32 Weeks

Hey little one!

So we had the 3rd birthday in our family in the month of March--mine!! God has graced me with another year and I praise Him for it.

We had a family road trip during my birthday and it was LOTS of fun. . .we'll have to fill you in on all the details later. Your Abuela even came, which was great!! You and I did well with all of the traveling and busyness of the trip. Now, we're resting up for the next few days before resuming our regular schedule.

Your oldest brother asks me almost everyday, "How is K--- feeling?" He knows that it won't be long. We're getting excited!!! We love you, sweetheart!

Birthday/Road Trip Pics

 

30 Weeks

Well, sweetheart, we're officially in the 30's!!! The 30's are always exciting to me because I know that in 10 weeks (give or take a couple of days) I get to see you, Lord willing!!!!!

Well, I had planned to write to you on Monday, so we are now actually nearing the end of the 30th week. Here are some happenings from our week:

Monday was St. Patrick's Day and guess what?? It snowed! We had about 6 inches of snow. No pictures of Daddy this time shoveling the snow. He said he's had enough of the snow for this year! :)

Tuesday was library day and we had a ton of fines to pay!! I forgot to renew the books (again) and then with the snow storm, we had to wait an extra day. Your siblings and I picked up more books to enjoy. You'll learn that we are at the library lots and lots. I hope you'll enjoy reading, too! Daddy took us out to dinner and that's always a help to Mommy!!!

On Wednesday, Mommy went to the doctor's so she could see how you're doing. And, praise God, so far, so good. You are moving and twisting and turning, especially at night. It is such a great feeling. Here's what Mommy looks like at 30 weeks pregnant with you:





My, how we're growing!

On Thursday, we went to the store to get your brother some gifts because today is his 1st birthday!! That means that you two will be 14 months apart. He's a lot of fun!


Baby J is 1 now!!

In our family, sweet girl, we have a little tradition: on each child's first birthday, he or she is presented with a honey graham cracker by the next oldest sibling. :) Since babies don't eat honey the first year of life, this has been "our thing"!! As you can see, Baby J is loving the graham cracker.

More exciting things are coming up in the next few days and I can't wait to share them with you. I feel like I'm in my own little advent season. . . waiting for you with great expectation. I love you, baby girl.

29 Weeks

Hey, sweetie pie!

We are busy these days, with soccer, flag football, music lessons, swimming, along with every thing else that goes on around here. Mommy is learning how to balance big kids with little kids and the wide range of interests that go on in between.

Today is your oldest sister's 11th birthday!!!!!!!!!!! And let me tell you something about her that you will soon come to know: she loves her family tenderly and deeply, including you. And, she is probably the sweetest person I've ever known in my life. She gives of herself each day to every one of us. I can't believe that I've been her mama for 11 years. . . amazing grace.

Here are some fun pics:

Baby J held still long enough to take a pic. He's crawling these days.

The men-folk of the house.

You'll learn what fun it is to play in a box, too.

Your sister saying hello to a terrapin.

Your oldest brother testing out his wingspan.

All your siblings on a nature center field trip.

Happy 11th, SJ!!!

I love you, sweet baby girl. I think of you each day and the ways you will bring joy to our lives. . . you already have.

Fruit of the Womb

Baby girl,

Do you remember how I told you before that Mommy has to work on not caring so much about what other people say (when they are trying to be mean or rude)? So often, Mommy and Daddy are questioned, criticized, looked down upon, teased, misunderstood, stared at--all because you have 5 siblings. This comes from complete strangers, and even some of our family and friends. And, many of them are Christians.

Why does that matter--being a Christian?

Well,  sweet girl, it matters because of what God says about children. And, as God's children, we are to align our thinking with His.

In Bible study today, God just reassured Mommy and opened my eyes anew to a passage of Scripture that has been pretty familiar to me. I was reading Psalm 127:3-5 and I decided to read it from The Message translation and this is what is says:

Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift?
the fruit of the womb His generous legacy?
Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows
are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents,
with your quivers full of children!
Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you;
you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep.

-Psalm 127:3-5

 

Prayerfully, you will come to learn that the Word of the Lord is a balm to the soul. And little one, this was so refreshing and so soothing to me on so many levels. I keep reading it again and again. I said to Daddy, "Babe, look at this translation!" The part that stuck out to him was the end, about enemies. Why? Because a family that is rooted in God's Word, that understands that children are such a great blessing, will be able to stand strong together.

 

So, when people question us, when they stare, when they start counting how many kids call one person, "Mommy", when they tell me that I should not have had you all, when they're shocked that Daddy has fun with you guys, when they call me crazy or shake their heads in disgust, when they say that they feel sorry for me, when they don't understand, we will stand firm as a family, knowing that God's Word is true and it cannot lie.

 

You and your siblings are God's best gift to Daddy and me. I pray sweetheart, that moms and dads view their children as God's best gifts, His generous legacy, a blessing--not a burden, no matter how many children they have.

 

You are wanted and you are loved.

-Mommy

Your sisters and brothers. . .we're waiting for you!

 

26 Weeks

Baby girl, we had lots of fun the past few days!

Your oldest brother talks about seeing you soon. He's excited to have a little sister. Did I tell you that already? After having 2 older sisters, he's ready to have a little sister.

He said, "Mommy, I can't wait to see K--- in May. I don't like the pictures you get of her from the doctor's office. They are always black and white and I can't really see what she looks like. I like seeing her at the hospital because then I'll know what she looks like!"

Well, this is what he looks like!

To tell you the truth, baby girl, I know exactly what he means. While I love EVERY ultrasound picture I have of you, it just doesn't compare to seeing you face to face. But, for now, we'll be patient and we'll just dream of what we all think you'll look like.

This is what Mommy's looking like these days:

Valentine's Day 2014

I love you to pieces, sweetie!

20 Weeks

We went to the doctor today so I could check on you. Your heart is beating nice and strong and is music to my ears. I took one of your brothers with us. Let me tell you, he just smiled and showed his 3 little teeth to all the nurses and the doctor. (What a flirt!) He’s only 9 1/2 months right now and has no idea that he’s already a big brother. He’s wonderful and you’ll be glad to meet him.

You are just rolling and tumbling and bumping around these days and I love it. It is such a blessing and a miracle to hold life inside!

Earlier in the pregnancy, I felt a bit discouraged because of the rude comments we sometimes receive because our family is on the larger side. (Mama has to work on not being so concerned with what people say!) Any way, look at this beautiful passage of Scripture God showed me: 

“They shall build houses and inhabit them;

They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

They shall not build and another inhabit;

They shall not plant and another eat;

For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people,

And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.

They shall not labor in vain,

Nor bring forth children for trouble;

For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord,

And their offspring with them.”

-Isaiah 65:21-23

Sweet baby girl, that gave me so much comfort! Our God is just sweet like that. You are not trouble to your Daddy and me, but a gracious gift from God.

I love you. Good night.