Another Thanksgiving

This year has been tough.  Almost from the very beginning as my sister broke her back in a horse riding accident in January (to those who still ask how her recovery is going, you are so sweet.  She is actually doing great.  Her back gets a little tight sometimes, but she has already been back on a horse, taking it much easier now)  My husband’s job commute is 2.5-3 hours daily which extended to about 4 during the crazy floods in the spring.  We got some really hard news this fall….and don’t know when good news will come from that specific situation. Oh and let’s not even get started on the crazy political atmosphere we have in this country right now…

And I know I’m not alone.  I’ve had many friends share their stories of discouragement and heartache in 2016.  I wrote a Thanksgiving in May post because I wanted to focus on the good, instead of the bad that was happening.  Well, 2016 has continued to disappoint, but I still want to find the good to praise the Lord for.

Since I wrote that post in May, I’ll start with something good in each month since then.

June-  My birthday month. And my Momma’s.  And Mom-in-law's.  We had good family time and I actually celebrated my birthday with my in-laws over Father’s Day weekend.  How many people can say they are HAPPY to celebrate their birthday with in-laws?  Not many, but mine are the best.  They made me a cake and bought be some of my favorite things.  Then, watched baby girl so the Hubs and I could go out.

July-  I saw one of my cousin’s marry his high school sweetheart in one of the sweetest, God honoring ceremonies I’ve been to.  Also, Cow Appreciation Day!  I had been waiting several years to go with one of my favorites who has an amazing cow onesie that she wears to celebrate the joyous occasion every July.  It was such a fun day being silly with her and baby girl!

August-  The Hub’s birthday.  We had such a fun celebration with family and friends.  Also, baby girl turned 18 months…and ever since that big milestone, she has just been getting an even bigger, funnier, sassier, sillier personality and it’s just adorable.

September-  This was the hardest month.  But we had an awesome friendcation with my best friend, our husbands, and our babies.  It was full of relaxing days, refreshing conversations, and fun times in a nice little house out in Wimberley, Texas.  Also, had some good sisterhood time one afternoon with a few friends from college!

October-  Family reunions, baby showers, pumpkin patches, Taco Salad Parties, and friends’ gender reveal parties.  October, while it didn’t feel very much like fall outside, had many good celebrations to help with the sadness of September.

November-  Full of family time.  My parents hosted an awesome Thanksgiving Day feast…and helped a lot with baby girl. Then, went to the in-laws for the weekend for some more family time, food, rest, and help with baby girl. 

My momma came today, brought Chickfila, and helped with baby girl until she went down for a nap.  Then, my dad is coming when he gets off work and will bring us some dinner.  They both usually do this once a week for us.  So sweet.

Hoping December will end with 2017 not looking as dreary as 2016 has been.  However, you can see that I really do have a lot of blessings to think about, praise Jesus for, and not forget.  Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  Can you think of something to be thankful for each month?

Love,

Leslie

Little Love

Our sweet baby girl turns one tomorrow.  I cannot believe her first birthday is already here! 

She is the greatest little blessing.  We planned for her and prayed for her, and God heard.  She was by no means a surprise.  However, her birthdate WAS.  She was due March 2^nd, but chose to come 6 days early, not much I know, but 6 days early put her birthday the day BEFORE the hubs and my anniversary. (at least it wasn’t 5 days early, right? Haha)  She still let us have “our day”.

I’m not gonna lie.  When she was first born, it reeeeally bothered me that her birthday was the day before our anniversary.  Understand, I was never bitter towards her.  No, not at all.  I just kept thinking, “Why couldn’t we have been able to get pregnant one month sooner?  Why couldn’t I have gone a little past my due date like a lot of my friends?”  But really, the dates being right next to each other on the calendar mostly bothered me because of what I thought other people were thinking.  I still get comments like, “Holy crap.  Her birthday is literally the day before your anniversary?!”  Or “You’ll never get to celebrate your anniversary again!”  And “You are going to have to start celebrating your half anniversary!”  No.  Just STOP.  Yes, we did spend our anniversary in the hospital last year.  Yes, we have a unique situation, but we do not have to give up our day. 

