This is going to be the best thanksgiving ever! I have so much to be thankful for. I have a great husband, 3 beautiful kids, a wonderful group of family and friends, a job, and the list just goes on and on. My husband starts a new job next week, and we are very grateful for that. He lost his job at the beginning of this month and before he was officially laid off, he had a job offer at Manufacturer’s Sales. Unfortunately, that one didn’t work out because they were unable to bring him on just yet, but one of the men that worked there called Josh back & told him that his dad had a job for him. So, Josh talked with the guy’s dad, and he’ll start working at CSR on Dec. 1st! We are so excited because he will be able to make more money than he was making at his last job, get to service the same customers, and get to reclaim some customers that his previous boss was taking his commissions on. God is rewarding Josh’s hard work by restoring that which had been taken from him. It’s only God that can get you a job you didn’t even apply for.

Jacob is growing and growing. He “talks” more and more everyday, and yesterday he laughed out loud his biggest laugh yet. It was so precious. Josh could hear the laugh from outside when it happened. He’s getting really good at holding his head up, and likes to eat a lot. I tried him on some applesauce this weekend and he just loved it. It’s a little early by the doctors’ standards, but they also tried to discourage me from feeding him cereal this early. If it weren’t for the cereal, I wouldn’t be getting much sleep at night. Jacob was nursing every hour at 4 weeks old. Since I started him on the cereal, he sleeps through the night, sometimes 10-12 hours at a time. He really likes his cereal. Just a few years ago, doctors weren’t opposed to starting babies on cereal and first foods this early. The recommendations seem to change every year. Just like whether to lay a baby on his back or his side to sleep. Who can ever tell what’s good, besides parents, the baby, and the leading of the Holy Spirit? We pray, and we believe that God will let us know if Jacob is too little for something. Doctors are great, but I will trust the Great Physician with my baby boy.  

Josh will pick up Ashlyn and Savannah tomorrow night for Thanksgiving holiday. The girls just love their little brother. Sometimes, they love him a little too much. LOL. They always want to hold him or feed him, and can’t stand it when he cries. He gets very spoiled to being held when they are here. It should be a fun week! Josh will spend Wednesday and Friday at home with all 3 kids. Wednesday I will be working and Friday I am hitting the Black Friday sales. I’m very blessed to have such a great father for my kids. God bless that man!

I guess that’s about all for now. Until next time……

Having Jacob is such a delight. Everyday he amazes me with something new that he does or responds to that makes me smile. He has started “talking” a lot more lately, and just has the sweetest voice. He is smiling quite a bit too. Yesterday, I laid him on his tummy and he rolled over to his back. I put him back on his tummy because I thought maybe the way I had laid him down had assisted his new trick, but he did it again. He tried real hard to roll back to his tummy, but just couldn’t get his body to cooperate. I told his Daddy about it, and Josh claims that he’s done it several times for him. I figure since I didn’t see the times before, they don’t count. So tomorrow’s date goes in the baby book for rolling from tummy to back!

He got his first spanking the other night from Daddy. Josh was feeding him a bottle of cereal and Jacob got choked and quit breathing. Josh tried burping him, but that didn’t work. So he swatted his little butt on the diaper just hard enough to elicit a response from Jacob. Baby puckered his bottom lip and cried for a couple of seconds, started breathing good again, and then calmed down. He then looked up at Daddy and smiled and started “talking” to him. Thank goodness I was not at home during this event, because I would not have been calm.

I got Jacob’s Halloween costume yesterday. I’m so excited. He’s going to be a fireman. I ordered it online. It’s very cute, and makes my heart happy because I love firemen!

I have returned to work, but only part time. My boss decided he didn’t want me bringing him to work with me. We have a great sitter, and Jacob is doing really well with going. I don’t like it, but it’s what has to be done for now. I’m just very grateful that I am only away from him for a short time each day. I am praying to find some kind of job that I can do online from home.

I suppose that is all for now. I will update more frequently if I can.

