Playing Catch-Up: Part 1- Oct-Dec 2008

There's lots to catch up on from the past year (sorry for my break from blogging), so here goes!

Both boys wanted to be spiderman for Halloween, here's Noah...

And spiderman #2, Jonah...

For Thanksgiving, Jason's mom and stepdad came for a visit. It was so nice to family in town for the occasion- and of course, the food was great. Janice helped out so much in the kitchen and Jason smoked a turkey for us- delicious!

It's a Christmas tradition to have the boys' picture taken with Santa. They were excited about seeing him...until it was their turn- and yes, they are both crying. Oh well, I've got the picture for the scrapbook! I've been told that someday I'll have to pay bills for therapy for them to recover from their Santa experience.We celebrated Christmas with my family in Louisiana- it was wonderful to be with everyone. Here's a family picture from Christmas Eve...Another Christmas tradition we have is giving the kids new Christmas PJs. And yet, another tradition that the kids were not excited about this year. Jonah just melted because he wanted to wear his superhero jammies instead. Maybe I'll learn and their "Christmas PJs" this year will be Spiderman themed- doubtful!While we had the entire family together, we attempted to get a family photo. My boys always make this so challenging, but we were so glad to get a decent photo with everyone in it!

Part 2 of this catch-up coming soon...

In Between Times

There is a time for everything,

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...

It passes all understanding...

I have never sobbed so hard or cried so many tears as I have over the past 12 days. This has truly been the hardest thing that Jason and I have ever been through. But, I must say that I have never experienced God's peace the way I have through the loss of our sweet Ava.

The day that we delivered our baby girl was an incredible day. Incredibly hard and emotional, but still so good. We felt God's peace and mercy in a new and awesome way. We actually were able to smile and laugh throughout the day. We had friends and family across the country praying for us and God was so faithful. I can't even explain it. It was truly a precious day. I'm thankful for the time we had with Ava, to look at her in awe of God's creation- and to tell her goodbye. I'm jealous for the time that our grandparents are having with her in heaven now, but I know that she is happy and healthy. Jesus is loving on her for us. And He is loving on us through this, too.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:7

Ava Marie

Our sweet baby girl was born yesterday morning just before 8:00am. She was 10.4 ounces and 9 3/4 inches long. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We know that she is in heaven with Jesus, and being loved on by her Grandma & Grandpa W, and her Granny & Pop. But oh, how we long to love on her, too. We look forward to the day when we have that precious opportunity, we just have to wait longer than we expected. Here's the beautiful profile picture that we saw for the first time in December.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
~Psalm 34:18

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
~Psalm 147:3

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.
~Lamentations 3:22-26, 32

Generations

Today my hubby is back in North Carolina honoring the life of a very important man in his life, his Grandpa W. Grandpa was like a dad to Jason- he spent many summer days working with him on the family farm. Grandpa taught Jason how to ride a horse, drive a tractor, help pigs deliver their young, tend to crops- and much more. Most importantly, Grandpa taught Jas the importance of God, family, and hard work. He was a preacher back in Jacksonville- a leader to many and a mentor to Jas- one that holds a special place in our hearts. When we took Noah to meet Grandpa for the first time, Grandpa opened his front door and said, "Thank God for the next generation!" See, Grandpa had three sons, and some of those boys had sons, but until right before Noah was born it didn't look like there were going to be any boys in the next generation to carry on the family name. He was thrilled that Noah was a boy- and then Jason's cousin had two more boys- and we added Jonah to the mix, too. His name and legacy will carry on!

The trip where we introduced Noah to Grandpa, Jason wanted to show Noah around the farm. It's a special place- where Grandpa taught Jason many lessons about life and they spent a tremendous amount of time together- it was so important in molding that little boy back then. Here's one of Grandpa's tractors in the barn (Lorilu, I think you'll approve!)...

And a look out into the pastures...
Everytime we visited, Grandpa had this same huge smile on his face. He loved life, he loved God, - and he loved his family.

We're sad to say goodbye to this special "old timer," but so thankful to have known him. I'm so grateful for the influence he had on my husband's life as a young one and so glad we were able to introduce him to our two boys, who will carry on his name.
We love you, Grandpa, and we know you're in a better place. We'll see you again one day! I know you were thankful for the next generation, but we're thankful for your generation and the heritage you have passed on to us, too.

Visiting the Pumpkin Patch

We took the kiddos to the pumpkin patch at the beginning of the month while my mom was visting. We met some friends there and had a great time.

Riley and Jonah enjoying the hay maze.

A hay ride to the petting zoo... (Noah, Mima, Jonah, Riley, Hunter, Darci, Graci)

This camel was looking for food!
Sheep and goats...
Jonah's pumpkin pick! Noah's pumpkin... he proceeded to drop the pumpkin twice after this picture, so we came home with a cracked pumpkin. It lasted about a week before it molded!
Hunter's pumpkin pick!
The hay ride after we had chosen our pumpkins... (Riley, Noah, Jonah, Andrea, Hunter, Graci, Darci)

(Mima, Noah, Jonah, Andrea)
Jonah loves his Mima- and Mima loves her Jonah! Since Noah's first pumpkin rotted, we told him we'd go back to pick out another one. So, this week we went back with some more friends...

Hannah, Pauline, Riley, Noah, Ben, Jonah, and Jason on the hayride.

This time all the older kids went for pony rides! Ben...

Hannah...

Noah...

and Jonah.

The hungry camel was a favorite again.
Ben picked up carrots off of the ground to feed him- Noah though it was hilarious!
Hannah fed this donkey some carrots, too.
The goats were really checking out the kids. Jonah would bend down to look at them and say, "Hi there, Mama Goat, you are so stanky!" He sounded so southern, we couldn't stop laughing. I don't know where he learned the word "stanky," but it's too funny.
You may be wondering where the pictures are of the pumpkins from our second trip... well, it was dark by the time we made it out to the actual patch. We were literally feeling for the perfect pumpkin. I didn't think to pack flashlights, but both families came out with great pumpkins, regardless. I wouldn't recommend hunting for pumpkins in the dark with five kids, but we made a great memory!

Thanks Darci, Hunter, Riley, Graci, Mima, Pauline, Ben, Hannah, and Riley for some fun times!

I'm an Aunt!

I'm so thrilled to welcome my new niece or nephew into this world around April 3rd! I can hardly wait- I'm an Auntie, y'all! Here's my sweet sister-in-law (16 weeks) carrying the sweet baby!

And here's the baby at 13 weeks. We'll know November 19th if this sweet little one is a "he" or a "she!" Congrats Brent & Amanda!

You can keep up with them here. It should be fun having cousins that are about a month apart! What a busy spring for our growing family!