"Peace That Passes All Understanding"

I cannot even describe all of the emotions going through me right now. I am anxious, nervous, scared, excited, solemn, eager, concerned, apprehensive...I could go on and on... But through all of the roller coaster of emotions, I feel calmness and an OVERWHELMING sense of peace. I have heard the phrase "peace that passes all understanding" many many times in my life. I have never fully thought about the meaning of that before. I mean, it means what it says... To have peace that is so far beyond our understanding because it comes from above. I never will fully understand it, but for the first time in my life, I am FULLY feeling it as we go through this experience. I know with all of my heart that this peace that is indescribable comes (and can only come) from God Almighty. There is no other way I can be whole EVER without Him. I know this and have known this, but it seems to be more obvious during the hard times. God has shown Himself through this experience in so many ways already and we are only just beginning. I see Him through our loving friends who have so selflessly given and given to us in so many different ways (babysitting Bryce, cleaning our house, going to the grocery store for us, cooking us dinners, Jayden's shower and the creative gifts such as parking tokens and restaurant gift cards, the sweet blessings, taking us to the Medical Center and giving us a personal tour, those who are coming to visit in the hospital from hours away, phone calls, facebook messages, texts, comments on this blog, setting up a prayer service, the tons of prayers lifted up on our behalf-I could go on an on). I see Him in our family who are dropping everything to come be with us during this time (Lynn and Stephanie who are taking off work, Dad taking off work, Mom stopping her life to stay for as long as I need her, Dad who is going to be home alone for a while because I am stealing Mom). I cannot thank you all enough for lifting us up in this storm. I am so very thankful to God for giving me this overwhelming sense of peace.

Psalm 29:11 "The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace."

ps-the picture taken above is by Tiffany Fetter. She has such talent!!

Jayden's Shower

My shower for Jayden was this past weekend. I had such a great time. Thank you so much, girls, for making it such a fun and uplifting day. It was a tear jerker for sure!! You know how much I love to cry... and all of you pulled it out of me!! Thank you, Martha, Jeri, and Alissa for the sweet sweet blessings. Thank you, Erin, for opening your house and for all of your selfless acts. Thank you, Erin, Martha, Mary Beth, and Shelley for the amazing food. I cannot thank everyone enough for all you have done for us and continue to do for us through this experience. I can never repay you guys for it all!! Bryan, Bryce, Jayden, and I are so blessed by each one of you. God just keeps giving and giving. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

My Child Is A Genius :)

Bryce woke up this morning talking about the dinosaur, Stegosaurus. He said they live where it is hot, and that is why they have the plates on their back. They move back and forth to cool them off. Yay for Dinosaur Train on PBS. :)

Testing - Testing - 1...2...3!

This is a test post for Gina.

Can you see my new signature?

Fun with Grace

making spider cupcakes

pumpkins

feeding the ducks

After going to feed the ducks, Mindi, Grace, Bryce and I went to the playground, which of course does not have a bathroom. Bryce had to use the bathroom and so I had him go behind a tree...the perks of having a boy... except it didn't work out the way I had planned. He got it all over his clothes anyways, and did it AGAIN five minutes later after I had changed him into his only extra outfit I brought. Because of this, we had to go home. Bryce had to ride home bottomless. Being the 100% boy that he is, he managed to wiggle his "boy parts" out from behind his car seat buckle. Again, being the 100% boy that he is, he started talking about it. "Wook, Mommy, my penis!" (he's so proud) "I have a penis!" "Wook, Gwace." Luckily, I have known Mindi for quite a few years and she knows me well. And Grace is only a year and a half and probably has already forgotten this conversation. So, I wasn't too embarrassed. Mindi, however, was covering her mouth and awkwardly laughing. It was as if she didn't know how to react. She didn't want to condone Bryce's behavior, but wanted to laugh, but didn't want me to feel bad for Bryce talking about it... she obviously does not have a boy. I am hoping God will bless her with a 100% boy one day. All those out there with boys, I am sure you understand!!

gina

Jayden Update

I have only gained a pound in two weeks...I knew that wasn't the best news to hear before the doctor came in. Jayden has only gained 10 ounces in two weeks, which means his growth is slowing down. He now weighs 5 pounds 14 ounces. The doctor told us a long time ago that she would have to take him earlier if he stopped growing. Apparently, babies with heart defects have a problem with growing all their life, in the womb and out. We need him big and fat for his surgery. Our c-section is November 3, which is exactly 2 weeks from today!! Please pray that he grows more between now and then! I don't want them taking him early if we can help it!! So, I am doing my part and eating as much as possible, including at least one bowl of ice cream every day!!!

Catching Up

Well, I have decided to join everyone out there and start a blog. I have been putting it off because I am not the best at computers and knew I would get frustrated early on and would quit. So, I am hoping I stick to it. Wish me luck.........

Let me tell you what is going on with us right now:

Our son, Bryce, is 2 years old and will be 3 in January. He just started preschool this year and goes twice a week. He HATED it at first. Every time we dropped him off, it was as if we were putting him (and us) through a miserable experience. He is now loving it and asks almost every day to go. I am so thankful he enjoys it now.

Bryan is still the youth minister at First Colony Church of Christ and he loves it (and so do I)!!! We are working at and a part of the greatest church family. They are the most giving, selfless people I have ever met. We have been so blessed to be at this church for seven years. We love them dearly and could not ask for more.

Bryan and I are having our second son in TWO WEEKS!!! I have no idea how busy we are going to be, but people are telling me that going from one to two is more than twice as hard. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I am trying to get as much sleep as possible now, because somehow I am going to have to run on almost no sleep when Jayden comes. There is no "sleep when the baby sleeps" when you also have a toddler running around. Those of you with two kids, let me know what you did to survive!! Any tips??

We found out when I was 21 weeks along that our baby, Jayden, has a heart condition. It is called Transposition of the Great Arteries. It basically means his pulmonary artery and aorta have changed positions while developing. He is fine in the womb, but when he comes out, his oxygenated and deoxygenated blood will not mix like they need. This means he will not get enough oxygen to his brain and major organs. Because of this, he will have open heart surgery within his first week of life to switch back the pulmonary artery and aorta. My c-section is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, and then Jayden will have his surgery sometime that week. We would love your prayers throughout this whole experience.

I guess that is our life right now. Hope this catches everyone up. I know the pictures are in the wrong spot, but, hey, I got them on here!! That's pretty good for me.

Have a great day!!!!!

gina