sheesh....is it hard to write a blog when life is busy.
No apologies because technology and social media really deserves no explanation when you are neglecting it because your LIFE is happening. Hah.
But really. For purposes of memories (and my lack of ability to scrapbook or do any other thing to hold precious memories) we MUST share our families most recent updates.
One of the biggest being.......
#3 is on the WAY!
We are thrilled to be expecting our third little sweet "scoop".
After much trial in between Mady and Collin, we were being very casual about the thought of another baby. It was a hard season of suffering as we miscarried and when Collin came we were just thrilled to have him that we didn't really think too long about #3. Which was, I guess enough time for us to get pregnant. So today, I am 25 weeks along and feeling this little baby kick as I type. Such a sweet gift. We are excited about adding #3.
Lots of change for Mady and Collin (especially Collin). He is really a loving little guy, but he definitely loves his Momma (and Daddy). I think he will have trouble sharing our attention and laps! He will get used to it. When Collin was born, Mady was 9 days shy of her 3rd birthday. They're due dates were actually the same! Collin will be exactly 2 when this baby is born. Or very close to 2. Yes....only a few days apart from Mady and Collin's due dates. Yes, you can do the math and figure that out. ;)
Anyway. I have not had only a 2 year separation between my kids, not to mention never had 3 kids. Mady will start the 4 day 4s program at school in August and Collin will be home with me and the newest baby. This will be a busy year for us. We shall see how it goes. Praying now for all the change that are ahead. Oh...and we are NOT finding out what we are having until he or she decides to come into this world! Since the due dates of all of our children are so close we decided we were "ready" enough (clothes wise) and needed to experience the SURPRISE! I am so excited for that...and I can 100% tell you I have NO CLUE if its a boy or a girl. Should be a fun day in late October :)
Another update: Mady finished her 2nd year of "preschool".
Here was her last day.....
and flash back to her first day.....
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| Bubby did a lot of growing over the year too. He loved picking up Sissy from school. |
We just got back from a family beach vacation and I was able to get some pictures of the kids and our family.
Here is a great picture from just last year.....
And the attempt at the same shot this year.....
Collin is a little too mobile for it to work out quite as cute this year...
My little beauty is 4 1/2! How does this go so quickly!
Bubby is 21 months. Getting so big and talking up a storm. Saying 3 word sentences! Loves cars, trucks, tractors, animals and superheros. Also adores his big Sissy. Loves to play with her. Even if she bosses him around, he has no clue...although, I am just starting to see a little 2 year old revolt coming out of insisting in his own way and using his words to say things like: "NO WAY!" Haha. Its bound to happen. Only means he's growing and developing normally. :)
BUT BOY IS HE HANDSOME!
Hes a MAJOR Daddy's boy. Loves, loves LOVES him.
Its so very special to see.
Especially since Mady is a little Momma's girl.
And let me say....Collin is JUST like his Daddy. Cuddler, snuggler, tender, sweetheart. Oh....and STUBBORN. Haha.
He even looks a lot like his handsome Daddy....
One of our BIGGEST UPDATES is about Bryan. He has accepted a position to join Boyce College as the Chair of the Department of Christian Worldview and Apologetics. I could not be more proud of him. He has worked sooooo incredibly hard to balance leading his family, working full time jobs, being a Teachers Assistant, working on his PhD.....and being an adjunct professor for about 2 years now. His students love him and he is so excited to now be able to focus on teaching full time. Instead of juggling 8 different things, he can now just focus on teaching and PhD. He's been remarkably faithful during this time and I am so thankful for his diligence and all the work the Lord has done through him during this time.
Another neat thing about this position is that it answer a prayer we prayed long ago, together as our life as a couple began. We truly felt called to College Ministry. We didn't know how this would look, but trusted to Lord as Bryan began studying at Southern Seminary to be better equipped for ministry. We thought we may have a future with Campus Crusade for Christ as staffers who minister to college students, or even vocational ministry in a local church as a College Pastor. Bryan has always been gifted to teach and we trusted the Lord to lead us well.
Well, now 8 years later the Lord has answered this desire and prayer in a way we never expected. We are so excited to pour into his students lives. Opening our home to them and serving them in hospitality and seeing the Lord at work in their lives. Hopefully pointing them into a deeper understanding of Christ and challenging them to truly be spent for the Gospel. We couldn't have picked a more perfect fit for our lives and we are excited to see how the Lord will grow us in this endeavor.
Bryan is gifted to teach and truly loves it (and his students). I love to see him so excited to go to work because he LOVES what he is doing. The Lord is so good to bring this position to Bryan. We are so very thankful.
As far as an update from me.....
I feel like the Lord has grown me. I have really invested in reading more of his Word this year. Reading a lot of the Old Testament and being in study with some dear friends. I really have seen lots of grace from this and a richer knowledge of the Lord. I am really thankful for our study and thankful for the friendships that continue to grow because of it.
I've had to say goodbye to some dear friends this year as well. Lots of our relationships in the seminary community are unfortunately short lived because of Ministry calls to distant places. This makes it hard, but its worth it. I am thankful for these women and the impact they have made in my walk with the Lord and the laughs, cries and good times we've shared. Our kids have loved one another too. Its been a sweet season. As hard as it is to see friends move far, it helps me to keep an eternal perspective. Not clinging too closely to the earthly joys and pleasures, but truly treasuring the things I have in Christ, which are eternal, never changing and holding secure. I am thankful for this truth, even as we grieve the loss of close relationships, we yearn to grow closer in our relationship with the Lord.
I am humbled to think about my future as a mother of 3 kiddos. Nervous and a little scared. I am a bit of a neat freak, perfectionist about my home. I know the Lord is using this extra little blessing to teach me to not value tidiness, but to truly live and love the lot the Lord has for me. I can see Him pruning me now :) It will be good...but I covet your prayers. :)
This little girl is just loving life. Growing everyday. More and more independent and more and more entertaining. She keeps us laughing and surprised at what comes out of her mouth! She is very bright. Intuitive and sensitive. A free spirit, but grounded in stability. She loves princesses, playing pretend and a good movie. She loves the mall, ice cream and playing with her friends. She's never met a stranger and continues to keep all those around her laughing. I see her growing daily in forbearing with her little brother and growing in a deeper understanding of others. She is loving babies right now...which is good timing. I'm going to need her help! She loves to be a helper and I love that.
This is our life right now.
It's busy.
It's messy.
It's not perfect....but its fun, exhausting and REAL.
We are thankful for each day and chance to grow in glorifying the Lord with our lives. Please be in prayer for us as we face all of our upcoming transitions. That Bryan and I would work to keep our relationship thriving. That our walks with the Lord would grow and that we would love our kids well and all those the Lord puts in our lives. Serving and loving unconditionally. If you've read this far you love us well, thank you!!
