We hope you and your family fared well!
I'll leave you with a question Geoff asked me yesterday that I've been pondering, "Is the prize worth the price?"
What are you seeking hard after, and is what you're sacrificing to get there worth it?
Thursday, September 1, 2011
And Then There Was Light
Ok, so when Genesis was written this phrase actually meant something quite huge and important, but I couldn't help but think of this when our power came back on last night after being out since Saturday. I was sure we wouldn't get it back until at least this weekend because of the pictures below from around our house and street.
We hope you and your family fared well!
I'll leave you with a question Geoff asked me yesterday that I've been pondering, "Is the prize worth the price?"
What are you seeking hard after, and is what you're sacrificing to get there worth it?
We hope you and your family fared well!
I'll leave you with a question Geoff asked me yesterday that I've been pondering, "Is the prize worth the price?"
What are you seeking hard after, and is what you're sacrificing to get there worth it?
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
What I've Learned Lately
-God’s love is not based on my performance.
-In Jesus’ last hours he gave himself away to others by washing the disciples feet knowing one of them had already betrayed him…if we only love people when they’re loveable we are not living out the kind of love Jesus told us to – anyone can love loveable people.
-It’s never too late to apologize and forgiveness is the only Christian response to an apology. Forgiveness, however, does not erase a memory, remove the pain nor automatically restore trust.
-To have a strong marriage we need to be open to criticism and requests for our spouse. We need to learn how to make our spouse feel loved and we need to learn how to apologize and forgive.
-“An anxious heart weighs a man down.” Proverbs 12:25
-“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Matthew 6:27
-Worry is like a rocking chair – it gives you something to do but you never get anywhere.
-Worry fixes our eyes on the situation and not on God, and a life filled with worry and fear has little room left for faith.
-“We face legitimate concerns every day of our loved. But instead of fretting, instead of worrying, we need to focus on discerning what we can do (with God’s help) and what should be left entirely up to God.”
-Much of our attitude, feelings and reaction to something is a choice. We can choose to pray instead of worry. We can choose to have a grateful heart in not so grateful circumstances.
Now, if only I can remember this when I’m tired, thinking about work and feeling behind on everything! Regardless, I hope this gives you a little perspective like it has for me!
-In Jesus’ last hours he gave himself away to others by washing the disciples feet knowing one of them had already betrayed him…if we only love people when they’re loveable we are not living out the kind of love Jesus told us to – anyone can love loveable people.
-It’s never too late to apologize and forgiveness is the only Christian response to an apology. Forgiveness, however, does not erase a memory, remove the pain nor automatically restore trust.
-To have a strong marriage we need to be open to criticism and requests for our spouse. We need to learn how to make our spouse feel loved and we need to learn how to apologize and forgive.
-“An anxious heart weighs a man down.” Proverbs 12:25
-“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Matthew 6:27
-Worry is like a rocking chair – it gives you something to do but you never get anywhere.
-Worry fixes our eyes on the situation and not on God, and a life filled with worry and fear has little room left for faith.
-“We face legitimate concerns every day of our loved. But instead of fretting, instead of worrying, we need to focus on discerning what we can do (with God’s help) and what should be left entirely up to God.”
-Much of our attitude, feelings and reaction to something is a choice. We can choose to pray instead of worry. We can choose to have a grateful heart in not so grateful circumstances.
Now, if only I can remember this when I’m tired, thinking about work and feeling behind on everything! Regardless, I hope this gives you a little perspective like it has for me!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Baby Boy Update
Our ultrasound to check on the cyst went great today. Dr. Love (coolest doctor name ever!) didn't find anything else that was abnormal. He also informed us that these are more common among babies with Finnish and/or Norwegian heritage. My great-grandmother was 100% Norwegian, so this could explain it! Thanks for all the prayers.
Above are a few 3-D ultrasound pictures. Since he's still so tiny with very little fat he looks a bit scary, but we know he's still super handsome!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
It's a BOY!!
He is growing great and was a busy little thing during the ultrasound. We return to the doctor tomorrow for another ultrasound becaue he has a small cyst outside of his brain, so they want to rule out any genetic abnormalities. Most likely, it is nothing and will go away before he is born.
This explains why I've been much sicker this go round! Everyone suspected it was a boy. Now we just have to decide on a name...
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
A Season for Everything
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
On July 28th we lost my wonderful Grandad.
On August 3rd my cousin welcomed a new son, Caleb.
We celebrate a life well-lived and a new life.
On August 4th Geoff turned 32, and we were able to enjoy a lovely dinner out by ourselves (pre-dinner picture).
On August 6th we celebrated two lives being joined together with the new Casey and Kindal Barden.
We wrapped up a wonderful week at the beach last week with Geoff's parents and Kameron, the youngest Lawrence sibling. Mike and Margi ensured Geoff and I were able to take a break and were very generous in their time with Mary-Michael. Our sweet girl LOVED the beach, and we had so much fun watching her explore new things. She is really growing into a beautiful young lady. We love you, Mary-Michael.
