I have been hard on myself recently thinking that I should have written this update sooner, but then I take a breath and remember all the good moments of the last few weeks and am glad that I took time to REST. The last, well, month and a half has been a whirlwind of celebrating Judah's arrival with family and friends.  We have had sickness and trials, but through it all, life has been FULL.  Full of joy, full of moments to be thankful.  Too many to really name. We have made it to the 36 week mark.  This was not a date I ever dreamed of making it to when I first found out I was pregnant.  I had this internal finish line of "if I make it to Thanksgiving, I'll be happy."  Well we have made it to that point and don't have any signs of slowing down.  We have scheduled our 'finish line' date of December 30th.  If Judah doesn't make his arrival naturally by that date, we will do a C-section then.  My name is on the OR schedule.  That date ...

Since the day we found out our official due date, I've had an invisible red circle around October 29 - the 30 week mark - in my planner.  While I've been determined to have a healthy pregnancy this time around, there was always a little part of me wondering if we'd make it this far. We have entered uncharted waters.  With Sarah I didn't really get to have a third trimester. When we first found out I told my dear friend, Kelsey Harrison (Owner/Photographer at Kelsey Harrison Photography:  http://kelseyharrisonphotography.com ), and told her one major thing I wanted this pregnancy that I never got with Sarah was maternity pictures.  October 26th, we went out and did just that!  I am so beyond thrilled with how they turned out.  If you need photos of your family, she is truly the best to work with.  She not only captured our entire family, but also some of the little details of our life... One of my favorite pictures is a simple picture of Sarah's swe...

Well, folks.  We've reached the third trimester.  I am, admittedly, pretty on edge and constantly questioning every slight sensation, feeling, and pain.  My doctor has been very encouraging of me to be hyper-sensitive to each symptom and discomfort.  We have gone in for a couple unplanned check ups, one was after hours so it took place in the ER, which sounds way more scary than it really was.  So far all the tests and labs are coming in clean and with excellent results.  My doctor is very happy with where I am. We have started the two week check ups already!  AND, we have scheduled the rest of my appointments, all the way past my due date.  Hard to believe that we're already to this point.  As Sarah would say, "I can't believe it!"  (one of her new phrases!)  This excites me, since I adore my doctor and love seeing her. My nesting instincts are kicking in pretty hard and I'm trying to get the kid's room ready get some color on ...

I've always wanted to keep this blog a place of honesty and transparency... So I'm going to be honest - this past week has be rough.  Jim was out of town for most of it, which left me on "full time mom, full time employee and full time baby incubator" mode which left little room for any time to really REST. This week we have also discovered the true meaning of what I'm sure people are trying to describe with the 'terrible twos'.  Most evenings have ended up in uncontrollable meltdowns.  We are at a loss.  It's like a mean game of 'figure out the puzzle', but if you don't figure out the puzzle quick enough then the tear factory will explode. In spite of this frustrating puzzle, God has been whispering lessons in my ear through all of it...  "Trust and obey."  Sounds pretty simple, right? Most of Sarah's meltdowns typically start because of one of two reasons. She is directly disobeying a command/directive. She wants to...

We definitely have had an exciting day today!  We found out that we are expecting a BOY in January.  I am just completely overwhelmed and still coming to understand what that means for our little growing family. We knew today was the "big" day, so we definitely woke up excited!  We opted not to take Sarah to this one since the ultrasound usually takes a good 30 minutes or more.  I didn't want to have to try and worry about her getting antsy while we were taking a peek. He was not cooperating very well and was incredibly active.  She was having trouble getting all the views of the heart she needed, but finally was able to manage despite his best attempts to thwart her plans.  She finally got down to the tell tale area, and exclaimed... "Well that's your problem right there!  It's a BOY!"  And there was no mistaking that he was, indeed, a boy. Jim was completely beaming from ear to ear and I was a little in shock!  Not that I didn'...