Actually, in some ways, it makes things a little easier.  My in-laws are coming into town to celebrate her birthday and will be staying at our house.  So, they are going to stay with her over-night on our anniversary so that we can go to dinner and stay in a hotel that night.  Free babysitter alllll night.  Yeah, it’s not so bad.  There’s just a lot of love this week of February as we celebrate OUR love and our first “little love” :-)

Some of my favorite things about our Little Love-

As soon as she was born, the nurse said “You look just like your daddy!” and that’s all I heard for months (not a bad thing as he and his brothers were some of the CUTEST little boys ever), but she has started looking a little more like me too lately

Even though she is WALKING all over the house, she still loves to stop and snuggle with Momma

She adores the pets, especially sharing her food (sometimes handfuls of her favorite) with them.  Esther the dog has found a best friend haha, and even the scaredy cat will let her pet him.

She loves to kiss me, her Daddy, Esther doggy, stuffed animals….

She loves welcoming her Daddy when he gets home from work 
Even though it makes it more difficult for me lol, she always wants to see what I'm cooking

She loves to play outside and isn’t afraid to get dirty

She is a social butterfly, not shy at all

She is really confident when she tries new things

She loves music, and will clap or dance almost anytime music is playing in the house, but especially when she hears Carrie Underwood...and will play the guitar with her Grandpa

She loves to be told about photos on the walls or in our phones

She is a good little traveler

She is such a sweet, happy baby

She smiles A LOT

She gave me a new name- Momma

She is MINE and the greatest gift I’ve ever received

Love,

Momma Leslie

Rest. Refresh. Balance. FLOURISH.

During a MOPS meeting at the beginning of last semester, the topic was “Embracing Rest”.  Our lovely speaker had us write on a random piece of paper a list of things that make us feel refreshed.

Here are some on my list-

Nap with baby girl when she naps…the dishes can wait.

Going for a walk on the walking trail in our subdivision.

Taking photos

Chickfila Dates

Organizing (when I have someone else watching baby girl…this is NOT restful/refreshing when she is in the same room haha)

Massages

And we are supposed to keep that and add to the list.  I’ve already added-

Blogging

Making time for my business adventures

Long showers/baths

2015 was a wonderfully crazy, busy year having a new baby, starting a business, getting little rest and sleep.  I know the years are going to bring much more of that too.  But I decided to take control of “Leslie Time” this month.  I love, LOVE being a SAHM (stay at home Mom)  I wouldn’t want it any other way!  However, my sweet girl has not napped well since she first starting teething about 4 months ago.  She still sleeps through the night 10-12 hours, but unless she is in the car or in my arms, naps rarely last even half an hour 1 or 2 times a day.  Plus, first year trying to build up her immune system and sticking everything in her mouth at the same time meant colds every couple of weeks since the beginning of fall.  Most days, I don’t mind the extra snuggles.  They are SO very sweet.  However, sometimes I just need “Leslie time”.  Part of that is being introverted, part of it is just needing balance.

Our house had begun to look like a tornado went through it on a daily basis because I couldn’t work on chores until she went to bed for the night.  And that time after she goes to bed is precious hubby quality time I don't want to give up either! Now, I’m not a neat-freak and I know my house will never be as it once was, with all the extra toys diapers, wipes, blankies, etc. but it was just getting ridiculous and down-right depressing me.  I didn’t want guests EVER.

I haven’t been able to make lunch dates or any kind of friend dates that weren’t scheduled (like small group, MOPS, etc.) or right after those scheduled events.  I am seriously missing some of my friend dates, and never wanted to push those friendships aside when I became a momma.

So, Hubs and I decided to work on our budget and put baby girl in a Mother’s Day Out program once a week.  She started last Wednesday at our church.  She is familiar with her caregivers AND I trust them.  Plus, I was able to get a massage and come back to start deep cleaning my house while she was gone.  Now, I am writing this blog and continuing to really clean/organize the house.  BALANCE.  I’m getting a few hours once a week for ME.  It’s not for selfish reasons.  It’s for balance.  Refreshment.  Rest.  I’m EMBRACING this short time without my girl to be restful and productive at the same time.

2016 words of the year for Leslie= BALANCE. REST. REFRESH.

Basically, to FLOURISH.

Friend, what is YOUR 2016 going to be about?

~Leslie~

Sharing about Mom Life

Half a year.  I CANNOT BELIEVE my baby is half a year old already.  That’s crazy.  She is seriously amazing.  So happy all the time.  It is such a joy to watch her grow.  It’s amazing that she has gone from not even holding her head up all the way to army crawling in this amount of time!

A while back when I knew children were still a few years off for the hubs and me, I made a few comments about mothers over-sharing on social media.  I was HIGHLY criticized for having an opinion on things that have to do with children before I had any of my own.  Well, I do have one of my own now.  I’ve been a momma for 6 months.  I know that’s not very long, but I’ve definitely learned a lot already.

I could tell you all about the diaper disasters I’ve experienced and the amount of laundry with it, but I won’t….because I don’t enjoy reading about your baby’s diaper disasters while I’m perusing facebook and eating lunch.

I could show you pictures of the way I feed my child, but that is personal and done out of sight.  I didn’t show off that part of my body before I was a mom, so I’m not going to start now.

I could tell you how many times what goes in my baby’s mouth comes back out, but you probably don’t want to know….I deal with it with a joyful attitude, but it’s not like it’s a pleasant thing to clean up…so why would I think ya’ll would care to read an update about it?

I could tell you what we have to deal with when she gets sick, but other than a “My baby is sick.  Please, pray for her to feel better ASAP” request, I don’t think you want to hear the specifics.

I could post naked baby pictures, but a friend told me a story about someone doing that then later finding out a member of the family viewed child porn...so pictures like that will never be posted.

I could tell you how her potty training is going about a year and a half from now, but other than “I don’t have to change her diaper anymore!!”…I’ll spare you the icky details.

I had all of these views before I became a mother.  They haven’t changed.  I value my personal and private moments being kept personal and private.  Sleep-deprivation didn’t mess up my brain so much that I have to “let it all out” in a social media setting whether you wanted to experience it with me or not.  I have all kinds of people on my social media accounts that I want to be considerate of.  Yes, there are many things you can’t understand until you are a parent, but being considerate of the different people in your audience is something ANYONE can understand.  I’m not going to make you experience certain parts of life when it’s not your time to do so and you prefer to wait until it is your time.

If you are someone who shares all the details, but prefaces it with a “WARNING- graphic post about…”  BLESS YOU.  I recently had a friend want to share about how her little girl was responding in a sweet way to a situation regarding her 2^nd pregnancy, but knew it was a little graphic…and that’s how she started the post.  Great idea!  My post a while back very quickly turned from "Leslie doesn't like to hear about disgusting things, to Leslie thinks this group of people is disgusting and Leslie is not gracious, understanding, or patient."  Well, guess what?  I am a part of that group now.  I’m not a hypocrite.  I do understand mom life now.  (Side note- the main person calling me “ungracious, not understanding, and impatient” went on to block me because THAT is how to respond with grace, understanding, and patience in a disagreement, right? *sarcasm*)

LASTLY, my comment on feeding my child is how I CHOOSE to do it.  I cover up.  Like I said, I was modest before motherhood, so I continue that.  HOWEVER, if you choose a different way, you are still doing a great job taking care of your baby!  I know some moms would love to cover up, but their baby is claustrophobic and will literally try to rip the cover off.  You are a wonderful mommy for thinking of your child’s needs even if you are uncomfortable.  I’m so thankful my little one is ok being covered so that I don’t deal with that, but not everyone is in the same position.  I have my opinions.  You have yours.  But all of us mommies are just doing our very best for our children.  

