Miraculous Surprise!

I have been waiting so long to post about this wonderful surprise that I can hardly believe I finally get to spill the beans.

WE ARE ......

To say we were shocked is an understatement. It has been a LONG road and a journey that I would gladly travel again. Struggling with infertility has been one of the hardest things I have ever faced and I have never felt closer to the Lord. It has been over 2 years of waiting (which I know isn't a very long time compared to so many who struggle for years).

As most of you know I struggle with trust. It has been a challenge, to say the least, during this trial of course. I felt like so many times I had given this struggle to God, laid it at His feet and said let your will be done Father. However, deep down I was holding onto a glimmer of hope that I would have more children some day and this couldn't really be happening. At the beginning of June (just 2 years after we started trying to have another child) I really did give it over to God. I felt an overwhelming sense of peace about it and decided to focus on His plan instead of my own.

Wouldn't you know, that is when God decided to bless us with another child! He works in mysterious ways! His timing is perfect and I know He will provide. We are unsure of Richard's job for this year, besides the coaching position, since he did not get the teaching position he had hoped for. However, I know God will provide and we will be just fine.

Because I discovered this surprise while Richard was at the lake with the boys, the was the first

time I was able to surprise him with a pregnancy! I wrapped up the pregnancy test in a necklace box and told him it was a late Father's day present. I tried not to be too eager for him to open it only minutes after he pulled into the driveway and he had no idea what was coming. He opened it up and when he realized what was going on, all he could say was "Is this for real? Is it true?" And we hugged and cried and praised the Lord for our miracle!

We had our first appointment yesterday and I haven't been that nervous, anxious, and excited all at once for a very long time. I have been feeling very sick (nauseous, puking, tired) and have been trying to praise the Lord instead of complain. I haven't been as sick as I was with the boys, which has made me nervous and worried, but thankful at the same time because it has been easier to function when I am only puking a few times a day instead of all day long.

The doctor couldn't hear the heartbeat and felt I was measuring small. I was an emotional wreck while we waited 20 minutes for the ultrasound. The sweet ultrasound tech quickly confirmed fetal heart tones and we all cried! We were able to hear the heart beat (a beautiful 164 beats per minute) and see the little peanut wiggling all around. It was such a relief to see that everything is okay. I know this doesn't guarantee anything, but I feel much better about it and know God has a plan. I pray He will prepare me for whatever the outcome is and He will be glorified in the process.

The boys are excited. Well, Jonah is excited and Elijah is not sure what to think. Jonah said he only wants a little sister and Elijah doesn't want a baby at all. We are hoping Elijah will warm up to the idea in the next 7 months.

Here is our sweet little peanut! Our due date is March 4!

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So know I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord." -1 Samuel 1: 27-28