On Sept. 7th at 10:54am, the sweetest little boy entered the world; Jacob Haynes Young. He was 6lbs 14oz and 21in long. He was a lot smaller than we had expected, so none of his clothes fit. But that’s ok, we just got some more. He is an absolute joy! I love every moment with him. I always knew that I would love being a mom, but never expected to love it this much. Jacob was born on Labor Day, and it was definitely a labor of love. We were also very blessed that his sisters were able to be there for his birth. We  wanted him to come before his sisters had to go back to their mom’s. They have had a difficult time the last 2 weeks being away from him, but we’ll go pick them up tomorrow evening and they’ll get to spend this weekend with us.  I really wish they lived here so they could spend more time with us, and I know their Daddy wants that too. I’m praying that something changes so the girls can live closer.

The contractions actually started on Wednesday before Labor Day. At that time, they were about 45 minutes apart and only lasted through the night and seemed to go away. The next evening they started back again, this time 30 minutes apart. The contractions would last for a few hours and then I wouldn’t really feel anything again for several hours. Each time they started back, they were a little closer together. By Saturday, I was ready to have things moving forward. The girls were very impatient as well. They asked me almost every 30 minutes if I was having another contraction. Between them and their Daddy, it was quite a bit of pressure on me emotionally and a little frustrating. Then Sunday, the contractions really picked up. They were about 10-15 minutes apart through most of the day. Josh and I really felt like this was it, so we loaded up the girls and went to his mom’s for a little while. That way, they could stay there while we went to the hospital to see if we were finally going to have Jacob. Josh and I went walking for about 30 minutes and the contractions got stronger and were about 7 minutes apart. We left for the hospital at about 6pm, praying that they would keep us. When the nurse checked me, I was only dilated about 1 1/2 cen. but she was able to stretch me to 2 cen. The contractions were coming pretty close together, and since I was 1 day overdue, the doctor decided not to send me home. I was so relieved that this was really happening. The contractions got progressively stronger and closer, but it wasn’t too bad. That is, until they broke my water and started the pitocin. Then the pain got unbearable. Most of my labor pains were in my low back which was awful! The nurse started Demerol in my IV and said it would take the edge off, but it didn’t. Josh was great. He held my hand the whole time and did anything to encourage me. It was very hard for him that I was hurting so badly and there was nothing he could do. Finally, I was dilated enough to receive the epidural. That was such a relief! I was against the epidural at the beginning of my pregnancy, but my doctor (and Josh) strongly encouraged me that I would feel better with it. Because the labor was mostly in my back, I’m really glad that I went ahead and got it. I don’t think I could have taken any more pain. I was able to sleep some during the night. When I finally reached 10 cen, I started pushing. It wasn’t too bad, since I had the epidural. I felt his head and then his body as he came out. It was most amazing. Josh and I were both crying when he was born. It was the most wonderful day of my life.

I am just absolutely enjoying every moment with my precious little man. His daddy and I have so much fun watching him. He has so much expression already. Here’s to the future!

Just a while ago I was counting down weeks, and now I’m counting down the days! Only 8 more ’til his due date. These last few months have flown by! It’s incredible to believe that just any day now, I’ll be holding my precious little baby boy. I’ve waited 36 years for this day, and it’s almost finally here. This past year has been the most amazing time of my life. Next week will be the one year anniversary of running into Josh at college, and now we’re married and getting ready to welcome our first child together. A lot can happen in a year.

It doesn’t look like we’ll be getting into the new house until the end of September or first part of October. I think that will be better, though, because by then, I’ll be in better condition to help out. It would be so hard for me to just stand by & watch everyone doing all the work. I’m very excited about getting moved in and everyone having their own room. It will be so nice to have more space. We’re getting the current house in decent order to live fairly comfortably until we can move. My sweet husband has worked so hard to make it nice for me. I love him so much. I feel a little guilty for how hard I’ve worked him. But that man would give me the moon if he could. He’s wonderful.

The baby shower was fantastic and I got a lot of great things to prepare for Jacob’s arrival. We have just about everything we need. I try to pick up a little bit here and there. The cradle is set up, a few of his new clothes are washed and ready, bags are in the car, carseat is installed, and the house will be organized this weekend. After tomorrow, we will just be waiting for baby to come.

Well, I guess that is all the updates for now. I figure my next post will be announcing the arrival of my precious little wonder. Until then…..

Man, this is flying by! On Saturday, I’ll be 35 weeks pregnant. It just doesn’t seem like it should almost be over.

