I never would've guessed....

If someone told me 3 years ago that today would've been today-- I would've NEVER beleived them-- and 5 years ago even less.....

I can still remember being the "busy" mother to Zachary and Joshua-- and thinking life was good-- and really very satisfied with the "status quo" of 2 children....

Then the Lord -- actually it was just my heart change-- the Lord never changes-- he always looks at children as a blessing-- so it was now a desire for us to have more children-- oh it was a time I can vividly remember-- followed by 2 very sad losses early in pregnancy-- and wondering, if this is really the Lords will for our family after all--- But the desire grew ever more in my heart...(and dh's)--- and finally 3 years ago we found out we were expecting little Stephen...

And oh how boring our lives would be without him-- he is our family comedian-- and keeps us laughing EVERY day.... He certainly IS/was a blessing-- and we were excited to have a baby back in our arms-- so much that the Lord than granted us another blessing exactly 1 year and 6 days later of little Rebekah...

And again our hearts were swooned very soon with our first girl..... It was I do beleive at this point I REALLY saw each of these children as GIFTS from the Lord.... and as one of my all time favorite songs says "The Lord gives and takes away--- but BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qp11X6LKYY

(oh I give up-- how do I get a u-tube video in here??? any help, please???) The above link is worth a click though-- :)

I do beleive it worshiping the Lord with/through this worship song-- that I really said "Lord, I will take the children you will give me, and I will be satisfied if you say 'enough' "... and after reading "Be Fruitful and Muliply" that really was the confirmation.

And soon after the Lord, confirmed again-- by blessing us with Nathan-- (1 year and 17 days after Rebekah)

And the other blessing that came with Nathan-- was the ability for me to really trust God in my fertility and child brearing-- that I was able to NURSE my first child for more than a week. This was such a strugggle to me-- and for many reasons that I should probly not dive into here tonight--

And I have to laugh here because I JUST KNOW-- there are a few friends and family who are feeling pale-- and their eyes are already rolling thinking "oh dear-- she is pregnant again".... (go ahead-- raise your hands, or leave a comment-- I KNOW who you are-- LOL)

but No, at this time, I am NOT pregnant....

HOWEVER--- we are even more prepared IF / WHEN the Lord grants us another child-- because our family vehicles now holds 15!!! Yes, we were able to purchase a 15 passenger van today-- and what a blessing this will be for our family.

The suburban just wasn't cutting it for us with all the car seats-- and 2 kids that don't walk, and it was just crazy to get them all in and seatbelted (poor Rebekah had to be handed in thru the back window....). So now there is plenty of room for all..... And I am taking the advice of my MOMY's friends and we are taking the back row of seats out for PLENTY of room for stroller (S). Yes tomorrow at the farm show we will have a double stroller and a single out and going-- as dh says He should charge admission for people who look at us like a circus-- and I assure it is not for behaivor problems-- the kids are actually very well behaived in public (in public is the key). So on normal days our van will only hold 12....but we have the extra space we like....

Not that we "run" - too much--and speaking of "running" or not being home ... I must say I don't think when I had just 2 children I would've understood this blog entry NEAR as much as I do now-- and it was a perfect read for me today--- so I thought I'd share-- And that is not to say people with 1 or 2 children should not be at HOME more-- they should-- I just really didn't "get it" then-- the Lord has taught me so much about myself in the last 3 years-- things I don't think i would've EVER EVER learned.... and I am ever so thankful for the new friends and church family the Lord has put in our path to encourage us along this journey.