Life lately

So much has been happening it's hard to know where to begin...The school year is definitely in full swing, which means not only has my oldest started kindergarten, but I am back to teaching music lessons, and our Wednesday night kids program at church and two weekly Bible studies have begun as well. Combine all of that with the normal day to day care of three children, and Benjamin's CF treatments and you have a recipe for a big pot of Busyness with a scoop of craziness on top! Each moment of the day seems to be spoken for, and at the end of the day, so much is still left undone. I am learning a lot about priorities, time management, and multi-tasking!

Things are generally going well in the midst of the Busyness. We can't stop praising God for Benjamin. He is such a huge gift wrapped in the cutest and cuddliest of packages! He has the sweetest disposition and loves to smile and "talk" to us all the time. It still just melts my heart when he looks into my eyes with such pure sweetness. He continues to do remarkably well with CF, with no lung issues and impressive weight gain. At 3 months, one week he already weighed 16 lb., 3 oz. and had nearly doubled his birth weight! At the CF clinic they always like patients to be around the 50th percentile for weight to height ratio, and for the first time at his last visit he finally made it, and even crossed over to the 67th percentile! He was in the 20th at his first visit, and down to the 15th at one point so it's so exciting to see him thriving like this. He is just so healthy right now and we're so grateful.

Recently I met a woman who works in the NICU at the hospital where Ben was born and she was telling me about a little 4 month-old with CF who has been in the NICU since she was born because of digestive issues. I am so sad for her and for her family, and it just brought home again how blessed we are for him to be doing as well as he is. At times I feel like I'm in denial about the disease because I almost forget that something isn't right with him. We do spend a lot of time doing preventative treatments though, hoping to maintain this level of health for as long as possible. With every feeding we give him digestive enzymes and do chest therapy twice daily to break up thickened mucous so it doesn't build up in his lungs. Last month they also added a breathing treatment twice daily before the chest therapy to open up his airways so the therapy is more effective. All of this takes most of the morning between dropping Caedmon off and then picking him up from morning kindergarten, so you can imagine how the day goes by so quickly!

Caedmon is enjoying school and last week I had the fun of joining his class on a field trip to the pumpkin patch. Jayden enjoys the free reign he has over the house and all the toys while his big brother is gone to school! All the boys are growing so fast I often wonder what Eliana would be like at this stage. Toddling around the house and getting curious, I'm sure. The other day at Mc.Donald's playland, Jayden (my 3-year-old) had a thoughtful look while he watched some little girls playing and said with a smile, "Mommy, I was going to say we don't have any girls...but you're a girl, and Eliana's a girl...she's our girl Mommy." So sweet.

At kindergarten Caedmon was featured to tell about himself and have the other kids ask him questions one day. He came home and told me "I told them I have two brothers, but I didn't tell them I had a sister. I decided to keep it a secret." Then he said he doesn't like to talk about her because it makes him sad.

For me, sometimes I am like Jayden. I can think of her and talk about her freely with a smile, feeling thankful for the beautiful blessing of her life, and joy that she is in heaven. Many times, I am more like Caedmon. I have her tucked away safely in my heart, and it feels almost too sacred to disclose. When asked about my children, I often tell people I have three boys and leave it at that, thinking to myself "and a princess in heaven..." I know now that I don't have to talk about her to prove my love for her, it is etched so deeply and permanently on my heart that it has just become a part of who I am. Whether I speak or fall silent, I am always and forever her mother and that is something that cannot be erased by the separation of time, space, or realm.

Sometimes when holding Ben I kiss him an extra time or squeeze him a little tighter as I think of Eliana. There are moments of sadness for what might have been with her, but it also makes loving him all the sweeter. My heart is full of a deeper knowledge of what a treasure and miracle he is, because of the understanding that she gave me. God has truly blessed us, many times over with these sweet little ones.

God is so good...



God is so good...




God is so good...






He's so good to me...

