Wow- 2016, you have been one incredible year.
And by incredible, I do not mean that our circumstances have been perfect, but it has been one FULL year.
The consensus was and always is:
We are so insanely blessed.
In January, I was getting over nausea from my pregnancy and still in awe of this little miracle growing inside of me. In January, we also learned of our sweet Lydia. We had no idea that when God placed Vera in my womb, he was also growing another one of our babies in another woman’s womb. Once we said yes to her, and the adoption process was official, we were bursting at the seams to share our news! What a January!!! We also celebrated my niece’s 3rd birthday–what a joy!
In February, we celebrated Valentine’s day, went on our church’s marriage retreat, and put out house up for sale to help pay for our adoption. We had no idea how we would be able to afford another adoption! All we knew was that we were saying yes–God would take care of the rest. He was REALLY testing our faith! We found out Vera was a GIRL! We celebrated my nephew’s 3rd birthday this month- my sunshine! We also found out the Vera was a girl this month– yay!!!
In March, we had HUGE floodings in our area and my amazing husband served everywhere in our community. I remember him coming home at 2 o clock in the morning for weeks. I was missing him like crazy, but I was so proud of his heart for the hurting and his willingness and ability to help others. We also celebrated Genevieve’s 1st birthday. We spoke blessings over her and enjoyed watching her open gifts and eat her first cake! We also got to see Lydia on her first ultrasound—we found out she was a GIRL! <3
In April, things were fairly uneventful. We struggled with some hard times as a family, but God was and is faithful! We got to celebrate my other nephew’s birthday–the sweetest baby ever. We decided to take our house off the market, and just pray God would provide the funds for our adoption.
In May, I finished up my work as a school counselor! It was and is so bittersweet. I had to say goodbye to all of my students, and I started to get used to the idea of staying home full-time. Even though I teach online through Liberty University as an adjunct professor, I was giving up face to face time with so many young people I love! I know God was calling me to do this, but it was hard. We finished up the month of May at the beach with both Josh’s and my family—what amazing memories!
In June, we had my baby shower—so surreal to be pregnant and having a baby shower for my girls. I have the best and most generous friends! We also headed to Kentucky again this month to visit our birth mother, go to a doctor’s appointment with her, and had a consult at a potential place for me to deliver–we loved the doctor’s office and hospital- huge answered prayer! June 31st was also Josh’s last day to work at Family Church. That was scary and hard, knowing we were about to add two more babies to the mix! We trusted, trusted, trusted.
In July, we were counting down the days until we headed to Kentucky. Even though I wasn’t officially due to until the beginning of August, and our birth mother was also due in August, we wanted to head to Kentucky early in case she or I delivered early. Also, the place I delivered preferred me not coming to them past 36 weeks, so we just made the mark! We loaded up in our sweet friends’ RV and headed to Kentucky! July was filled with doctor’s appointments, getting acclimated to an RV park, discovering Kentucky, spending good time with family, getting connected to a new church, making new and forever friends, and waiting on these babies! We celebrated our 10 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY! We always said that every 5 years we would take a big trip, but that is being put aside with these baby blessings- one day!
In August, I was so shocked that neither of our babies had been born! I was just convinced that they would have been born in July! My sister came in a surprised us in Kentucky- what a blessing! We moved to a bigger house to house all of our family that came to visit. We spent amazing time with my sister, Josh’s parents, Tammy, and my mom–and of course all of the amazing friends and family in Kentucky. Then, I had Vera! 11 days later, we had Lydia! 5 days after that, Lydia was officially ours! A week after that, we were able to leave Kentucky. Wow- In August we gained two family members, lost a lot of sleep, cried lots of tears, prayed harder than we knew we could, and loved more than we ever have.
In September, we spoke at the church we went to while in Kentucky. We were able to share our miracle story of Lydia with a congregation that we were just bawling our eyes out to only a week before when we learned Lydia wasn’t going to be ours. Then a week later, she is with us at church—Can you say, “WOW GOD!” We then headed home!! How wonderful it was to be home!!! We ran in Race for the Cure—what a huge blessing to have family and friends there to support me and all of the other women fighting breast cancer and honoring those who have fought or have lost their battle. My best friends drove in and ran with me! I just wanted to finish. I had given birth 5 weeks before, so we ran SO SLOW!!! But we finished. I was honored as Survivor of the Year and got to speak to all of the other courageous women and families there.
In October, we celebrated 5 years from my diagnosis. I had some scares health-wise and God proved faithful again! We went to MD Anderson for my cancer check up and I graduated!!! I graduated from “cancer patient” to “survivor.” Words cannot describe what that felt like! We then had a party at the end of the month to celebrate the significance of being 5 years from my diagnosis- what an incredible night remembering our healer, our God! We trick or treated with friends and loved watching Genevieve dress up:)
In November, we were not nearly as busy. Our girls started sleeping consistently through the night and we were falling more and more in love with them! I finally used my mother’s day gift, which was a hotel stay away by myself— I got caught up on some much needed sleep and missed my man and babies like crazy. We traveled to Cleveland, TN for Thanksgiving and it was eventful traveling with all of the girls. What wonderful memories with our family that we wish we could see much more often! Josh had been blessed with several jobs doing construction work, and took on a new job to start in January- Our Father is the provider!
In December, the month was filled with cookie baking, gingerbread house making with family, gift exchanges, game nights, time with my niece and nephews, and just being in awe of all God has done in our lives this year. He has been faithful. December was definitely a month of reflection- of Christ’s birth and all God has done this year.
Through miracle pregnancies, through protecting my girls, through holding us through difficult times, through providing for us with Josh’s job loss, with providing Josh with job opportunities, through letting us travel to see family, through having divine health, and through us ALL sleeping through the night!!! 2016, you were wonderful to us.
Wow, our year has not been perfect, but we are so blessed.
I remember when I had cancer, a perfect day for me could be summed up in two words:
Cancer-free.
Another word that would sum up a perfect day would be:
Healthy.
We are both of those words today. We are blessed. We are thankful.
We also know many people who are struggling with their health. As a family who has experienced a health crises, I get sick to my stomach even thinking about it.
There are families that just want their babies to be well.
Their spouse to be healed.
Their aunt, sister, brother, uncle, friend, grandparent to be healthy…They know all too well of not caring about a thing in the world except for their loved ones to be well.
To not suffer.
For the fear to be gone.
To just enjoy a day without an illness hanging over them…
I am deliberately praying this year for those facing illness to experience the same type of healing I have. To be able to say one day:
“I am healthy.”
“I am whole.”
“I am cancer-free.”
No, you don’t have to be those things to be happy, but the joy that comes from being healed is indescribable.
I experienced joy often during cancer. I am sure others have during their own individual battles, whatever they are. But to see the healing come to pass—that produces a different kind of joy.
To see God’s healing come to pass.
If you are healthy and your family has been healthy this year, I beg you to get on your knees and thank your heavenly Father. HOW BLESSED YOU ARE!!!
While you are down there, beg God for the healing of those struggling.
And if you are still in the waiting-to-be-healed phase, keep praying and being faithful. I am joining you in fervent prayer.
I promise.
So, yes, 2016, you haven’t been easy, but you have been wonderful.
God, you are good, yet again. Thank you for NEVER changing in our ever changing world.
Hello, 2017, we are believing for an even better year!
Aly