, 2010

8:31 p.m.– A miracle took place as the glow of the sunset streamed through the window of our living room. Tears roll down the cheeks of a wide-eye woman embracing a fragrance of peace and redemption named Asa. I sat there in awe of God’s creation and what just happened. My beautiful wife just gave birth to our fourth child… my third son.

I can’t help but think of what the future holds for him. The love, the pain. The joy, the sadness. The hope and eternal life that comes from the Lord, as well as the emptiness and suffering caused by this world.

Asa, the name of a biblical king who obediently served God. Asa, the name of a baby born in a house of God, of love, an older sister to motherly protect, and two big brothers who – well – do the things that brothers do. Asa, my son – my son.

Asa Maddox McGuckin

10 lbs. 3 oz.

21.5 inches

He even took time to pose with his big brothers!

A similar shot was taken when he was still in the belly!

Asa with the ladies of his life!

POSERS!!! The "not so camera shy" siblings are always game for a picture.

Anxiously Waiting

There aren't many things in life that make me anxious; however, this baby couldn't come soon enough!!! These past few weeks we've had great family time and I've been able to have a good chunk of that time with just me and the kids. We can't stop thinking/talking about our newest addition and the impact it will have on our family.

First, we're excited to find out if it's a boy or a girl!!! (For the record, my guess is a girl.) The dynamics of either one will change our family in an exciting way.

Second, we can't wait to meet its personality! With Libby being such a bright 'Type A' personality, then Charlie a loving 'Type B" personality, and AJ just 'ALL BOY', it's hard to imagine what the next will be like.

My favorite thing about this pregnancy for us is seeing how truly excited the kids are for the baby to come. We've been blessed so far to not have any issues with the addition of a new sibling taking over, and we look forward to that continuing. The kids love on Mama's baby-belly so well and say the sweetest things to the baby. This child better be ready to be attacked with LOVE!!!

Days and counting...

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PICTURES IN THE WORLD!

I've taken some amazing photos of some of the most beautiful people in the world, but none of them compare to the beauty captured in the photos of this family below. This family has been blessed by God in many ways with another bundle of life expected to enter this world around the end of March. The affection the kids in this family have for their Mama and baby can not only be seen in the images, but can be heard through the stories and prayers they pray upon their arriving sibling. From the belly kisses to the slobbery zerberts, this child needs to be prepared to be showered with love. The number one reason why this family is so precious to me... is because it's mine!

Little Love

The love of a two year old is such a powerful thing! Tonight, while cuddling with AJ, he took my scruffy face and just held it in the palms of his tiny baby-soft hands. My body grew limp and for a bit, there was nothing in the world that was more important than that moment. All worries faded. The past didn't exist. The future didn't exist. It was just that moment. I felt like God was holding my face reminding me about the precious gift I have in my family - my wife - my children. Little Love can go a far way.