Late Night Thoughts

Just something that has been running through my head the last two nights before I fall asleep...

Everything we have is a gift from God, given to us to give back to Him. Sometimes I think we get proud with how much we give to God but forget He gave it to us in the first place! This applies to our children too. I think that's what I hold on to tighter than anything in this world. My kids. They are the most precious gift given to me other than my own salvation. So, God has been reminding me the last two nights that I am to give them back to Him. Not just Baby Hope, but Taylor and Macy too. They are His! I give them to Him knowing He is a good and sovereign God. It feels good to relinquish control over the thing I hold dearest! :) Thank you God for blessing me with three sweet babies and a husband who loves You, our kids and ME!

Third Pregnancy

Somehow all three of my pregnancies have been different. Different amounts and lengths of sickness, different cravings and different highlites! I had gone about ten days without morning sickness but this morning... bummer, my streak ended. :) This time around I have been craving massive amounts of fruit. Here are some things that I consume alot of...

New Picture

May 7, 2010 - I had a wonderful morning! We had a Level 2 sonogram scheduled early this morning, so the four of us got to see Baby Hope. We really liked the Dr. who did the sonogram. He seemed so positive and upbeat, which matched our spirits. :) Hope was moving everywhere just like she has during all the other sonograms. Other than her arms and legs which are short and the bones curved, she looks completely healthy! The Dr. could only get one good 3D picture of her because she just wouldn't be still. She's a wild child already! But the one picture we did get was GREAT!! She's such a little cutie.



Josh and I had a refreshing time in Birmingham this past weekend. We attended The Church at Brook Hills and were blessed to sit under some incredible teaching from one of our favorite pastors, David Platt. I just love how God works things out! Sunday morning the sermon was on the Psalm 23 passage, The Shepherd Who Satisfies. It was a sermon Dr. David Platt had prepared especially for those going through hard times or who are hurting. HELLO!! :) All I can say is that it was perfect. God planned for us to be there and the words spoken were meaningful, accurate and a salve to my heart. If you have some time, I would really encourage you to listen to the message we heard.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/chapter-16-the-shepherd-who/id319699838?i=82896850



Taylor and Macy are talking about Baby Hope more and more these days. Macy calls her "Hote". :) And Taylor has been asking me quite frequently if the baby is ok. He is so caring! They love the picture we got of her today...

Hope's Diagnosis

We are currently in Birmingham, AL visiting with some friends of ours. I was wanting to update everyone before we left but ran out of time.

4/28/10- I got a call from my doctor mid morning. She let us know that Hope's diagnosis is Thanatophoric Dysplasia. It's the diagnosis we expected but was hoping it wasn't. It is a severe form of dwarfism that as the doctors put it, "isn't compatible with life". Normally under these conditions, when a baby is diagnosed with TD, they usually live about three hours after birth. We will just proceed with the pregnancy as normal and will still have Level 2 sonograms monthly. Our next one is at the end of this week. It's really good to know what Hope has but also hard now that it's a for sure reality. Doesn't change anything in how we are feeling and are responding though. We are still full of joy and God is still supplying an abundance of strength. God has an incredible plan for our family and we don't want to take one opportunity for granted. He will use us through this and in this!

Hope moves and kicks so much. I love that feeling! She is a blessing to me and I am reminded daily of the privilege I have to carry her.

My friend Amy Crawford has begun a prayer chain for us and baby Hope. I know MANY of you are praying for us and if you would like to be a part of the prayer chain and have a specific time slot to pray, you can contact Amy at jwcrawford74@yahoo.com.