Noah's Arrival, January 5, 2008

It was 12:04 a.m. I felt "strange." I woke Mark up out of a deep sleep. My water broke...we made our calls and headed to Kansas City.



Twelve hours of labor...two tries at an epidural...one cesarean birth later and little Noah arrived!



Only, he wasn't so little. Nine pounds, 20.5 inches long, a head full of black hair, and perfect.

New Mercies

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

Days after Noah was born I found myself in a place I never expected. It was a place of can'ts, couldn'ts, and don'ts. I couldn't give birth naturally. I couldn't breast feed. I don't know why my baby cries. I can't find time to clean house, cook, or write thank yous.

I sat at the computer, crying. Mark prayed for me. Motherhood has left me humbled, confused, elated, exhasuted, and full of insecurities. As Mark prayed for me the Lord reminded me of the verse in Lamentations.

To my can'ts, the Lord says, "I can." To my couldn'ts, the Lord said, "I did." To my don'ts, the Lord says, "I do." Truly, each morning I ask for new mercies, new compassions. The Lord is faithful to pour them down on me.

Years ago I poured out my heart to Him in worship with a verse that reads, "Let your mercies fall from Heaven...new mercies for today, shower them down as we pray." It is those same mercies that I am crying out for again, allowing the Lord to minister to my needs as a wife and mother.

I think about those women who are new mothers, as I am, who have no hope in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I pray for these same mercies for them, that the Lord who showers me with compassion would shower them with the same. I pray that they would find their hope in Him as their babies cry and there is no answer. As they struggle with unexpected challenges in motherhood. As they stumble through the day on only a few hours of sleep.

I would like to write that Noah is sleeping better and crying less...I can't...not yet. But I believe that his cries are being comforted by the same Lord who is comforting me. Join us as we pray for rest for little Noah, knowing that we serve a God who answers our prayers.




"And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:16

Good Things Come in Little Packages

This week I came home to find a small box on my doorstep. I love getting packages! This one I couldn't wait to open...Mark's sister-in-law had promised to send us some yummy Christmas treats (homemade I should add) since we would not be there for Christmas. I immediately opened the box.

Inside I found a lot of those Styrofoam peanuts and the tin I had been waiting eagerly to receive! As excited as I was I sifted through the peanuts and found a small DVD...a Christmas message from our nephews and niece...an unexpected gift...small, yet mighty!



I could not wait for Mark, I miss home, I miss familiar, I miss these three young people! I turned out the lights, turned on the Christmas tree and settled in to watch the DVD.



I was able to watch and listen to Jack, and later Sam, play Christmas songs. They have been taking piano lessons...I smiled as they played their songs. I heard what they wanted for Christmas. I was able to see a chalk drawing of Noah created by Beth. My favorite part was when the kids each told Noah one thing. Sam told Noah he hoped he likes everyone. Beth encouraged Noah not to cry. Jack told Noah he would like his parents...us.



It was the unexpectedness of this gift that made it so special...and it was from the heart of those whom we love. Mark and I cannot thank John, Lisa, Jack, Sam, and Beth enough for this gift. We cannot find the words that would express how it made us feel.

Years ago God gave the world a gift more precious, more valuable, more wonderful than words can express and had him wrapped, not in peanuts, but in cloths in a manger. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
We can never thank God enough for His wonderful gift.

Merry Christmas Jack, Sam, and Beth! We love you very much. Thank you for sending us Christmas wishes. Love Aunt Angie and Uncle Mark

Update on Noah

Not an official blog entry, Mark and I had our 36 week visit...which meant our last time seeing Noah on a tiny screen...the next time we see him he will be in our arms! We found out that Noah is currently 6 lbs. 7 oz., and not the 10 lbs. I have feared.

We found out that he has a head full of hair and that his intestines are in his body (another ridiculous fear I had). All looks well with our little man and we can't wait to meet him.

He is head down, and my body has begun the process of preparing to deliver him...which means only that I will indeed have him, but we have no due date other than January 10.

So weekly visits are in our future. Our bags are packed and in the car. The car seat is installed. Noah has more gifts than we do under the tree and we have dog sitters lined up!

Christmas Past

Shopping, hot chocolate, lights, cookies...all of these come to mind when I think about Christmas. This Christmas Mark and I will spend our first Christmas alone. With Noah due not long after Christmas we are not allowed to travel.

So today I sit peaking past the Christmas tree, watching snow fall outside, thinking of Christmases that have come and gone, traditions I will miss, and family that I love so much.

That being said, the traditional Norman Rockwell painting my family is not. Picturesque moments we do not have. Rather, belly laughter that does not stop, silly gifts that reflect personalities, and blouses covered in flour make our photo opportunities.

