As promised, for all of you who’ve asked, here’s a quick update on how I’m doing at 23 weeks pregnant… plus a few highlights of this past week.

I know everyone says that “everything changes when you have a baby,” but it’s amazing how little things start to change when you’re expecting, too. Instead of picking up the latest Nicholas Sparks novel, I spend my time reading things like Baby Wise, What to Expect, and every birth story blog I can find. In addition to my TJ Maxx and AC Moore rewards cards, I’ve now added a Babies R Us card to my keychain too (what is life?!). My habit of constantly rearranging our furniture has been focused on ideas of where bassinets, pack and plays, and bouncy seats will go, instead of what looks most like an episode of Fixer Upper. My list of favorite blogs to read daily has multiplied, and now includes more motherhood blogs than fashion, food, and travel blogs. My Instagram and Pinterest reflect my excitement and obsession with all things baby related, too.

It’s such a sweet time of change and I finally feel like I’m starting to enjoy this journey that for so long, seemed like a mountain I wasn’t sure that I could climb. We registered at Babies R Us last weekend, which made the fact that Landon will be here in just about 17 more weeks that much more real!

My most recent craving is donuts… which is extra funny to me, because I have always favored savory or salty things over sweet things. I guess that means Landon has a sweet tooth! Now that I’m well into the second trimester, I’ve let up on my caffeine hiatus a little and although I’m still not drinking regular coffees or lattes, I am drinking more sweet tea and have allowed myself one decaf hazelnut latte a week… which literally tastes like Heaven in a cup.

I had another ultrasound last week, since he was not cooperative at the last one I had in January (they needed to see his face and he refused to roll over… stubborn little guy). I was thrilled to see his face and his sweet little profile. He was wiggling all over the place!

I am feeling him move around and kick more and more every day and it’s the most incredible feeling. I can’t even explain it, except that it feels like there’s a little fish swimming around in there! I know I’ll miss this feeling after he’s born.

The only negative things I’ve been experiencing are continued break outs on my face, tiredness, and most recently…. swollen feet and ankles. I’ve been trying to elevate my feet and soak them in hot water with epsom salts when I get home from work to keep the swelling to a minimum.

The love of Jesus that people have shown me this week has been so incredible, there really aren’t even words. One night this week, when I really needed an extra boost of encouragement, one of my dearest friends surprised me with a goodie basket for Landon, full of the sweetest little special things. A stuffed pup who looks just like my Sam, complete with Landon’s monogram on his floppy ear, beautiful burp cloths, and a darling little sensory book from one of my favorite children’s boutiques!

My aunt also surprised me with some darling little night gowns and a bonnet and Bible set, which I can’t stop looking at. I can’t wait to see our little boy all snuggled up in my arms in these. He’s already so loved!

Also, some good family friends surprised us with Landon’s very first Appalachian gear… and I can’t wait to see how adorable he looks in them. He’s pretty much destined to love the Mountaineers just like his Momma and Daddy do, so he might as well get used to things with that black and gold “A” on them!

Then, one of the most precious ladies at my church who just has a contagious joy-filled spirit, despite going through so much hardship, completely out-of-nowhere, made my day on Friday by surprising Grayson and I with supper. Baked spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, and dessert… all packed up and ready for us, delivered to me at work with a big, warm smile on her face. That’s Jesus, my friends. Loud and clear, on display for my tear filled eyes to see. When you ask Him to reveal His glory to you in ways that you can’t miss… He’ll do it every. single. time. And often times, it’s through people when you least expect it.

My sweet Momma surprised Grayson and I with this delicious Valentine’s breakfast, which was the best, most unexpected blessing! She’s seriously the most thoughtful woman on the planet and I’m so thankful for her.

Coming to work after a holiday weekend is always hard, but I sure did have a wonderful Valentine’s with this handsome man of mine. Five years of Valentine’s celebrations and he’s still my favorite part of every day. It’s hard to believe that this time next year we’ll have an 8 month old!

Joy upon joy upon joy. That’s what this season is. My cup overflows.