We’ve had some major issues with the house. The appraisal never got done because the place we’re buying the house from took 4 weeks to send the payment to the mortgage company. During that time, a very old bill popped up on my credit report and dropped my score to such a degree that we now don’t qualify for the house. I called this week and cancelled everything and told them to refund the money for the appraisal. It was so disheartening. So, we started making plans to get our current house fixed up a little before Jacob comes. Then the other day, my husband decided we needed to go back and see a friend of ours that works at a mobile home place here in Texarkana and see if they had something smaller that we might could get into with just his income. Well, come to find out, the bank they use will accept anyone with a credit score of 580 or better. This is what we needed. So we filled out the paperwork to get that started, picked out a house on their lot (already built-big plus), and now we’re waiting for approval. Since the house is already built, once we get approved, they can start land improvements and move the house out there. There’s a possiblity of everything being done before the baby comes. So, we pray and wait to see what God will do. This whirlwind called life has my head spinning most of the time. But at least I’m never bored.

My baby shower is the day after tomorrow and I’m so excited. I’m like a little kid waiting on Christmas or a birthday party.  I’ve already gotten a few very nice gifts for Jacob.

Only 13 more weeks to feel my precious little man inside. It seems like it just got started good, and soon it will all be over. The pregnancy part, anyway. Then the real fun begins. I have loved being pregnant, and know that I will love each of his developments once he’s here. He is quite the little mover. Sometimes, it feels like he’s having a party in there!

Daddy is getting more excited about his little boy, too. We went to Shreveport a couple of weekends ago and did a little shopping. We bought the bedding, camo at Bass Pro Shop, and a few clothes. My sweet husband was enjoying picking out boy stuff. He chose 2 very cute little outfits at one of the stores.  My sister in law gave me her crib last weekend, and it is perfect. It’s cherrywood, which is what I was wanting. So I have a few little outfits, a crib, bedding, and a cradle. I have finished my registery at Target and Wal-Mart. Now I just need my house to be built.

We went back to Shreveport last weekend to pay for the appraisal and get some things going on the house. We have been pre-approved by the mortgage company, so now we’re getting stuff together for underwriting. Once they give the go-ahead, we can order our house. While we were there Saturday, I got to pick out the carpet, cabinets, paint, countertops, etc., for my new house. It was so exciting! Our estimated move-in date is August 15th, just a couple weeks before Jacob is due. It’s coming down to the wire. I’m thinking that I might want (need) to start my maternity leave about a week before he’s due so I can get the nursery put together and finish any unpacking that needs to be done. I’d really like to have my house in order before he arrives. Of course, being just days away from my delivery will most likely limit my mobility, but I’m sure I can call on some family or friends to come help me out.

I really feel like I should be doing more to get ready, but there’s not a lot I can do at this present moment. So I guess I’ll just spend my time cherishing each bump and kick. He’ll be here before I know it.

Since my wedding day, I don’t know a happier day than yesterday. I went for my 2nd sonogram and got to see, in all his glory, my sweet little boy! And everything is just fine. No bright spots on his heart. He is doing wonderful! I start to cry just thinking about how God is truly making all my dreams come true each day. Perhaps it’s just the pregnancy hormones (everything makes me cry these days), but I think it’s just the overwhelming love that He has for me. I spent many years waiting, hoping, praying, and still waiting for these things within my heart to come to pass. With each year that passed, still single, my heart waivered, but never strayed. I held fast to His promise that He gives us the desires of our heart. It wasn’t easy, but now so worth it! I haven’t done everything right, by any means. But God still honored my faithfulness of the years. And today, I’m married to the man of my dreams, have two beautiful step-daughters that love me, and a precious little boy on the way. You don’t have to be perfect for God to do what He says He’ll do. He’s perfect, and His promises will come to pass. He doesn’t waiver, even when we do. And He certainly doesn’t change His mind about us, despite our wrong choices. He makes a way, where no one else sees a way. I certainly didn’t think this time last year, that within one year I would be married and have a baby on the way. There weren’t even any dating prospects a year ago. God is so good! I have done nothing to deserve all that He has done for me, but His great love transcends all that.

And, as if the wonderful news at the sonogram wasn’t enough, my boss informed me yesterday that when I get ready to come back to work, I can bring my sweet little Jacob with me to work. I can keep him with me all day & don’t have to worry about daycare for a while. He would rather me come back with the baby, than not have me at all (his words). Do I have the greatest boss or what?!

