Arriving in Spring 2015

There is a very important update on our family to share with all of you....






















Avery: "I'm going to be a big brother!"
Noah: "I wanted a horse."
Lilly: "If Lochemet is a girl, I don't have to wear dresses anymore!"

Yes!  We are having a baby!  Go ahead, squeal--we did!  I stared at the word "pregnant" on that stick for several minutes, shaking, crying and laughing, before I could form the words to tell Shawn.  Finally, I settled for shoving it in his face and pointing!  We are still in "Wow, is this real?" land.  To have prayed for a child for so long, to have so many doubts, to have so many discouraging words spoken to us by doctors--yes, this is REAL.  God given and blessed, this baby is real.  Praise God, and hallelujah sing!

We have chosen the name "Lochemet" until we know the baby's gender.  In giving our child a name, we can avoid words like "it" and "the baby."  We chose Lochemet because it means fighter in Hebrew.  I'm quite certain the name is relatively self explanatory, especially if you've read past posts.

We are truly overwhelmed by God's grace and overwhelmed with joy.  We are filled with intense gratitude.  We were told we would not have this chance again, and well, here we are!  Noah and Avery are happy and excited; Avery talks to his baby (sister, he's insistent....) and sings to Lochemet.  It is the dearest thing!

Avery is very curious, wanting to know how our baby is growing, and what it's like "in there." He also wants to know when his little sister (I told you, he's VERY insistent!) is going to stop making Mommy so sick!  Bedtime stories seem to be more enjoyable for Avery, as he now has the big brother responsibility of choosing a book for both of them.

We do ask for prayer.  We have not yet had a sonogram to confirm the due date (that is in 10 very long days).  I keep telling myself I will be able to relax and feel better once I see our baby's heartbeat on that screen.  We've had blood work to confirm that everything is progressing as it should, but I have not yet relaxed.  Even with news this joyous, and God's reassurances, I have not been able to give up the fear and anxiety that plague me.  When you finally receive something you have wanted so badly, something you have prayed for so hard and so long, there is an intense fear of losing it.  This child has been loved for so long, there are many great plans our Father has for her (alright, or him...), and I can't wait to tell Lochemet all about it.  There are times I already do.

""For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.""  Jeremiah 29:11