Baby Number 5 is a....

I have so many WONDERFUL blog friends that are so faithful to follow me and comment even though I've been pretty lousy lately at keeping up with blog world!  I feel so thankful for each of you and wanted to be sure to share my exciting news with you all...

(cue drumroll!)

We're having another precious baby boy!!!

We found out a few weeks ago that the Lord is knitting another Warrior in my womb!  We are so very excited and can't wait to see his little face!

His name will be Ezra Grant and we're planning to have him right here in our home! 

We'd love if you'd join us in prayer for a healthy birth and healthy baby!

Around here, we like to keep things pretty interesting so stay tuned for part 2 of our adventure as we prepare to pack up our house and move to...well, we don't know yet, but more on that later :) 

And again, thanks so much to all my faithful blog friends, for your love, support and even the check-up e-mails some of you have sent me!  I look forward to meeting you all face-to-face some day...even if it's in heaven!!!

Am I?

As the birth of baby #5 approaches, I am growing ever-more excited, but also growing ever more curious of how adding a new little one to my current group of littles will go?

In-between my feelings of joy and eagerness, are spurts of questions that have been swirling around in my head...

Am I up for labor?

Am I ready for another baby?

Am I prepared for the changes another blessing will bring?

Am I strong enough to endure the nights of little sleep?

Am I taking enough vitamins and herbs?

Am I preparing my kids enough for the arrival of our new little one?

Am I ready for another homebirth?

Am I worrying too much?

And in the midst of all my "me-centered" questions...the Lord answers...

"I AM the I AM".  

So today I am feeling thankful that even when I feel like asking "Am I...?" I can KNOW that HE IS!

Come Visit Me AT THE WELL Today!

Today I'm excited to be featured "At the Well"...

For those of you visiting from "At the Well" thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out some of my readers favorites to the right under my profile!

Blessings!

Are You "Just a Mom"?

If you've ever seen the movie Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, you may recall how the character called "Mahoney" accuses the hired accountant of being a "Just Guy".  When the accountant asks what that means, Mahoney explains that a "Just Guy" sees everything as non-spectacular.  That a store is "just a store", a toy is "just a toy", a tree is "just a tree".

Now, while I certainly don't believe in stores having feelings or toys coming to life, I do believe that we all have someone in our life trying to get us to buy the lie of the "Just Guy".

Have you ever struggled with the thought that you are "Just a mom"?  Or that you "just don't have what it takes"?  Or that you "Just can't..."

Whether you are a mom to one child or a mom to many...

whether you stay-at-home or work outside the home...

whether you homeschool or send your kids to a school...

we all have an Enemy who wants us to believe the "Just" lie.  

For each of us it sounds different...

"I just have one child."

"I just stay at home."

"I just send my kids to school."

But there is nothing non-spectacular about what you do.  Your role in your home is irreplaceable.  You are making a difference...even on days you feel like you "just don't know if you can do it anymore".

If we are striving to be excellent women (wherever we are and in whatever we do), our worth is "far more than rubies" (Proverbs 31:10).

As a mom, you are involved in Kingdom work.  Even though you can't see it, each day you are a part of a great plan that effects eternity.  The sacrifices of today are seeds being sown into the generations to follow.

So next time you find yourself thinking you are "just a mom" or "just not good enough" ask yourself if a ruby is "just a ruby"?  Or is it really a desirable, precious jewel that you would be honored to have and hold in your hands?

Then remember...that's what your Jesus thinks about you!

Girl Time!

This past weekend, my mom, sisters and I went to my parents house in Kansas City to have a "Girls Weekend"!

We had such a wonderful time!  

My mom made us a lovely candle-light dinner on Friday night...

My niece Isabelle and my mom praying before dinner...

The sisters!  Marjie, Me and Sarah 

(I am the youngest, but the tallest!)

We were missing my oldest sister, Ranee

The 2010 babies born 5 days apart...

(Owen and Adeline)

Lunch on Saturday...

Red Lobster was Sarah and I's 1st choice!

We took Isabelle to the American Girl store

(this was really the whole purpose of the trip)

She is such a sweet little thing and was so excited!

Picking out how she wanted her dolls hair done...

Isabelle and the hair-stylist deciding what to do with Josephina's hair...

Aunt Marjie and Isabelle picking out the colors for the ribbon...

Almost done!

Mother and Daughter...

The three generations...or should I say 4? Josephina fits right in!

Isabelle with her aunts...

Finishing off the day of shopping at Panera Bread...

We had a fabulous time!  Such great fellowship and encouraging conversation!  I am so thankful the Lord gave me such godly and fun best friends right in the midst of my own family!

He is good!!!