From the Hospital - good and bad things

Just for "fun" I thought I'd write some of the good things as well as some of the bad things from my days in the hospital...

GOOD THINGS:
-I found out today that I can order Chick-Fil-A for lunch!
-I really enjoy talking with all of the nurses about books and life and such - makes me want to hang out with them when we are done in here. One of my nurses today went to college with a friend of mine from High School, and one went to JMU and did Crusade (after our time).
-The nice lady who brings chocolate chip cookies by my room every afternoon.
-Sweet visits with the boys - working on a word find with Owen today in my hospital bed.
-Talking to the boys on speaker phone during dinner, hearing that Baxter made a tower of "St. Mary's Hospital"
-Mini date nights with Matt after he helps get the boys down at home - tonight we're having Starbucks!

BAD THINGS:
-being away from my family - missing those sweet moments and conversations and games of Crazy 8's
-hospital food - though I now have the inside scoop on how to order better food since I"m here "long term"
-eating, resting, hanging out and sleeping in the same bed all day.


Over all this time has gone quicker than I expected and has been full of more peace than I expected. We continue to pray that we'll find out we can meet Lucy at 4pm on Monday via a c-section after our 9:45am test that day. Please pray with us that God would grant that to us, and that if not that we'd have more peace to wait a bit longer.

From the hospital - waiting on the Lord

We're in day 4 of this hospital stay...hoping that Lucy will arrive in 5 more days, on Monday (12/6) (if the amniocentesis comes back with results that her lungs are mature - please pray with us that that will be the case!). Needless to say we are ready to be done with bed rest and hospital stays and be home with our baby girl and learn how to be a family of 5! The hard part is that we have no control over when that will be. It's hard to weather the separation (with me in here and the boys at home and Matt commuting back and forth) and hospital inconveniences and personal spiritual and emotional struggles in the midst of the waiting. I continue to see God hold us up through your prayers with peace and perseverance, but it's a struggle.

I have found some great help yesterday and today from Isaiah 40. Our pastor is preaching on waiting during this season of Advent. Good timing for a number of reasons. I listened to his sermon yesterday from Sunday (11/28), and then spent some time his morning studying and meditating on the scripture he was preaching on. It was fuel for my soul - an anchor for my faith - an encouragement in the midst of my waiting.

Here are some things that I see in these verses:
-He starts out speaking of comforting His people - true comfort from God will happen. Not necessarily the removal of hard times, but true comfort in the midst of them.
-The Word of the Lord will stand forever! Why hope in anything else - my plans, doctors plans, test results, etc.
-He is everlasting, creator, does not grow weary, unsearchable in His wisdom
-I am faint, have no might, faint and weary, exhausted.
-He gives us power and increases our strength
-When we wait on Him ("savoring God's promises by faith until the time of fulfillment" ESV Study Bible notes) then our strength is renewed ("endless supplies of fresh strength" ESV Study Bible notes).

What a great God! Not only is He a great God, He is a great God FOR His people! Nothing else will bring us hope and strength and faith and perseverance!

From the Couch - well, from the hospital bed

Some of you have heard this already, but we are back in the hospital. I am doing well and so is Lucy which we are very grateful for! I had some bleeding yesterday (hadn't bled for 11 weeks! yay bed rest!). I spent 24 hours in labor and delivery. The bleeding stopped and some contractions I was having have also stopped. So now we are back in a waiting game - now in the hospital instead of at home. Most likely we will now deliver at 36 weeks (7 days) instead of 37 weeks (test scheduled for Monday 12/6 to determine Lucy's lung maturity). Of course, at any time that could change if my condition or Lucy's changes. They moved me to antepartum, which is more comfortable and quiet, I'm thankful for that. I had an ultra sound today that shows she is roughly 5 lbs. 12 oz! Grow Lucy Grow!!

Please support us in prayer in these ways:
-perseverance - Matt and I are ready to be done, and this new hospital detail makes it harder. Please pray we'd trust God's presence and purpose and hope and joy in all of this! Pray for us as we wait - that we'd lean hard into the Lord!
-pray for our boys - matt's parents are here to help through Wed, and then my parents will come wed - wed. Pray that they'd do well with their grandparents and that they'd have much grace with each other and just in dealing with life in general
-pray for Lucy - that her lungs especially would continue to develop more and more every day so that we can deliver next week instead of waiting longer.

