In general, the DeWeerdt family lives a pretty crazy life. Like many young families, we juggle work, sleep, kids, school, sports, housework, and the like. If only there were more hours in the day!  (Sound familiar?)

About ten months ago, Jen and I discovered we were pregnant! Interesting timing on God’s part as I was 41 years old and Jen was…well…younger (I’ve learned not to speak of a woman’s age). We didn’t see this one coming, but really believed God was blessing us with another amazing kid in addition to the two boys already filling our lives with amazement and joy.

Anxiously awaiting October 2011, we did what all expecting parents do. We picked out a name, had baby showers, tried to get a room ready at the house, and so on. Though I hadn’t changed a diaper in a decade, I was looking forward to the newest boy who was coming into our lives. Jen and I prayed and believed he was going to be a “light” in our family and that God had a BIG plan.

October 6th was a pretty normal Thursday as I sat in my home office, finishing the message for the upcoming Sunday. Then I got a call from Jen, who was visiting her OBGYN for her final series of check-ups before her C-Section scheduled on the 18th.

“Jer, Paxton is coming today.”

“What?!”

“The doctor is suggesting we take him today.”

The doctor saw signs that Jen’s amniotic fluid was decreasing and Paxton was ready, so it was a good a time as any. I rushed to the hospital and within hours, we found ourselves in the operating room, camera in hand, ready to go. The moment came and I heard that unique sound I had not heard in 10 years…the distinct cry of a newborn, only seconds old.  It immediately brought tears to our eyes.

Quite honestly, I don’t remember the next few minutes; they were a blur. However, something happened that I will never forget. The tenor of the professional staff in the room changed. As a person in ministry for 20 years, I recognize tenor changes; those moments wen you can feel something is wrong.

“Jeremy, we had concerns early in the pregnancy, and it looks as if your baby has traces of Down’s Syndrome.”

I had a thousand-yard stare.

A rush of emotions flooded my mind. Excitement, shock, hurt, joy, anxiety, fear, love, disappointment, guilt over the disappointment. It was all so surreal.  I was watching the story of our lives change…forever.

The next few days were filled with the cycle of emotions you would expect from learning that your son has Down’s. However, something happened. God spoke and brought peace to the storm. We felt his presence in the hospital room. Through the tears and laughter, we began to understand that this is our new story with God. This is our new normal…a new reality. There is a reason Pax was entrusted to us and we are all the more blessed because of it. We are to take care of Pax and he is going to take care of us.

We always knew there was a special reason this child was coming into our lives. The plan is unveiling and will continue to do so. Already, our church (Rockford First), our family, and our friends have been so impacted by this journey. It is only the beginning.

We are busy… like most young families. We juggle work, sleep, kids, school, sports, housework and the like. If only there were more hours in the day. However, God has spoken and brought peace to the storm.

Long before our new son’s birth, we decided on the name Paxton…which happens to mean “peace.”