A Walk to Remember

Yesterday was 17 months since the day you were in our arms. I still speak your name every day. Sometimes now, it is spoken quietly in my heart, and other times we speak it out loud as we daydream about what you might be like now if you were here, or look back in rememberance of the short time you were growing in my womb, and the brief moments we held you.

Today, we walked to remember you, joining so many others whose babies are exploring heaven with you. We walked to a special memory garden and laid a white rose for you at the feet of the Hope Angel, and today, we spoke your name out loud to as many as would listen. Eliana Grace, we speak your name to say that we miss you, we love you so very much, we want the world to know: you are real, you were here, and even as you live forever in heaven, you remain alive forever here with us in our hearts. We will never stop speaking your name, and we will always long for the day that our faith becomes sight and our hope becomes a realty--that day when we hold you again in heaven.



A Walk to Remember

by Kathie Ratoj Mayo

I walk to remember
the steps you'll never take.
I carry you with me
as I firmly plant my feet.
Our trek started long ago,
before my belly swelled.
You were a love that grew-
like butterfly wings that beat.
Your gently flutters then became
kicks upon which I would dwell.
And I would talk to you, sweet babe,
about the world you soon would meet.

The sun always shone upon us then-
when you were in my womb.
And I was eager to show you the world
that would have been your home.
How you'd have loved the sun shining-
blue skies without a cloud.
The autumn leaves turning-
the snow falling all around.
The flowers in summer-
would have filled your eyes with smiles.
And the rain that might have fallen
would have caused you great surprise.

You would have traveled far with me-
holding me by the hand,
And I'd have shown you all I could-
more than I can imagine.

You hold my heart tightly now,
as though we're holding hands.
How far we've traveled, little one-
and my life with you has been sweet.
For I carry you in my heart,
as I firmly plant my feet.

16 Months

It's been...
sixteen months since we held you
sixteen months since we had to let you go...
you would fit so perfectly into our lives,
and you still fit so beautifully into our hearts.
Wishing I could hold your sweet toddler hand in mine, and lead your wobbly steps beside me down life's uncertain path, but He has made your path so straight down those streets of gold. And one day it is you who will take my hand and guide me down that path.
Loving you always, sweet baby girl.


Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

First Day of School

I can't believe today I dropped that sweet baby off to kindergarten for the first time!! My oldest son Caedmon is already in school. We chose to do half day kindergarten for a smoother transition from home-schooling last year, and so that I can still work with him at home in the afternoon when there's time. He's been nervous about it all summer, and every time someone would mention it he would say "I'm not going to kindergarten!" but I love that after praying about it with him and going to the open house, he was excited to go, and couldn't wait until this morning came.

It also just came out yesterday that after seeing a scene of corporal punishment on Anne of Green Gables some time ago he was afraid that he was going to get a "spanking on the hands" from the teacher! If only I had known that earlier this summer I could have reassured him sooner, poor kid! Who knew that movie would traumatize a child! Once we got that cleared up he definitely relaxed more and when I picked him up today he was all smiles and excitement about the year ahead.

It's hard to believe this sweet boy who was not-so-long-ago my baby is now going to school. There are so many moments like this that I wish I could freeze in time. Watching him walk into his classroom today reminded me of how quickly he will be grown and going out into the world. I know it seems a little silly when he's only 5, but as quickly as these years have gone, I know the next ones will fly by even faster, and I will look back and wish I could revisit today.

Caedmon going to open house:


About to get in the car on the first day of school:

Sitting at his desk for the first time:

Jayden wished he could go too, but got to spend the morning on his scooter

Now, Ben, promise me you will not be going to kindergarten any time soon!

When I wrote my previous post, I had intended to come back the next day to explain more about the significance of Saturday's date, but the last few days have been so busy I am only now getting to do that. Saturday marked not the anniversary of Eliana's death, but one year from her due-date. We said hello and good bye to her on May 9th of last year, after almost 26 weeks of pregnancy. My due date was August 14th, so that time holds a lot of importance for me too.

I've been thinking about Eliana so much lately, and just feeling the weight of her absence even more than usual. It took me a little while to realize, that's because it is August. We've done some of the same things we did last year at this time, and it just brings back the depth of sadness and longing that we had then, realizing that she would have been in our arms had she lived. I remember attending the Balloon Classic and the State Fair, seeing her in every tiny baby that we passed by, and just feeling such an ache.

This year I saw her again in chubby-faced pig-tailed toddlers, heard her in their laughter, and felt her absence in their presence. She would have turned one in this last week, maybe Saturday, and when I close my eyes to think about it, I am really almost there with her, watching her enjoy the beautiful day.

What Might Have Been

I'm rushing around with last minute details in the kitchen as I hear her laughing from the other room. I hand Mark the ice cream and butterfly cake, and then squeeze past him to get a view of her face as he sets them down in front of her and lights the candles. Her eyes light up and sparkle when she sees it and she claps her hands.

She sits in her booster, squirming and reaching to grab her cake. Only moments ago she was toddling around the room and had to be corralled by Grandma to get her confined in the seat. She took her first steps a month ago, but only this week started really getting places, just in time for today.

I see her looking so cute, still my baby, but really starting to look like a little girl. Her hair has gotten longer, so she just barely has pig tails today and looks so pretty in the colorful dress I had chosen during my pregnancy and saved for this occasion.

How quickly a year has gone, so many firsts and so much laughter...

As soon as she gets her piece of cake she digs right in and squishes it all up between her fingers, then she decides to taste it, and by the end she is basically wearing it, not just all over her face, but even in her hair and on her dress!

Daddy cleans her up, and she can't wait to get down and play. She toddles over to me and hides behind my legs, peeking out and giggling at Grandpa. Soon she starts to open presents. This is a new concept, and I end up opening most of them for her. She seems more interested in crinkling the wrapping paper and playing with the boxes than the actual gifts, but when we give her the baby doll we got for her she squeezes it tight and we snap a picture. Then she gives me a big hug like she knows that she is the dolly's Mommy just like I am her Mommy.

What a perfect day...

Of course all of this is only the shadow of what might have been. When I close my eyes, I can see her, and I can almost hear us singing
"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday Eliana, Happy Birthday to you..."

10 Years Together

Today I am celebrating ten years of marriage with the man who God hand-picked for me to share my life with. On a Saturday in August 1999, I met him the first day on my college campus after praying that God would bring me a Christian friend. I was thinking of a girl, but little did I know He had other plans.

Mark and I hit it off from the beginning, learning that we had a lot in common such as our faith, working at summer camps, an interest in missions work, and music. I was a music major, and we played in the marching band and concert band together. I was also looking for a church, so he invited me to his and began picking me up every Sunday. We became involved in the same campus ministries, and soon we were spending nearly every waking moment together. What started out as an awesome friendship turned into romance, and we made our relationship official in November of '99.

We were engaged in March of '00, and married July 29, 2000. I was 19 and he was 21. We were young, but felt strongly that God had led us together, and His blessing was on our marriage. The story of our life together was just beginning.

Over the next four years, Mark finished his degree in Information Systems and joined the workforce, and I finished my double major in Music Education and Flute Performance. In November '03 we were surprised and delighted to find out we were expecting a little firecracker, due in July. Just two weeks later we found out we had miscarried, but already loved that baby so much, and in our hearts had become a mommy and daddy. At the end of January '04, we found out God had provided us another Little Miracle, due in September. That was the beginning of the chapter in our story called Parenting.

We had our first son Caedmon Sept. 22, 2004. Then in January 2007 we were blessed with another wonderful son, Jayden. In Dec. 2008 we found out we were pregnant again and learned in March '09 that our baby was a little girl. We had no idea that we would only have her for 26 weeks in the womb, before she went to heaven. Then began the chapter of Grief.