As I sit here typing this, my swollen feet are soaking in a big galvanized bucket full of hot water and epsom salts. Bethel worship music pandora is flooding my candle lit home and my heart (and mind) are resting for the first time all day. My sweet husband and cuddly pups are by my side, I have on my favorite floral night gown, and we just finished a delicious home cooked meal.

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The truth is, I could share this and no one would know about the ugly. No one would know about the tears shed or the anxiety or the hurt. Neither Grayson nor I had a good day. Work is draining, unexpected bills come (ready or not), and worry creeps into the back of our minds no matter how many times we try and push it away. All I wanted to do on my way home today was stop and grab take out for dinner (again). Grayson, who had a painful dental procedure done today, just wanted to rest. But Jesus calls us to love each other the way He loves us. He gives us the strength to make the choice to show each other that tangible love when it’s not convenient or easy.

So, instead of turning right to pick up Japanese food, I turned left and ran into the grocery store on my way home. I came in, put on my favorite apron, and cooked a meal that was one of my grandma’s old go-to’s. Nothing worthy of sharing a fancy recipe, just a good, old fashioned week night supper. Afterwards, Grayson started heating water to fill this big bucket, poured in the epsom salts, and here I sit… amazed at how the Lord gives us the strength to serve one another. He’s so faithful to keep His promise of loving us with an everlasting love, and sometimes, the way He shows us that love is through other people. Tonight, I saw that sanctifying love in my husband.

Sometimes, in our brokenness is when we’re most able to be a true display of Jesus’ love. When we need a touch from Him the most, when we’re hungriest for His grace, when we long for that tenderness… sometimes that’s when we are able to portray the softest side of who He is. If we choose to let Him lead, instead of our feelings or emotions lead, we can both give and receive the sanctifying love that only He can provide.

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Stir in me a love that’s deep
A love that’s wide
A love that’s sweet
And help me Lord to never keep it to myself
And if my heart should dimly burn
And if my feet should fail to run
Call my name and I will come right back to You

There’s no fear in love

I want to stay close to You
It’s really that simple
I want to stay close to You
Just as simple as this song

I want to stay close to You
It’s really that simple
I want to stay close to You
My whole life long

Steffany Gretzinger, No Fear In Love

Today, I wished I knew more Creole.

My life changed forever in 2012 on my first ever trip to Haiti. I fell in love with the beautiful people and their huge hearts, contagious joy, and hunger for the Lord. In all honesty, I went on that first trip because I had a genuine desire to bless people, but they blessed me far more than I could ever bless them. Physically, they have so little, yet they’re filled with an unexplainable joy that shook the very innermost part of who I am.

I had always considered myself to be a joyful person. I love life, I love adventures, and I love people. I’ve always tried to live a life full of laughter, song, and happy memories. But, the Haitian people taught me that joy is not measured by our attitude or disposition during the good times. When our real joy is revealed is when we have nothing. When we’re at the end of our rope. When things aren’t like we think they’re “supposed” to be. When we’re exhausted and frustrated and burnt out.

In December 2015, I missed a trip to Haiti that I had prayed over, planned for, and been so excited about for over a year (because of my pregnancy). Even though I knew it was the right decision for my baby’s health and my own health (especially now, with news of the Zika virus), it was such a hard decision to make. Haiti holds a very special place in my heart, and although I don’t know when the next time I’ll be able to go back will be, I know that I’ll go back there one day eventually, because the calling on my heart to share the love of Jesus with those people is one of the clearest, most obvious things Jesus has ever revealed to me.

In the meantime, I’m here. I go through my daily routine in my own little world right here in North Carolina, and to be completely honest… sometimes it’s draining. Sometimes, when you’re forced to put your dreams, passions, and calling on the back burner so you can work to have insurance and help pay the bills, you start to feel suffocated. You start to lose sight of what really matters. That’s where that kind of joy the Haitians taught me about comes in.

I’ve been praying a prayer lately and I didn’t realize until today how “dangerous” it is. Have you ever heard someone say that it’s “dangerous” to pray for patience because you don’t know how the Lord will teach you to have patience? Well, come to find out, this prayer I’ve been praying is a lot like that.

Lord, show me your glory and faithfulness in the midst of my every day, mundane routine.

Well, today He did just that… and it made me wish I knew more Creole.

On my lunch break, I went to Wendy’s and noticed the lady in the window had a thick, familiar accent. When I asked her where she’s from, she told me with a big, wide smile. Haiti.

She must have thought that I’m an absolute lunatic, because what did I do? I busted out crying. Right there, in the Wendy’s drive thru, as she’s handing me my cheeseburger and sweet tea out the window. Then, I showed her my necklace, which is one of my most treasured pieces of jewelry. My Mom gave it to me right after my first trip to Haiti and I wear often as a reminder of the place that I love so much. Her big, brown eyes lit up like a child’s on Christmas morning. She told me she’s from Port au Prince, a place I could never explain to you unless you’ve experienced it for yourself, and I told her that I go to Jacmel. The tenderness and grace and hunger in her eyes was mixed with the same humble pride in their country I’ve seen in so many of the precious women I’ve had the privilege to wrap my arms around during my time on Haitian soil.

Before I finally pulled away, after sharing this moment with a complete stranger, I smiled through the tears and said, “Bonswa, my friend!” She had tears rolling down her cheeks too as I drove off, and was saying something in Creole that I wish I could have understood.

When I say I busted out crying, I mean… ugly, mascara-ruining tears. Like, how-in-the-world-am-I-going-to-go-back-into-work? tears. I hope she saw my heart and love for her people through that mess.

So then, of course, I asked God why would You let that happen!?

I was already having a hard day (a hard week, really) and an emotional melt down was the last thing I needed. And then, it all made perfect sense…. It’s exactly what I asked for.

Sure, I didn’t get to go back to Haiti this year, but I found a Haitian to connect with right here in Charlotte… literally across the street from where I spend the majority of my time (work). In the midst of my boring little routine, He gave me exactly what I asked for… a little glimpse of His glory and faithfulness. He loves me so much, that He reminded me (when I needed it most) of that joy my Haitian friends taught me about all those years ago. Come to find out, He’s still using them to teach me about that joy four years later.

This stuffed shells recipe is better and more flavorful than many I’ve had in restaurants. It’s creamy, savory, and very filling. Grayson and I had so much fun stuffing the shells together, and paired with salad, I think it’s safe to say it’s become one of our new go-to recipes. I love that it made a full casserole dish full plus another smaller dish, because who doesn’t love their doorbell ringing at 9pm to a surprise piping hot stuffed shell delivery?

Ingredients:

• 1 (12oz) package of jumbo pasta shells
• 4 cups ricotta or cottage cheese
• 12 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 tsp of garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 3/4 cup parmesan (grated or shredded is fine)
• 1 large jar of spaghetti sauce
• 4 packed, heaping cups of spinach, rough chopped and stems removed
• 1 lb ground Italian Sausage

Instructions:

• In a skillet over medium heat, brown and crumble the sausage. Drain any excess fat and remove from heat. In the same saucepan, cover and cook spinach until wilted or about 1-2 minutes. Cook the shells according to package directions (I cooked them until they were pliable for filling – about 7 minutes- and no more).
• In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, 8oz of mozzarella, 1/2 cup of parmesan, eggs, oregano, and garlic powder. Stir in the spinach.
• Coat the bottom of a 9x13in pan with the entire jar of spaghetti sauce. Spoon the cheese mixture into the shells and place shells open side up, very close together in the dish. There will be more shells than will fit into this pan and you can either make a second smaller pan or freeze for future use. Sometimes the shells also break in the box so this is fine.

• Sprinkle the cooked sausage over the top of the shells.

• Then sprinkle with the remaining 4oz of mozzarella and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.

• Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

*Note: This recipe is adapted from Craving Some Creativity

Hello, my friends! I hope you all have had a wonderful week! It seems like lately the days pass slowly but the weeks just fly by. It’s hard to believe it’s already almost February (wasn’t Christmas like, last week?)!

