It's a date...

As many of you know, we had appointments yesterday at U of W for the little man.  

They consisted of listening to his sweet & steady heartbeat, watching his movements on the NST monitor, talking with his doctors and touring the rooms where he will be born, cared for and treated in when he arrives on his big day. 

I was flooded with memories of Miss Ella's birth-day almost 7 years ago.  We were in a different facility, but much of the teaching, prep & paperwork is the same. 

And as He did seven years ago, the Lord seemed to supply an extra dose of peace at every turn. Just another outpouring of His limitless grace.

And along with the peace was a growing excitement for his arrival. Not just excitement, joy! Deep, passionate, intense joy...

And now, we actually have a date!

May 3rd.  

And between now and then, we will wait.

In Seattle.

Without daddy.

Away from our home, family & friends. 

But what an adventure it will be...just another part of the little man's story. 

Monday (or Tuesday...we aren't exactly sure yet), the children & I (and our sweet nanny, Miss Emily) will move to Seattle until his arrival.

The Lord has provided a rental home (fully furnished) about a mile from the U of W and Children's. This is a huge provision!!! We are so very thankful and the kids & I are looking forward to exploring and enjoying the "big city" for a couple weeks.

So here we go...it's a date.

May 3rd.

And we cannot wait.

So blessed...

After being greatly encouraged by a good friend to have pregnancy pictures taken, I reluctantly agreed. I have never been (as I'm sure many women aren't) a huge fan of the state of my body during pregnancy. But as she spoke of being sad that she hadn't documented these precious days in her own pregnancy years, I decided to go for it. 
Thanks to her wonderful eye & gift for photography and some grace from her camera lens, I was blessed with these. 

I will forever treasure these pictures.

They capture the days before our little man arrived. 

They show the joy & anticipation we all have for his arrival.

And they will forever remind me of the miracle that is like no other. 
That of the formation of a little soul in the womb of his mother. 
The intricacies of his little body, forming, growing, developing...exactly as His creator planned. And I mean, exactly. 

Perfectly. 
Intentionally.
For a purpose...
His purpose.

"For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them."

Psalm 139:13-16 

(Thank you sweet Kristin & Emily...for taking these fabulous photos and blessing our family with your gifts! We are thankful and so blessed.) 

Celebrations...

February is a fabulous month...
In our household, it is full of celebrations.

February 19th, 2001...the day Josh & I were engaged. Snow capped mountains, surprise trails of red roses in the snow,  and the man of my dreams down on one knee...with the ring. One of the best days of my life.

February 9th, 2005...the day we found out about Ella Mae's diagnosis of Spina Bifida. Life-altering, ground-shaking and faith-refining...but celebratory, because of His grace to let us meet this little girl, raise her and see the joy she brings to so many. She is indeed a reason to celebrate. 

And then today we celebrate February 17, 2010...the birth day of Miss Amelia Claire. 2 years ago we were celebrating the end of a difficult & trying 3 1/2 months of bedrest...days laying flat in bed, hours where it looked as though she would come too early, months without my other 2 children & husband, the loss of everyday normalities (like making your own food, sitting upright in a chair or standing. Yup, I even missed standing.) That all ended on February 17th at 11:20am, when this little punkin was born...

And oh, what a joy she is...and so worth it. 
Vivacious.
Affectionate.
Passionate.
Athletic.
Fun.
Smart.
And sometimes sneaky. :o)

This little girl has captured our hearts...we love you Amelia Claire and we are so glad that the Lord saw fit to bless our little family with you! We are very excited to see all that the Lord has in store for your little life...and daddy & I consider it an honor to be your parents. 


Happy Birthday Mi-Mi!!!

My little man...

My little man. But not so little anymore...
Somehow, the last 5 years have flown by in a flash.

5 years old today.
Unbelievable. 

Happy birthday to my sweet, 
energy-filled,
persistent,
tender-hearted,
intelligent little man.


We love you Levi Gregory...