An Announcement

yes, it's true.  Our family of four is in the process of becoming a family of five.  I would say that we will become a family of five in late November, but this little butterbean of a baby is certainly making it's presence known already.  As babies tend to do in first trimester and every trimester after that ;)

We are thrilled to be pregnant, as it is something we have wanted for a long time now.  However, when life got a bit crazy two years ago, we put any thoughts of more children on the back burner and waited for life to calm down. 

And then we kept saying, when we move to a bigger house...then we'll have another child.

Until one day we realized we weren't moving and time was passing by, and how much space does a baby need anyway, really?  And isn't there a saying that love grows in small spaces ;)  So we're just packing in here tight as can be, and we have such a peace about it.  That's not to say that we wouldn't welcome it if God decided to suddenly, out of nowhere, lead us to a bigger house, but it doesn't feel like that is where this thing is headed. 

Instead, God is once again shaking up what my vision of normal and expected and need is, and we are planning to put this baby in the bedroom with us, and we are just making it work.  And we're excited.  Ada is excited.  John is more confused than anything, as he keeps looking for the baby under my shirt ;) 

And I'm sick.  So sick and miserable in the way that tells me my hormones are good and strong.  And my family is hanging in there with me and being patient, and Ada says she likes that I am sick because we get to eat out more than normal.  We are surviving on junk and peanut butter and jelly and as much fruit as I can get them to eat in between meals to make myself feel better.  But we will get to the other side of first trimester, and meals will return to normal, and it's okay, I keep telling myself.  And honestly I don't even feel guilty about what we are eating because I am in survival mode, big time, when it comes to food.  Survival mode. 

So we are praying for this precious baby that is growing inside of me.  That he or she would grow healthy and strong, and already, that God would turn his or heart towards Him, towards truth, towards light. 

p.s. don't my children look thrilled in the picture?  Actually Ada is thrilled, now.  Her first reaction was tears because "everything was going to be different."  But the idea has now grown on her, and she talks about the baby all the time.  I think John thinks we are joking, and of course, can't quite figure out what we even mean.