I don’t always do Friday Favorites, but I just wanted to share a few highlights of this past week!

1 // Last Friday, Winter Storm Jonas hit North Carolina and my job (which almost never closes due to weather, because it’s a service organization) closed early! I was thrilled, because it allowed for a snuggly Friday with my favorite fella and felt like a long weekend (even if only by a couple of hours). We made a big pot of soup and pinto beans and cornbread and snuggled with the pups while watching the snow fall out the window… it made for a wonderful, restful weekend (which we both really needed).

2 // Somehow, in my 23 (almost 24) years of life, I had managed to never see the Harry Potter movies, much to my husband’s dismay. He’s a teacher and loves the books and movies, so he’s been trying to get me to watch the movies for years. During our snowy weekend and into the week, we have managed to watch all 8 of the movies except for the very last one, which we’re going to try and squeeze in this weekend. He had to explain some of it to me, but I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed them (I’m a romantic comedy kind of girl). I might just have to read the books now (although usually I like to read books before watching the movies). I feel like, now that I’ve seen the movies, I’m in some kind of secret club (hahaha!) because I actually understand all the jokes and quotes from the movies I see people posting.

3 // This week, I’ve been looking at Grayson’s baby pictures and thinking about how in less than 5 months, our little man will be here. I wonder if he will look like Grayson? The blue eyes, the sparkly blonde hair, the sweet smile? I’m filled with so much wonder and can’t wait to see what this gift from God will be like. I love him so much already.

4 // Do you ever feel like sometimes, right when you need it most, Jesus puts something so beautiful right before your eyes that you can’t miss Him? It’s easy for me to get distracted with the monotony of my daily routine. I feel like I do the same thing every day: get up, get ready, go to work, drive home, have supper, go to bed… and then wake up and do it all over again. This week, I’ve been specifically asking my Father to show me His goodness and glory in the mundane. I saw this sunrise on my way to work one day this week and it changed my whole attitude. I went from worrying about traffic, my time clock, and having time to stop for breakfast to praising Him for who He is. He’s right there beside us, loving us, preparing the way for us, even in the seasons of life filled with waiting.

5 // One thing I’m especially thankful for this week is community. My church family is just that – a family – and they have taught me more about community than any other single thing in my life. It’s so important to have a group of people to serve with, to learn with and from, and to have surrounding you in every season of life. Some of my closest friendships and most treasured relationships have come from this wonderful community of believers, and that’s a gift that I never want to take for granted. I’m also involved in a Bible study that meets the first Monday night of every month, and although I’m still getting to know some of the girls, it’s already been such a blessing (I’ve only been going for a few months now). I’ve found that if you ask God to surround you with faithful, Godly friends, He will always provide.

6 // This week, a few different people have given me baby things and maternity clothes and it has taken my excitement to a whole new level! I still haven’t bought one thing for our Landon (hard to believe, I know…) but so many dear friends have given me cute things that I can’t wait to use. I am so thankful (who doesn’t love some good old fashioned hand-me-downs?!).

7 // Do you have a list of blogs that you read consistently, every day/week? I do, and my list is growing! I love the blogging community, and although I’ll probably never make big bucks off my blog or have a million followers, I am continually blessed and inspired by the blogs I keep up with. Some are full of deep, inspirational content, some focus on motherhood, and others are simply fun life and style blogs. I love the mixture of topics! These are some of my favorites:

The Small Things Blog // A Blessed Nest Blog // Grace While We Wait // Darling Dearest // Barefoot Blonde // Lysa TerKeurst // Mundane Faithfulness

What are your favorites? I’d love to add to my reading list (comment below).

8 // Today, in the middle of the day, my sweet husband emailed me and asked me if I wanted to go on a date tonight. After 5 years, he still melts my heart with the way he pursues me. He’s the cutest. Chili’s for guac and fajitas could never be as much fun with anyone else!

9 // My cousins, Jonathan and Katie, had their second baby girl today and she’s adorable. Her name is Sara Kate and she was born today at 4:37pm weighing 5 lbs. and 15 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. I know Caroline is going to make a wonderful big sister.

