and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
~Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
This month is a special month for us- in a little bit of a weird way. We are right in the middle of two very different times in our life. A little over 6 months ago, we lost our baby girl. The grieving has been intense at times, but God has been faithful to bind up our broken hearts and bring healing. We have normal days now- our new normal. Ava Marie is never far from our thoughts. There are some days when the tears are just constantly close to the surface and surprise us at the times they choose to bubble over. We have grown closer as a couple, and as a family- I'm so thankful for that. I'm also thankful for the many friends who have loved on us through this time. There are so many that have allowed us the comfort to let the emotions come when they come- and that has been a life saver.
But this month also marks a new time for us. In about 6 months, we will be welcoming another baby into this world. Our due date is January 19th, just three days past the anniversary date of Ava's delivery. We are so excited to meet this little one- and so very grateful to God for this blessing. This pregnancy has certainly brought with it some new feelings- a little apprehension that we hadn't had before- so please be praying for us. There have also been some very familiar feelings, too: the excitement, the nausea, the exhaustion! Thankfully, we are over the first trimester and the nausea and exhaustion is behind us and the nesting has begun! Here's a peek at our new little one...