So, that being said, here are some of the things I will miss the most about being with family for Christmas. I will miss my dad asking when the meal will be ready...even though my mom and I have been standing in the kitchen for hours cooking while the rest of the family sits in the living room watching movies and taking cat naps. I will miss playing bingo for $1 gifts and hearing my dad call the numbers as if he had a part-time job as a bingo caller. I will miss watching my brother laugh as he opens yet one more t-shirt with some ridiculous saying on it. I will miss putting frosting on cookies with my sister, all the while trying to convince my father that purple frosting tastes just like blue frosting. I will miss watching my mom open an unexpected gift that makes her cry, while I cry right along with her. I will miss it all, yet, with the birth of Noah, I know that family Christmases are just beginning again for our family.

I encourage each of you to look past the little things that drive you crazy at Christmastime, the habits that your family has that makes you bite your nails. Take the time to remember that each member of your family has been created to be just like they are and that God placed you in the care of your family for very specific reasons.

For Mark and I, we will remember that Christmas is a birth story. I think of Mary, big and pregnant (not unlike me), trying to find a place, any place, to have her baby...our Jesus. We will remember to love deeply and to treasure the family and the memories we have of family so far away.



Love to all of you this Christmas season.


“But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”- Luke 1:30-33

I'm Not Perfect

Wow. If you know me, you already know that I am not perfect. If you are family, you are probably laughing right now. While I know I am not perfect, I spend a lot of time trying to make sure I get as close to perfect as possible.

I plan, I organize, I spend countless hours completing tasks that I think are necessary. These tasks give me the feeling of perfection. A spotless house, thank-you cards sent out on time, bills paid and mailed early...all signs of my perfect life.

Just a couple of weeks ago Mark's brother was coming for a weekend of football here in the Show-Me State. I had plans. I had my days scheduled, my cleaning scheduled, my meals planned out.

I have bragged about my easy pregnancy. I have rejoiced and given thanks to the Lord for it. So in this perfect plan of mine for John's visit I did not plan on being weak. The weekend before the visit I pulled (somehow) a muscle in my stomach which kept me from being able to stand on my own...I couldn't hold the laptop against my stomach, I couldn't sit all the way up...I couldn't clean, I couldn't prepare wonderful meals. I was weak.

I went to the doctor and was put on bed rest for the entire week. This meant a dirty house, no groceries, and a guest on the way.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

In the same week my cousin, Chris, turned 50! While we could not make the trip to Virginia for his surprise party, I was going to send a tape wishing him a Happy Birthday. I didn't do it, not a tape, not a card, not an e-mail. Happy late Birthday Chris!



Some saying reads something like this, "If you are near me long enough I will let you down." That is how I have felt, that is my flesh talking. It is not a warning to all of you. Rather, it reminds me that it is only through Christ's strength that I am able to do anything at all.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things though Christ who strengthens me.

My stomach has healed, my house is still not clean, I haven't cooked in days, and I have yet to mail even a card to Chris. This is where I am. It is not a confession, but a realization. As the day drawers nearer for Noah to join us I ask that you pray for us. Pray that I am able to let the little things go, that I will release the idea of perfection, and that we are able to teach Noah what is really important...that we serve a Risen Lord.

Showered with Blessings

Last week my parents came for a visit. Mark and I planned everything out...meals, day trips (mostly dealing with fun Noah things), movies to keep my dad entertained...we are great at making plans.

Not so surprising, the plans didn't work the way we expected. Dad ended up not feeling well and spent time in bed...with the exception of working on our mailbox for hours...upon hours. Dad and Dixie had a lot of great time outside. Dixie actually ate her collar. I mean ate it...no remnants.

Mom and I spent hours looking for new hair cuts...only to leave our masterpiece examples at home.

Mark spent time...watching college football...and hanging out with whomever was home...and shopping with Mom and me.

On Friday we were able to have a 3D ultrasound done...we watched Noah suck his hand, open his mouth and look adorable. Mom went with us, as did a good friend, Ashley. It was difficult to see. I was on my side, trying to get Noah to move, Mark was beside me, holding my hand. On Sunday, after my parents left and the house was quiet, Mark and I cuddled on the couch and watched Noah's debut together. It was incredible.

Sunday afternoon was my second baby shower. The first was given by my sister,Helen, and was an intimate gathering of family and friends. This was a shower with my wonderful friends of Missouri. Mom was there with me and Mark showed up near the end to help unwrap the gifts. I was honored and blessed beyond belief.



While we miss home daily, we were reminded that we are surrounded by people who love us. We are part of a community. God put us in a place like no other. He hand chose where we would live and who we would meet.

In the pictures I am 28 and 1/2 weeks pregnant. The pictures simply do not reveal just how big my tummy has gotten...sorry Helen...but trust me on this, Noah continues to grown, as does my abdomen.