A DOUBLE BLESSING!!!!

Stephen, Abby Anne, and I are so excited to announce that we are expecting 2 BABIES!! That is right- TWINS!!!! We are still completely overwhelmed by the whole thing!!! We are so excited, though. As most of you know, we went through a hard time in October when we lost our baby. The Lord has now blessed us, doubly!! We went for our first doctor's visit today. I was so anxious to see that heartbeat since the last experience we had in an ultrasound room did not end the way we had planned. Not only did we see one healthy heartbeat...WE SAW TWO!! The first thing the ultrasound technician said to us was, "Guess what?" I honestly had no idea what she was about to say. Then she said, "There are two in there!!" I just smiled so big in disbelief! Stephen's mouth literally dropped to floor-where it still remains 12 hours later! I am not sure it has really sunk in yet. Stephen told me I need to let off some of my praying because the Lord is answering them double time!! haha! The ultrasound tech also had to label the babies baby A or baby B. She said the way they normally do this is by labeling the one on bottom A and the one on top B. Well- our babies were side by side...these two are already making things difficult!! I have a feeling this is just a small glimpse of how my life will be from now on....these twins in to everything TOGETHER!!! Oh my goodness!!! What are we going to do?!?! (Not to mention our Abby Anne!!!) I feel more blessed today than ever before. Please pray for a healthy pregnancy and for our two babies in what will soon be my BIG OLE BELLY!!!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above." James 1:17

Shud-uh, Mommy!

Well- if you haven't guessed already- the title of this post is Abby Anne's version of "Shut up, Mommy!" You got it- our sweet, innocent little angel has told Mommy to shud-uh! The first time we heard this come out of her mouth- Stephen and I were watching American Idol- and we, along with the people actually auditioning, were singing very loudly and very obnoxiously! Abby Anne yelled at the top of her lungs, "SHUD-UH!" Stephen and I instantly looked at each other and questioned whether she actually said what we thought she had said...she said it a few more times...but then we didn't hear it again until the following week, during American Idol! I once again, decided to sing in my loudest, most obnoxious voice. This time, Abby Anne looked up at me, smiled, and most politely said, "Shud-uh, Mommy!" I had to straighten my face, and tell Abby Anne that she could not say that! (It was very hard to keep a straight face!) And if you are wondering- NO! Stephen and I DO NOT USE THAT WORD IN OUR HOUSE!! I will not tell you who I think she learned it from- but I will say it was being said to a dog- not a person! (You know who you are- you can thank me later for keeping your identity confidential!! haha!)

Abby Anne says sweet things, too! I gave her her supper the other night and walked across the room to continue gathering everything up, and she reached out her hand and said, "Mommy, Pray!" It is amazing how I can learn a lesson from my 2 year old. Even she, at the age of 2, knows how important it is to thank the Lord for the things He has blessed us with. Let's just hope that is what sticks with her, and not SHUD-UH!!

Peppermint Candy Canes

On December 20th, Abby Anne made her debut in her first dance recital. She started taking dance at the ripe old age 2...actually a month before she turned 2!!! Abby Anne danced to "Peppermint Candy Canes." She did such a wonderful job. Her daddy, Weezie, Pops, Emmie, and I were all there to see her in the spotlight. The rest of the family was so sad they missed it, but everyone has watched the video time and time again. Abby Anne also enjoys watching the video, and each time it comes on, does the dance and sings the song all over again! We were so proud of her. Emmie gave her a bouqet of flowers after the recital....because every dancer deserves flowers after she performs!!! Abby Anne has turned into quite the little dancer- I was a little worried at first- but she loves it now! We can't wait to see her in her spring recital!

Christmas at Big Cedar Lodge

It has been brought to my attention that I need to post something or give up this whole blog thing...thank you Effie, for letting Molly know who let me know!!! haha!! Anyway- the first weekend of December, Stephen, Abby Anne and I made a trip to Big Cedar Lodge in Branson. This has become a Christmas tradition of ours. This year, Wendy, Ryan, and Aislynn joined us. We had such a great time. We hung out in our beautiful cabin and just relaxed. We also went on a carriage ride. The whole time all Abby Anne would say is. "WHOA!!!! WHOA!!" It was a beautiful ride that took us all around the resort. We also got our picture taken with Santa at the Landing. Abby Anne refused to sit on Santa's lap by herself- so the whole family had to...that's right!! THE WHOLE FAMILY SAT ON SANTA'S LAP!! What we will do for a good photo op! We plan on returning next year- with the Farrells- and perhaps inviting Emmie and Papa to go along, too!!! To spend some quality time with the grandkids!! (I know they are already looking forward to that peaceful, quiet weekend!!)

