Pages turned into a new chapter

While I've now had 41 weeks to process the fact that the Lord has blessed us with a child, I still find it hard to believe and wrap my brain around. Yes, it seems like it should be easy as I have a huge, hard, protruding abdominal mass that makes it difficult to sleep and even do what seems should be a simple task....breathing. But still how can one really be fully prepared for the awesome life change of welcoming a child into her life. I've decided that no number of books, people's advice or audio can really prepare me.
Brent and I have had 2+ amazing years of our relationship. God has provided beyond measure, beyond what we could ever hope for or image. He continually loved us through our failings, grew us, sanctified us and now brought us to this new chapter in our lives. While it is exciting, I'll admit I'm definitely nervous, and find myself waking all through the night just praying for him, praying for us as parents, for wisdom, that he would grow to know, love and serve the Lord whole heartily. Feel free to pray with us concerning those matters.
We thank you for all the prayers throughout the pregnancy, the encouragement and thoughts. We look forward to having you meet him on Thursday!
As I've reflected over Brent and my life together, I think I'll include a few random sweet moments (although I want to spend hours posting my favorites-I will not bore you) as our independent chapter of life is soon to close. Oh, what adventures life brings! We praise God and wait expectantly for His awesome handiwork in this new time in our lives!

Morton: P-Fest

PTC: engagement


Rome, GA: wedding
Switzerland

India

Petite St. Vincent

Peoria: hiking

July 4th

40 weeks

Well, we have said hello to our due date and now it's about time to tell it goodnight as there are only a few hours until it passes us by. I must admit that I'm a bit surprised that our little man has not come out to say hello yet, but today I have found comfort in reflecting on how our loving savior already knows his birthday, has numbered his days and knows the plans for him. The waiting game is a little more awkward because of the complete unknown, but I guess that's exciting too. I'm still feeling great- not even uncomfortable, which I am thankful for but led to believe that he may be a bit too comfortable in there and in no urgency to make his debut. Oh well, we'll see and we will rejoice in his arrival!
These are sweet, wonderful truths that I have often thought for you, our little man, (whom we shall announce the name later)--

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

I'd say it's about time to start updating again. It's been over a year and the idea of starting this blog back up is a bit daunting. I think this time I'm going to keep it short in hopes that I can be more frequently brief, instead of staring the computer overwhelmed by everything or lack of everything happening in our lives and rarely updating.
Over the past year, to be extremely brief, we have bought a home, been nomads/homeless for a couple months (started to master that skill), moved to Texas, become active in an incredible church with a great community of those that love the Lord, each started new jobs, gone on a few wonderful trips, a cruise, celebrated 2 years of marital bliss, become pregnant, finished an entire year of residency and started ophthalmology!!!! God is good! He has brought us literally around the world and provided in ways beyond what we could have even imagined. What an awesome God we serve!
Now, in a few days we're due to have our little boy! Our nursery is almost done (thanks to the Rocke family!!). We have our bags packed and it's simply a waiting game now. I have loved pregnancy, felt great and had a wonderful time during this stage! It's such an incredible time and even more amazing miracle!
We took a few maternity pics the other day with some friends. Here's to 39 weeks of God's handy work: