We cried.

“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." 1 Samuel 1:27-28



We are overjoyed that God has entrusted another baby to our care and excited to meet blessing #4 in February. (Feb. 6 is the "official" due date, whatever that means...) Wednesday we were granted another sneak peak at Blessing #4. We cried. The ability to see our newest child still growing inside me gets us every time. Seeing the heart beating, the kicks and somersaults Daddy cannot yet feel, the tiny body being knit together inside mine… it is a vision that renders us speechless with joy, fascination, and awe. God’s handiwork is truly amazing! This time, however, we were not only rejoicing over seeing our anticipated gift. Although we have been through three ultrasounds per child (okay, maybe there is one benefit to being eight days overdue with each of my previous pregnancies) this ultrasound was different than all the others…

We’ve been asked about 300 times since we announced this pregnancy if we want a boy this time and yet, I’m still at a loss for words every time someone asks us. We have three beautiful daughters whom we adore, and we are not continuing to have children “just to get a boy.” Boy or girl, each of our children have been wanted, just as this child is. We have been blessed beyond measure with the gift of each child, and we just wish to honor God with our lives, our marriage, and our family. This child has been prayed for, delighted in, and lovingly accepted from the moment we knew we were expecting, just like all our other children! But, this child is a little different than our others…

Because, this baby is a BOY!!!

Our daughters are excited to have a little brother, and we are excited to have a son, as it will be a new adventure for us, even though he will be our fourth child!

B90X

Have you heard of P90X? The revolutionary exercise program that rapidly changes your body due to its rigorous regimen. And it all happens in just 90 days!

Well, I'm challenging myself- and you, too, if you accept- to a spiritual exercise program that I'm calling B90X. I heard about this idea through Raising Olives, and decided I would indeed read through the Bible this year- in 90 days! That's right, the entire Bible in 90 days!

Just as P90X (purportedly, because I haven't actually tried it myself...) rapidly changes your physical body, I'm excited about making concrete changes in my spiritual life- my walk with Jesus- that are dramatic, long-lasting, and disciplined.

So are you with me? Ready to get serious about your relationship with Jesus in 2010?

I'll be tracking and reflecting on my reading here. I won't be purchasing the 90 day Bible. Instead, I plan on printing off the reading plan and reading on my computer while I'm nursing, during the girls' quiet time, or after they go to bed... whenever I can read without distraction but with clarity of mind!

Somebody wrote on me!

Daddy is on February Vacation... we're all enjoying having Daddy home! The girls are getting to spend hours with him, playing, reading, learning -Daddy did the second half of school with Grace while I went to a baby doctor appointment today.

This morning we were enjoying a relaxed morning of snuggling and reading on the couch. As she was returning a book to the bookshelf and choosing another, Grace suddenly cried out in a very worried voice, "Momma, somebody wrote on me!"


Since I was occupied reading with Ella, I didn't know what she was talking about at first. "What? Who wrote on you?"
"I don't know! Somebody wrote on me on my hands! Somebody wrote purple on me!"
Thoroughly confused- thinking when did she get into crayons or markers, we've been together all morning!?!?- I called her over for a closer look.

See her little purple veins?

I love how God grants us opportunities to teach our children in our everyday, mundane activities! Not only did we discuss veins and blood and how they run through our body, but we were also able to chat about how God made us, and He did write on us- especially in our hearts- so that we would know Him and love Him! Thank you, Lord, for our precocious, curious, inquisitive children, who LOVE to hear about you!