My Abby Anne

It has been a long time since I have posted anything. Life has been somewhat crazy the last month or so. As you know, we lost our precious baby when we I was 10 weeks pregnant. We found out it was a girl. We already had her name picked out- Josie Lee. I have always looked upon Heaven as a wonderful place. But I can not even express to you how my thoughts have changed about Heaven since I lost my baby. I am more excited now than ever before to get there. I know when I get there- my baby girl will be waiting for me with open arms, running around crazy- just like her big sister, Abby Anne. Life on earth will never be complete, but when I get to my real home, with my Savior, he will have yet one more gift for this undeserving mommy. I will proudly get to hold and kiss my Josie Lee. As David said in the book of Samuel, my child will not return to me, but I WILL GO TO MY CHILD!!! And I look forward to that day!

Til then, life here goes on, and I enjoy each moment. I treasure Abby Anne even more now than ever. She is such a vibrant, energetic girl. She loves every moment of life. Yesterday, we took Abby Anne to the ER. She had a seizure. She has had 3 "febrile" seizures in the past year (fever related.) We have had an MRI and EEG and both came up clear. I can not explain what a helpless feeling it is to see your baby like that and not be able to help or protect her...that goes against everything I am as a Mommy. The doctors were great and have put Abby Anne on seizure medication for the next year or two in hopes that she will not have anymore- and that she will grow out of this. Please join me in praying that the medication will work and we won't have to experience anymore of those horrible seizures!!

I realize each day, more and more, that life is a gift from the Lord. He has blessed me beyond belief!! And I am so thankful for Stephen (what a great Daddy!!) and my precious Abby Anne!

To My Precious One- I will hold you soon!

Happy, excited, and full of joy
The Lord has blessed us with a baby girl or boy.
We went to the Lord and let our desire be made known
And asked for His faithfulness to be shown.
He heard and He answered with this reply,
"I have heard you, and send blessings from on high."

The days dragged on, the long days passed
And it was time to see the doctor, at last!
We were so excited to get a good look
But then, a different turn it took.
Something went wrong, I could tell by his face,
As he said, "There is no longer a baby in place."
"What do you mean?" I cried in defeat!
"Your little one no longer has a heartbeat."

My world crumbled, my world fell apart
As pieces began to chip off of my heart.
No longer was it only my baby's heart at stake,
Now this mommy's heart, too, was starting to break.
And as I cried, each drop fell tear by tear
And then I heard my Father's voice loud and clear,
"My child, you are hurt, and know not what to do
But I love you, and I am not through.
I heard you, and I answered your prayer
And again I will prove that I am always there.
Though you long to kiss your baby's face,
He's much better off cuddled in God's grace.
For up on my lap he's surrounded by love
As God's peace is poured on you from above.

How my heart aches as I feel such loss
But my God understands, for His baby died on the cross.
I question, and wonder, and don't understand why
But my God sent His baby to die.
My Jesus bled, and My Jesus, He died
So one day, your mommy could hold you with pride.

Because of this, Lord, let your will be done
Even if it's through my daughter or son.
Fill my heart with joy and peace
So through me, your glory will never cease.
As the potter, mold your servant, and make me like clay
And use this little life to bring you glory each day.

And my precious one, I'll hold you one day
Thanks to my Lord, who has paved the way.
When I see you, your sweet hand I will hold
And together we'll walk the streets of gold.

So when my work on Earth is through,
What a gift to get to hold you!!
But until that day, my little one,
You stay cuddled up to the Son!

I love you and will hold you soon!!! Love, Your Mommy

"I Will Praise You in This Storm!"

As many of you know, we had our first doctor's appointment for the baby on Thursday. I was 10 weeks. Dr. Wendel did an ultrasound and was not able to find the heartbeat. I had surgery on Friday, and now- Stephen, Abby Anne, and I are trying to process what has occurred and move on with our life as the Lord would have us to. We have experienced so many feelings over the past few days. We have lost a baby- our baby....we never got to hold our precious baby, sing to our baby, and Abby Anne never got to boss that little baby around...but one day- we will see our baby face to face. So many songs and Bible verses have been flooding my mind over the past days, and I wanted to share them:

"Sorrow may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

"Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see!"

"When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrow like sea billows roll, WHATEVER MY LOT, thou hast taught me to say, it is well- it is well with my soul."

"I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth."

"I will praise you in this storm, I will lift my hands
For you are who you are, no matter where I am.
Every tear I cry, you hold in your hands
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm!"

Please pray for us during the next days...that we will have peace and know that our baby is with Pop, Grandma, and Grandpa Carlisle....and JESUS!! And we will get to join the party with our precious baby one day soon!