In October 2009 we learned we were pregnant again with our son Benjamin, and learned during the pregnancy that we are both carriers of the Cystic Fibrosis gene. Ben was born June 21st, and officially diagnosed with CF July 6th at 2 weeks old. Now we begin a new chapter with him.

Our story these first ten years hasn't turned out exactly as we had imagined. It has been filled with a lot more heartache than we would've guessed, but still so much joy and so many amazing blessings along the way. We've learned to be there for each other, help each other, and be patient with each other, and most importantly we've learned that when it's more than we can bear on our own, God is always and forever enough! We have learned so well the meaning of these verses read at every wedding.
Ecclesiates 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Two are certainly better than one, I could never do it without my husband by my side, leading and loving our family, providing strength when I have none. And the third strand of the cord is by far the most steadfast, as we look to God when we come to the end of ourselves.

In these ten years, we have learned so many things. A few are:
*laughter can fix anything,
*always smile and give each other a hug during the first five minutes together at the end of the day, it makes all the difference,
*romance can come in all kinds of ways, even if it's just having the energy left after all the kids are in bed to talk over a bowl of chocolate ice cream
*The deepest form of love looks different than you would think, and often takes the shape of two broken people holding each other through their tears

Mark, thank you so much for ten years of traveling this road side by side, I look forward to living the rest of our story together!

Thoughts and Test Results

Today we got the results back from Benjamin's stool sample that showed that he is pancreatic insufficient. This means that the thickened mucous caused by Cystic Fibrosis is blocking his pancreas from being able to release digestive enzymes needed to break down his food. We had already started giving him extra enzymes before each feeding these last two weeks, so this just confirmed what we already suspected. Still, somehow hearing the definitive answer just made my heart ache today.

I guess in some ways, maybe I've been a bit in denial about the disease, because my little guy just looks so healthy and perfect. To hear his test result just further confirms the reality of his situation, and while he is doing well, it just hurts to think of him being so dependent on these daily regimens to keep him healthy, and ultimately, alive.

One of my primary feelings after losing Eliana was disorientation. It was like our lives were headed down a certain path, and then all of a sudden the path dropped off into a black hole, only to come out again on an entirely different path.

I can't say that feeling has left me entirely, and maybe it never will. At times now, my grief over Eliana, and Benjamin's diagnosis seem intermingled. One has flowed so quickly into the other, and it is just a lot to experience in the span of a year. Knowing CF is a life-shortening disease, coupled with my all too recent first-hand knowledge of what it's like to lose a child is sometimes just too much. Even though modern treatments are significantly prolonging the lives of CF patients, knowing what it would be like without all the extra things available scares me. I really can't bare the thought of ever losing him, and can't allow my mind to go there.

After Eliana's death, so many things we were dealing with just seemed so surreal. Walking out of the hospital empty-handed, walking into a funeral home to make arrangements for our daughter, and so many other things. Now, I again have that feeling as I feed applesauce mixed with enzymes to my newborn before every feeding just so he can digest his food, and as I "thump" him on his back, sides, and chest twice a day, to loosen up mucous, and ultimately to keep him breathing. I just have to think of it on a day to day basis rather than the long-term, because the reality is, I am saving his life a little bit every day.

I think of the passage in 2 Cor. 10 that talks about taking every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. I know thinking negatively about these things is not good for Benjamin or me, and isn't pleasing to the Lord. I have to constantly give these thoughts to Him, and ask Him to help me see it through His eyes. I'm sure this will always be a battle, but I know I can trust God to carry the burdens that I so often try to shoulder on my own.

One thing about CF is that I really don't know Benjamin's prognosis, because research is being done every day to improve the outlook, and it continues to look brighter every year for CF patients. They even think they are close to a cure, and until then they are coming up with drugs that are extremely effective in fighting off infections and keeping the lungs clear. With all of this in mind, there is no way to know what lies ahead for Benjamin, so I am going to pray and believe for the best.

Today, though, I am just weary in my frail humanity. Tired from a year+ of grieving, and not seeing an end in sight. I love this little boy as much as humanly possible, and really wished I could have spared him this disease. Still, I have to believe that God's plan is always best, and I pray we will be able to glorify Him in this. Our greatest prayer for Benjamin is for him to grow up to love and follow God, and to live his life to the fullest for Him.

I've been thinking a lot of Eliana today. Mark and I were noticing as Ben was sleeping how much he reminds us of her, his mouth, chin, cheeks, and today even his eyes when they were closed. Each of these babies a gift from God, so precious to Him and so dearly loved by us.
Lord, thank you for all of our precious children, hold them in your hands, bless them, and may your will be done in and through each of their lives.

Here's a sweet picture of Ben looking at Eliana's bear. It now belongs to him, a gift from his big sister in heaven.

We do not...grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again. 1 Thess. 4:13-14

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. Deuteronomy 7:9

Time Flies

I can't believe how quickly the last 3 1/2 weeks have flown by since Benjamin was born! I guess I had forgotten just how very full each minute becomes with a newborn! We have been keeping very busy these days just taking care of these three precious little ones that God has blessed us with.

On June 27th, when Benjamin was 6 days old, Caedmon was baptized, and my husband had the privilege of doing it. Caedmon told us that he wanted to let everyone know that he had decided to follow Jesus! The water was too deep for him to stand, so Mark just dunked him in his arms. What a special day in Caedmon's life and ours.


We celebrated the 4th of July with my family. Here is Benjamin in a celebrating mood.

The kids had fun playing Nin.tendo W.ii, watching fireworks, and doing sparklers.


Caedmon and Jayden have had swimming lessons each morning these last two weeks. Caedmon has become quite the little swimmer, and Jayden has gotten more comfortable in the water than ever.


We've all been having fun getting used to our new little guy, and his big brothers love him to pieces! Good thing he has two warriors around to love him and look out for him!



Here are a few more shots of the most lovable baby boy in the world:







Ben has been doing so great. He is an awesome little sleeper. Most nights he has a long stretch of sleep that ranges from 5-7 hours, and then he always goes back to sleep for 2-3 more hours before he eats again. He does have kind of a bad habit of staying awake a lot during the morning and afternoon, and napping in the evening so his actual bedtime usually starts pretty late. But I can't really complain too much! He's been smiling more and more lately, and has seemed to smile even from birth. Yesterday he made his first cooing sounds during our appointment at the CF clinic. What a sweetheart. Every time he smiles it almost makes me cry because I know just how precious and fleeting these moments are, and how blessed we are to be having them with him.

In relation to CF, he is also doing great! The dietitian was really impressed with his growth yesterday. He gained 14 oz. in a week, and is up to 9 lb. 8 oz. I feel so much better about his health now that he has a little more chub like his brothers did. His lungs are clear, so he really is a healthy little boy right now and we couldn't be happier! He is still dealing with some stomach aches and we're trying to pinpoint the cause, but that is our only issue right now, and is likely just normal newborn stuff, not necessarily related to CF. We have another appointment at the clinic next week to track his growth again. We're praying for his continued good health and rapid growth.

A Good Night's Sleep

Just wanted to say, after a rough evening for Benjamin, he slept all night, from 11:45 until almost 7, and he's back asleep now! That is a good sign that his little tummy was able to stay satisfied that long, and now Mommy feels better too after getting some much needed rest!! A good night's sleep makes all the differene. Now, off to swimming lessons.

Starting Ben's CF treatments

This week has been such a whirlwind of activity, and now, a moment of quiet to reflect. My two big boys are tucked into their beds, and Benjamin is sleeping on his Daddy's chest while he watches TV.

This week, through a series of three different tests, Benjamin's diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis was made official. Wednesday he had the sweat test, the standard way to diagnose the disease because people with CF have more sodium chloride in their sweat.

