Andrea O. Freeman

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”-Andrew Gide 2011 was quite a year for our tribe. We entered into a season of heightened uncertainty, while welcoming our newest member of the family, Chloe Grace. I remember the day we brought her home. My folks made the trip to be with us but only stayed until the day we took Chloe home. I remember getting into the car at the hospital and feeling this ache for my Mom and Dad to stay and help me through this. Because it wasn’t just adjusting to having our fourth baby, it was having to face the ‘Grand Canyon’ size unknown our lives had become just a couple months prior. I felt more vulnerable and helpless at that moment in my life than I had in a very long time. I can look back and still feel what I felt as we drove home that day, tears streaming down my face as I watched Chloe sleep snuggled up safely in her car seat. I remember Ryan glancing back at me in the rearview mirror, asking me af

I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead Or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, Granting me the joy of your presence And the pleasures of living with you forever. (Psalm 16:8-11 NLT) How is it February already? Valentine’s Day is just a couple days away and here’s my Mom confession: I’m not the least bit prepared. I know there are a lot of Moms out there who make a whole lot more effort than I do, but at the age of 47, having been through the delight and anguish of these elementary days/parties/events/etc. 3 times previously, I have gone to a much simpler approach with our youngest tribe member. Decorate the Valentine’s Day party box, load her up with a bag of labeled pre-packaged sweet treats, and call it good. And whoever came up with the idea to pre-pay a flat amount of mone