Kinley's Birthday Slideshow

Today is Kinley's 2nd Birthday. We played this very special slideshow to celebrate how she's changed our lives and how we're looking ahead toward a bright future!!!

Just Enough Strength

As I near Kinley's 2nd birthday, I find myself right back in the middle of an entire storm of emotion. On Thursday, it will have been 2 years since I heard the words "we can't find a heartbeat". And on Saturday it will be two years since we first saw Kinley's sweet face. The full gravity of how different I am today than I was on those days can't even be explained by words. As a matter of fact, this year, I'm finding myself at a total loss for words. What words can I possibly say (or type) that will capture the full depth of my feelings? There are none!

And yet, I've found myself being constantly caught up in and encouraged by the music that I've been listening to. Sometimes a song will state my emotion better than I can even do it myself! Some time ago, I started listening to pretty much exclusively Christian music. I can't tell you what a HUGE decision that has turned out to be for me. The music you listen to may seem insignificant, but it's what you're putting into your heart! If you're a Christian, I highly recommend committing to only listen to Christian music, even if it's just for a specified amount of time. Try it for a week or a month, you'll be surprised how God uses it...

Sometimes I listen and even sing along, but don't really "hear" the words. Sometimes the words hit me as if God Himself were speaking them directly to me. Today, I heard this song and it so captured my thoughts...

I want all that's Yours

Joy unspeakable that won't go away

And just enough strength

To live for today

So I never have to worry

What tomorrow will bring

Cause my faith is on solid rock

And I am counting on God

How true those words felt today! I want that joy unspeakable! And to be honest, even through my darkest days, the joy of the Lord was there. "And just enough strength to live for today!" Thank you Jesus for enough strength to just get through the day. I don't have to worry about Thursday or Saturday because my faith is solid and I'm counting on God to be there. And He will, with just enough strength for that day!!

We Are Crazy Busy!

WOW! Our life has certainly changed since a year ago! Let me update you a little...

Jacob and I are happily settled into our beautiful home! We couldn't be more pleased with the house we chose. And after just a few days it was completely unpacked and decorated (thanks to my Mom and Mother-In-Law).

I am WORKING! Yes, you read that right....I took a part-time job back at Tippecanoe Christian School. I'm teaching Pre-school 3. It's just two mornings a week, and I absolutely love it! But they sure are keeping me on my toes!!!

I am spending a TON of time with my beautiful nieces. They are such a huge joy to me. I get to have them often and wouldn't trade the time for anything in this world. I'm also home-schooling my sweet Brenna Claire for kindergarten. What a joy to get to take part in her learning. And we're anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first nephew in December. (Aunt Etty has already bought some super cute baby boy clothes!!!)

We are spending lots of time in ministries at the church, with our friends, and with our families. Jacob's helping coach soccer at his old high school. We rarely have an evening without something on the agenda....and we're loving it!!

I will admit, I have felt a little guilty and even disappointed about not having ALL of my time to pour into being a wife and house-keeper. After a full year of having every day to clean and cook, I am missing that just a bit. My house definitely isn't clean most days and I don't cook dinner on a regular basis either, but this is a new season for us.

We are thrilled to be plugged back in to our church and community. And we can definitely see why God gave us a season of rest while in Tennessee. Isn't it amazing how He knows just what we need and when we need it?!

On the fertility front...

I'm in my third month on the new medicine. The first month, unfortunately, ended in another miscarriage. Because of timing, I didn't have an ultrasound to check follicles. So, with the second cycle, I had an ultrasound on day 12 and had 2 follicles. That's pretty amazing considering that's about all I was getting on HIGH doses of injectable meds. For a "low-responder" to react so well to a low-dose medication is really a miracle.

Unfortunately, even with two follicles, I didn't get pregnant. However, because of some blood work the doctor was able to discover that I have a very rapidly decreasing progesterone level. (It basically completely bottoms out instead of slowly declining.) That's probably the reason for the miscarriages. Soooo, we're trying again and adding progesterone supplementation! Keep praying with us!!

I'm going to do better about blogging regularly now that we're settled....or at least I'm going to try!! So stay tuned!!!