Because of God’s blessing, we are so thankful for these 4 precious gifts . . .

Children are a gift from the Lord;
    they are a reward from him. 

Psalm 127:3

We have such gratitude for the 5th addition to our family arriving in July!

We are all excited and the older ones (the littlest guy doesn’t understand, of course), are so happy. The kids are constantly asking how big the baby is each week as he/she develops.  I’m feeling well overall. I just need to eat frequently to ward off nausea and I’m more tired than normal. I am planning to continue to take sessions up into June. We also will be finished with our homeschool year and have a little break when baby is born – perfect timing actually.

Because of faith, we trust that our heavenly Father provides for our needs. 

Children aren’t inexpensive. I know, big surprise, right?The grocery bill and clothing needs ever expand. It means we take less restaurant trips.  It means we miss out on those Disney World trips. It means we don’t have the newest items and fanciest things. But, it means we have a home bustling with life, working on learning to care for each other, love each other and put others first. It means we focus on what truly matters in life. But, if things are right between my heavenly Father and myself, I know He provides for all our needs. He hasn’t failed us once.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,  yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:25-34

Because of Jesus, I have the strength to be the mother to these blessings. 

Diaper changes, potty training, constant needs, discipline, home education, running a small business, laundry, grocery stores and errands, keeping the house ‘clean’, etc. Even taking time for myself in the evenings. It takes a lot of energy. I don’t know how I get it all done. I am absolutely not a perfect parent or wife.  I completely credit all I am able to accomplish to the verse below!

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

And to think… when I was in college and met my husband I said I never wanted to have children. Now, I can not imagine anything else I would rather do with this short life than spend it raising these sweet ones.

UPDATE: January 25th, 2015

We found out that we have gained another baby in heaven. At my 15 week appointment on friday my midwife could no longer hear the baby’s heartbeat and an ultrasound confirmed that the baby has indeed passed. Our family is grieving, but we’re doing alright. Thank you to our family and friends who already know and have prayed and hugged and loved us already. We appreciate your love.

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”