A Doll House

That's what it feels like to me, my very own grown-up doll house, and it even comes with a real live baby!

Cassidy in front of her window seat toy box. 15 weeks 4 days

Cassidy's nursery is so pretty. It's pink, pink, pink, pink, and pink. Oh yeah, and green, with flowers, butterflies, and caterpillars.

 

 Mommy and Cassidy

Cassidy loves playing on her changing table. Yes, that's mousse beside the 

baby lotion. A diva has to have hair products.

So silly!

Cassidy loves to get her diaper changed. Actually, she just loves to have her diaper off!

Dressed up so pretty

We love to play dress up!

Playing with toys!

We love to read books.

Cassidy's crib is so pretty, but will she ever sleep in it?

Time for a baba

We make each other so happy.

Psalm 113:9 "He settles the barren woman in her home as the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord."

*Thank you to Daddy who took these great pictures of us.

**Thank you to Cassidy's Aunt Shana. She did all the decorating, sewed the curtains and comforter, and even painted the caterpillar picture.

A Birthday Party

January 14, 2012

Dear Gabriel,

It's your birthday, but this year Mommy and Daddy get all the great gifts.

 Little Sis loves you so much!

Two years ago, I had you for such a short time, and then you just disappeared (or so it seemed). Mommy was left aching for you. One year ago, Mommy and Daddy could only imagine what it would be like to have you here eating your first birthday cake with us. This year, I have your gorgeous baby sister to help me celebrate your second birthday. She's too little to eat birthday cake, but she's just the right size to snuggle in Mommy's arms and make them feel all better. We love her so much. Thank you, Gabriel, for being such an awesome big brother. Without your strength and determination, Cassidy couldn't be here with us. She is the best birthday present ever.

Happy birthday, Gabriel Nicolas. I love you so much. Thank you for coming into my life. I will always thank God for choosing me to be your mommy. You are still such a blessing.

Love, 

Mommy

Dare to Dream

and pray like I believe it can come true.

This morning our pastor stated that research shows that, of all the New Year's resolutions and goals that are made each year, 80% of them don't work out. Then he said that God wants and is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever dream of. I reread my New Year's 2011 blog, and I'll be darned if I didn't achieved 22% of the goals that I listed. Those two goals happened to be the only two goals on my list that were solely in God's hands. I think you know what they were:

2011 Goals:
1. Get Gabriel's book published (not achieved)
2. Read the entire Bible using The One Year Bible (not achieved)
3. Get something published besides my book, like a short story or article, in a magazine or journal (not achieved)
4. Write a novel (not achieved)
5. Attend a writer's conference (not achieved)
6. Give birth to a perfect, healthy baby and BRING IT HOME! (ACHIEVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

January 2011 Goals:
1. Get pregnant with the perfect, healthy baby referred to in #6 above (ACHIEVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
2. Pray more. Pray everyday. Pray for people other than myself. (not achieved)
2. Follow Weight Watchers points system unwaveringly throughout the month (not achieved)
3. Swim at least twice a week (not achieved)

Those two goals that I achieved were actually the only two that I ever really prayed about. I believed in God to give me a baby and prayed hard for it to happen because I was desperate for it and knew I really had very little control over any of it. Other than choosing to take the necessary actions to get pregnant, God is the creator of life. He is the only One who can make that happen.

Imagine how immeasurably greater my year could have been if I'd only dared to ask God for even more. He loves me, and He wants to give it to me. I believe He has shown me the next big thing for my life, but there is no way it can happen without prayer. I'm talking the kind of prayer it took to get Little Sis here.

 

Cassidy's 1st New Year, 12 weeks 4 days

 Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV): "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen."