Due Date

January 15th was Wesley Adam's expected due date. For me, it came with dreaded anticipation. But, just as He has guided us through everyday, Saturday was no different-the Lord's grace was sufficient. Yes, there were many moments of emotion, but the Lord's peace was very present.
We knew we wanted to make a trip to the cemetery. Thankfully, for us, the cemetery is not a place of grieving and heartache. Though Wesley Adam's body may be there, he is not. He is in the presence of our Lord and his body is no longer broken. As much as I wish he was here with me, I know there is no other place that he would rather be-what a wonderful truth. While we are at the cemetery, our thoughts are often turned to Christ's return and when all things are made new. Wesley Adam is buried in a section of the cemetery called Bluebird. Right behind Bluebird is a Jewish cemetery. We often excitedly joke that when Christ returns, Wesley Adam's body will be resurrected along with God's chosen people! We are weird...I know.

While we were at the cemetery, we stopped at the funeral home to order Wesley Adam's memorial stone. This is almost more than a mother can bear. I forced myself to go through the motions and choose a stone as if I was picking out groceries at the supermarket-it was just easier that way. If for a second I let myself think about what I was there to do, I would fall apart. Aubri was with us; what a blessed distraction a 2 year old can be.

We finished up and went out to eat at our favorite Mexican hole-in-the-wall. Wes and I prayed together and had really good conversation. We were encouraged.

The day was good. The Lord used it to draw us closer to Himself. He opened our eyes even wider to the brokenness of this world. He quickened our hearts even more to cry out COME, LORD JESUS, COME!

White as snow.

This past weekend we traveled to South Arkansas so visit my grandparents. We had not seen them since last May and it was high time we did. Mamaw's Sunday School class has been a great encouragement to us as they shower us with daily prayer and frequent letters. There have been days that I would go to the mailbox and pull out a stack of envelopes and not recognize a single name on the return address label. We were really looking forward to having the opportunity to meet these ladies and show our appreciation.

So, Friday, we packed for our 2 night stay and made the 4 hour trek. We had a wonderful time with Mamaw and Papaw by catching up and telling stories. And of course, we were spoiled with all of Mamaw's cooking.
On Saturday night, Papaw and I met my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins at their church for a concert. We froze, but had a wonderful time. Mamaw, Wes and Bri stayed home but had an equally great time taking a bath and having a dance party.
Sunday, Wes and I went with Mamaw to her Sunday School class. As each of the ladies went around the circle telling me their names, I became completely overwhelmed with emotion. Each name was one that I recognized. All of the ladies had been faithful to the Lord and encouraged me, their sister in Christ. What a blessing it was to meet them.
When we returned to our car after church it was sleeting. It continued to sleet and snow for the next several hours. By 5 o'clock that evening, we had accumulated 8-10 inches.
Needless to say, we were snowed in.
So, our 2 day stay turned into a 4 days. They Lord must have known I need that extra time with my grandparents. Here are a few pictures to recap our "vacation".

Mamaw and I sat looking out the window watching the snow fall. She said "Jenny, every time I see the snow I am reminded of the Isaiah passage, 'though your sins are like scarlet, they will be made as white as snow', now that is white-that is FORGIVEN."
Yes, ma'am.

Tuesday morning, we packed and headed home. Thank you, Mamaw and Papaw and the Fords, for a wonderful long weekend. Thank you for encouraging us, speaking Truth to us, and loving us.

"Hello, Kitty."

With each of Aubri's stages, Wes and I like to imagine "If we had Aubri's birthday party this month, the theme would be...." and laugh as the theme is constantly changing just as she does. This conversation has ended with us trying to come up with party plans using baby dolls, Oreos, make-up, Cheerios, lotion, hair combs, toothbrushes... just to name a few. But, when the time finally came to start thinking about her real birthday, the theme was a no brainer...Hello Kitty.

It all started when we went to Target on a mission to find house shoes for Aubri. There weren't many to choose from that came in size 4 so, we reluctantly settled on a pair with Hello Kitty on the toe. If you know Aubri, then you probably know that it took some convincing to get these house shoes in the shopping cart, much less on her feet. But, before too long she was hugging and kissing these little shoes and carrying them around the house like her baby dolls instead of letting them keep her feet warm.

On Sunday (Bri's actual birthday) we went to church, out to eat at Olive Garden so she could eat some spaghetti (one of the few things we don't have to force feed) and then, to the Science and History Museum. (Wes and I got her a museum pass for her birthday so we will be spending lots of time there.) She didn't get a nap so she started getting the "sleepy sillies", which made it all the more fun to watch her running around the children's play area.

One day old

One year old

Two years old

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth."
Psalm 127:3-4

We are so thankful for this precious life the Lord has blessed us with.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Bri.