Oh, how I fail you my blog page! I treat you as though you are second fiddle and deserve no attention.
A lot of things have been going on. Not sure where to start, so I’ll just ramble and hope you can keep up with my thought process ;)
First, we are officially 3 weeks and 4 days away from our due date!!! We are so ready. I’d say “me especially” but Josh has informed me he’s ready to just “reach in there and grab him out” so I guess he is a bit more impatient than I. This has been a relatively uncomplicated pregnancy, as all of them have been. I will say that this is the only one that I have been so out of breath, easily worn out and swollen with. This baby has taken a physical toll like no other! I am, though, looking forward to the start of labor. Crazy (and I mean CRAzy) as it sounds, I enjoy the labor/delivery process. It is such an amazing and awe inspiring time for me. To be so close to God, to work directly with Him in bringing a brand new life into the world, to be honored as his earthly parents. There is nothing more spectacular than looking into the eyes of a new child (adopted or birthed) and realizing, at that very instantaneous moment, that life is entrusted to you; that your role is to raise him/her in the light of Christ with a firm understanding of His work because quite honestly, the plans were made long before the conception. It will be so bitter sweet as we are firm that this will be our last. At least I’m 99.9% sure we are? I’m sure Josh and I will look at each other for confirmation right before that big step is taken. {I’m kind of tearing up the thought right now} Something that has been reinforced to me with this pregnancy is that God WILL provide. He provides for those who seek and trust him, who live according to His will. This may be our 5th child, but it has been 19 yrs since a baby boy has blessed us. Sure, we have all the big ticket items that we need (crib, car seat, pack n play, swing) and some girly items (bouncer, high chair, small umbrella stroller, bedding, blankets) but we have NONE of the small stuff. I must say I have been overwhelmed at a few of my friends generosity. Holly not only gave me a ton of clothes and receiving blankets, but she was able to switch bouncers with me (she is due with a little girl 1 day after me and has 2 boys). Celeste is loaning me her carrier and has clothes, too. Then I have Theda who has blessed me with tons of infant clothing that may have been worn once or twice by her 6mo old grandson and Zarina who loaned me (out of the blue) a beautiful basinet. My in-laws are generously getting us a new stroller and want to get a boy bedding set when the crib transition comes. You see, no one including family, offered or even asked about a baby shower. No one has even inquired as to if there was one. I will say, it’s disappointing in the extent that a get together to celebrate would have been warmly welcomed but at the same time, God provided. Abundantly!!
Josh is finally being given a title at work that he earned a long time ago. Now it’s a matter of paperwork that is on forever delay. He will, at some point, officially carry the title First Assistant Golf Professional. This gives him the ability to work anywhere in the US. I doubt we will move far since he has grown a network of clients that more than fills his schedule with lessons, but should God point us elsewhere we are open to going. I have made it clear that California and Florida are out of the question…cost of living is way too high. He’s a Texan, born and raised, so I’m sure we’ll stay here in the good ‘ol Republic. I’m so proud of him!! He has a phenomenal work ethic and a passion for what he does. Not to mention the way he loves his kids. Surprisingly, he shows a bit more compassion to Ian than I do? I love that, to see him love Ian. How awesome is that! The girls adore their daddy J Josh took Abby to dinner for her birthday and she had such a great time! She loved getting dressed up and feeling special as they ate at Macaroni Grill. He has blossomed into more than I thought was possible when it comes to the girls, and for that I am grateful.
Ian is doing well on his own. He is learning some lessons financially that we tried to teach him about before, but his stubborn nature wanted to do it alone. He is getting back on his feet and realized he doesn’t want to be in that situation again, so I guess it’s a lesson learned?? He and Meagan are still dating, almost a year now. They are both deep into their faith and attending church on Sunday and Wednesday every week. I’m very proud of them for that, even if I’m a bit skeptical of the teachings. I have laid the best foundation I could with Ian, living a humble life as an example and now it’s completely out of my hands. It never really was in my hands, it was always Gods. I pray they learn the entire Gospel and the truth of the Word, not just bits taken out of context to elevate oneself or another.
“God chooses in grace. God’s grace to this family and to people today does not depend on their personal goodness, but on God’s. We also find here that forceful, independent thinking and acting do not move God’s purposes forward. Rather, out of trust in His grace and guidance come belief and obedience to Him.” [lesson 21, The Story of Isaac, BSF 2013]
In Him,Forever Blessed~
Jenny
