A day of Joy....A day of Tears

They Say There is a Reason

They say there is a reason,
They say that time will heal,
But neither time nor reason,
Will change the way I feel,
For no-one knows the heartache,
That lies behind our smiles,
No-one knows how many times,
We have broken down and cried,
We want to tell you something,
So there won't be any doubt,
You're so wonderful to think of,
But so hard to be without.

Author Unknown

"God brought you to Petal"

I've always heard the saying "out of the mouth of babes". Well the title of this blog was spoken by my sweet, beautiful Parker. A few nights ago, as we sat on the couch, Parker asked me one of his usual questions: "Why do you love me?" I answered in my usual way: "Because God made you perfectly just for me." Then with his big blue eyes Parker looked up at me and said, "God brought you to Petal." I was really blown away. Yes, it is true. God did open the doors for us to return to our hometown. He gave Alex and excellent job with co-workers that have morals, respect and positive attitudes. God provided us with a house, free from rent, for the exact amount of time it took for our home in Vicksburg to sell. God led us to a wonderful church that has adopted us as if we were family. I know that should be how churches work, but trust me they don't all work that way! God allowed us to move close to our families. The love and support they have provided to us these past few months with all the transitions and this difficult pregnancy has been far too great to ever measure. God did this! I knew He did from the beginning. In fact I had prayed for God to open the doors for us to move closer to home or find a better job for Alex in Vicksburg. However, when He actually opened the door....I wanted to slam it shut. I was afraid. I hate change. Don't move my cheese! I denied that it was a gift from God to myself thinking I could make myself believe it...I knew better. God brought my family to Petal, MS. The amazing part, my three year old understands it better than I do.

God is truly amazing!

Getting Ready

Very soon we will be adding a little girl to our household. Very soon all of our lives will change. I will get even less rest than I am currently, which is only a few hours a night. I will also be the mom to a new little one, and a girl at that. I will have to learn how to do everything all over again, and how to balance being a wife and mom of two. I will also have to learn how to show Parker that he is my #1 boy and that no matter how much attention Piper requires that he is such an essential and loved part of this family. Alex will have to figure out girl gear....and I mean all of it. He will have to balance staying up for feedings and getting enough sleep. (NO, I do NOT plan on doing it alone!!!) He will have to balance work, building a new house and having two little ones that need their daddy. Parker will have to learn to share mom & dad. That is probably going to be the hardest thing for him.

I remember before Parker was born, wondering why people could not complete tasks on my time schedule. I could not figure out what was so hard about meeting a simple request. Then I became a mom. I learned really quickly that I no longer was in charge. My time schedule was no longer set by me. It was a very hard realization. I'm afraid Parker, my I don't like change son, will experience the same pains and withdrawals that I did.

To make this time special for Parker, we are trying to do several things to make being a big brother fun. Unfortunately, he has already figured out that both of their names start with a "P" and he is unhappy about sharing. He is also unhappy about sharing his room, but in our rental house it is a must. He will have his own space soon since we are building, though. In one of the above pictures you see my cute boy's face with the title "The Adventures of the Worm". This is the cover of a book that Alex wrote the story and I put together on blurb.com with cartoon pictures to match the storyline. Why a worm.......I really don't know. Parker started asking us to tell him stories some months back, and he wanted them all to be about a worm. So this story is about a worm named Parker that must stay at Nan & Papa's house while his mom & dad go to the hospital to get a baby. Yes, get a baby. Parker worm must cross over the "mean old troll's" bridge , battle a dragon, and all from his "fly-boat" (all Parker's favorites). We also plan to buy him a new suitcase and pj's for this night..........any other suggestions?

I have made a few, very few, escapes into civilization via a very glamorous wheelchair...compliments of my Dr.'s orders. So I have enjoyed picking up a few pink things here and there. The pink dress is one of 4 Petite Ami dresses I bought recently and love. I'm still looking for the perfect coming home outfit, but if I cannot find it...this may be the winner.

These next few weeks I'll be adding more pics of the baby/Parker room. They have matching bedding, so I think it will all work. I will also be praying. I know that is understood, but this pregnancy has been very rocky and scary for me. It seems that so many things have complicated what should be the most enjoyable time. I just pray that God protects baby Piper and me. I will be having a c-section, and the doctor explained that he may schedule it rather early. I need to make it to week 32, but pray that I make it to week 36. I just want Piper healthy enough to come home after her birth.......and me too.

1 Thess. 5:17 Never stop praying - I wish I knew somebody that could Paint a canvas for me with Piper's name and her verse. Anybody????