We'll keep you posted...

Words from Baxter

Baxter has said two things today that are very precious...I thought you'd enjoy!

-- This morning we were reviewing some of the Children's Catechism questions . One of the questions says "Where do we learn how to love and obey God?" The answer is "In the Bible alone." We asked B the question, knowing he'd never practiced this one before. He answered "at church". Then he answered "at the Brown's house" (the Brown's are good friends here in Richmond, Joe is on staff with Matt). Then he answered "at home." All very good answers!

--Just now Matt was putting him in his room for rest time (since he no longer naps!). Matt said "Have a great rest time." B said "Have a good talking time." M "Talking time? With who?" B - "With Mommy, you and her are sweet sweet friends."

He's a handful, but a precious one at that!

Boys

I figured I'd post a bunch of BOY pictures today since we'll have a lot of BABY GIRL pictures to post in a handful of weeks (3 1/2!!!). Here they are just enjoying God's world. I did not take pictures of the times in between these sweet moments where they were doing anything but enjoying God or each other or His world. But do you really want to see pictures of that anyway? We'll just be thankful that there are sweet moments thrown in there! God is good.

Making play-doh pizzas with daddy.



Enjoying some color wonder from Aunt Becky and Uncle Bryan. This was about 20 minutes of both boys coloring in quiet. It was glorious!



Snuggle/Snack time



Proud builders



Just hugging. This most often turns into a crazy tackle time - we're trying to teach the hug and release method.



B has been really into legos and puzzles - here he is peaking through one of his creations



Before O and B went up to bed one night, O asked if he could read "Good Night Moon" to Lucy. It was very sweet.



Just a day in the life of B, or shall I say "Rescue Man" ?!

Christmas Cards, etc.

I've been wondering what we are going to do this year for Christmas cards...with Lucy arriving 9 days before Christmas, I think we're leaning towards Happy New Year's cards OR just belated Christmas cards...we'll see. In the past we have used various picture websites to make our cards. This year I have noticed that Shutterfly has some great options. We have also used their website to make photobooks in the past. We have made a photobook each year for Christmas for the boys - they are so quick and easy and relatively inexpensive - especially for one who does not scrapbook! I also appreciate that they have all kinds of cards - including ones that clearly speak to celebrating the coming of Christ. which is what we celebrate most at Christmas. Here is one that we'd consider using this year. CLICK HERE

Just thought I'd share in case you are also realizing that it's the end of November, and Christmas is coming sooner than we think! Hopefully in the midst of Christmas cards and buying presents (and having a baby!!) we'll all be able to remember and rejoice in the fact that God sent His only son to be born a man so that He could live and die for you and for me!

From the Couch - no news is good news

It's been a while since I've posted anything - mostly because November has FLOWN by and there has not been any new news to report. In this case, no news is good news! Each of my appointments have gone well - Lucy is growing, and I am healthy and that is great! I start going to the doctor each week now, so we may have more to update as the weeks go by.

The boys and I made a paper chain (with help from our friend Anne Winston) the other day to help us count down the days until Lucy is scheduled to arrive. We now have 26 days to go. We will be 34 weeks tomorrow, and the c-section is scheduled for 37 1/2 weeks. Keep praying! God is good and faithful!

There have been more days recently where we are just done with all of this, but He is good to meet us there and provide grace or strength or Truth about who He is and what He is doing, and that has gotten us through those days.

We've also had some fun family visits in the last week (matt's little sister Megan and her husband Kevin and then my parents) and we are looking forward to Thanksgiving here at our house with Matt's parents, his brother Mark and my parents. We're getting Martins/Ukrops to cook for us, so we'll still get to enjoy a yummy Turkey dinner :)

Here is a picture of B from a trip to Target with my dad. They had fun together. My dad was tasked with finding some funny things including prenatal vitamins, iron pills, newborn diapers and paci's. He noted how helpful the MANY pregnant ladies that were in Target that morning were. It's a great place to hang out! :) He did a great job! Thanks Dad!

From the Couch - Doctors Appointment

This morning we went in for my 31 1/2 week appointment and ultrasound. We took the boys with us before we brought O to school - they enjoyed it, but were also very antsy. They enjoyed seeing Lucy on the ultrasound and listening to her heart beat!

