The Countdown Has Begun...But Not To A Baby!

Nope, still no sign of baby #3 showing up, but that's okay!=) What can I do about it anyways? So, our family has started another countdown...Disney!!!!

Heading to Florida has become a yearly tradition for us. We usually go with Jeremy's family or, like 2009, just the 4 of us go. This year, we're taking a trip with my family, and I'm super excited! My parents haven't been since I was in the 7th grade, and my Grandma has never been! It's sure to be a blast!

I know, I know...there are those who wait for their kids to get older before paying this money and taking the trip. I understand, but honestly, kids or no kids, babies or teenagers, Jeremy and I both love it enough to go every year regardless! We are Disney people, and I pride myself in always getting amazing deals. I'm a Disney junkie!=) Plus, seeing the look on our kids' faces, no matter how young they are, is a memory I wouldn't trade for the world even if they don't remember a moment of it! It's totally worth it to us!

So, yes, the countdown has begun again with our wall calendar. The boys pull off a different number each day. We leave December 4th (our first trip around Christmas). We started out 100 days out and are slowly making our way to 1! I've already got the itch and can see the sparkle in the boys' eyes when they look at the countdown every morning! Yay!=)

3 Years Ago Today...And He Still Amazes Me!!!

First off, I haven't had a baby yet. I feel great (all over again), and the boys and I actually spent the morning at the pool. I love it when people ask, "When are you due?" and see their look of surprise when I say, "Today!" Am I thinking this baby will actually come today? Probably not, but it would be some kind of amazing miracle, huh? We'll see!=)

So, today's the 3 year anniversary of our wreck. Last year I did quite a lengthy post on how I felt and the emotions we were going through. This year has been completely different, though, so I will keep this to a minimum. I feel like I've healed emotionally so much, even since last year. I still remember, of course, and I've been a little teary-eyed some today but not nearly as much as in the past.

I've learned this year that my sufferings cannot begin to compare with the suffering Christ endured for me. How dare I feel sorry for myself? I have a God who understands beyond what I can comprehend. He has healed us more emotionally this year than every before. I'm more than grateful for that!

This morning my devos were right on track. Here's what I read...hope it speaks to you...make sure you read til the end for another "God moment":

Psalm 130:
"From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help. Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer. Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you. I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn. O Israel,hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows. He himself will redeem Israel from every kind of sin."

The study part was as follows (by Rebecca Faber):
-William Eduard died June 1, 1993...
"I was telling Mom today how comforting the friends are who acknowledge the reality of what is happening. That brings a kind of relief from pain...
I value the friends who write in their cards, 'When we heard the news, your eyes filled with tears. We weep for you. There's nothing to say. Except we love you, and we are praying. Hold on to God-surely He will help you through even this.' That's a useful thing to say-that has solidity, comfort.
Their attitude is clear. It shows several important characteristics. First, an attempt to empathize: 'I'm tring to walk in your shoes just now, to imagine it's me, and even thinkng of the possiblity makes me cry out in pain.'
Second, it shows faith. Their statements validate the spiritual world, the unseen, invisible things. Eternity. Life after death. 'Eternal truths have not shifted, even though what you are experiencing is huge, overwhelming, right now. There are absolutes that you can count on: gravity is still gravity. God is still God. He still cares for you. This tragedy does not cancel out the facts: He is able to help, to succor you. We don't know what to do. But God can reach you, so we are praying. In this terrible time, reach out to Jesus, dear one.' These friends lend me words of faith in my darkness. Thoughtful, kind statements of God's character, God's being.
Finally, their words show gentleness. Sensitivity. Sensibility. 'We feel for your in your suffering. We don't have pat answers; we have emotions that vibrate in response to your situation. We are not trying to solve and erase your pain. We haven't discovered a formula to dry up your tears.'...The wise friends say, 'We can't let one more day go by without sending you a note to say this, just this: We really, really care. We are so very sorry this has happened'."

