We are home safely with our little man, Nash Elias Freer, and we are so in love with him. We hadn’t posted many nursery photos because of a special little project that would have given away his first initial. Here’s a glimpse into his little space in our home. 

More to come….but for now we are just enjoying our first moments together as a family. 

Kate is currently hanging out with my arch-nemesis (the grocery store). I’ve got the house to myself for a moment so Oasis is blasting upstairs at a volume level a majority of you would find offensive, but I like it that way, and you aren’t here. 

I took these photos last week. One of an empty, yet soon-to-be occupied crib and a simple three letter word that carries incredible responsibility.

Our journey of this seemingly “never-ending” pregnancy is coming to a close. The end is near. As we approach the due date a lot of people ask if I’m nervous, or scared, or worried, or freaked out to become a dad.

Call me a liar if you want, but honestly I don’t feel those emotions. I attribute it to the amount of “He-Man” and “Dukes of Hazzard” I watched growing up. Kidding. 

Now I’m sure those feelings will come when the hospital staff shows us the door and snickers, ‘Good Luck’ behind our back, but until then the overwhelming feeling is that I AM READY. Not in the sense that I have everything figured out or won’t need advice along the way, but there is a deep sense within me that LIFE; deep, rich, true LIFE is upon us. 

I’m reminded of the words “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life, you will find it.” 

Sure it seems backwards, to spend 30 years clinging to life, doing what I want when I want, focusing on me and yet somehow, as we prepare for our son to arrive, those words have become more true for me. Something within me acknowledges, anticipates and affirms that in the sleepless nights, and the spit up on my favorite shirt, the diaper that makes me turn my head to gag, and the turning down of a concert, a game or night out that there will be LIFE I never knew existed, and love I never knew I could feel.

There is this voice within me that has been reminding me to prepare to lose my life. 

And perhaps it seems like that reminder should make someone nervous and fearful, but that same voice has also reminded me that LIFE; deep, rich, and true is waiting. 

I’m ready. 

Ben and Whitney from Brighten Photography came to stay with us in October along with their adorable daughter Findley. We are thankful for their skills as photographers, but more thankful for their friendship and the way they strive to bring authenticity and life to their relationships. 

FYI -> If you click on the photos you can view them at a larger size.