Our 17-Week Secret

Happy New Year, dear friends.
I had not realized that I hadn't blogged in over half a year!
No wonder so many of you thought I had fallen off the face of the earth...

I have something that I need to tell you all.
I've been thinking through how I wanted to tell you for several weeks now.
Did I want to be all sentimental or poetic...  Did I want to break it to you slow?

I've decided that blunt is best.

We are pregnant.
And not a "little bit" pregnant.
I find out next week if our baby is a boy or a girl.
We are due approx. June 10th.

This is exciting news. (Babies are blessings!)
This is scary news. (I already have 2 babies. And the oldest is 2!)
This is must-trust-God-in-all-things news.

To be completely honest with you, I was shocked, surprised, and scared when we found out.
I didn't want to tell anybody... and I wanted to tell everybody.
I wanted to scream and cry.  I couldn't believe it was all happening so fast.

I have so many beautiful friends that supported me along the way.

Carlene- who I told first and just let me pour out my heart.  Who said that God was big enough to handle all of my raw emotion.

Sharon- the lactation consultant who graciously listened to all my concerns and told me to keep nursing Genevieve without worry and who reminded me that a new sibling was a precious gift to my children

Natalie- who did this same thing (3 under 3) about 10 years ago and who encouraged me to give myself plenty of grace and plenty of space (for example: napping instead of blogging or being of FB)

Cari- who was SO excited when I told her the news- not shocked, not surprised- but elated.  Her response was such an encouragement to me!

And so many others- who have reminded me that God's plan is good- especially when it surprises us.

There have been a few others (I knew there would be- and I was afraid of them...) who made the usual comments: "You need to get cable"..."They have things to prevent that... pills, purple condoms" "You are crazy!!!"

I'm trying to keep myself focused.  The task ahead of me is huge.  Monumental.  Undoable on my own.  So thankful that God walks alongside me every step of the way.  There may be some times He's going to have to carry me...

One verse that I have always loved, but means so much more to me now is Ephesians 2:10. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

I am God's workmanship.  He created my body to create, carry, deliver and nurture babies.  Lots of little ones is my good work.  He prepared this work for me to do before time began.  And I will trust Him.