As I read this Scripture and excerpt this morning, my mind immediately went to our family and friends from Union Grove. This is the exact way that you loved on us, and we will forever be grateful. We are so amazed and thankful for the life God has now given us at the Summit, but we will never forget the love you poured out on us in 2007 and before. Thank you for showing us Christ when we could barely see Him ourselves. You truly "loved us like Jesus." Thank you!

And here's an amazing thing that just happened as I was typing this:
I figured that the "William Eduard Faber" referenced at the beginning of the devotional was someone famous whom this particular author was referencing, so I googled his name. It pulled up a set of obituaries, and I scanned down the page to find June 1, 1993. Sure enough, I found the exact name and date, and here's the humbling part. When I compared his birth date to date of death, this little guy was only 18 months old when he passed away; not but 2 months older than our Stephen when we had the wreck. This whole excerpt was written by a mother who had lost her son in some unexpected way. How close I was to being that; to writing this same devotional myself. Wow! Thank You, God, for reminding me how thankful I should be. "This is still the day that You have made!"

Seriously????????????

Okay, so here's a recap of the week's events so far. As I write, I keep telling myself, "Don't be bitter, Don't be bitter!" I think it may be helping!=)

First off, the baby is due tomorrow, August 27. Yes, I know it's the 3 year anniversary of the wreck, and I could become an out of control bottle of emotions if I let myself. Thankfully, I guess, in a weird way, this week has been crazy, and it has kept my mind off of other things. Nonetheless, it's tomorrow, and I'll be glad when that day is past (although it will be filled with rejoicing!).

So, back to this week: Early Tuesday morning I woke up out of a dead sleep with contractions. I timed them for awhile, and they were around 7 minutes apart. I called the Dr., and he recommended I wait it out since I was only dilated to a 1 at my last appointment. That was totally cool with me. I'd way rather suffer here than in the hospital!=) The next morning, though, I got an appointment at the Dr. They were scheduled to see me on Thursday anyways, so it wasn't a huge deal.

When we went, I was dilated to a 4. The Dr. said she could bet I would go within the next 24 hours. I felt the same way. Jeremy and I came home, and surprisingly, the contractions began to slow down. We even took 3 walks around the neighborhood in hopes that they would pick back up. By bedtime, they were all but gone. My Mom spent the night just in case, and I slept wonderfully. Yesterday (Wednesday), I hardly had any contractions and figured that for some reason this baby had decided not to come. We are still early anyways.

That takes me to this morning. At around 2:00 I woke up again with contractions. This time they were much stronger and 5 minutes apart. I didn't want to risk having this baby at home (Caleb came super fast), plus I have to be treated for Strep B when we arrive at the hospital, so we decided it would be best to go on. Sarah graciously came over to stay with our boys, and Jeremy and I headed to Duke.

Since I'm at home typing this right now, most of you know where this story is going!=) We got there and were taken back to triage for evaluation. The contractions were the same, but I was sure I had progressed some. Well, that was not the case. The monitor showed that I was contracting about every 5 minutes, but I had not progressed any. Because I was not in dire straights (and having problems coping) the Student/Dr. person said I should just go home. Really? She even recommended I take some Tylenol until it passes (and yes, she was a college student who had never had kids!). Honestly, I'd rather be here at home in labor (that's why we didn't go on Tuesday night), but as I type this, I'm still in shock that they sent me home. Honestly, I've felt quite a bit of selfish anger. I'd have loved some pitocin or some walks around the hospital or something!=) Nope!

Right now, my boys are still asleep, and they'll never even know Daddy and Mommy were gone. That's a good thing. The bad part is I've had about 3 hours of sleep and know Jeremy is just as tired as I am as he leaves for work. Yes, it's super frustrating. They kinda make you feel stupid when this sort of thing happens--It's a first for us. I've warned Jeremy now, though, that he may end up delivering this baby at home. I'm just stubborn enough to wait til the very last minute!=)

Seriously, we are all anxious to meet this new little one, and I really thought it would be today. Who knows...it may still be. I'm gonna grab today, though, as another chance to enjoy my boys and trust the Lord's timing is best. Shouldn't I have learned that 3 years ago, though!=) I'll keep everyone posted!

