Well, it's a boy and we have decided to name him Jonathan "God has given" or "gift" Jadyn 's name means "God has heard." I love the sound of Jadyn and Jonathan together. Casey and I just wanted a name with meaning. I still can't believe I am pregnant! I will be 19 weeks tomorrow.
Jadyn prays for her baby brother constantly...when we eat dinner, on Sunday am, night time devotional,on the way to school..."God, help my baby brother grow in my mommy's tummy." It's so sweet. She asked me to throw her on the bed tonight (a tradition her dad does after bath). So, I did and she said, "that was good..you didn't hurt baby Jonathan?"
Pregnant! Casey and I wanted a baby two years ago. So, we aggressively tried with 5 injection cycles. I could write a book on that in itself. 4 failed and one miscarriage. This past summer I think was the hardest few months of our life...strains of beach project, traveling , wisdom teeth, and the longing of wanting another child.
Casey' s mom really has been so good for me in the fact that she has walked in my same shoes. She watched her siblings and friends pop out babies while she couldn't. I dont know why God has allowed this but I am grateful for so many reasons. I feel like I know Him in a deeper, unique way. He has taught me that He is still good even when I dont get what I want. He has made the gospel sweeter to me. I feel I enjoy Jadyn so much more. I literally dont get much done around the house bc I am playing with her and just enjoying her....GRACE, grace...God's grace. (however, of course there are times I want my time)
Casey 's mom knew a doctor from Dothan, Al who gave me medicine that lowered insulin and estrogen that helped me ovulate...and on the third month it worked. When I saw positive on that pregnancy text...I fell to the floor weeping. I couldn't believe it. I am now 12 weeks and still get nervous at time but I know who allowed me to get pregnant and I cant controll anything. We are so looking forward to another child...and a sibling for Jadyn.
In Feb we all went to the St. Rosa beach to Lindseys aunt's beach house for Mardi Gras break. It was a fun get away. The beach was so cold! It's fun having Jamie apart of the family. Who would ever have known that the freshman girl I met 5 years ago would be my future sister in law. It's such a blessing and a joy. I look forward to the years ahead!
All of our staff and children went trick or treating.....It was so much fun for all of us. This is only a few of the children.
Does Jadyn know how to smile or what???
Casey painting our ceilings...check out those legs!
Our kitchen floor..... one of my favorite things about this house
Jadyn's new friends Hanah and David. Mom came down too to help us......what would we do without 'Nanna"
Watching Casey in front of me leaving Hammond for good.....was way too tired to be sad.We found a house! God has heard our prayer. We wanted a house with a big den and kitchen and this is it. I love it! This was the first house we saw, and I knew it was perfect. I just didn't know if God was going to open the door. Casey and I laid in bed every night praying about this house. We prayed that we would be close to friends (1.2 miles from our driveway to theirs) , close to campus (7 minutes away) and close to Casey's office ( 3 minutes), good neighborhood and that the owners would lower their price.... All answered... to God be the glory...
We close on 28th.... wow.... I can't believe it! Here is the link to our future house. Can't wait to paint and decorate.
Jadyn is saying the funniest things these days. She saw my freckles and said:
J-what's that Mommy?
me- those are freckles . I have them on my face too. (as I took her finger and pointed them out)
J- I don't have freckles (as she looked at her legs)
J- Somebody needs to get me some!
How funny! I am going to remind of her of this dialogue if she does get them.
Casey giving Jadyn a bath:
Jadyn had a TT accident at the park. She came home very wet! Casey put her in the bath.
J- Daddy, my tinie (what we call her priviate) is wet. I can't wait to wash it!
Laying Jadyn down last night:
me- I enjoyed going to the park with you today, Jadyn. (looking at her in the crib)
J- and I enjoyed exercising, mommy!
What they pick up???
Casey and I celebrated eight years of marriage yesterday. Well, I wouldn't call it celebrated. Jadyn was sick so we really just took care of her. We layed in bed playing "remember when." Casey asked me what was my favorite married memories...I have so many. It was neat he asked me that because I had spent that day looking at old journal entries where I had written about him over the past several years.
Some wonderful memories that came to my mind were our vacations together. We took one every year before Jadyn was born. Casey and I were both raised in homes where that was important so we both still value "get aways." We had six years together before we had Jadyn which wasn't our plan, but it did give us time to make good memories and enjoy each other and learn each other....... there were fights too!
Other memories: first year of marriage and living on a 400 acre farm! I could write a book on that! So funny! Moving to a city we had never seen......so, of course some of my favorite memories are in Hammond, La. It is where our family began, starting a ministry from ground-up, being a mom, decorating a home......
So, why is it well with my soul? Well, we have made a decision to leave SLU and all of our staff are moving to Baton Rouge. The thoughts of this town,the favorite eating spots, parks, the faces of students,all the beginnings of the ministry, cookouts, lives that have changed and those whose haven't.....it brings so much emotion.
I was reading through my journal of prayers that I had asked God to change the heart of girls who I have now been discipling for three-five years. What a joy and privilege! It's so easy to forget where God has brought us! I love that the Old Testament would always build an alter/monument to remind them of God's faithfulness.
In the entries I saw my heart and how I had so much passion. Where has it gone? Has it gone? I read some of the entries and it sounds like I want to "save" the world. Maybe my passion has matured some...I always refer to myself as Peter..... the one who was quick to speak, passionate, young --immature but through sanctification He will continue to strip away the sin that prevents me from serving Him out of a pure heart!
It wasn't well my soul last year at this time.....it wasn't HIS timing but it is now. He has gone before us! I can't wait to see what he has in store at LSU. Wow....we are going back to square one on a huge campus at age 30!! Whose parents are hanging out in the dorms! ha...
So, these next few months we are trusting God that He will provide a home for us, close to campus. I want a home with a big den so I can have lots of people in it!
This move will be bitter-sweet. I have loved this campus and the "small beginnings." The Bible says don't despise the small beginnings......oh, so true! God, thank you for the lives that you have brought from death to life! May you continue to change hearts, marriages, families, our nation, world through us all...as ambassadors of the Gospel!
*know this was long....this was for me.... :)
Well, we are about to evacuate thanks to GUSTAV! Fun Fun. Going to leave tomorrow to north Mississippi. So, needless to say.... I'll be blogging post and pictures from it. ....staying safe....
Some days Jadyn won't go to sleep! I walked in to her to room to check on her and there she stood with no clothes on! I just couldn't help but laugh.
Daddy and J reading.So, Casey looks at my blog and points out all my misspellings! I am sorry.... I really never read over what I write.... I should....and if I did.... I still probably wouldn't notice!!
