SOOOOO…
We’ve got some CRAZY news to share!
I’ve mentioned a few times over the last several years that we would love to have another baby, but every month, the Lord said, “Not yet.” The path of infertility is one we know very well and, while that is never an easy path, we have learned (and daily remind ourselves!) to trust that the Lord knows best.
But I kept feeling this nudge that our little family was not done yet. On our way home from our Thanksgiving road trip, we stopped at a Cracker Barrel and when the hostess asked us how many were in our party, I blurted out, “5!” – even though there were obviously only 4 of us. At the time I blamed it on too much turkey and stuffing and sitting in a car for 15 hours with 2 stir-crazy boys, but I guess the Lord was writing a message in my heart for what was coming!
But then January came and I felt this total peace that if He didn’t want our family to grow, that was okay. I have been swamped with my new job this year and I love it, the boys keep us plenty busy with their constant shenanigans (FOR EXAMPLE – after this photo shoot at Dunkin’ Donuts, Jet apparently had pocketed a bunch of coffee sugar packets and came home to experiment with them so when I was putting him to bed I discovered piles of sugar around his bedroom #awesome), and life just feels full and lovely. Both Mr. B. and I surrendered our desire for another child completely. I got rid of the last of my baby and maternity things and we breathed a sigh of contentment.
That’s when things got crazy. Around Valentine’s Day I knew something was up – I was crying about EVERYTHING, psycho moody about EVERYTHING, and I was consuming large amounts of french fries. Also my stomach began looking like I had swallowed an entire spaghetti squash WHOLE.
So after a few hundred tests, some blood work and an ultrasound, we have confirmation that there’s a munchkin on the way!
Of course I have already had 40,000 fears with this pregnancy since everything-that-happened-with-Jethro. BUT Mr. B. keeps encouraging me to Philippians 4:6-7 already! And then one of my sweet friends gave me a shirt that says Faith Over Fear – a message that I need to cling to every second.
God opened my womb again and like Leah said with Judah, I want to declare with eyes of faith and a heart of gratitude, “This time I will praise the Lord.”
Will you join us in prayer for this munchkin? I am specifically praying for this little one to have mental and physical strength and also I am praying for him/her to know Jesus annnnd also I am praying that this baby will eat whatever I put in front of them. Please Lord, no more picky eaters. I need someone who can just eat a PB&J for-the-love.
🙂
Now you know why I haven’t blogged in 3 weeks! I am spending most of my days going to work and then coming home to crawl into bed. And also eat hamburgers. Lots and lots of hamburgers.
Thank you for celebrating with us and for being such a precious community. I love doing life with you!
Joyfully,
Julie
DEANNA TAYLOR
Praise the Lord!!!!!! Isn’t it always like that…we finally get content and then the Lord MOVES in a big way! Praying for your beautiful family and all the requests you listed 😁.
Kristi Ethier
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you! Of course I will pray for this sweet baby!
Beverly Wingate
God is so GREAT! I am so thrilled for you and the new baby. I am so praying it will be a chubby eat anything little girl…healthy as can be and bubbly like you. I never had any children and i am so grateful god has blessed you with a new addition. I iwll pray everyday for its good health. I hope it is a chubby Libra born on October 8. Oh that is my birthday but I iwll share the date with your new addition! If I was any happier I would be crazy! Babies are beautiful and so is your love for everyone.
Jennifer
What wonderful news, Julie! I’m so excited for your sweet family. In addition to praying for a smooth pregnancy and healthy baby (who’ll eat what he’s offered — very important request there), I’m praying God will keep your heart at peace through it all, knowing that He is the blessed controller of all things and that He has a good plan for your (growing) family and will be faithful to complete the work He has begun in you!
Laura K
Happy happy happy happy happy happy happy happy happy happy!!!!! This makes me so happy!!! So thrilled for you, sweet friend, and already so in love with that little one! 💕💕💕
Ramona
SO EXCITING! Blessings to all of you! Will definitely keep all of you in our prayers! How wonderful!!!1
Debbie McIntire
So so happy for y’all, Julie! Congratulations!!! Thank you fin continuing to be an example for us all!!!❤️🙌❤️
Rebecca Beam
Congratulations Julie!! Praise God from whom all blessings (and munchkins) flow. 😁
Rhonda Saunders
Praying for you, your family & your sweet little on the way! Congratulations! Such exciting news! ❤️
Liz Millay
Congratulations Julie!! What an amazing story!
Carol Wilson
Julie, I am so happy for your family….another little one…and having your folks here now just adds to the joy! I know you are all so thrilled!! Love to you and the family.
Lisa Orcutt
Congrats Julie 😁
sandi davis
Congratulations!!! God always has a plan that is beyond our wildest imaginations!
Sam
Oh Julie!
As a momma of 5 myself…. you will be so richly blessed with this addition! I am praying for you & all your requests. I am thrilled for you, and totally understand the hamburger thing!
Jennifer
Aww, congrats! So exciting! Prayers for y’all! I just love reading your stories!
Carmen
Congratulations! So excited for your little family! God always seems to know exactly what we need and at the time we need it. What blessings he brings us! Prayers for you and yours! Thank you for sharing your amazing news😊
Ellen
So excited for you!
MARLA
Oh my!!!!!!!!! I am CRAZY excited and happy for you guys!!! Praising God with you!! I’ll be praying!
Love and hugs to you all!! 😊🍼
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Vickie Estler
Congratulation to all 4, well 5 of you! 💖💙⁉️ How exciting. 😍Remember one of the verses I placed on a Tupperware lid when I brought a meal when Jet was born … See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:19. God made a new “thing,” really don’t like calling a baby a thing, but… the baby sprung up and yes, you are perceiving! Blessings!!
Becky
Congratulations!!! What a beautiful miracle for you and your sweet family! May the pregnancy and delivery be easy and uneventful!!!!!
Amy
Congratulations! So excited for you:)
DONNA DAVIS
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
I’m so happy for your sweet family. I wanted another wee one, but it wasn’t in
God’s plan, but he has blessed us with three children and we are so very blessed.
Y’all will be in our Prayers, keep on keeping on for GOD!!
You’re a breath of fresh air for many of us, and I personally appreciate your crafts and information on Sunday school projects, Thank You
Laura N.
Congratulations and best wishes to you and your family! Trusting that God will provide and protect this sweet child of yours.
Ruth Ridenour
YEAH!!! I found your blog when Jet was born and read all of your struggles and prayed along with you. A NEW baby–what a wonderful blessing–so much JOY! I will continue to pray and read with anticipation!
Ruth Ridenour
Crazy to think it’s been over 5 years–back when it was Happy Buddy and Happy Baby!
Jamee
CONGRATULATIONS!!! So happy for your sweet family!
Missy
CONGRATULATIONS!! Isn’t our God aweseome!!
Pat Francoforte
Wow! What wonderful news!! So happy for you! Will keep you in prayer!
Jenn McDaniel
Congratulations, Julie! It will be easy to remember to pray for you and your little one. Every day I wake up with my own morning sickness I pray for about 7 of my pregnant or trying friends. You’ll be on that list now! It’s been a rough start as we moved to NM in January for my husband’s new job as Associate Pastor of Worship and Education. We did not know we were pregnant when we moved. Our daughter is almost 5 now, so we’ve had a lot of transitions that have added to my exhaustion. We are due in September, so I love that we can share this journey together. Much love and may you be blessed with the miracle that has taken place!
CS Calkins
Very happy to hear, Julie….XOXOXO to you & yours!!!
Ouida
Sharing your joy on this exciting addition to your family. Praying this third little one is a healthy and joyful completion to your beautiful family!
Kim
Congratulations and prayers for you and your growing family! Thanks for sharing the good news with your readers!
Laurel
My heart is so so full for your Julie!! Tears of joy as feeling the excitement and emotions in your words! SO happy for you! Congrats! This baby sure is blessed.
Karolyn
Awesome news!!! Congratulations!!!
Brandi
Congratulations!!!💗
I’m so excited for you and your family!💗
Jessie
Congratulations!!! I’m so happy for you and your sweet family😊
Donielle
Hooray!!!!!!! Praying with you!
Jess
Aww. Thanks for sharing! Congratulations to you and your family!God bless you all!
Sue {Munchkin Munchies}
Such happy news! CONGRATULATIONS!
Marie
Congratulations and praise God! Many prayers to you and your new little munchkin!
beth
Congratulations!
Emily Sorensen
You know this little one will be bathed in prayers from all over <3 I’m so happy for you!! You are so strong and can handle anything, but I do pray that this one will be ann easy one! Haha. Strong health and eats what you put in front of him/her (oh a her would be LOVELY!!). Bless you and your beautiful family!
Severine Boelaert
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you and your family. May all your wishes come true!
Julie in Georgia
Rejoicing and praying with you!
Bet @ Bet On Dinner
BEST NEWS EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carmen Lili
Congratulations!! Blessings and tons of love!!
CaryLynn Hough
Congratulations!!!! Children are a blessing from the Lord. I pray health, strength, and peace to you and your little baby!
God bless you and thank you for your great site!
Jennifer J Bauer
Discovered your blog a couple months ago and just love it. What great news! Congratulations!
Julie
How Wonderful!! I am so happy for you all. You’ll be in my daily prayers, and I may even throw in a special prayer that it’s a little girl 😉
Jae
Look at God working in your lives. Congratulations! Awesome news…..Praying for you, your family, and the new addition.
Dena
Congrats and God’s blessings!
Jean
Congratulations and praying all goes well.
Megan
Congratulations! What fantastic news. So happy for you
dd
I know you had asked for gender reveal ideas. I thought this might give you some inspiration. Can’t wait to hear what you are having! I check a lot to see if you told us yet!
http://www.mabelandmoxie.com/Creative+Gender+Reveal+Ideas/articles/ClH9EZZBZ4-/Cute+Gender+Reveals
If we have to wait until he or she is born that is fine too! I certainly understand that like gets busy! Wishing you and your family all the best!