MacArthur Joshua Swart

As I said in the last post, these 3 kiddos were with Jeff and I all week (along with their McCrary cousins and Aunt for VBS).  Rachel and Jonathan were taking them home to their parents that Saturday morning when we got the call that it was time to have a baby!  So they graciously took the kids to a restaurant and fed all of them while Jeff, I and Grandma tied up a few loose ends in Galena and made the drive to NWA.  

Momma did pack their big sis/big bro shirts in her hospital bag, so they changed into them once they arrived at Northwest Medical Center, Bentonville, AR

 We all arrived between 12:30-1:00 and started the "waiting" game.

 This is the second great grandchild birth Great Grandma Boore was privileged to be in attendance at.

 Yes, we used the electronics to keep everyone occupied since the area was small and the children were bored.

 Jeff was not too happy about me posting the picture below on Facebook -- but it just tells our viewers how very tired he was (and everyone else after such a busy week).  So it was OK he took a nap!!  Gideon playing with his shoe didn't even wake him.

 MacArthur "Mack" Joshua Swart was born June 9th at 3:11 p.m. weighing 8 lbs., 1 oz.  Their largest baby so far.  

Mack's name has special meaning to us:  Andy (and Jeff) are both huge fans of the great Pastor/Preacher John MacArthur who baby Mack is named after. His middle name, "Joshua" is after our first-born; Andy's big brother, Josh (who was shocked and overwhelmed when he heard the name). And of course, "Swart" means we now have two male grandchildren to carry on Jeff's name. Pretty special name!! 

 His body temp was a little low, so he was placed on Momma's chest for several hours until it warmed up to normal temp.  This was where he was when he got to see him for the first time, so we didn't get to hold him.  But he was right where he needed to be, so it was OK!

 First picture with his siblings 💙

 Later in the day, after his body temp was normal and he had his bath, etc., Daddy got to hold his boy!  Jeff, Mom and I had gone home before this time as we were exhausted and had another busy day on Sunday.  

 Just precious!!! 😍

 

 We enjoyed all the pictures that Andy texted us in those next couple of days.

 On Sunday -- first family picture of all 6!!

 Proud Sisters and Brother!

 

 Ellie is such a "momma" -- she is a big help in holding her brother

 

 

 Big brother, Shep, did have have few days of adjustment not being the baby anymore.

 Thankfully, it only lasted a week or so 💙

 The kids' good friend Kayce came to the hospital and got some cute pictures before they went home.

 

 Pretty momma and she once again did so good giving birth!!

 Daddy's second boy

 💖💖

 About 27 hours after birth, they headed home!

Carman's mom and sister came to NWA on Sat. to help with the children and then the baby for several days, which was greatly appreciated by all!

We are so blessed with another precious grandbaby!  #9

VBS Week 2018

For the last 3 years, I have invited some of my grandchildren to join us for VBS at First Baptist.  Each year, a new grandchild is added 😍.  The first year (2016), it was just Laine, Ellie and Copeland:

Shep and Eisley (and the parents) all came for the closing program (2016) 

 Then in 2017, it was Laine, Ellie, Copeland and Eisley:

The traditional picture after the closing program with Shep and Gideon present:

This year (2018) it was Laine, Ellie, Copeland, Eisley and Shepherd

(with Gideon and Rachel with us at home during the day)

Night 1 (and no, we didn't coordinate but it was cool it worked out that way/black and white for Laine, Ellie and I)

Night 2

Night 3

Night 4

Night 5

Night 6 - Program Night (with Gideon included)

We kept busy during the days....playing, playing and more playing (and cooking, eating, cleaning up kitchen, bathing, picking up toys, etc., etc.) 😃😃  We really thought we would get the phone call any day that baby Mack was on his way.......but he was a good baby and let us finish up VBS before making his appearance. 💙

Gideon said "Papa" for the first time during this visit. 💙💙

Gideon wasn't walking yet, but he sure could push Shep on the airplane.  He did start walking just a couple of weeks later 😍

Each year, Leigh Ryan "NiNi" has invited us over for a day of swimming, pizza and lots of fun!

The kids look so forward to this each year!  Thanks, Leigh!

We played in the backyard some:

Momma and Daddy were pretty worried about how Shep would do as he was in the midst of potty training, etc.  Carman almost kept him home because of that.  However, I wanted Andy and Carman to have some "alone" time before their world was once again turned upside down with a newborn (and 3 siblings)  So I insisted he come and he was so good for his DeDe!  He ate well, slept great, no meltdowns here (we did have some crying at VBS) and only 1 accident (which was DeDe's fault for not leaving him on the potty long enough to totally finish his job).  Good boy, Shepherd Knox! 💙

Another day, we visited the Southeast Nature Center

And played at the park

And of course, visited their beloved "Cars on the Route"

Then we met Papa and Great Grandma for lunch:

Lacey Boyes and I had the 4th and 5th graders in VBS:

Good kids and two from our group asked Jesus into their hearts!!  That's what makes the week all worthwhile!! 💖💖

 

Some misc. pictures taken by others during the week.  Once Jennifer Shoemaker started working in the nursery, Shep was a happy camper.  He knows a grandma when he sees one 😍😍

One night, Laine just needed to talk to her Papa to be reassured she had Jesus living in her heart and she does--there is no doubt!! 😍

The closing program.....Laine and Ellie.....

Copeland and Eisley.....

All the kids did so good.  Jonathan had come that afternoon to see the program and then they all spent the night with us Friday night.  Since they had 2 cars, they volunteered to take Andy & Carman's kids home Saturday morning......they had been gone only about 30 minutes when we got the phone call that it was baby day!!  I just thought I had the day to clean house and catch a breath!  HA, not to be had!  But we were excited and rushed around to head to Arkansas for another precious grandbaby's birth....the next posting will document Mack's arrival!
Thank you, First Baptist, for providing a wonderful VBS week for the children of our community and my own grandchildren!!  And thank you Andy, Carman, Rachel and Jonathan for allowing your children to attend.  A special thanks to Rachel for coming and helping me during this week.  I could not have done it without you!! 😍😍