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
On July 28th we lost my wonderful Grandad.
On August 3rd my cousin welcomed a new son, Caleb.
We celebrate a life well-lived and a new life.
On August 4th Geoff turned 32, and we were able to enjoy a lovely dinner out by ourselves (pre-dinner picture).
On August 6th we celebrated two lives being joined together with the new Casey and Kindal Barden.
We wrapped up a wonderful week at the beach last week with Geoff's parents and Kameron, the youngest Lawrence sibling. Mike and Margi ensured Geoff and I were able to take a break and were very generous in their time with Mary-Michael. Our sweet girl LOVED the beach, and we had so much fun watching her explore new things. She is really growing into a beautiful young lady. We love you, Mary-Michael.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
This Week
A busy week with work, but there are many more fun things to post about than that! Here are the highlights:
~Mary-Michael was put in time out for the first time...I told her "No ma'am" (I can't even remember for what!), and she proceeded to grab my hand and bite it. After a few moments of disbelief I sat her down and counted for 15 seconds. It's small, I know, but for this busy bee, it was enough to make her mad. No more biting has occurred, so either my time out worked (doubtful) or it was a fluke (hopefully).
~I had my 16-week check up on Tuesday, and everything is going swimmingly. I've gained 4 pounds, which is just fine the doc said. I had been worried I wasn't gaining enough weight because I still have a day or two a week when I get sick, and I just haven't been that hungry. I heard Skittle's heartbeat, which always makes me smile - he/she was coming in at 150 beats/minute. And I scheduled our next appointment, which will be the big reveal with the 20 week ultrasound on August 10!
~While I was at Skittle's appointment, Geoff was with Mary-Michael at her 15 month check-up (one month late). He had the fun job of shots and pinning Mary-Michael down so the doc could just look in her ears. She certainly knows right where she is (and doesn't want to be) when we enter that patient room. She is on track with her age milestones and growing! She's 83% in height (32 inches) and 4% in weight (21 lbs), so my suspicion that she was too skinny was confirmed. So, now we give her a snack at bedtime to see if we can get a few more calories in our girl. Her chart shows that she has done this before though, so I'm not too concerned - she grows taller and then a few months later her weight catches up and she's near 50/50 in percentiles, so we'll see what the 18 month check-up brings.
~The week rounded out with my 28th birthday! My dad watched Mary-Michael (thanks, Dad!), and Geoff took me to Acacia, a lovely restaurant in the city. We sat on the patio, I had a mocktail of kumquat juice and other delicious things I'd never heard of, and we both enjoyed really good dinners. I was needing a date, so this fit the bill. And my present from my wonderful husband is a cleaning lady once a month for the rest of my pregnancy. Woohoo!! Thanks to everyone who made me feel very loved on my 28th birthday.
~And lastly, I ask for prayers for my Grandad who is not recovering well from pneumonia and a wound that just won't heal. My mom flew to Las Vegas yesterday to see him and help my Mimi out. He made it through a tough battle with Lymphoma in his seventies that many say is a miracle he survived, so here's hoping he will gather the strength and will again.
I will get some pictures on here soon when I get my camera back from my dad's where I keep forgetting it! Have a great weekend. I hope you make some time to spend with family and those that you love.
~Mary-Michael was put in time out for the first time...I told her "No ma'am" (I can't even remember for what!), and she proceeded to grab my hand and bite it. After a few moments of disbelief I sat her down and counted for 15 seconds. It's small, I know, but for this busy bee, it was enough to make her mad. No more biting has occurred, so either my time out worked (doubtful) or it was a fluke (hopefully).
~I had my 16-week check up on Tuesday, and everything is going swimmingly. I've gained 4 pounds, which is just fine the doc said. I had been worried I wasn't gaining enough weight because I still have a day or two a week when I get sick, and I just haven't been that hungry. I heard Skittle's heartbeat, which always makes me smile - he/she was coming in at 150 beats/minute. And I scheduled our next appointment, which will be the big reveal with the 20 week ultrasound on August 10!
~While I was at Skittle's appointment, Geoff was with Mary-Michael at her 15 month check-up (one month late). He had the fun job of shots and pinning Mary-Michael down so the doc could just look in her ears. She certainly knows right where she is (and doesn't want to be) when we enter that patient room. She is on track with her age milestones and growing! She's 83% in height (32 inches) and 4% in weight (21 lbs), so my suspicion that she was too skinny was confirmed. So, now we give her a snack at bedtime to see if we can get a few more calories in our girl. Her chart shows that she has done this before though, so I'm not too concerned - she grows taller and then a few months later her weight catches up and she's near 50/50 in percentiles, so we'll see what the 18 month check-up brings.