This was not an attack on anyone or their character.  I have never forgotten how women who barely knew me sure tried to attack mine that day.  This post was to let you all know that I do have opinions now that I am a mother, and most have not changed since before I was one.  It’s not about not being “gracious, understanding, or patient”…it’s about considering your WHOLE audience.  Understand that I do so enjoy seeing pictures of my friend's children, watching them grow and reach milestones.  Parenthood is wonderful and should be celebrated.  I'm just not one that enjoys extreme details on any personal matter, not just parenthood.  (If I had someone sharing details about their sex life on social media, I would not feel comfortable reading personal info like that either...but that's not where the extreme sharing is taking place.)  Maybe I’m overly squeamish, but others have shared these same opinions with me.

That is all. 

Mommy Confidence

I’m hoping my blog will not become ONLY about my kid, but for now, just expect it!  Sorry not sorry that she’s my favorite thing about life right now.

I've mentioned a few times in previous posts that I’m a pretty timid, shy person.  With that, I've also never been a very confident person.  (Probably one of the reasons Words of Affirmation is one of my main love languages)

The few things I have had confidence in over my lifetime-

That Jesus Christ loves and died for me…and I now live through him, my Savior.

The love of my family

The love and loyalty of my husband

AND that I was absolutely created to be a mom

Yeah, I had hope and faith that The Lord would help me be a good student.  Good teacher.  Good wife.

But MOM LIFE?

I’ve just always known that I could do it, and do it well.

This isn’t meant to be a brag post…it’s only through HIS grace.  And I’m posting this right after my child screamed for 3 hours straight and would only fall asleep after I put her in bed with me on TWO different nights in the last week.  I’m not saying it’s easy.  Heck, those nights were VERY difficult.  I’m just saying The Lord has granted me confidence in being a mom, and for that I am extremely grateful….because it’s what I’ve always wanted to be most in life....Mainly, because I have an awesome mom who has made life GREAT by putting us before herself.  She is one of the most selfless people in the world.

I LOVE being a mommy to my sweet girl. 

I love her snuggles, even if she chooses 2am as her favorite time to demand them! 

I love how much she smiles and “talks” to me.  It makes mornings a little easier!

I love how she tries to imitate the faces I make when I talk to her…she pretty much just sticks her tongue out constantly haha.

I love having an excuse to stay home more often (Have you heard how much of an introvert I am?)

I love it when she falls asleep in her daddy’s arms as he sweetly rocks her in the recliner while we are watching our favorite tv shows.  She still prefers me most of the time because I’m the one that can feed her lol.  So, the times when she does fall asleep with him are so precious.

I love picturing Daddy/Daughter dates that will happen in the future.

I just LOVE it.  Absolutely LOVE it.

Some of my friends have commented to me that they are scared their life will end when they become parents.  My life?  It was great before, but is even more awesome now.  If you are going to be a mom soon and aren’t so happy/excited about it, I hope this made you just a little more confident…and if you want more encouragement about becoming a great momma, just hang out with me for even a few minutes and I’ll help with that ;-)

My hubs knows how to love me well during baby girl's "cry-a-thon" nights this week-

~Leslie~

(and baby girl)

P.S.  (especially for those with the "mommy arrogance" I wrote about in my last post)  I know my journey as a mom has only just begun…these crying and sleepless nights are only the beginning.  I said I am confident, but never said I have everything figured out.  It’s one day at a time.  I was hoping my child would begin sleeping longer hours at night instead of start screaming her head off for hours some nights for no reason I can see, when she is almost 2 months old.  No, I don’t have it all figured out, but I’m confident that The Lord will give me understanding if I ask it of Him.

Lil Bit of Mama Drama

One of my biggest pet peeves-  Moms who pay no attention to other women when those women are "just" college students, "just" working women, or "just" wives.  Then, when they become mothers too and are back "on the same level" as the others, all of a sudden the mom friends, who showed no care for years, have plenty of words/ "wisdom"/ "godly" advice to offer.  If that has been you, just keep all your amazing wisdom to yourself.  I have an amazing mom, mom-in-law, and friends who have kept up with me no matter what stage of life I've been in...I'll take their advice way before yours.