I took him to the hospital, where they attached electrodes to his arms that would send a small electric current into him to cause him to sweat in that area. This had to stay in place for five minutes on each arm. It was hard to see him hooked up to those electrodes, as I tried not to imagine him being hooked up to medical equipment in the future, suffering complications of CF. To make matters worse, I had to hold his arm out straight the whole time, and he cried and cried because he didn't like the feeling of confinement.

After the time was up they put a gauze strip on his arms to collect the sweat, and wrapped them both in plastic for ten minutes. During that time I got to wrap him up in a blanket while he nursed, so the bad part was over.

We received the positive results a couple hours later when he went to the regular ped. for his 2 week appointment. A level greater than 60 is considered a positive result, and his was a 94 on one arm and 106 on the other. After receiving the genetic results, this didn't come as a big surprise, but it was deflating to get that final diagnosis.

Yesterday Mark, Benjamin and I had our first meeting with the Cystic Fibrosis team of specialists that he will see throughout his life. We spent the morning receiving a lot of information, and came away feeling encouraged. To start with, we are treating the two main symptoms of CF: digestive and lung problems. Benjamin has been doing pretty well over all, but he had been nursing very frequently, and then having frequent large stools to the point where I was feeling depleted, and wondering if he was really digesting all the calories he was taking in. So, they started him on a digestive enzyme called Creon. He takes a little bit of it with a tiny amount of applesauce before each feeding. With CF, the pacreas often becomes insufficient because of secretions being too thick, and that is what they think was happening with Ben. They are testing a stool sample to be sure, but wanted him to start the enzymes right away so he is able to absorb what he eats.

We found out his weight to height ratio is only in the 22nd percentile, and they like to see CF kids at the 50th or above. I was told that sometimes kids come in for the first time, and they are below the chart. If I hadn't been nursing him frequently on demand, they thought he would be doing much worse. Finding this out was the saddest part of the appointment, because it was the first time we had to realize he was already suffering some of the effects of the disease. Since starting the enzymes yesterday, I feel better because he has been lasting longer between feedings, and seems more satisfied. Before, anytime someone would hold him against them, he would automatically start bobbing his head like a little woodpecker trying to find a nipple to latch onto!

Relating to digestion, he also has to have a liquid multi-vitamin every day, and 1/8th tsp salt. So far I haven't succeeded with the salt. I'm supposed to give it to him little by little over the course of the day by dipping my finger in and putting a little on his tongue. The first time I tried it today, he gagged and spit it back up and then refused to nurse. I'll try again tomorrow, starting with a little less on my finger.

So far his lungs sound clear, but we've started chest therapy as a preventative measure. For 20 minutes twice a day we have to pat him in different spots on his chest and back to loosen up mucous.

So, that's the gist of it so far. Today was the first day doing his treatments, and aside from the salt it has gone fine. Three of his feedings were still only two hours apart, and they prefer I stretch him to 2 1/2 or 3, but it's still an improvement from before.

It's definitely overwhelming, and right now I'd have to say we're pretty much in survival mode. Going on very little sleep, and just doing the next thing that needs done at the moment as the day progresses (while many things are left undone.) I'm sure we'll get down to a good routine soon, and I'll start breathing much easier when he begins to grow and hopefully put on a good amount of baby fat. That's our number one prayer request right now, along with just getting into a routine where I can manage Benjamin's needs while balancing it with the needs of my other two children. I really want to have quality time with them and provide them an enriching environment, but I know that will come with time.

I'll close for now because this post has taken longer than expected and it's gotten late. What began as peace and quiet lasted only a moment, and was interrupted by my three year old getting out of bed several times, Benjamin crying with a bad stomach ache, and my husband's announcement that a Pull-up went through the laundry and all the clothes are covered with particles. Hopefully I can get this little guy to bed, so I can rest up for another eventful day! Oh-and I also had the bright idea of signing the boys up for early morning swimming lessons for two weeks, so that's the first thing on the agenda for tomorrow.
If anyone wants to know more about CF, the best source of accurate info is www.cff.org.

