Our girls ANSWERED PRAYER

Funny to be staring at these beautiful snow pictures thinking of summer, but that is where this story begins. 

I asked Brian in July or August, for my birthday present. I don't care one bit about gifts, so he knew this was unusual. 

I asked if he would go with me to Tennessee for a His Proposal conference. Of course, he agreed. 

So when September rolled around, birthday weekend, we packed for our weekend getaway. We left my friend in charge of all of our girls and Brian and I went to the mountains of TN. It was just the two of us. Such a TREAT. We were staying in cute little cabins at a conference center where we were holding the His Proposal conference. 

It was beautiful weather. So fun to be with just him. 

He stood by my side as I spoke at the conference and encouraged and helped and showered me with love. 

My birthday fell on the Saturday of the conference. I had to speak a few times that morning and that afternoon. Brian told me he had a 'little something' for me. 'Nothing big' he said a few times. So after lunch, we went back to the cabin. 

He pulled out a card.

For months and months the girls had been praying for another baby. I told them I wasn't so sure that Daddy was ready for another baby. So then they prayed for Brian. 

'God, I pray that Daddy's heart would change. I pray Lord, that he would want another baby.' 

So on September 14, 2013 Brian gave me one of my favorite birthday cards. Ever. 

In the bottom left hand corner he had drawn a stick figure family. First there was a tall Brian stick figure, then me, followed by one, two, three, four, FIVE little stick figures. I cried. He cried. 

He wanted another baby. 

What an answer to these little girls prayer. A tangible answer. 

It didn't take long.  

He/She was conceived at Thanksgiving.

And discovered a few weeks into December.

I wanted to tell him in a memorable way. Who gets to tell their husband they are pregnant for the 6th time?! What a huge deal. 

The other times I had made equally as memorable. 

We were at a big masquerade ball downtown on New Years Eve with dinner and a band. At 11:59:30, the lead singer said into the microphone, '30 SECONDS til the NEW YEAR!' 

Over the very loud crowd, I said '...Brian, I have something to tell you….'

We spent the last hour dancing, so he stopped dead in his tracks. He looked into my eyes and I think he just knew. I said it anyway. 

'Brian... I'm pregnant……'

He stared at me. And I watched as he processed such incredibly huge news.

I said over and over, 'I know…..I know.' I don't even know for sure what I was I know-ing. Except I knew that it had taken me a few weeks to believe we were having another child. Another baby. Another life. Another family member. And that our family would grow again. That there would be 5 to love and raise and protect and cherish. 

After a few seconds he started smiling broadly. Thrilled. Excited. Amazed. SO happy to share our family joy. 

Right then, the crowd started shouting 10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1………HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

As we kissed. 

It was as if no one else was there.  

He or she is cherished and loved from these first moments.  

The girls had no idea what was coming. I told them that we were going to take pictures in the snow. They put on their favorite pinky-pink lip stick and their sparkliest clothes for the event. 

 I've been 'carrying' a SECRET. 

My oldest Carlisle, said just a few weeks earlier:
'Mom, I think you're pregnant.' She had also said this with a previous pregnancy. Even before I knew. 

Our NEWEST Baby!

There was one important group yet to know. 

Our girls. 

 The Announcement. 
(You may have to click the triangle to make it start.)

I was filled with joy and anticipation. I was jittery. I was actually shaking with excitement. Completely and totally overwhelmed with the gift I was about to give these four sweet girls. 

So much so that it was actually hard for me to get my words out. I had known for so long. 

They had been praying for this baby. They got to feel the beauty of the Lord answering prayer!

It all came down to this moment. 

So thankful for my friends who love me enough to come and video and take pictures. It all was so thrilling I would have forgotten everything if it weren't captured here. 

 JOY!

My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. 

Psalm 28:7

 ELATION

'When the righteous triumph, there is great elation.'

Proverbs 28:12

 DELIGHT 

'Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.'

 Psalm 37:4

CHILDREN

 Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.

Psalm 127:3

  BLESSING

They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.

Psalm 37:26

FULL

'Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth.

Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.' 

Psalm 127:4-5

And then, Yes. They dropped the baby in the snow. 
No one minded. 
Even baby. 

The rest I'll leave to the pictures. They speak for themselves as our girls each reacted to the news.  

Limitless joy. 

Thinking baby should arrive sometime this August. 
Thank you for sharing newness of life with us!

'Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the LORD.'
Psalm 128:3-4
Jennie 

NEW memories

God has done so much in my life this year.

Again this year, God used death and grief to super glue Brian and my hearts together and yet bless us farther than seems possible with love and LIFE. We celebrate Jesus and are grateful for living hope and the fullness of joy that draws us to know him more and more.

Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 


We've had fun getting away over Christmas, and also made sweet memories at home. New memories. Memories without my Mom and Dad. 

We spent two days before Christmas with Brian's family. They were tender and compassionate, and it was great to be together.

Brian wants us home on Christmas Eve. He wants the girls to wake up in their own beds and sleepily walk down to their own tree on Christmas morning. Just like we did when we were kids. So we always are home. But this year, it was just us. Usually my Mom and Dad are here with us. New memories. 

I told Brian Christmas morning while we were in the middle of the early morning excitement. The girls were unwrapping gifts... the joy and squealing... I realized a truth, 'Somehow, this is my favorite Christmas yet.' 

That certainly isn't right... Is it? Is it possible that my first Christmas with no parents sitting and sipping coffees while grinning at little girls, could be good? Christmas Day WAS. I am carried by the Lord. Somehow He met me and comforted me. In a very special way.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 
Matthew 5:4

2 Cor 1:11 'Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of MANY.'

MANY prayed for me. For my family. For my heart. For the day. Those prayers were heard.  

'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.'
2 Cor 12:9

 MERRY CHRISTMAS 

2012

From us

Without exception, the BEST thing God blessed us with in the Year 2012 is our little Eleanor Bliss. We adore our baby. She IS Bliss. 

They love my red lipstick. Can't blame them. It makes me feel so fun. It makes them feel so fun. They thought they were the coolest chicks ever taking these pictures. 

Potentially I have created a monster.  We were on the way out the door this morning to the gym and Evelyn put on lipstick before we left. 

Decorating....Ev-Style.

 

A window masterpiece for the cousins, who were on their way. 

 

I didn't do the annual Gingerbread House decorating BASH this year. It was the first time in 5 or 6 years. 

Instead, Evelyn and I made 5 houses. One for Me, Brian and the older three girls. 

 Thoughtful taste testing...

 New MEMORIES.