Rekindling

I don't like when life gets so busy that I let myself forget what's REALLY important. What is life? Why do we let it consist of planning our next meal, shopping, sleeping, driving and entertainment? Life is but a vapor! It's here, then it is gone. Rekindling my purpose... :)

So yes, I have been a busy lady. Our house is now completed! That's a big yay! It really looks beautiful. We are now in the middle of moving from the apartment back into the house with stuff strewn everywhere in between. The plan is for us to complete a couple of extra things on the house then try to sell it. Then we will look for our next fixer-upper project that will hopefully have alot more space! Can I just say my husband is incredible?? He really is! There is no end to what he can do. I don't know anyone as handy as him! So grateful for that gift.

HOME!

Oh and I guess I should mention that we are expecting again! haha :) It's such a normal part of my life now that I forget that some people still haven't heard. We are due in the middle of January. My journey with Hope has made this pregnancy different. I'm not a worrier and that hasn't changed. But I guess you can say I am more realistic this time. This is not considered a high risk pregnancy or should it be any different than any of my other normal pregnancies. It's just now I realize how things can change very quickly. Looking forward to finding out if this baby is a boy (I think it is!) or a girl. Really excited for either one. Taylor and Macy are having so much fun planning for the baby. I like that my kids are old enough this time around to "get it". Taylor hugs the baby (my belly) at least ten times a day and will say "I love our baby" and is quick to add "I love baby Hope too." Almost like he wants to verbalize what we are all thinking... this baby will not replace our sweet baby Hope but will just add to the blessings God has already showered on us.

photos by: leah miranda photography

leahmiranda.com

Rebuilding

I love being outside! So happy for Spring to be here. Treasuring life more this Spring than ever before...

I've had so many opportunities to share Hope's story with people. It never seems to get old talking about God's goodness and His grace. I spoke at a Club 121 meeting at a local middle school and this week will have the honor to speak at a mom's group meeting at my church. I don't like public speaking AT ALL but God allowed me to be a part of something incredible and it did not happen so I could just keep it to myself. Hope was given to me so that I would share her with everyone and I was and still am glad to do that! BUT there are parts of her that are mine alone. Moments that I get to keep in my heart and memories that will never fade. I was the one who carried her in my womb, gave her that first bath, sang to her and I was also the one who held Hope when she breathed her last breath.

Our family is still staying flexible and adjusting to life in an apartment. Our house is being rebuilt and it doesn't look like it will be too much longer until it will be completed. Josh and I are grateful for kids who are easy going and adjust so quickly to new environments. Taylor and Macy have really been enjoying their "rental" bunkbeds. :)

Here are some pictures of the progress on our house-

6 months later

I'm sitting here listening to my hubby play his guitar... some sweet, soothing Shane and Shane song of course...

Thinking about how this is the 13th of Feb. It was this evening six months ago our sweet baby Hope breathed her last. For me, it seems I have lived a whole lifetime since then. God has been so gracious to heal and restore my heart and soul. I remember that night so vividly though. It replays in my mind sometimes like I'm watching from a distance as the emotions unfold and the love from our family and friends is poured over us. I remember word for word what I said, how I felt, I remember how much my insides ached. But even more than that... I remember what awe I felt (and still feel) to be a part of such a story written by God. I can honestly say now, six months later, it was so worth it! To see how God used our Hope to change peoples outlooks, to grow their faith, to build their trust and to see so many people step outside of their comfort zones to reach out to us. IT WAS WORTH IT. God holds our past, our present and thankfully, our future. Josh and I are convinced now more than ever of our calling to be followers of Christ. Jesus, the One True God.

Our story doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon! :) Just when we were getting settled into a pretty normal routine again... our world was once again shaken.

It was Christmas Eve, our family was at a holiday party with friends. We got a phone call that our house had caught fire. God once again was giving us an opportunity to glorify Him in a rough circumstance. With the fire damage and the extensive smoke damage, most everything was lost. How were we to respond? The only way we know how! To look to our Savior and say "Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!". Just another reminder that we should not hold onto this temporary home too tightly. The Lord gives and takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord. :) We are not devastated. The support we had already received over the past months after Hope passed away just grew in size and surrounded us. We are so grateful for the body of Christ and for caring strangers who continue to bless us.

Our house is being rebuilt. We are hanging out in a comfy apartment until then. Life is becoming quite the adventure and who knows what is in store for us in the future. All we do know is that wherever this life takes us, we are not going alone. His grace is sufficient for ALL our needs!

Psalm 23

The LORD Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
³He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

⁴Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.