We Have a Heartbeat!

I had my first prenatal visit with my new midwife on Tuesday. We had a good visit, and I'm pleased with our decision to hire her. We all went as a family, so together we got to hear the heartbeat for the first time. We didn't get to hear very much, though, because the baby kept moving. And I was really hoping this kid would be mellow... :)

More Big News

A few of you may understand the significance of the above pictures. For those of you who don't, allow me to joyfully explain:

I was beginning to think I may not live to see this day. This is Eliana's first time experiencing dippin' dots ice cream. Why is this such a big deal? Because it has been a promised reward for the past many months of successfully using the potty. That's right. My 3-year-4-month-old finally potty-trained a week and a half ago. PRAISE THE LORD!

For those of you who don't have children, have only a very small child, or have had ridiculously-easy trainees you may not understand what a HUGE deal it is to expereince the pure elation of putting away the diapers after nearly two years of repeated completely unsuccessful attempts. Let me just say, it is beautiful--so beautiful, in fact, that I feel as excited as my 3-year-old to tell the whole world about it.

We're still working on the modesty aspect, so it's probably best not to mention her new panties to her. You're likely to get more than you bargained for. Perhaps we should contact Fruit of the Loom and tell them we have a new model for them.

God is Good

We are now 12 weeks into our wait for the new bundle of joy God has so graciously given us. We had been hoping and praying that God would bless us with another child in His timing and in His way. Due to my low progesterone levels we thought it would probably be a while longer, but we were pleasantly surprised to get this back in July:

We were supposed to send in our application for a New Mexico adoption on the day we found out God had other plans for us (for now anyway).

Surprisingly, April 2 doesn't really seem that far away. There is so much happening between now and then and with two other littles growing up quickly that I really believe the time is going to fly by on this one.

We are so thankful for this new life and for God's grace and mercy in sustaining this pregnancy to this point. My progesterone is being supplemented and seems to be just fine. Thanks to everyone who has given us hearty congratulations. Please keep us in your prayers.

A New Family Portrait

Memory card: $20

Digital camera: $400

Knowing there are actually five people in this picture: PRICELESS

Lessons From Sunday School

The other day, Eliana and I were discussing what she had learned in Sunday School this week. I could see from her take-home handout that she had learned about Peter's denial of Christ. She was eager to tell me the story herself, though. Here's how it went:

"Peter heard a rooster crow and that made him very, very sad. The rooster said he did not know Jesus."

I then attempted to correct this by saying that it was Peter who denied Jesus. She quickly picked up again:

"Yeah. And the rooster said, '"I forgive you, Peter.'"

Again I downplayed the rooster's role by telling her that it was Jesus who forgave Peter.

"Mom, let me tell you a cock crow story!"

At first I thought she had said, "a cockroach story," but then I realized that she was actually saying, "a cock grow story." To further illustrate her point, she motioned the rooster's growth with arms stretching far apart and then went back to her story:

"And the rooster growed REAL BIG and then he made a noise and that made Peter very, very sad and he cried."

I then asked her why that had made Peter so sad. After confirming that she had no clue other than that the noise itself was quite disturbing to Peter I went on to explain that the crowing was a reminder to Peter of what Jesus had said and of how Peter had sinned. I tried talking to her about how Peter loved Jesus and that's why the sin upset him so much. But she wasn't about to let me take over the story:

"So then Jesus said, 'Follow me, and I will show you something cool!'"

I just laughed and gave her a hug. While her comprehension of the story leaves something to be desired, it warms my heart to see the eagerness with which she longs to tell it and to hear the excitement and drama pouring out of every word. And, after all, she did manage to retain some grasp of Peter's sin and repentence, someone's forgiveness, the rewards of following Jesus, and, don't forget, a very large and disturbing rooster.

Happy Grandparents' Day!

From Eliana and Evangeline with love...

Like Sister, Like Sister

We have a new shark lover in the family. Here are some pictures from our most recent trip to the aquarium (nearly two months ago--better late than never, right?).

Adorable.

Too cute.

Remember this picture?...

Still loves sharks.


Just like big sister.

Evangeline's shark face.

What Timing!

God's timing can be really mysterious and perplexing. Sometimes His timing of a certain event leads us to praise Him and marvel at His goodness. Other times we are left wondering, "Why, oh, why now?" It can seem especially difficult to see what God is up to when it hurts. Even behind the things I look at and say, "C'mon! I mean, really?! Now?!" I can trust that He is sovereign and has amazing purpose, but that doesn't mean that coping with those difficulties is smooth sailing. Still, what a comfort it is to rest in the knowledge of His goodness...and in His perfect timing.

Vaca Pics Recovered!

I big thank you goes out to TJ's Photo Center, who successfully recovered ALL of our vacation pictures off of our reformatted memory card! I am so happy to have the memories of our wonderful trip preserved so well now. I know it's been quite a few weeks since our San Diego adventure, but I'd still like to share with you what a suberb time we had. I hope you enjoy!

Visiting Joey

You can tell he doesn't quite know what to think of our spirited girls! Eliana kept wanting to "baby" him, and Evangeline kept playing with all of his toys.

SeaWorld

Eliana signing "whale" just outside the "Dine with Shamu" venue.

Evangeline really loved watching the whales. She was determined to let her presence be known amongst them.

Eliana's up-close and personal encounter with a killer whale.


Having a blast at Shamu's show


We all loved petting and feeding the dolphins!


A dream come true: Eliana gets to hold a real starfish.


Of course we had to see the sharks, too!


Chris runs a marathon
This man just ran 26.2 miles. He's my hero. :)


The girls were very proud of Daddy as well.


The Beach
The girls and I were all seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time.


Evangeline was a big fan of the ocean. She was sure to let it know she was there.



San Diego Zoo
Eliana was eager, as always, to see the elephants.


As promised (Justin!), Chris made his camel face for the camera.


I'm not sure which made a bigger hit, this statue or the real hippopotamus.

Me, feeling like an elephant carrying two tired little girls

A Year of Evangeline

10 days

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

11 months

1 year!

Happy 1st Birthday to the Princess!

The smallest among us celebrated her first birthday on July 5! I can't believe it's already been a year since her birth! Our precious, little girl is growing up so quickly and doing so many new things now! It's as if she understands that she's a big girl now and has decided to prove it to us. She is a walking, talking, signing fanatic! I just love to see how proud she is of herself.

She had a great first birthday! See for yourself:

She really loved opening her gifts. She kept handing me all the little pieces she tore off.

Her new walking toy. She now wants to walk everywhere! Thanks, Grandma & Grandpa!


Blowing out the lone candle (with some help from Mommy).


Getting her first bite of cake! (For those that are interested, I made the Bunny Birthday Cake from Super Baby Food.)


Mmm...this is good!


Back off! This is my cake!

Evangeline, you are so very beautiful to me, and I thank God for making me your mommy. Happy birthday, princess!