She is growing really well - she's weighing about 4 lbs which is 43% - the doctor was really pleased with that! The placenta has NOT moved, so we will be going ahead with our plan to deliver via c-section on December 14 - unless I have any more bleeding or anything of concern between now and then. That is about 5 1/2 weeks from now...not too bad!

It was really good to see our doctor and have her confirm that the Lord is using all we are doing to help keep me healthy and keep Lucy IN and GROWING. We were thankful for that confirmation and are SO thankful for all of the help we have had and support we have received. It's made it possible for Lucy to keep growing stronger and stronger.

So please keep praying for perseverance in these next 5 1/2 weeks, for strength and health. Also pray for extra grace for us as we enter the cold/flu season that God would protect us and our dear friends who are helping with the boys from sickness.

From the Couch - A view of the other couch

Here was my view of the other couch today. Matt was playing the chords, Owen was strumming, and Baxter was looking through the hymnal in his own little world.

From the Porch

Our good friend Jenny came over a few weeks ago to take some pictures of our family - one last time before we add Lucy to the mix. Here are a few pics from our time together. If you live in Richmond and want someone to take awesome pictures of you and your family, say for Christmas cards or something, let me know and I'll put you in touch with her. She's great :)

(Note, this is BEFORE our boys had their last hair cut. Now you can actually see their faces a bit better.)

Can anyone tell me where my little boy has gone?!

We love Pumpkins!

I was anticipating this day ever since I was put on bed rest - Pumpkin Day. It has been my favorite day in the past - I love fall and everything pumpkin, and to miss out on it seemed unbearable. But God was very good and the day went great. I was a little sad not to go, but it really ended there. It was a joy to send off my three favorite boys (well one is a man, but you know) and to receive them home with MANY fun stories to tell (and Chick Fil A in hand!). I am thankful that God is so good and that He walks us through each and every day. On Sunday we were able carve one of the pumpkins and plant some of the seeds in our back yard. Owen and I are hoping that we'll have a mini-pumpkin patch in our garden next fall...we'll see!













Lucy's pumpkin :)

Painting

This past weekend, the boys painted some canvases to put in Lucy's room! Here are a few pictures of them hard at work. We'll put up some pictures of her room and the finished paintings at some point in the next 7 weeks!

Sweet Couch Snuggles

From the Couch - The Lord IS my Shepherd!

I haven't had many sad moments in the last few weeks. I have had moments of frustration or restlessness, but not too many sad moments. I am so thankful for that and I really see God's protection in that most of the words I'd use to describe the last 5 weeks include peace, contentment, etc.

Well today was a sad morning. What set me off what Matt getting the boys snack packed for school. It struck part of my heart that misses being a mommy to these boys in the ways that I am used to and love to. I am being a mommy to Lucy in a very tangible and important way, but that means that the way I love my boys has had to change.

I am holding on to the fact that the Lord is my Shepherd today and that He promises that we shall not want - that means we shall not lack. He is leading and guiding us and He will lead us and guide us in the way that is best for us. He is our good and loving shepherd.

I received an email from a dear friend that encouraged me right at this point. I knew that our Wellspring women's Bible study had been looking at Psalm 23 yesterday, and so the concepts from the Psalm were in my mind (I think this would be a good day for me to go do that study myself). She has some words of encouragement from their time in the Word yesterday. I'd like to share it with you so that you too may be encouraged by the Lord being YOUR shepherd wherever you find yourself today...

"I love that you are seeking to trust the Lord as your shepherd. Yesterday our Bible Study spoke about how David learned to trust the Lord as his shepherd. Think of David's up and down life - mountain top experiences, deep valleys - pictured in our lesson from this past week. I think that David continued to look back at his shepherd's care for him - looking in his rear-view mirror at the valleys he had walked through and seeing the presence, goodness and mercy of the Shepherd through those deep, difficult times. And so his faith in the Shepherd grew, bit by bit as he looked back and saw the Shepherd's faithfulness to him. Their relationship grew. David trusted the Shepherd's care more and more....until eventually he could say with confidence...."I shall not fear", and "I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!" Those are two very bold statements about David's future, built squarely on the past faithfulness of his Good Shepherd's care for him in David's own personal difficult valleys.

So, today, I'll encourage you as you are experiencing real sadness in the midst of a valley, to look back and see the faithfulness of your Shepherd in those other valleys you have walked through. Notice His presence with you, His comfort, His provisions for you, His refreshment, the way He restored your soul in valleys-past. He will give you hope for today and the future."