10 // Last, but certainly not least, I have talked about my obsession with my traveler’s notebook on the blog before (here) but this week, I added a new book and it’s specifically devoted to prayer requests and scripture. I usually mix my prayer requests (and sometimes I like to write scripture) in with my regular journal, but I decided to start a separate book for it. One of my goals this year is to be more intentional and specific with my prayer life. I want to know my Father on a more personal level and I want my conversation with Him to be more meaningful and intimate. It’s so precious to be able and look back at how He’s answered prayers over the year, so I’m excited to see how having everything in one place will make that easier.

I hope ya’ll have a great weekend and enjoy the (somewhat) warmer weather!

This is delicious and so quick and easy to make. Tonight, my Mom and I made it with blueberries, but next time we want to try it with peaches. YUM!

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese (at room temperature)
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 package of crescent rolls
• 1 cup blueberries (washed and dried)
• vanilla ice cream
• powdered sugar

Instructions:

• First, mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl until creamy
• Next, mix in eggs and milk
• Place rolled crescents in a baking dish and pour blueberries over them

• Next, pour creamy mixture over the top and bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes (the top should be golden brown)

• Serve while warm with vanilla ice cream and dust with powdered sugar

Note: This recipe was adapted from a Tasty video, and did not turn out exactly as shown in the video. You can watch the video here.

“God asks what it is He’s made us to love, what it is that captures our attention, what feeds that deep indescribable need of our souls to experience the richness of the world He made. And then, leaning over us, He whispers, ‘Let’s go do that together.’”

-Bob Goff, Love Does

Grayson surprised me with Love Does on a random afternoon when I was in college. I had mentioned that I wanted to read it and he (in typical, thoughtful Grayson-fashion) had remembered. I was delighted with the book and couldn’t wait to read it, but I had no idea how bits and pieces of it would stick with me long after I turned the last page. It is so dense, yet easy to read, so impactful, yet so simple, and so full of truth that you just want to soak it all in like a sponge. I couldn’t put it down. Needless to say, if you haven’t read it, I would highly recommend it.

The quote above has been on my mind lately, especially now that I find myself in a time of waiting and suspense, as the unknowns of motherhood creep closer and closer with each and every day that passes. Ever since I was a little girl, I knew that God created me to be a Momma. I’ve known for as long as I can remember that only becoming a Momma would feed that deep, indescribable need of my soul and allow me to fully experience the richness of the world He made. I think Goff’s words portray the softest side of Jesus, when he says that He leans over us and whispers. Wow. Just think about that for a second. The same God who created the massive ocean, the moon and stars, the breathtakingly beautiful mountains… He cares about you. In fact, not only does He care about you, He cares about what sets your soul on fire.

He wants to sit in the quiet places with you, He wants to walk beside you, He wants to run head first into adventures with you. His gentleness is unmatched. His faithfulness is unwavering. His grace is more than enough.

So, what is it that He’s made you to love? What is it that captures your attention? What feeds that deep indescribable need of your soul to experience the richness of the world He made? 

Since I’m just a few days short of halfway to my due date, I thought I’d do a little recap of what the experience of pregnancy has been like for me so far. Pregnancy is weird, first of all. It’s funny how it can be such a different experience for everyone, which I guess is why I love reading about other women’s experiences.

I am so thankful (and I really can’t say SO thankful enough) to have not experienced any morning sickness. At all. I was so terrified that I would be miserably sick and throwing up constantly and have terrible food aversions, but I haven’t thrown up one time in the last 5 months. I’ve felt great pretty much the entire time, a gift I know is is straight from Jesus. It was interesting to me, when I started asking, that neither my Momma or Grayson’s Momma were sick during their pregnancies either… so maybe I just have good genes?

During the first trimester, I was very tired. I struggled staying awake, especially during mid afternoon, and went to bed much earlier than usual every night. I never really felt rested. Honestly, that seemingly relentless tiredness was the hardest part (physically) of my entire pregnancy so far. I don’t know if it was partly withdraws from caffeine or entirely just caused from the newness of growing a tiny human inside of me, but fortunately that extreme tiredness wore off a good bit with the end of my first trimester.

