Aubyn Kara {what's in a name, part 2}

Bridgette's middle name is Kara (pronounced like Sarah, but with a "K").  We chose this name primarily for two reasons.  First, Kara is my sister's middle name.  Aubyn is a woman I aspire to be like in many ways.  And I'm blessed to not only call her my sister, but my dear friend.  I'm hopeful that Bridgette and Gretchen will have as meaningful a sister relationship as I've shared with Aubyn.  And as I have, I hope Bridgette will also find encouragement to be more kind, gentle, loving, approachable, and genuine from knowing her Aunty Auby.  They have yet to meet, but distance hasn't kept Aubyn's influence from our family and I look forward to the day when Bridgette is old enough to understand the significance of sharing a name with Aubyn Kara.

The second reason for Kara is the meaning: joy.  While pregnant with Bridgette, I read a book that challenged me to deepen the practice of giving thanks in all circumstances.  I was moved by the idea that where thanksgiving is possible, joy is possible.  Little Bridgette Kara is a reminder to me that thanksgiving is always possible!  And we have much to be thankful for.

St. Brigid {what's in a name, part 1}

St. Brigid lived well over a thousand years ago in Ireland.  She responded to the preaching of St. Patrick, and her legacy, like Patrick, took the gospel of Christ to the continent of Europe.  The French call her Bridgette.  St. Brigid inspired the first name of our third child, Bridgette Kara.

I (Ryan) actually thought of using the name long before we thought of having children.  Probably more than eight years ago now.  St. Brigid was introduced to me through Thomas Cahill's book, How the Irish Saved Civilization.  He tells a bit of her story to illustrate how the Irish received the gospel and spread the gospel.  Here is an excerpt: 

Following her conversion, her father, an extremely wealthy man, was appalled to find his beautiful daughter giving away his stores to beggars.  Quite out of control, he threw Brigid into the back of his chariot, screaming: "It is neither out of kinds nor honor that I take you for a ride: I am going to sell you to the King of Leinster to grind his corn."  Arriving at the king's enclosure, the father "unbuckled his sword, leaving it in the chariot beside Brigid, so that-out of respect-he could approach the king unarmed."  No sooner had the father gone off than a leper appeared, begging Brigid for help.  Since the only thing handy was her father's sword, she gave it to him.  Meanwhile, the father was making his offer to the king, who must have smelled something fishy, and insisted on meeting the girl before accepting.  When king and father came out to the chariot, the father noticed immediately that his sword was missing and demanded to know where it was.  When Brigid told him, "he flew into a wild rage" and began to beat her.

"Stop," cried the king, and called Brigid to him.  "Why do you steal your father's property and give it away?"

"If I had power," answered  Brigid, "I would steal all your royal wealth, and give it to Christ's brothers and sisters."  The king quickly declined the father's kind offer because "your daughter is too good for me."  

I don't know if Brigid was right or wrong to steal from her father, but her willingness to take a beating for her convictions inspires.  Would that Bridgette live with such daring!

I also pushed for the name Charity-for obvious reasons, right?  St. Brigid is famous for her charity and hospitality.  Thomas Cahill reports this prayer associated with St. Brigid: 

I should like a great lake of finest ale (yes and amen!)

For the King of kings.

I should like a table of the choicest food 

For the family of heaven.  

Let the ale be made from the fruits of faith, 

And the food be forgiving love. 

I should welcome the poor to my feast, 

For they are God's children. 

I should welcome the sick for my feast, 

For thy are God's joy.  

Let the poor sit with Jesus at the highest place, 

And the sick dance with the angels.

God bless the poor, 

God bless the sick, 

And bless our human race. 

God bless our food, 

God bless our drink, 

All homes, O God, embrace! 

This prayer might seem unorthodox.  First, I wish I could give the Lord the lake of fine ale, for he proved he prefers the choicest wine when he converted the water.  Second, and most importantly, Brigid obviously loved those most unloved and disadvantaged in this world.  May it not be wishful thinking that our daughter's name would serve as a reminder of our calling in Christ to be charitable and hospitable to poor and sick, both spiritually and physically.  

Lastly, it was said of St. Brigid that she "did not take her mind or her attention from the Lord for the space of one hour at any time, but constantly mentioning Him and ever thinking of Him."  Yes, may the same be said of Bridgette!  If this is true, then beatings may be endured more easily and charity given more freely, and men will exalt the name of Christ because of Bridgette.  May it be so.  May it be so! Amen.