I had a few different women have plenty of time to offer their advice when I had my horrible sciatic pain during the pregnancy or when I wanted to know what was best to take to the hospital, yet over a week after my beautiful baby girl is born, not one of those women has offered a word of congratulations or sweet sentiments.

No, it's not hard for me to take advice.

Yes, I am a friendly person.

Yes, I know I have a lot to learn...doesn't anybody who starts a new phase of life?

Yes, I know I'm not the wisest person, but I do have a tip-  If the only time you care to talk to certain people is to give your opinion or let your voice be heard, maybe you should examine your heart a little.  If you can't find it in you to pay attention to/invest in their joys, sorrows, LIFE unless you can impart your "godly wisdom/counsel" to them, you only make yourself look prideful and self-righteous.  Do you think someone cares what you have to say...if that's the only time you speak to them?

No, I'm not trying to seek attention...just voicing how ridiculous I think this type of "mommy arrogance" is...

If you've ignored me until now, do you really think I'm going to let you be much a part of my child's life?

~Leslie~
(and baby girl)

The last 8 months...

As I am about to start the last month of my pregnancy before we meet our baby girl, I have been reflecting on the last 8 months…

I will never plan a road trip in the mountains during the first trimester of a pregnancy again.

I will always have protein in my belly before I take those ridiculously huge prenatal vitamins every day…and keep peanut butter by my bed in case I need a little extra to get to sleep or to get out of bed without feeling nauseous (both have happened). 

Most preggos talk about the cute little baby hiccups they feel, instead I was the one with hiccups at least every other day during some of my 2^nd trimester.  Up until around 7 months, I only felt baby hiccups once.  Then, she started getting them in the middle of the night after I woke up to use the restroom lol

Also, most preggos talk about the crazy dreams they have.  The only weird dream I had was before we found out baby is a girl…I was going around to everyone insisting that we name him Tyson (not even one of the names on our list).  However, the Hubs had some crazy dreams for me…usually involving guns haha!

If I ever want to feel her kick, all I have to do is drink sweet tea from Chickfila.  She gets real excited/hyper…of course, my child would love Chickfila ;-)

Also, of course, our first child would be due on Texas Independence Day ;-)

I miss alcohol and sushi more than I thought I would.... And I don't even drink that much when I'm not pregnant, but a glass of wine or a cool drink when we were in Hawaii was definitely missed!

That moment Hubs heard her heartbeat and saw her moving on the ultrasound for the first time…you could just see in his eyes how REAL it finally was.  Also, the same date he started writing his speech for all the boys that will one day be interested in his little girl…

Last month, Hubs was reading us a Christmas devotional when baby girl started kicking like crazy. It was so cute....it was as if she was excited to recognize her daddy's voice and wanted to praise Jesus with us!  Already a DADDY'S GIRL!

It is fun to get her to react to a flashlight in a dark room (around 27 weeks babies can start telling whether it is light or dark outside of the womb) and have her kick my stomach so hard that she looks like an alien…Hubby’s reaction- wide-eyed “Whoooa!”

I never knew you could worry so much about someone you haven’t even met yet.

Cats get even weirder when your body is carrying another human being.  Dogs get more protective.

Sorry if this is awkward, but it’s still funny…First, know that I have never wanted one anyway, but after pregnancy I know I absolutely, positively NEVER want a boob job.  SO. HEAVY.  Ohmygosh.  Haha.

I cannot multitask when I’m pregnant, especially if one of those tasks is me talking to someone.  Probably the most embarrassing “pregnancy brain” moment I had was while talking to my mom on the phone, I was also looking at a high school buddy’s facebook page when I realized that I couldn’t see anything on his page, except his profile picture and a “happy birthday” comment from me months earlier.  I immediately sent him a “what the crap?!” message asking why he had deleted me!!  He had no idea what I was talking about, and had had some family drama so decided to hide most of his facebook announcements just so nosey people didn’t always know exactly what he was up to…this is the same friend who bought us a random Christmas gift a few months later I had registered for for baby girl….I have really sweet friends lol.