For the last few weeks of my first trimester, I experienced my first craving: grilled mushrooms. As if this isn’t random enough, it’s especially funny because I hate mushrooms. I don’t know where in the world this craving came from, but my poor husband was up at 10pm grilling whole containers of mushrooms for me many nights for a few weeks in a row. As I entered  into my second trimester, my craving shifted to steak. Steak tacos, steak salad (from Sports Page)… I have wanted it every single day for weeks. There’s a little latino restaurant beside where I work and I even learned how to call in my order in spanish! I’ve heard that craving meat is a sign that you’re having a boy… so I guess they’re right? I reckon it’s safe to say Grayson and I already have a little steak lover on our hands. Oh boy!

I had all these great plans to take cute little weekly pictures holding a chalkboard saying how many weeks along I was every week in the same outfit so I could look back on the progression of my pregnancy (like this), and it just hasn’t happened. I’m disappointed in myself, but it’s hard to actually make an idea like that happen. Instead, I’ve taken a few pictures sporadically. They aren’t alike at all, and I’m not holding any cute little chalkboard comparing my baby’s growth to the size of a vegetable, but I think you can still see the progression of his growth. It’s better than nothing, am I right Mommas?

12 Weeks

This picture is especially precious to me because at this point we had not announced we were expecting yet and we were enjoying a long weekend in Asheville for our anniversary.

16 Weeks

20 Weeks

Actually, this was today… so a little short of 20 weeks, but close enough.

I’m glad to finally be out of that awkward stage where people can’t really tell if you’ve just gained a little weight or if you’re expecting (but they’re usually too afraid to ask). It’s pretty obvious by now that this little baby bump is only going to get bigger, and I’m fine with that. I want to really embrace every part of carrying this little miracle inside of me, because I know that it’s a gift not everyone gets to experience. The fact that God has entrusted me with this little life is the most humbling gift I’ve ever received. Grayson and I hope to have many children, if that’s the Lord’s will for us, but still… you’re only pregnant for the first time one time, so I really want to cherish every moment.

Look at those long legs at his 18 week ultrasound! He’s going to be tall like his handsome daddy!

As I run head-first into the next half of this season of waiting, preparing, and just pure wonder, I want to soak in every moment. I want to remember all the little details. Hearing the sweet hum of his little heart beating, watching the way he claps his hands together on the ultrasound, even the sweet comments complete strangers make…. I want to write it all down so that one day, I can look back on this journey and know without a shadow of a doubt that I accepted the adventure my Father has set before me with grace. His grace.

In the next few weeks, we plan to register and start working on the nursery. I’m having to make a conscious effort every day not to let myself become so overwhelmed by it all that I can’t enjoy it. I feel like I have so many decisions to make, between strollers and car seats and baby monitors and diaper bags and bottles and bouncy seats and high chairs… I know I need to take it one day at a time and not try and do everything at once, so that’s what I’m trying to do. Also, I’ll try and keep the blog a little more up updated with how things are going. Any advice or suggestions from those of you who have been here before would be greatly appreciated, and thank you so much to those of you who have already shared such wisdom with me!

Thanks for reading, friends!

 

 

Recently, I haven’t been able to shake the thought of surprises from my mind. Some people love surprises, while others hate them, and I tend to find myself indifferent. For me, it really just depends on the kind of surprise. No matter your preference, surprises have the ability to bring overwhelming joy or shock, sadness, and disappointment.

Finding out we were pregnant was a huge surprise that first came accompanied by fear, then an almost unexplainable joy. Fear, although undoubtedly from the enemy, is fairly normal (especially for first time moms) but in my opinion it is a passage to go through, not a place to stay. As we anxiously await the arrival of our little boy, I can either choose to live in fear of the unknowns, the responsibility, and the what-ifs, or I can choose to claim the victory that Jesus has already won on my behalf and trust that I can not only do this, but do this well with His help. He tells us in Jeremiah 1:5 the same truth that remains for our own little ones, He knew us before we were formed in our mother’s wombs and He set us apart for a purpose.

