Friday, October 29, 2010

Our PINK blessing

Yesterday we found out we are having a baby girl! It wasn't quite the carefree and giddy circumstances we found out with Lucy, as this time Mark and I were alone in a high risk waiting room, waiting not only to find out the sex but also to find out if there is anything physically wrong with our baby. Joyfully her anatomy is "perfect" as the dr. said and he doesn't anticipate any problems. They didn't release me from the high risk category yet, but hopefully one more visit in December and I'll be normal again :)

We are thrilled to be having another girl. I never had a sister growing up (although I have two amazing sisters now :) so I am excited that Lucy will have a sister....fighting over clothes and boys and all that fun stuff. Oh man.

Here are some pictures from the ultrasound yesterday. I've been so fortunate to have so many ultrasounds through this pregnancy, it has given me so much confidence and confirmation that our baby is healthy and growing.

Profile shot


No boy parts here!


Five sweet little toes


Thank you Lord for this miracle!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Mark ran to the gas station the other night to get me some ginger-ale because I wasn't feeling good (yes, I'm sick still, even in my 2nd trimester) and he took Lucy with him. He said while he was checking out he felt a little tug on his leg and Lucy looked up at him and handed him a sucker and said, "here you go daddy". Obviously, he bought it for her, and when they got home she looked like this...






This sweet girl has her daddy wrapped around her little finger!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

ABCs

We've been working on our abc's lately...


Monday, October 18, 2010

I made a wreath!

I'm not a crafty person. My mom says I am but that's just because I'm craftier than her :) I went to the store to buy a fall wreath and about fell over when I saw how expensive they were, and they weren't even that pretty! So my non-crafty self decided to get crafty and make a wreath. Here's my finished product. I'm pretty proud.





I thought it turned out pretty decent for my first try. Happy Fall!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Blessing

"In every genre of biblical literature and every stage of biblical history, God is seen pouring out his grace on his people for the sake of his glory among all peoples."

"God blessed his people in a miraculous way so that his salvation would be made known among all peoples."

"God really is in the business of blessing his people in unusual ways so his goodness and greatness will be declared among all peoples."

- David Platt, in his book Radical.

"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name...Then the nations will know that I am the Lord..."

- Ezekial 36


The Lord has taught me so much this past year, and one of the things I am learning now is that He blesses his people not for our own sake, but for his glory's sake, so that His name will be proclaimed and people will come to salvation. Keep this in mind as I tell you a story.

We joined our small group a little over a year ago. We had just suffered our first miscarriage and were still pretty shook up, but we didn't really talk about it much. As I shared in my miscarriage story, our group was wonderful and a huge source of encouragement to me, especially around the time of my due date. After my second miscarriage in March, our vulnerability really showed through and we grieved openly with our group. It was during this grieving time that two other couples shared that they were struggling with infertility. We all grieved together, and I really feel like I have a special bond with those two girls because our hearts all longed for the same thing. I remember one night, after a pretty intense small group meeting filled with tears and crying out to God, our small group leader put all six of us (the three couples) in the middle and the rest of the group laid hands on us and prayed over us. I think about that night all the time.

Miraculously, graciously, and in HIS timing, the Lord has laid his hand on all three of us, and we are all three pregnant, due back to back, in February, March, and April. I asked the girls if I could briefly share this story and both of them said, of course! And I know its because they feel the same way that I do, that we just want God to be glorified in this blessing, because it is not for our own sake that He has chosen to bless us with children, but for HIS name's sake, that he may receive glory and that somehow, someone who hears this might come to know Him personally.

So I guess this is my big pregnancy announcement. I didn't want it to be centered around us, because it's not. The Lord has carried me through my first trimester, which at times were filled with fear and doubt. But the fear is slowly turning into excitement. Thank you to everyone who has ever prayed for us. The prayers were and still are felt, and I am so grateful. I am due March 27. It is with great joy and and humility that we embrace this new blessing.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Baking with Mommy






I love these days at home with my sweet Lucy!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Heidi turns 4

Happy Birthday to the best dog in the world. We love our Heidi so much. She has definitely lost a lot of attention since Lucy was born but she never complains :) She loves Lucy like a sister and protects her like her own baby. We couldn't ask for a better dog.


We love you Heidi!