Daddio's Day

Happy Birthday to my dear ol' Dad. He is the best. Really. I'm a Daddy's girl, but in the best sense. Over the years he's taught me how to (among many, many other things): ride a bike, love the Lord, wash and wax a car, fill up a tire, fill my gas tank, go fishing, ride horses, go camping, be kind to my elders, be a servant, take notice/awe of nature...that is just a short list. Gracie and I watched the video of our wedding today (her pick, and first time seeing it, after we looked through a few of the photos below, asking, "Mama, what party are we at?"). I still get teary when I see that moment when my Dad literally hands me over to Carl and there is a flood of all its meaning and symbolism – that he was giving me away! I'm still your little girl, Dad. We love you and cheers to many more!

12.12.12

This is the date we are due to have a new baby BOY join our family!




God has been so faithful to us. I've been reminded over and over of his true love for us – his children, especially in the verse Psalm 139:14a, "I praise you because I am wonderfully made." When Carl and I first started dating way back in 1999, I remember being thrilled that he was a believer, and I loved that he had Psalm 139 framed on his bedroom wall. Gracie recently brought home a coloring page from Kids' Day Out with this verse on it:





We have been through some heartache. Hopefully by the time this little boy arrives, God willing, we will have come full circle – a whole year since losing a baby. I dislike the word miscarriage. It makes me think of that scene in Disney's Cinderella where her carriage crashes and splatters into a broken pumpkin. The magic we felt was crushed. But our God is a God of redemption and fulfilling promises. We have hope for this new little life. I can say I am thankful for that experience because of how it enriched my life, humbled me, drew me closer to the Lord, to Carl, and dear friends and family who had walked that road, or walked the road with us.

Just recently I was at a baby shower with a friend who will be a mother at the end of this month. She is wise beyond her years and has an incredible support system. Her grandmother spoke about how she felt like her life began once she had her two boys. Afterwards, I agreed with her, and in a tiny discussion with her, the mother to-be, and the mother in-law, we talked about the joy and pruning that is to come. Their family owns a berry farm, and the mother in-law told us how she had just pruned the blackberry bushes, and you wouldn't believe the heap of rubbish she took off. My friend concurred, that she has no idea what pruning she will go through, but she is ready for it. Babies are truly miracles, and really good pruners!