~The week rounded out with my 28th birthday! My dad watched Mary-Michael (thanks, Dad!), and Geoff took me to Acacia, a lovely restaurant in the city. We sat on the patio, I had a mocktail of kumquat juice and other delicious things I'd never heard of, and we both enjoyed really good dinners. I was needing a date, so this fit the bill. And my present from my wonderful husband is a cleaning lady once a month for the rest of my pregnancy. Woohoo!! Thanks to everyone who made me feel very loved on my 28th birthday.
~And lastly, I ask for prayers for my Grandad who is not recovering well from pneumonia and a wound that just won't heal. My mom flew to Las Vegas yesterday to see him and help my Mimi out. He made it through a tough battle with Lymphoma in his seventies that many say is a miracle he survived, so here's hoping he will gather the strength and will again.
I will get some pictures on here soon when I get my camera back from my dad's where I keep forgetting it! Have a great weekend. I hope you make some time to spend with family and those that you love.
Monday, July 11, 2011
And the Lawrence Family Grows...
So, remember a while ago when I wrote about starting the adoption process? Well, we had a great meeting with a lawyer we felt confident would guide us through private domestic adoption (where we find the birth mother vs. an agency) and then settled on an organization to conduct our homestudy. We had our first meeting with Jewish Family Services and scheduled our in-home meeting for the first Friday of May. We were excited! The first part of the week I was scheduled to go to Indianapolis for a work conference. My mother-in-law was kind enough to come down to stay with M&M while I was gone, so she and M&M drove me to the airport. On the way, I had her stop at the store so I could pick up a few things. One of these items was a pregnancy test because most people take pregnancy tests at the airport, alone, right?! Well, I had to squelch a tiny part of me that thought my nausea and other no-need-to-name symptoms were more than a bug. The joke was on me - that test was POSITIVE!!!
So, here I am alone in an airport bathroom stall (on my way to go out of town for 4 days, nonetheless) with a positive pregnancy test. I could hardly believe it! I called Geoff who also couldn't believe it and insisted I get more tests when I arrived in Indy. So, I did just that, and the results were the same. Then and even a little bit now I was/am in shock. We were told by the fertility doc we'd have to come back in the next time we wanted to conceive. Boy was he wrong. I know God is laughing with joy right now. The awesome thing is we were ready to grow our family, but we thought this would be through adoption when actually it was through me - on my own - no drugs - no fretting - surprise!
So, here I am at almost 16 weeks with a beautiful Christmas present on his/her way (due date is Dec 26). We have affectionately named this little blessing "Skittle" to keep with the candy theme (thanks, Canon!). I have been nauseous longer with this one and definitely more tired. I hear that happens when you're chasing a toddler around who is quite active.
M&M has no idea what's happening, and that might be for the best. She seems to do really well with little babies, though I have to teach her while she can point at her own eyes and mouth, she cannot do that to other small children.
So, what about adoption now? Well, we put that on hold for the next go round. We will be able to pick our homestudy back up when we're ready, and we know we'll be ready at some point and that adoption will still play a role in our lives...just not right now.
Pictures and more updates coming soon. I waited to post our super exciting news so we could tell some key people - we haven't reached all of them but I couldn't not share any longer.
Please pray for us in this exciting time. And for a few short months when I have two children under 2, I will really need your prayers. What a crazy, awesome journey we're on!
So, here I am alone in an airport bathroom stall (on my way to go out of town for 4 days, nonetheless) with a positive pregnancy test. I could hardly believe it! I called Geoff who also couldn't believe it and insisted I get more tests when I arrived in Indy. So, I did just that, and the results were the same. Then and even a little bit now I was/am in shock. We were told by the fertility doc we'd have to come back in the next time we wanted to conceive. Boy was he wrong. I know God is laughing with joy right now. The awesome thing is we were ready to grow our family, but we thought this would be through adoption when actually it was through me - on my own - no drugs - no fretting - surprise!
So, here I am at almost 16 weeks with a beautiful Christmas present on his/her way (due date is Dec 26). We have affectionately named this little blessing "Skittle" to keep with the candy theme (thanks, Canon!). I have been nauseous longer with this one and definitely more tired. I hear that happens when you're chasing a toddler around who is quite active.
M&M has no idea what's happening, and that might be for the best. She seems to do really well with little babies, though I have to teach her while she can point at her own eyes and mouth, she cannot do that to other small children.
So, what about adoption now? Well, we put that on hold for the next go round. We will be able to pick our homestudy back up when we're ready, and we know we'll be ready at some point and that adoption will still play a role in our lives...just not right now.
Pictures and more updates coming soon. I waited to post our super exciting news so we could tell some key people - we haven't reached all of them but I couldn't not share any longer.
Please pray for us in this exciting time. And for a few short months when I have two children under 2, I will really need your prayers. What a crazy, awesome journey we're on!
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