Our Sweet Ben

I wanted to write a post today, updating about our sweet Ben, and how well he's been doing, how much we've been enjoying him, and what a blessing he is. All this is very true, and so much more could be said, but unfortunately I have a different post for tonight.

We had a busy day today with a portrait sitting, visiting my husband's work to show off the new baby, a trip to the park for the big boys to play and ride bikes, and then out for ice cream. In my rush to get out the door for the photo appointment, I had forgotten to grab my cell phone, so when I got home this evening, we had messages on both our phones. Some were from the pediatrician's office, so I knew they might have gotten the results from Benjamin's newborn screening and called back right away. I had to leave a message, and then waited for the return phone call.

The phone nurse told me that the genetic test results had come back, showing that our son has two copies of the mutated gene for Cystic Fibrosis, indicating that he "most likely" has the disease. I was confused at first, because I had been told that first we would get the results from the newborn screening, that if positive would only tell us that he was either a carrier or had the disease, and we wouldn't know which until we did a follow-up test. She proceeded to read the letter to me word for word, which indicated that he had failed the initial screening, so they had already done the follow-up genetic test, and the result showed him positive for Cystic Fibrosis. I was completely unprepared to hear this news. The tears began as she continued explaining that the office will call us in the morning to talk to us about scheduling the next step in diagnosis, the sweat test, which will be done at the cystic fibrosis center. How I had hoped never to step into that place.

So, an official diagnosis won't be made until the sweat test, but with a failed newborn screen and a positive genetic test, we just have to come to terms with what we're most likely dealing with.

My first reaction is just to look at him and cry. He is so beautiful, so perfect, fearfully and wonderfully made. How can he really have this disease? I hold him and wish that I could transfer every defective gene from his body into my own. How can this be? And how, after last year, can we again be faced with such a devastating verdict for one of our children?

Tonight, I can only say, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, forever. He is the same God we were praising in the hospital upon Benjamin's safe delivery, the same God whose goodness I felt in its entirety as I gazed at him for the first time. Is He any less good in light of this? The supernatural peace He gave us about Benjamin in the last couple months of pregnancy still remains for us to take hold of. There is a reason that the peace I felt was not the assurance that Ben wouldn't have CF, it was the assurance that the God we serve is loving, and great, and strong, and that His grace would be sufficient for us in any circumstance. My hopes were high for a healthy baby, but he is here safely in our arms, and he is in the hands of the Almighty God whose plan for Benjamin was written out before he, or I ever came to be.

Missing You

Oh Eliana, we just love and miss you so much. As we enjoy and fall in love with your sweet baby brother, your big brothers, Daddy, and I are reminded even more of you, and all those moments that we missed together. At dinner last night, we were all just talking about you. Jayden said a little prayer asking God for you not to be in heaven, and he asked me, "Don't you want Eliana to come back from heaven, Mommy?" I told him that I miss you and wish very much that you were here with us, but you're so happy in heaven we wouldn't want you to have to leave. Caedmon said he wishes that you were here sleeping, drinking mommy's milk, and getting your diaper changed like Benjamin. We all agreed that we wish we could have both of our babies here. Soon I had to leave the table because I was just missing you so much.

Just then Ben was waking up and wanted to eat. Sometimes when I look at him, I see you too. He has your mouth and chin, and I can just picture holding you, talking to you, and nursing you...all those special moments that exist only in my imagination. When I hold him close, my love for him is just so deep, and I'm so grateful to be able to express it to him, but it hurts, knowing I will never be able to do this with you. You deserve all the love that this world has to offer, but as I type I'm reminded that this world doesn't really have a whole lot to offer, in comparison with all the love of God, in it's infinite fullness, that you are wrapped in.

*thank you to Mary for this beautiful drawing!

