Easter 2016

Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays. It's where we celebrate the hope and purpose found in our risen Savior. "He is not here for He has risen just as He said." Matthew 28:6

This year was extra special because it was Charlie's first Easter! Below are a few pictures we captured on Easter weekend.

Baby rolls and a baby sailor suit :) This outfit is extra special because it was his daddy's when he was a baby!

Charlie's Easter basket will be something we use every year, and this year is was literally big enough for him to fit into! ;) Eddie and I both have such fond memories of celebrating Easter during childhood, and we are looking forward to celebrating with our son in the years to come.

 

On Saturday, we took Charlie and his cousin Mckenzie to a local Easter egg hunt. Charlie had a blast watching all of the kiddos search for eggs and bounce in the inflatables. Since he didn't have any eggs in his basket, Mckenzie was so thoughtful and shared a few of hers! She also won the grand prize, a large stuffed pink bunny! (She was SO proud of that bunny!)

All of the Easter festivities, family time, egg hunts, baskets, and bunnies are all so much fun; but at the forefront of all that is the real reason we celebrate: the hope and purpose the resurrection brings to all of us. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!

Print by Lindsay Letters

Reflections on Motherhood (after three months)

Sweet little boy. Our precious Charlie. I could stare at you all the time and never get tired of memorizing every little detail about you.

Time is already going by too fast; you have changed so much in three short months. Every day that goes by, we are figuring out our new normal together. You are teaching me so much! Daddy and I are so happy that you are ours to love.  

Great is Thy Faithfulness: News of our Miracle

February 28th is a very special day in our home: the day our hearts were overjoyed to find out our little sunshine was on his way into our family. It was a long-awaited day that we had prayed so hard for.

But, it had not come easy.

Over the course of three long years, we had tried so many treatments and procedures in order to overcome my diagnosis of infertility. Our hearts ached with each negative pregnancy test. As the months turned into years, we finally consulted with a new doctor in Cary who had a high success rate with IVF, and we went through all the necessary classes/testing in order to proceed forward. I filled the prescription for the first medicine to take as soon as my cycle started. Eventually, I was one week late, and on a Saturday morning, Eddie encouraged me to take a pregnancy test, "just to be sure."

I was so hesitant because I knew the sting of a negative pregnancy test all to well. But this month was unlike any other! After 37 consecutive months of negative pregnancy tests, I could hardly believe my eyes when I stared down at a little sign that said I was PREGNANT! I tear up just reliving that morning!

I ran to the bedroom and could barely speak, but Eddie took one look at my face and instantly knew our lives were forever changed in that moment. We stood there in disbelief and pure joy, hugging each other and both crying the sweetest tears of utter happiness.

I share our story for one reason: to show just how great His love and faithfulness for all of us is. 

I wish I could tell you that I always knew He would grant us the desire of our hearts. I had so many days where doubt creeped in and clouded my faith with its silent uncertainties. Then, one seemingly ordinary day turned out to be extraordinary, as our lives were changed forever with the news that a tiny little life was growing inside of me.

Our story is proof that miracles do happen.  Jesus was working in our lives during our entire journey through infertility. He continued to work even through my doubt, my aching heart, and my feelings of uncertainty.  

That is the perfect picture of His grace. It cannot be earned; it cannot be bought; it is a pure gift from the only One who can give it. Although we are undeserving, still He is faithful and lovingly extends His grace.

We are learning each day that we have to continue to fully trust in HIM to follow His plan. And, He has a plan for you too.  

Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 

Charles Edwin: A Birth Story

November 7, 2015. Oh, happy day! The day I became a mama. The hardest and best day of my life. The day our precious Charlie entered our family and truly filled our hearts with love like we couldn't have imagined.

One common theme in the arrival of our baby boy: waiting. We waited three and a half long years to get pregnant; it was only fitting for us to wait for our boy to arrive in our arms. Neither were easy, but both were refining and both were part of the journey to welcoming our son. 

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outward we are wasting away, yet inwardly, we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16