Half-way there!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

Baby Patrick has really been moving this week. Every time I savor the moment. It brings a tear to my eye and the above verse to my heart. I haven't necessarily "loved" being pregnant thus far, but I am so in love with the idea that I am. I love that my God loves me enough to answer our continual prayers and faith. I love that in His time, He answered. In one swift movement in my belly, I think all these things. Until this past week it really didn't look like I was really pregnant; just ate too many donuts or something. Today was the first day at church that I think everyone finally believed us. One lady's response to me saying I was feeling great was this, "Oh, so your just out of your first trimester!" "No ma'am, I am 20 weeks." My belly is finally getting the bump! And it is really bumpin! I love it! The other night at the baseball game Granny Hill leaned over and told CR when I got up to go somewhere, "I have been having a hard time believing that she was pregnant, but now there is not doubt. She is starting to get that waddle." I have the waddle! We had a doctor's appointment on Friday and everything is normal. No more low lying placenta - again, praise God! He is so faithful to answer us. And I ask, for what? I hear, "because you are my child and I love you." Awesome! I followed through with my original plan about not finding out the gender. It was neat enough to see that our little one has a beating heart, 10 fingers, 10 toes, 2 arms, 2 legs and a great looking spine! Surprisingly I have a lot of support on this decision. Not that it matters, but even strangers are telling me how neat it must be to wait. There are a few that are very angry, but they will get over it ... it is not their child. :)

Here is our lake front property that I have been raving about. Ducks landed on it the other day! The foundation prep crew and plumber finished everything they needed to do this weekend, so the slab will be poured on Tuesday morning. This is such an exciting time in our life. We know that we owe it all to God and are trying our hardest to think that way through the entire process. This morning's service was perfect for us to hear, too. It was about contentment in the Lord, not in things that don't matter. It just reassured us about our decisions through our house building and to block out people's comments or suggestions to do otherwise.

Next week, Katherine and Jody are getting commissioned for the mission field. This will all take place out of town and most of the family will be in tow, minus us. There just is not anyway with everything that is going on and needing to save as many days for baby. I wish we could, though, because it would be really neat to be a part of. Please pray with us that everything would go smoothly with the boys traveling via plane, that everyone would be safe, and that God's hand would continue to be upon them as they answer and follow His call.

We finally get to go to Montgomery in a few weekends. Elizabeth and Ryan are both graduating and we can not wait to be a part of their big days. And I am homesick, so it will be so nice to get back home.

CR didn't want to be left out ... here is his 20 week belly picture!