And last, I’m still completely blown away by the love and support from so many friends and family.  Whether you gave me maternity clothes so that I didn’t have to spend a fortune on a new wardrobe, sent random gifts, came to one of my showers, or just told me I was cute when I feel like a HIPPOPOTAMUS, thank you so very much.  I can’t wait for you all to meet my precious little one.

Love,

Leslie (and baby girl)

2014

This was supposed to be written closer to Thanksgiving, but traveling and family and friend time got in the way.  I’m not sorry ;-)

Anyway, this has been a pretty big year and I felt like making a thankful list.  So, it works well as a last day of the year post too...

I’m thankful for this healthy baby girl growing inside me and all her cool movements I feel and her daddy experiences.

I’m thankful for her daddy, my amazing husband, who has been very patient with my preggo sick times, too sleepy to clean the house times, and I can barely move and need a massage times.  I have truly seen him live out “in sickness and in health” this year.

I’m thankful for several big trips this year before that slows down a little for several years.  Cancun for our 2^nd anniversary before we started planning for baby girl.  Hawaii for my brother-in-law and new sister-in-law’s wedding.  And Tennessee to see beautiful fall colors and winter coming in from the mountains.

I’m thankful for my new sister.

I’m thankful for the amazing extended family on both sides that will show an enormous amount of love to our baby girl.

I’m thankful my husband has only had to travel one week since the beginning of October.

I’m thankful for a flexible work schedule for myself to travel with the hubs, or stay at home when this baby makes me feel bad.

I’m thankful for all the sweet gifts already given to us for baby girl when I haven’t even had my showers yet.

I’m thankful for a good watchdog, yet a gentle puppy at the same time.

I’m thankful for the goofiest kitty who was really funny when my baby belly first started showing.

I’m thankful for best friend dates, especially our fall double date with our husbands that included pumpkin spice lattes, a pumpkin patch, and pumpkin carving.

I’m thankful that almost every big item on our baby registry has been bought for us.

I have a feeling 2015 will be an even bigger year.  Thank you, Jesus, for all these things!  Thank you friends and family for so much love, time, and support this year!  Happy New Year, everyone!

I leave you with these random thoughts for 2015...

Love,

Leslie

Fearfully and wonderfully...

“Comparison is a horrible idol.”

One of my favorite quotes from Matt Chandler.  Short and simple, right?  Well, not quite.

This used to be a huge struggle for me.

I have always been a fairly timid and shy person.  In high school, I compared myself to the more outgoing girls getting attention from the guys.

In college, I compared the attention I received, the projects I completed, and the grades I earned.

Other times, I have compared my health to others.  I have compared my job.  I have compared my spiritual life too.

I think many women struggle with this.  For some reason, we are constantly struggling to “be enough” by whoever’s standards!

But it’s not about WHOEVER’S standards.  It’s about this-

Psalm 139

14  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 

Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

16  Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.

FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!  INTRICATELY WOVEN!

And this-

Zephaniah 3

17  The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

REJOICE OVER YOU!

Oh, and this-

Jeremiah 9

23  Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 

24  but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

BOAST IN THE LORD!

These are fairly well-known verses.  These are not new concepts.  But sometimes I still need reminders.  The Lord made me to be ME…only me.  I am enough for Him.  And that is enough in itself.  My parents also made sure to let me know I was enough for them.  My husband lets me know I am enough too.  I was getting down on myself for something really silly the other day when my husband stops me and says, "You don't need to be so hard on yourself!!"  Thankful.

This is one of the main things I want my daughter to know too.  There will be absolutely no need for her to compare her beauty, intelligence, relationships, health, or anything else TO anyone else.  She will be enough.  She will be valued.  She will be loved beyond anything…by me, her daddy, and Jesus. 

I want her to know she’s beautiful…and that beauty comes from Jesus who made her fearfully and wonderfully…inside and out.  

Did you need this reminder today too?  You are ENOUGH, my friend.  And don't forget to boast in The One who made you enough!

