The Joy of Surprises!

                                                  Channing Zane Woods! 

When Austin was 14, and had just started high school, Landen was 12, and had just started middle school, Kenley was 11 and in 5th grade, and Luke was 7 and in the 2nd grade, we had an amazing and life-changing addition to our family. Sometimes I wonder..........did God think our life was getting just a little too calm for our own good? It didn't feel that calm, but sending Channing to us, definitely took care of that! 

                                         

   

He arrived in late September of 2011. And so many times I have thanked God for knowing we needed this little guy to come join us. God has a plan for Channing, as He does for all of us. But I knew from the start that there was a unique and special part that God had in mind for Channing to have in our family, for the blessing of all of us!

And truly, in more ways than I can begin to tell you, he has blessed our lives! Having such a large gap in age between the four older boys and Channing has allowed them a whole different experience of 'Big-brother-hood'! An experience they have each thrived on, learned and grown from.

And having older boys has been a daily reminder for me of how quickly time passes. A reminder to grab hold of each moment.........choose to "waste time" sitting and holding the sleeping baby. He will have disappeared into a young man before I know it! 

                                      

There have been so many blessings we have received as a direct result of this surprise gift......it has increased my faith in a God who sees the bigger picture, and wants only good for His children!

                                   

                                        Thank you, God, for our new addition!