Oh Happy Day!

I started taking piano lessons when I was four.  I didn't stop until I graduated from OBU.  

Playing the piano is one thing in my life that never ceases to bring me joy.  After moving to England, we began the conversation about purchasing a piano.  

As in, one that I could own.  Have.  Forever.  

Meanwhile, a friend from church was preparing to move to Brazil indefinitely.  She thoughtfully asked if I would be willing to "babysit" her piano until we moved.

Seriously?!

Introducing the newest addition to our home (newer than Bridgette!) who will receive lots of love over the next two years from all the Paynes . . . and sometimes we will love and enjoy it all at the same time!

  

KayeK and Big Daddy

My parents spent last week with us, offering endless amounts of help with the kids and encouragement to an increasingly tired mommy!  

Thank you, Mom and Dad . . .

for trampoline picnics 

for baby snuggles, both peaceful and otherwise

for emptying the dishwasher

for changing diapers

for cleaning up potty-training mistakes

for reading books

for taking the "big kids" away overnight

for folding laundry

for letting me win at Ticket to Ride

for taking Bridgette on walks so I could play with the big kids

for washing windows

for cleaning up the kitchen every night

for protecting my naps

for playing race cars

for taking Rooke to and from school

for being super flexible and willing to do whatever was helpful at the time.

We love you!

Too Cute at Ten Days Old

Bridgette got dressed up for an outing with the girls (KayeK, Gretchen, and Mommy!)

One Week

The Payne babies at one week old . . . I can promise you that there is no mistake - they all three came out of me!

Happenings

Gretchen loves getting to watch the "Cinderelly, Cinderelly, make a dress for Cinderelly" song on youtube!

Opening Big Brother/Big Sister gifts from our friend, Kelly.  Thank you!

Life seemed to stand still after Rooke was born.  Not so much the third time around!  But it is fun to see how one tiny little baby can capture our entire family's attention by taking a bath and looking extra cute with spiky, clean hair!

First Family Saturday as Five

We played "racers"

and read books (classic Winnie the Pooh)

Some of us took really long naps

 

 We went to a festival at Rooke's school and then shared a picnic lunch

We went for a walk and enjoyed the SUN! 

And said thanks that Bridgette is home with us and we are a family of five!

The First Few Days

Bridgette is fitting right in at home.  Big Brother and Sister are smitten (so far) and have enjoyed having Daddy home.

Watching cartoons with Rooke

Putting Gretchen's hair accessories to good use! 

Super Dad of three

Ryan is our family's champion napper.  He's been helping Bridgette master his techniques.

"We want to sleep with her"

Bridgette Kara Payne

She's here!  Our little Bridgette is with us!  More on her name later.

We are extremely thankful for a safe, speedy, and natural delivery.  To sum up: my water broke at 1:30 on Sunday while I was unloading groceries.  My mom had just arrived back home in London the day before, so she brought her still unpacked bag with her and arrived at our house that afternoon.  I started timing my contractions at 8:00 that evening and decided it was time to head to the hospital at 10:30.  By the time we got to the hospital, were checked in and settled, it was 11pm and I was having to really work through the contractions and was dilated to a 7!  Bridgette was born at 12:05am with a full head of dark hair and a healthy cry - what joy!  She was the smallest Payne baby, weighing 7lbs 15oz.  We thank God for His mercy in blessing us with this precious life.   

 . . . breathe, breathe!

Delivering in a local hospital brought about several differences than my experiences with the first two.  Some were a bigger deal than others (like the walls not being sound proof and me having to listen to another woman giving birth in between my contractions).  This was my post-birth snack: tea and toast!

The hospital had strict visiting hours and Ryan was not allowed to stay the night in the recovery bay (that I shared with three other women and their little ones).  Bridgette was so excited when he came back to see us later in the day!

"Oh, Daddy!"

 Getting ready to head home.  We left around 1pm.

The big kids did great with KayeK and were excited for Bridgette and I to come home.  Gretchen was so ready to hold her sister!

Rooke liked the new car that Bridgette gave him and wanted her to see it all put together

 SO thankful my mom was back in the country and able to be with us for this special day!  

 Super KayeK with her Payne grandkids