God's Blessings!

Well, this is very interesting! I am 44, almost 45, years old. My husband is going to be 51 in a few months. And we have a 5, almost 6, year old son, as well as an 18 year old son and a 15 year old daughter. And we have been blessed by moving to Layton, and then God led us to an amazing church family! We have been so blessed! We have a beautiful home. Great friends. And so many opportunities to be used by God to serve others. It has been amazing to see what God has done in our lives in just a few short months!! (we moved here in May)

But, the hugest blessing of all, I just found out about last night! In our "advanced age", Bruce and I are expecting our 4th child! I am in shock! Yet, at peace! I feel so blessed! I know God has a plan and a purpose for this child to be born at this time. I cannot question God and His sovereignty! Nor His perfect timing! I feel so blessed to be the one chosen to carry this child and ot being it in to this world and train him/her up in God's ways!

Austin's response was: "You mean I'm going to have a friend? I want a girl."
Aaron's response was: "What? You're pregnant? I'm scared and excited at the same time!"
Alyssa's response was: "Wait! Your'e pregnant? Ohmigosh! I'm going to cry!" When I asked her if they were happy or sad tears, she said both.

We lost a baby 4 years ago, and it was a very difficult time. For Alyssa especially, as she desperately wants a little sister and has for so long! For her sake, and Austin's, I do pray it is a little girl. But, I know we will graciously accept whomever God places in our lives!

When Bruce got home, I said to him, "So, do you remember what God promised to Abraham in his old age?" Bruce said, "A son." I said, "yeah, and how old was Abraham?" Bruce said, "90? 100?" I said, "100. and you are half his age." He said, "Wait, where is this conversation going?" I said, "Well, where do you think?" He just looked at me and then I said, "God has blessed us with a child. I'm pregnant." I think he is still adjusting to the idea of being a father at this point in his life. He said to me, "I was still wondering how I was going to be able to stay up with Ausitn."

So, I have been praying for him, constantly! That God will bless him with the strength, stamina, motivation, etc. to be a godly father for this baby, and our other children. I will continue to do so, because that is the ONLY way we will get through this time in our lives! It will definitely drive us further to our knees! As we continually need to be surrendering ourselves and our will to God's will for our lives, and not depend on ourselves nor on our own will/abilities, etc.

The funny thing in all of this: I have thought manytimes before that I was pregnant and ended up not being, so I was afraid to take a test and discover that I was not once again. I was afraid to go through that disappointment again. And I did not want to take my daughter nor my husband through that roller coaster ride again emotionally. So, I did not say anything to anyone.

I ordered a day planner from a Christian company that makes family planners. I received the package when my oldest son, Aaron, was home, and he was sitting next to me at the table when I opened it. When Idid, there were 2 planners in there: the one I ordered, and another one. It had a note on it that said, "Congratulations! You have been specially chosen to receive one of our Expecting Planners free of charge"! I looked at it, and laughed and said, "God, what are You telling me?"

Then my son said he wanted the planner I ordered, so I chose to go ahead and use the "Expecting" Planner. 2 days later, I discovered I am pregnant! God is funny! I LOVE His sense of humor! Even when He's laughing at me!

So, I will keep all posted as to the progress of this new little life developing within me! I will post pics, as well as write notes, on the progression of this pregnancy. God bless to all! June Marie

Life in this economy

So, there has been some hard hits to us financially, I'm not going to lie. A cut in Bruce's hours. OUCH! A reduction in some monies I was receiving from my dad's investments. OUCH! I'm working now, doing taxes again (I am such a numbers geek! I LOVE doing taxes! Guess I get it from my mom!) but it is not even enough to replace what I lost from my dad's investments!

We are doing a Crown Financial Small Group, and are finding out some mistakes we have made, in attitude, and in choices, decisions, etc. OUCH! But, at least we are learning, and FINALLY getting on the same page! It has been good for our marriage to do this together. It has been good for us too, in learning how to manage our money more wisely, and how to, well, here is the amazing thing, live below our means!! What a concept!!

Crap! My kids are yelling at me to come eat dinner!