because some days I still need to be reminded...

A few weeks ago a doctor confirmed a diagnosis which gave me a medical explanation for our infertility lo those many years. My first thought was, "this is absolutely crazy!" I mean, all those years of trying for a baby and seeing doctors and tests and I'm JUST NOW fully understanding what was/is happening with my wacky hormones while at a routine doctor visit? It's absolutely crazy, if you look at it from an earthly perspective. Truth is, I look back and am extremely grateful that at the time I didn't have a "diagnosis." In my heart of hearts, I think God knows I would have sunk into an even deeper pit than I was already in. Truth is God didn't have to answer my prayer for children but He did. Knowing how difficult it is for women with my diagnosis to get pregnant has made me stop again and praise Him for choosing to allow me on this motherhood journey. It also makes those extra drama-filled days that come with having wee ones a bit easier. Something our family likes to do after dinner sometimes is turn on music and dance in the living room. Even Trinity gets in on the action now with her little toddler moves. Last week I pulled out a cd I haven't listened to in over a year but it immediately took me back in time. (Does anyone else have music that does that for them?) When we lived in Ft. Worth, I drove all over town for my job, which gave me some great times for praise and worship on I-35! The Lord used many songs and scriptures to comfort during our "infertility days" but one in particular was Hillsong's "Blessed" cd. And so as my girls and I danced around our living room with Hillsong in the background I was reminded that I still need to choose thankfulness over annoyance when I hear "MOMM-MMYYYY!" for the 140th time in a day because there are many nights I wrestled with the Lord and asked Him for that very privilege. I am so completely blessed. Back in 2004, Kevin and I quickly bonded with a precious couple who also came to live on the East Side. I think one of the things that bonded us so quickly, besides the fact that they are just plain awesome, was our shared infertility journey. They rejoiced with so many others who had children while they prayerfully, beautifully, expectantly waited to become parents. And finally, last year they experienced the miracle of adoption! It has been one of the most beautiful journeys to parenthood I've ever seen. And not long ago they discovered they are expecting another child. JD2, from 0 to 2 kids in 13 months...can you believe it?! We are rejoicing with you! Ok, and since I always love a post with pictures, can I show you a few pictures of our girls taken in February? (I know, taken 2 months ago...I'm so on top of it!)

Easter weekend

Easter completely snuck up on me this year. I'm not too happy about it because I wanted my heart to be more prepared. Days and weeks all seem to run together over here at times like we're in a time warp. So when Nana and Pappaw came and brought Easter dresses for the girls I had to ask when Easter was on the calendar! But I'm thankful we had a great Easter weekend. On Thursday our fellowship had a Maundy Thursday service and we had the L. Supper together. I really liked doing (and needed) this to be reminded of the events leading up to His suffering. On Friday our family took a short trip to the countryside to begin apartment-hunting for our impending move this summer. Again, the time warp thing strikes! We are looking to move in about 2-3 months' time and I can't believe it's upon us so quickly. Our housing options in this new town are limited but we have a few leads on an apartment. (More on this later!) Saturday we indeed dyed some eggs. Grace was in heaven. Since last year's Easter, egg hunting has continued to be one of Grace's favorite things to do. As in, year-round we hide and hunt eggs from time to time. As we were approaching Easter this year we had some re-teaching to do. "Grace, do you remember why we celebrate Easter?" At first she said, "Because Jesus wants us to have egg hunts." and "because we need to celebrate his birthday!" But she eventually remembered it's because "Jesus is Alive!"

Trinity's role in the egg-dyeing process was to tickle Grace's feet. She is fascinated with toes. Oh, and by the way, my baby girl started walking this past week! She's slowly been taking more and more steps and tonight she worked her way across the room several times.

On Sunday morning Daddy was gone helping at an event while the girls and I headed to an Easter breakfast and service. Without Daddy around to help pose the girls, these were the best Sunday morning shots I could get. Nana, we loved the dresses!

Later that afternoon, our friends organized a big egg hunt for both foreign and neighborhood kids. They did a fabulous job! Here's Trinity with two of her favorite big girls. They are so very sweet to her!

The little ones lined up to wait their turn for the hunt...

The race is on! And in case you are wondering, yes, once again this year we had to keep other adults, particularly grandmas from pilfering the eggs before the kids could hunt for them. But I talked with one man and he was so pleased and bewildered to find an egg as he walked by that I just didn't have the heart to tell him to put it back. He kept saying, "really? This is a real egg?" He was completely confused because it was dyed green!

This kind "shu shu" (uncle) helped Grace and made sure she didn't miss any eggs!

Life is so simple when you are one. Trinity was content for about 10-15 minutes just to pick up this egg off the ground and then put it back again. Yes, she did this over and over for quite some time.

Hope you had a fabulous Easter! He is risen, indeed!