A Week Out Baby Update!

Today I went back to the Dr. for a check-up. These weekly appointments can get a little monotonous but at this point, it's always exciting to see if I've progressed any. Today was not one of those days! Last week I was dilated to a 1 and 50% effaced...today...the exact same! Yep, the 0 contractions I've pretty much felt this past week have led to 0 progress! Honestly, I feel great; almost like I'm back in the 2nd trimester. Who knows when this baby will come!

The Dr. said they will only let me go 10 days over my due date before they induce. With Stephen being 3 weeks early and Caleb 4 days late, I really don't know what to expect. Yep, it could be today, but it could also be another 2 weeks or more if I go way over! Bottom line, we'll have a baby by September 6!

I'll keep everyone posted on how things are going. I'm just grateful to be feeling good and am enjoying these last little kicks and punches before he or she arrives. And speaking of "he or she," the heart rate was back up a little, so a girl is totally not out of the picture! Nah...I'm counting on boy # 3!=) I'll keep you posted!

A Caleb Post!

Stephen is not really into pictures lately, so I've used my photo-ops to catch some cuteness from Caleb! Stephen is into taking pictures but not really being in them. He's seriously becoming a big boy, and it makes me a little sad. Caleb, though, is still his silly, little self. I can hardly believe he'll be 2 in a couple months and in just a few days officially not the "baby" anymore (BTW-I'm at a 1 and 50% effaced...anytime now!). How quickly time flies!

So, this post is a strictly "Caleb Post." He's my silly little man who is totally different from Stephen. Stephen tends to be more serious while Caleb doesn't know what the word means. Caleb is totally carefree and as a result, very tough! He and Stephen have become the best of playmates lately (yes, they still fight, though), and I love seeing them interact with each other. Enjoy some Caleb pics!=)

Caleb reading to Lady!


At a playgroup, Caleb enjoyed a little time "driving" the firetruck that was there!

Caleb loves to swing!


Last but not least, this is a picture of Caleb dumping applesauce on his head the other day at lunch! What could I do but laugh???=)

Rain or Shine...We love water!!

When the sunshine goes away, and the rain comes, the boys and I still enjoy some water fun! The other day an afternoon shower provided the opportunity for some playtime in the rain! The best part is that it was 5:00 in the afternoon, and all 3 of us were still in our pj's! I love lazy days like that. And I love seeing the boys be kids without a care in the world!

Our Summer Son!

Every year the Summit has what they call "The Institute" for college kids. It's a program where students raise support to come and spend the summer learning and serving at the Summit. They take daily classes, serve with different church and local ministries, and also go on 2 missions trip. They stay in local host homes while they're here. It's an awesome program of learning and ministering for everyone involved!

This year, after much prayer, Jeremy and I felt led to host an "Institute student" for the summer. We requested a boy (I knew Stephen and Caleb would love this!) and prayed about who the Lord would send our way. We were super blessed when Matt arrived back in June!

Matt's originally from Charlotte and will be a Junior at Carolina this coming school year. Needless to say, we loved him from the start!=) Stephen and Caleb are drawn to him and beg for his attention anytime he's around. The team has been so busy this summer, but we've enjoyed all the time we've gotten to spend with Matt. I'm not sure how Stephen will feel when he moves out this coming weekend. He's become like a big brother to both the boys and like another son to me and Jeremy.

Tonight we all went downtown for pizza and a short walk by the waterfalls. We have loved our time with Matt and know the Lord has great plans for him in the future. We also anticipate who the Lord may send to our home next summer!=)

Stephen took this picture for us...not bad for a 4 year old!


Can you see how much they love him?