Ephesians 3:17-19
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

God is so Good

Our sweet little man Benjamin Joseph was born Monday, June 21st at 4:32 PM. He wasn't as big as we expected, weighing in at 8 lb., 2 oz. and 21 in. long. He is the first of our children to be born with a head full of blond hair! The labor and delivery went great. I was hoping to have a natural birth, and was able to do so minus the pitocin. He did have the cord loosely wrapped, and was a little slow to breath/cry, so he came out looking blue, but quickly turned a healthy pink. The first moments of holding him were heaven on earth.




He continued to do well throughout our hospital stay, and had no signs of intestinal blockage at this point, which was a concern during the pregnancy. Praise God!! He had his newborn screening, but we are still awaiting those results to find out if he has CF.
We had so much fun in the hospital just enjoying him, and rejoicing over the goodness of God. We have clung to the truth of His goodness by faith this last year, but this week, we have experienced it in all it's fullness!!




Our time in the hospital seemed to go by so quickly, and soon we were getting him all dressed and ready to take him home!


How amazing to bring him in his carseat, drive him home, and carry him into our house. After such a long journey, he is finally here, in our arms and in our lives!!


All the men in my life--God is so immeasurably good!!

Baby June update

Today we learned that Baby June will definitely not be Baby July!:) Today we were scheduled to come in Monday morning to induce labor if our little man doesn't decide to make his entrance any sooner. Wow, in only three days (or less!)he will really be here! This pregnancy has seemed like such a long journey, it is hard to believe it's now coming to completion.

We thought last night might lead to a trip to the hospital because I was having contractions for a few hours, but they slowed and eventually stopped altogether. With our second son this happened about 24 hours before I actually did go into labor, so I'm hoping this time too it was a little warning to hurry and get things done because he is on the way. I would love to go into labor on my own instead of the induction. I'm still hoping to have as natural of a birth as possible, but ultimately all I really care about is getting him here safely, whatever it takes!!

We really appreciate your prayers for a safe delivery. One concern is his size. Our first son had his collarbone broken during delivery because he was so big, and his shoulders were stuck after his head was delivered. This baby is likely to be as big, so we're hoping to avoid any complications. That is the main reason for the induction being scheduled a week before his due-date. Other than that, everything has been going well and there are no other risk factors that we're aware of.

For now, it's time to go and finish up some last minute things, and enjoy this last little bit of pregnancy before holding our beautiful boy.

There is a longing that grows deeper still these days. In our bedroom is an empty crib. In the living room sits an empty swing and a bouncy seat. The changing table is filled with diapers and tiny clothes neatly folded. And I want to hold my baby.

I want so much to hold my baby that never got to feel the warmth of her mother's arms. That sweet little girl who was never tucked into her crib, and never laid in the swing purchased for her just weeks before she left this world. I never got to dress her in her little clothes, or change her diaper, never really got to mother her in this sense of the word.

As we do these last minute things to prepare for our baby boy; getting out the baby tub, the blankets, the burp rags, each one is a reminder of all the things I didn't get to do for Eliana. There is a longing that will never go away, even as it might change shape with the passage of time, and changing life circumstances, there is a place in my heart that will forever be hers, always yearning and reaching for her until we meet again.

And now, I long so much to hold her little brother. He is growing so big and seems to be running out of space, and I am just so ready to meet him. I can hardly wait for him to fill these empty arms, the empty swing, the empty crib. And when I think of him now, it's no longer bittersweet. He brings his own feelings of pure sweetness and joy when I think about how much I love him, and how we long for him to be in our lives just for who he is.

Even as the empty crib is a symbol of heartache and brokenness, it is a symbol of great hope and promise, beckoning me backward in love to Eliana, and forward in faith to our son's imminent birth. Like the symbol of a rainbow in the sky, our Rainbow Baby, God's promise of grace and beauty following pain. The effects of sunshine after a storm, an image of His love and His greatness, and the overall goodness of His often incomprehensible plan.

There is a deep longing that grows deeper still--to hold my baby. To hold our precious little boy and watch him breath and blink and squirm, and to one day hold our daughter again, in the absence of all longing, in the presence of the Rainbow Maker--never to face another storm.