so.. i was just reading over my blog for the first time in a very very long time. so much time has passed, so many things have changed, so many blessings we have received. for a very long time i have wanted to just sit down and write, even though i'm pretty sure i'm the only one that reads this :) even so, i will try my hardest to hit all the high points of our last year for you/me. here it goes.
our BIGGEST change this last year is the size of our family. once just the two of us... and sanford.. has turned into four! never would i have imagined that as i was typing my last post over a year ago. i would love to go into every single detail about our journey from sept 2008 until now. for now i will summarize this long road. a road with broken hearts (as i'm sure you can read in the last post), to a road of anger and not understanding why this would happen and why God allows things like the miscarriges, to a road of putting full faith in God and giving up trying to find the answers, to being blessed by God showing us that no matter good or bad that we go through on this earth, things that take place can be used for His glory. i believe He did get glory from trials we faced and i believe He will continue to get glory in ways we will never know.
Our year and a half in a timeline:
September 08- a new year begins at school. i started teaching a new class at school called the k-1 transition class. loved it! soon after school started we had our second miscarriage. we were completely devastated and not sure where to go from here.
October 08- get away with the family to a razorback game. (much needed) woo pig!
us at the game (notice the razorback tattoo on the cheek. yep. those wipe off tattoos are the way to go. :) i know... i'm a weenie.)
mom and dad. sorry jay and jenny.. can't find a pic of you. love you though! :)
November 08- we lost one of our very dear friends, brian stallings, to cystic fibrosis. the monday before he passed away, he prayed that God would put air in his lungs as long as He wanted him to live. brian knew that his life, no matter if God chose to heal him or not, would be for the Glory of God. the end. no questions. we learned so much through brian's life and we miss him more than i can ever explain in words.
for thanksgiving, we decided to get away so we spent the holiday in california with our friends stephen and robin. it was a great place to get away and rest our spirits.
aaron and i on the beach at coronado island. cheesy i know, but i was trying to be creative for the christmas cards. :)
stephen and robin
we love them!
(crossing our fingers that they will make it back to arkansas one day)
December 08-decided once again to look at adoption. this is something God has placed on both of our hearts.
January 09- glad to see a new year begin, hoping for a better one. not getting many answers from adoption agencies and unsure what to do.
March 09- everywhere i looked i was hit in the face with the same message of "glory to God". pretty sure He was trying to tell me something. during the months of march and april, i was able to let go of the anger and begin to give God the glory no matter what. we also decided this month to go back to a promise God had given us on children and we decided to put away the adoption papers, believing God would show us when He was ready for us to start again.
God also led aaron and i to go on the college spring break trip with our church to chicago. we led a team that was able to go door to door inviting people to a new church in the area while also asking for prayer requests and praying right there at the doorstep. amazing how God worked that week. we were also able to really bond with the students which we love!
group pic
us :)
some of our kiddos that we love so much!
May 09- found out that we were expecting. very nervous.
we were also extremely blessed to lead a journey group of college students for the summer. they met at our house every sunday night.. and sometimes throughout the week for our usual cookouts!
here is a pic of the majority of our group. we had amazing discussion, fellowship, and fun. they love God with everything they have and they live to do what will bring him glory. they inspire me! they are truly like our children.. except of course they couldn't be because we are so not old. :) right guys?
June 09- 1st ultrasound. two babies!!! started getting sick... but loved it!
August 09- summer vacation with brad and jennilee!
we went to orange beach and had a wonderful time! then back home to start a new year at school.
jennilee and brad at the condo
me and aaron
(of course we played putt putt. you have to when you go to florida!) :)
September 09- lindsey gets home from YWAM!
October 09- baby showers begin! and i celebrated my 28th birthday with my best gifts in my belly.
November 09- put on bedrest for high blood pressure and swelling.
December 09- the girls made an early entrance into the world on December 19th!
Londyn Joy was born at 2:37pm - 4lbs 6oz and 17 1/2 in
Berkley Kate was born at 2:38pm - 3lbs 9oz and 16 1/2 in
we spent the rest of december in the NICU in jonesboro growing and gaining strength.
January 10- Londyn was air lifted to children's hospital in little rock for breathing issues. Berkley was ready to come home, but had to wait on mom, dad, and londyn for a little while longer. After 2 1/2 weeks in little rock, londyn was released to come home! on january 28th, we brought londyn and berkley home for good! praise God!
February 10- learning how to juggle two beautiful babies.
thank you to our families for all of the help! we COULD NOT have done it without you.
March 10- praising God daily for his blessings in our life.
whew! now that we are caught up, i promise to be better at blogging. no more years going by without writing. i'm sure now i will have plenty to write about. :)
Glory to God.