Love,

Leslie (and baby GIRL)

Psalm 34:4

This is to update everyone on my last post.  If you missed it, you can read it here.

Some statistics about CF-

1 in about every 30 white Americans is a carrier.

1 in every 2,500 births of white Americans is a CF baby

If one parent is a carrier, there is a 50/50 chance they will have a child who is a carrier

When both parents are carriers there is still a 50/50 chance their child will be a carrier, a 25% chance their child will have CF, and a 25% chance their child will not have CF nor be a carrier of the disease

Life expectancy of a person with CF is around 37 years

Most people don’t know they are a carrier until they have a baby born with the disease

If you don’t know what cystic fibrosis is, I mentioned in the first post it sucks and I don’t really want to explain it, but there’s plenty of info online about it.

All this information is extremely scary and had me so anxious for the last few weeks.  I love this little being growing inside me unconditionally, and to think there was a possibility that I would outlive my child was so hard to think about.

We are praising The Lord big time right now!  At my 8 week appointment (I am now 16 weeks, woohoo!) I was tested for being a cystic fibrosis carrier.  Much to our surprise, I am one.  But as you see in the statistics, Riley had to be one too in order for our child to be born with the disease.  Riley FINALLY found out about his test results on Friday.  He is NOT a carrier!!  I was soooooo relieved.  Our babies could still be carriers, but apparently I’ve had carriers in my family passing it down for years and no one has ever been effected. 

We have such a great, loving, caring, patient, faithful God….even when we doubt and fail him.  That is what I have been doing the last few weeks.  I don’t think I’ve cared more about anything in my life than hearing a negative on Riley’s test results, and I chose to doubt God’s love and care, yet He came through in a huge way, like always.  I think the only time I’ve been close to this anxious is when I had my seizures and thought the doctors might tell me I had cancer or something.  The Lord is good.  I shouldn't doubt that ever.  Thankful and humbled.

Thank you for praying, my friends!

Leslie (and baby)

"For this child I prayed"

As most of you have seen, Riley and I are thrilled to become parents early next year!!  It’s going to be a big, awesome change.

Some of you know, or don’t, that I have had some really random health problems in my life.  One of these health issues started at birth when I had a semi-stroke that has caused me to walk with a limp and have mild cerebral palsy on the right side of my body.  It has never caused any pain, although the limp causes the annoying “Is your foot hurt?” question quite a lot.  My right side is just weaker and has a lot less dexterity than normal.  I can only open and close my right hand in a fist.  I cannot move my fingers individually on that hand.  It’s all mostly an inconvenience.  I went for 21 years without other issues.  Then, in college I had 2 random seizures 2 months a part.  It caused migraines the day after that would last the entire day until I went to bed that night.  This was unrelated to the stroke.  The only cause they could find was stress (from a really bad relationship and studying for my certification)  Ever since those, I have struggled with migraines and a few other health issues.  I didn't know how all of this was going to affect getting pregnant, but The Lord was gracious in that area.

No, I’m absolutely not trying to get sympathy.  Trust me, I KNOW MANY who are much worse off than me.

I’m writing this because with all MY random health issues and a few in my husband’s family, I have been very anxious about OUR BABY on the way.  I found out last week that I am a carrier of cystic fibrosis.  If you don’t know what that is, look it up.  It sucks….and I’m not going to explain it.  Anyway, if I’m the only one who is a carrier, our babies won’t have the disease.  However, if Riley is a carrier too, each kid we have has a 25% chance of having it.  Not a big percentage, but still very scary…especially since we didn't expect me to be a carrier since nothing like that has ever been in my family.  And I have a close friend who has a 1 year old with cystic fibrosis…so, I've seen just a glimpse of the scary and hard times that go along with cystic fibrosis.

I know that whatever happens, The Lord will be with us….but I’m still very anxious.  Riley will be tested next week.  Anyone reading this, PLEASE PRAY that he is not a carrier.  Thank you, sweet friends.

Love,

Leslie (and baby)