It seems I have a little worshipper inside. Last night, a group of us were practicing some songs that we will be singing on Sunday when we minister in Hope. Little Bit was just kicking and moving! I had noticed movement during praise & worship at church, but now that the movements are getting easier to feel, wow! Baby wiggled and danced the whole time. I’m going to have to start putting headphones on my belly and letting him (sonogram in 11 days, and then I’ll use female pronouns if necessary) move and groove.  I love that my baby loves to worship! He will most likely be surrounded by music his entire life, since Mommy is a big time band nerd!

I’m 21 weeks along tomorrow! I haven’t posted in a few days, but as I’ve said before, not for lack of stuff to write about. Things have just been busy. We had a level 2 Sonogram on April 14th and not only did we not find out if we’re having a boy or girl (the umbilical cord was right between the legs all up in the way), the doctor said that she saw a “bright spot” on the baby’s heart. She said not to worry about it right now, that these things usually turn out to be nothing. My question is, what mother to be, especially when it’s their first baby, is not going to worry when something is found? I fully believe that God is in control and that He’ll take care of my baby, but when you hear something like that, even if just for a moment, you’re worried about the baby. We have another sonogram scheduled for May 12th, so hopefully we’ll get to see little boy or girl parts, and find that nothing is wrong with the baby. They said that these “bright spots” in no way indicate any type of heart defect, but can be a soft marker for something else. So we wait ’til May 12th.

The baby is definately active. There was constant movement during the sonogram. So much so, that the technician had trouble getting all the pictures that she was wanting. I told Josh that it’s so weird to see that much movement on the screen and not feel hardly any of it. I’m starting to feel more, and definately rounding out.  My waist has almost disappeared. I didn’t have any morning sickness during the 1st trimester, but have had several nauseous mornings during the 2nd. I had some round ligament pain for the first few of weeks of my 2nd trimester, but that has almost resolved now. I’m enjoying the changes my body is going through, and very excited to start feeling more movement. I also got a cradle for the baby a couple of weekends ago. It’s so pretty! It has a cherry finish and I love it. I got it at a garage sale. My sweet mother-in-law found it and told my husband to tell me about it. I went after work that day and it was still there. I called Josh & he came over to look at it, and told me if it’s what I wanted, I could have it. So it sits in our house, waiting to rock our sweet little wonder to sleep.

We are still working on getting our house in Genoa. We have submitted the floor plan and credit application to the mobile home people so they can get us an estimate on the triple-wide that we’re wanting to build. Our salesguy was very impressed with the detail on the floorplan, and that felt good. I worked hard on it. I did learn a few things from my dad. We have run into a snag on the land, but hopefully it will be resolved soon. The land we had previously picked out was being surveyed and we were just waiting for a call from the owner to let us know the outcome. We have left several messages checking the status of the survey, and no one will call us back. We had noticed the other day when we were driving by the land, that a mobile home has been moved onto part of the land. It’s quite a way from where we were wanting to build, but we’re wondering if the owner sold all the land to someone & just hasn’t told us. Now we’re looking for other land to consider.

Josh and I will be joining forces with some friends of ours and starting a church next week. We will start off going out to different churches to minister in praise and worship throughout the summer. We will be meeting (when we’re not ministering in another church) in one of the couples’ home at first. We are very excited about this new adventure. Things are moving right along at break-neck speed for us, and we are so enjoying the ride. I will try to start posting more often, but I make no promises.

I think I just felt the baby’s movements for the first time ! It’s so very exciting. I can’t wait to feel him all the time. I had a doctor appointment on March 30th and everything is still going well. I’m now 17 weeks pregnant, and have only gained about 10 pounds total so far. The baby’s heartrate was 143 this time and the doctor said that was good. I started having round ligament pains I guess about 2 weeks ago. It’s no fun at all, but not the worst pain I’ve ever felt. I’m believing for that pain to resolve and to pain-free the rest of the pregnancy and through the delivery. I know that pain-free is a promise from God available to me, and I plan to have everything that He has. He has blessed me so much already, and I know He has so much more to give me. Only 13 more days, til we find out if we’re having a boy or girl. I bought my first thing for the baby the other day. It was a onesie that says “Totally Cuter than Daddy”. It was too cute to pass up. It’s gray with blue & lime green letters. It was in the boys section, but I figured it’s neutral enough that if we have a girl, I can just put a lime green bow in her hair and it will be fine. Until next time……