Long overdue...

Yikes! Can't believe it's been almost a month since my last blog post! This month has been CRAZY!!! And I havee been trying to get on here and blog since our appointment on Tuesday and am just now getting around to it! This mama has been BUSY and usually by the time I am home in the evening I am ready for bed. So...sorry for the long delay but at least I am finally getting it done!

16 Week Bump!

Things have been going pretty smoothly...despite the crazy schedule. Derek started basketball two weeks ago and has already had his first scrimmage. Crazy to think that it is already time for basketball, but ready or not...here we go! It is also crazy to think that by the time basketball is done we will be about to have the twins! So exciting! I finished my first grad school class for the fall and am starting my next two tomorrow. I am anxious to get these two done with so that I am one step closer to graduation. School has been good...just busy! So glad that November is right around the corner and hopefully cooler days are on the horizon!

17 Week Bump! Big change this week!

How are the twins???? Doing GREAT!!! I feel like I am growing by the minute...which means these babies are growing by the minute too! I have been feeling them move now for about two weeks which is AMAZING! It is also so weird because one of them is laying very low and one is laying really high. Its weird to feel things in totally different places...but I know it is just going to keep getting stronger and stronger as we go. Can't wait for the day that Derek gets to feel them kick. Right now...I just feel everything inside...but I'm sure they will be kicking him before too long!

18 Weeks and getting rounder!

I have been feeling pretty good as well. Some days are better than others. Definitely feeling some growing pains and stretching and soreness as they go! We are officially half-way through the pregnancy (assuming that we make it 37 weeks) and I am so glad to be on the down-hill side! I am SO BLESSED to enjoy this pregnancy but I am also just so READY to know that our babies are here and healthy. I feel like I will finally get to breathe completely for the first time the moment I know they are here! Can't wait!

We had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday for our 18 week check. Everything looked great and the twins had GROWN tremendously since last time! They were moving all over the place and kicking and punching at each other...already little messes! Our doctor said everything was going right on track and that we all looked very healthy! I actually enjoy going to the doctor just to know that everything is good. We will be going even more as things progress to make sure both twins are growing like they should and that my body is responding appropriately! We continue to covet your prayers for a safe and healthy pregnancy and delivery!

One of our little miracles sucking his/her thumb! Love how you can see the spine and legs and everything!

EXCITING NEWS will be COMING SOON! We have our BIG sonogram scheduled for November 9th and we will find out GENDERS that day! We also get to check on the babies, measure their sizes, check their organs, and all sorts of neat stuff! I know that everyone is anxiously awaiting this moment...(except maybe me)... and can't wait to know what these little monkeys are. We are planning to do a gender reveal party on the 10th and I am going to try and post a blog that night. We are actually not going to find out on the 9th so that we can all find out together at the party on the 10th...should be fun! I honestly have no feelings one way or the other and this is probably the least anxious I have been to find out the sex of any baby! I just feel so amazingly BLESSED to even be pregnant that I think I will be OVER THE MOON by whatever they are! We are excited to know, but also just praying for continued health for these little ones!

My sweet birthday boy!

Derek celebrated his 32nd birthday this week...which marked a significant date in our journey. 6 years ago on his birthday, we decided that we would no longer take any steps to prevent pregnancy in our marriage. We thought at that point that we were both ready to become parents and that it was a great time to start a family. Thinking back to that moment kinda makes me laugh because we had NO IDEA what type of journey we were in for. We had been married about 7 months...were both in our first year teaching...and living in an apartment...and thought children would be a great next step for us. What a different plan God had! Looking back over the last 6 years has really opened my eyes to what a LOVING, AWESOME God we serve. He could have very easily granted our desires 6 years ago, but He had MUCH BIGGER plans for our lives. Even through the heartache and tears these past 6 years...the evidence of God's presence has ALWAYS been there. He has never left our side...never forsaken us. He just wanted SO MUCH more for us than we could ever have imagined. I had to learn...the hard way of course...that my wants and desires are not always what is best for me at the time. I wanted a baby SO BAD...more than anything in this whole world...and God wanted my heart. He wanted me to want Him and desire His will in my life first...and leave the plans and future to Him. He wanted me to SEEK HIM first...not my own will...and to TURN TO HIM for all of my needs...instead of relying on myself...as I often do. This journey has completely changed both Derek and I for the better...and without the tears and scars of infertility...we would not be here today. I never wanted this pain...never would wish this struggle on ANYONE else...but I feel SO BLESSED that God chose me for this journey and this experience. Without it...I would not be where I am today. I know that there are those out there who are still struggling with this experience and I truly hope that in some way I can help encourage those who are. God is SO MUCH BIGGER than any storm that comes our way...BLESSED be the name of the LORD!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this man! So glad to have such a great PARTNER in this walk!

I continually thank God and pray for all of you who have joined in our journey and commited to praying for us during this time. We ask that you continue to join us in prayer as we enter this second half of pregnancy that these babies will keep growing and developing on track. We also ask that you pray for me and my body to remain healthy as I try to keep up with these growing babies. We are so excited about the next weeks and months to come...knowing all the fun that is about to take place. We love you all and thank you for loving our sweet babies! Keep on the watch for a November 10th reveal!

"TRUST in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal." Isaiah 26:4