HER

Having a little girl has been equally glorious and challenging.  It is all I could have imagined and nothing like I expected.  I am soaking her up--Lucy Jane at 3 years old.  Messy piggy tails, wearing her 4th outfit change of the day, doodling (on paper--woohoo!) and paused for tiny minute in her busy, busy little season of non-stop until she drops.  The days are crazy and long and run together sometimes, but my cup runneth over and over and over again in gratitude for this life with her.  Never ever a replacement for our beloved Maggie (no such thing could exist in a mama's heart), but this little girl will forever and always be a sweet, sweet piece of redemption in our story. 

SHE IS LOVE LAVISHED ON US BY A GRACIOUS FATHER IN THE FORM OF A CHILD.

LUCY JANE

Blessed beyond measure to announce that our second daughter, Lucy Jane, arrived

at 9:34 a.m. on April 29, 2013 weighing 6 pounds 4 ounces and 18.5 inches long.

Words cannot begin to describe the depth of our JOY.

Our dear friend, Jayna, was gracious to enough lend her talent to capture our day in photos.

Our God is SO good and His love is extravagant! 

Thank you, Beloved Savior, for this precious GIFT!!!

BLESSED

My dear, sweet friend and photographer extraordinaire, Jayna, along with my beautiful little sister, Danielle (fabulous hair stylist and my make-up + fashion guru) got together and blessed me immensely with a maternity shoot.  Jayna snapped away, Danielle styled and assisted, and I could not wipe the perma-grin off of my face.  

I cannot believe I have been gifted this little girl growing inside.

My cup runneth over.

You have filled us with abundant JOY, sweet girl.  

 Our arms are waiting for you . . .

YEAR FOUR

As I sit here and write this there is a sweet baby girl wiggling inside of me, her movements growing as she does.  We are in the homestretch now, with just a matter of weeks left.  

OUR ARMS ACHE TO HOLD HER.

Four years ago today in the early morning hours we held our Maggie girl for the first and only time this side of Paradise.  

It was the last way we pictured meeting our baby girl.

OUR ARMS ACHE TO HOLD HER AGAIN.

Though my eyes are red, my cheeks tear-stained and my heart heavy, I am so very thankful to serve a good and faithful God.  A God that weaves redemption into torn tapestries and brings new life to help bind up deep wounds. A God who sent His son . . .

". . . to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

-Isaiah 61:3

BEAUTY FOR ASHES.

Joy instead of mourning.

A garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

We are missing our first precious daughter with fierce longing that will not cease until we hold her again in the sweet company of our Savior.

You are so dearly loved, my sweetheart!

We will meet you There...