RANDOM THOUGHTS AND REQUESTS:)

Greg playing horsey with the little girls:)

I always think Izzi looks like a little elf (I mean that in a totally good way:)... she is so petite and precious:)

Anna and Sara Beth


I was a complete slacker over the Thanksgiving holidays as far as taking pictures goes. We did grab a few of the kids with my sister Beth's kids from Boston. Since my parents live right next door to my 2 brothers there were up to 16 kids running around but only my sister's family and her 4 kids, and our family actually stayed with my parents. It made for a ton of fun for the kids...and a lot of busyness that is for sure.

Thanks to my sister's planning we were able to actually get all 5 of us siblings and spouses together for dinner out. Louis and a couple of the older girls watched the little ones for us. I can't tell you how nice it is to have a child old enough to babysit. At the same time, it makes me a little sad that I have one that old... I know that sounds crazy. We had a lot of good laughs over dinner... it was just nice to be together. My sister and I rarely get home at the same time, so when we do, it is a treat. She is a great listener:)

My parents had a really nice gift made for Samuel's garden. I will need to go out there and get a picture and then post about it. It meant so much to me for them to do that for us in memory of Samuel.

I had an absolutely delightful night out for tea with my college roommate Samantha. She has been one to TOTALLY hang with me over the last 2 years... she is always reminding me that her boots are still on for the stormy weather we may face at any time. She never tires of hearing what I have to say. We had a lot of time to talk about what is new with her, and she is so intuitive... she asked lots of questions about how I am doing with being pregnant again after Samuel. She knows how absolutely overjoyed I am, but yet understands the fears that can also be involved after losing a child full term. It was so nice for me to be able to talk freely, and be real about ALL the feelings I am experiencing as a part of this pregnancy. I love you my sweet friend Sam:)

As far as feelings... I think we have got a name... pretty sure that is. I am not sure the kids all love it... but that is why they will get to name their kids. Greg and I love the meaning behind why we may name this baby boy these names.... I am not sure we will actually share it before the birth or not. It is funny, this is the first time we have actually known the sex, so it is a bit different. This little pumpkin is moving more and I just love it. It sets my heart at ease, and truly, I feel like when I feel him move... my heart falls more and more in love with him. I am 22 weeks today and that would make it about 16 weeks until we can meet him unless we have a reason to meet him earlier. I know 16 weeks seems like a ton, but my heart rejoices that we are getting closer. This may sound crazy but I always breath a sigh of relief at 24 weeks, viability, when this little guy would have a chance of surviving if born. I am also thrilled that we are so close to the holidays... It always makes these couple of months go by so quickly.

I want to cherish the moments and memories with my family... but I would be lying if I didn't say... that I just plain can't wait to get to Spring when hopefully we will meet this precious little gift God has blessed us with.

I have a prayer request for you... I don't know why I didn't post it right away... I was totally a lazy blogger while up north...

While we were up in Wisconsin, my sister in law Katy's niece Brienna was in a really serious car accident. She was actually outside of her vehicle at the time and was hit by a drunk driver who was going 50 mph. She was hit and thrown 50 feet. The driver fled the scene, but thankfully was caught by police later that night. It is a TOTAL miracle that Brienna survived and she is doing miraculously well. She did have lots of facial lacerations, some broken bones and some bleeding on her brain. She will require a lot of therapy and some more surgeries. She is only 18 years old. The Lord is clearly using this to draw her and her family closer to Himself... but I know it is going to be a long road. Would you please pray for her physical healing and that the Lord would sustain her through the months ahead... where I know there will be many difficult times. Thank you so much for lifting her up to our Heavenly Father.