It's been about a week since we said goodbye to my final surviving Great Grandmother.  It was a bittersweet weekend at home with the entire family gathered.  I don't remember the last time we were able to have virtually everyone there.  Unfortunately there were a few spouses and kids unable to make the trip, but everyone we grew up with around the Christmas tree was there.  It was good. We spent 5-6 hours on Friday in the funeral home reminiscing, looking at pictures, laughing, sharing stories... Sarah (who unfortunately missed a nap that day) decided to run up and down the hall of the funeral home singing "Let it Go!" at the top of her lungs...  I, as her mother, cringed a little at the boisterousness and irony.  However, it did bring many smiles and laughter. I am so overwhelmed by how blessed and how truly special it is that I have spent 28 years of my life having Great Grandparents around.  I have fond memories of 4 of them, and was especially ...

Well, we've made it safely into the 2nd trimester!  Praise God!  My office lighting and computer screen were causing a lot of nausea in that 1st trimester.  After about a week and a half, I think I can safely say that it's all gone!  Wahoo!!  That doesn't mean foods sometimes won't make me a little unsettled, but it's not the unending waves of nausea that I had. I'm barely starting to pop out a little bit.  I've been in maternity pants for a while now, though due to bloating and just not being very comfortable in my regular pants.  Now I'm slowly incorporating some of the maternity tops as well as my belly slowly shows itself. Next week I go to the doctor for my monthly check up.  I am planning on taking Sarah with me to try and introduce her further to the idea of a sibling.  I try to talk about momma having a baby.  She LOVES looking at the babies in the nursery room at school.  I asked her yesterday if she wanted a baby at ho...

It's with trembling excitement that I write these words... We are expecting our next child, due to join the world around January 6, 2015. I know after our first experiences - with losing our first and then having a 7 week NICU journey with our second... Many people may think we're crazy. But this is something that we are so incredibly thrilled to be welcoming another child into our family. This has been on my heart for so long, and am so excited that God is leading us down this path again. I am going to be much more mindful of diet and exercise this pregnancy, and definitely under the watchful care of the most wonderful doctor.  Nutrition really is the biggest key for me to have a healthy pregnancy.  Unfortunately in this first trimester, it's just a matter of what my stomach will handle and what will calm it down.  Plain pasta, mashed potatoes and 7up are the things that are most helpful.  As I start to feel better, I will definitely be more mindful over what ...

My sweet Sarah, Today, you turn 2.  I regularly think back to the day you were born.  It was the day a dark cloud rolled in over our home and stayed for the next 7 weeks, as we both fought for our lives.  As much as I wanted that beautiful, full term, glowing, all smiles delivery you see on TV, God gave me something so much more special.  He gave me you, and your amazing testimony that day.  You and I both walked through those dark valleys together with your daddy.  We found God in those moments and continue to see Him every day as we remember back to that valley we came through. From the start you were a fighter.  You had your own schedule.  You were your own person.  You were determined.  You were aware.  These same qualities still hold true today.  It's amazing to watch you grow and, even more fascinating to see the ways you stay the same.  Through every season of life your tenacity, confidence and courage shine thr...

I must say.... I LOVE Spring. I always have. It, more than any other season, shows me God's love. This year it has been even more so evident. If you have never slowed down and enjoyed Spring through the eyes of a two year old- I really encourage you to do so. It's full of discovery and wonder. Sarah has become so aware of the world around her. She chases the birds because she wants to converse with them. She loves pointing out trees and leaves. There is no urgency or rush - no anxiety or care. Only the innocent admiration of these "new" things.  May we look at the world with fresh eyes, looking for the wonder and awe in our every day moments. What is a busy, stressful day worth if you can't take a moment to stop - stand in the sunshine - feel the warmth on your skin and soak in the glory of God.  Try it. Let me know how it feels. 

Early March has a way of rattling my soul. This month always seems so unimportant - no major birthdays, no anniversaries - just the slow thaw that moves us closer to spring. However, I always stop and reflect and listen this time of year... Three years ago we lost our first child on the 2nd of March. What a traumatic day that was. We spent the first week or two recovering from surgery, mourning our loss, and celebrating his brief, but oh so special life. It was in this valley that a little voice began whispering in our ear... This is not your home.  Later that year, we uprooted and moved to Franklin, TN. This is still one of the best decisions we ever made. Despite the hardships we have faced and the difficulties that come with being separated from your loved ones, it has truly shaped our direction and vision as a family. I truly believe that we wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for our little Isaiah Matthew.  Two years ago we celebrated our soon-coming littl...