In the midst of so much change, expectation, and surprises, the thought that’s been really resonating with me is that my Savior hasn’t been surprised by any of it. Not one single thing. When we’re amazed or found paralyzed in disbelief, He is steady and unsurprised. After all, He knows the number of hairs on our head. In the good surprises, He’s rejoicing over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17) and in the heartbreaking ones, He is our refuge and our fortress (Psalm 91:2) and will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). What a comfort!

Because I am a planner who likes to prepare and know what to expect, clinging to this truth helps me rely on my Father who loves me and has already written my story. He promises us in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has a plan for our lives, a plan not to harm us, but to prosper us! That’s such a gift, and we have to hold fast to His promises, instead of letting fear of the unknown creep in and steal our joy.

Be encouraged today, my friends! No matter what surprises you face, our Savior is holding you in His hands and will work everything together for His good for those that love Him (Romans 8:28).

Well, I have to say, I’m a little shocked to be saying those words! For the first several weeks of my pregnancy, I had literally no idea what I thought the baby was going to be, but almost everyone I talked to was confident that it was a girl. I don’t know if I began to get a feeling that it was a girl too or if I just started believing that it was a girl because I heard it over and over again, but I didn’t realize how much I really did think it was a girl until I heard the ultrasound tech say those three sweet little words today that blew my mind, “It’s a boy!” And just like that, our lives are changed forever.

Grayson and I are elated to say the very least! Having a boy first is wonderful for so many reasons, although having someone to take to Appalachian State football games and teach to play the drums are at the top of Grayson’s list. Although we (clearly) have no idea what the Lord has in store for our future, we would love to have a big family and I love the idea of any little girls the Lord gives us later having a big brother to protect them and to look up to.

We are so filled with wonder about what this little boy will be like. I hope he looks just like his daddy. I hope he has his daddy’s hearty laugh, passion for Jesus, and confidence in who he is. I hope he has my Paw’s quiet strength and humbleness. I hope he has Grayson’s daddy’s creativity and passion for making beautiful things. I could go on and on with hopes and dreams for this little boy for days, but what it really all comes down to is our prayer that he have an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus that begins at an early age and never wavers. I hope he constantly craves to be more like Jesus and chases after our Savior with boldness.

I can’t wait to see Grayson with our son. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps, because I know being a daddy is a job he was made for. I would be lying if I said that the thought of raising up a tiny little baby boy to be a bold, Godly man doesn’t scare me to death, but I know that Jesus has given us the greatest gift in this child and we are so excited to embrace this adventure that He has set before us.

We chose the name Landon Aldridge for our son after my Paw, Rondal Gordon Aldridge. My Paw was not only the most influential man in my life, but also my very best friend and loosing him to lung cancer in 2010 was the greatest hurt I’ve ever experienced. I think about him every day and would give anything to share the news of this little one with him. I can imagine his eyes lighting up and that sweet grin that I know would be on his face. My hope for naming our Landon after him is that we carry on the family name and above all, honor the legacy of the greatest man I’ve ever known.

My Momma always makes everything so special, and today was no different. When we got home from the ultrasound, she was waiting with a special gift for both a little boy or a little girl (we waited to tell her in person). I will never forget the look on her face when she turned around in my kitchen and saw me standing there with a cluster of light blue balloons. It was priceless. She was sure it was a girl, until the last few days. I can’t wait to see our little man in this pretty green sweater and matching cap!

The pink outfit I’m wearing here is hers and she wore it when she was expecting me almost 24 years ago. She saved it for me and it couldn’t be more perfect, even if it is pink. How special is it to be able to wear your Momma’s maternity outfit so many years later? She’s timeless. I can’t wait to see her with her grandson!

It’s hard to believe that in just about 21 more weeks, we’ll be welcoming this little love into our lives, into our homes, and into our hearts that he stole the moment we first heard his sweet little heartbeat. Let the adventure begin!

For this child I prayed.

1 Samuel 1:27