From the Couch - Doctors Appointment

I got to see the outside world yesterday for another doctors appointment. It was fun to be out, but not nearly as fun as you'd imagine after being in the house for 2 weeks. Strange I know.

Anyway, we had a great appointment with my doctor who I really love. She is so patient and knowledgeable and helpful. We are 29 weeks along, and the hope is to make it to 37 weeks at which point we'll have a c-section. We have tentatively set that date for December 14. Two things could change that plan: 1) if I start to bleed at any point they will deliver Lucy then to prevent a more serious bleed...thus the need to be on bed rest and 2) if at my next ultrasound (Nov. 5) shows that the placenta has moved to where it "should" be, then we'd reevaluate and go ahead for a normal delivery whenever I went into labor.

SO... you can continue to pray that Lucy Grace would grow and grow and that she'd stay put where she is until 37 weeks or beyond! You can also pray that God would move the location of the placenta so that we don't have to do a c-section. Pray for perseverance and joy in the midst of it all and that we'd trust Him with all of these details.

We've gone ahead and gotten a lot of things ready for her just in case we don't make it to 37 weeks- Matt set up the crib last night, and we're going to do some decorating this weekend, washing the car seat, etc. It's nice to know it will be done and we wont' have to worry about it, but it makes me want to meet her all the more!

From the Couch - pictures

Here are a few pictures from our last few weeks on the couch.

Me and the boys enjoying a timely gift from Aunt Becky and Uncle Bryan.



Matt and the boys have been great coffee makers.





Just sweet

From the Couch - Book Recommendation

Matt started reading a book last night called "All Things for Good" by Thomas Watson (17th century pastor - but easy to read!). I picked it up this morning and started into it as well. I just read an excerpt from the preface and the introduction and find myself highly encouraged and stirred up in my faith. I suggest you pick up a copy HERE.

Here is part of the preface to whet your appetite:

"ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD. (Romans 8:28) To know that nothing hurts the godly, is a matter of comfort; but to be assured that ALL things which fall out shall cooperate for their good, that their crosses shall be turned into blessings, that showers of affliction water the withering root of their grace and make it flourish more; this may fill their hearts with joy till they run over."

Little Girl Purdy has a name!

We wanted to update you and let you know that this sweet little girl has a name! We have decided to name her Lucy Grace Purdy. (Note that her initials are LGP, which also stands for Little Girl Purdy...her first nickname given by her Uncle Brett. So sweet!)

Lucy is loosely based on the character from The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis. Matt and Owen have been reading these books this summer (they just finished the whole series last week!) and they are such a great picture of Jesus and His people. Lucy is so in love with Aslan and truth and isn't afraid to fight for Him and she is a little sister. CS Lewis is also just a great author and so that is a neat tie too.

For middle names, we have chosen to do family names (Owen MATTHEW, Baxter GILLAN). We are choosing Grace for Lucy which is also our precious niece Megan's middle name. We thought it would be fun for Lucy to have her middle name be from her sweet cousin who loves people so well and who loves Jesus so much.

We can't wait to meet her and see what this little Lucy will be like. We are currently ALMOST 28 weeks along, 4 weeks into bed rest. They are talking about delivering by c-section at 36 or 37 weeks (8ish weeks from now) if nothing develops sooner. I just had an appointment this week that went well. They are very happy with the effect of the bed rest - growing baby, healthy mommy. So we continue to rest and let her grow grow grow! Please pray that she'd keep growing strong and healthy and for our family as we continue to adjust to this new way of living. We have been overall encouraged and very well supported, so we're thankful for that. Though there are also very hard moments.

From the Couch - Middle Child

I have felt over the last few weeks that our sweet Baxter has taken the brunt of all of this the hardest. He was in a rough spot being 2 1/2 years old before I was put on bedrest, and it seems that it's just been made worse since then. I often feel like I am loving and caring for our little girl at the expense of our middle child. It's hard to see how hard things can be for him and I am often not in a position to help. It's been hard to trust that God is actually caring for Baxter. Matt was encouraged by a friend at church whose wife was on bedrest off and on for TWO YEARS that our boys won't remember these days. That was helpful. You can pray for Baxter to grow in his joy and peace and trust in God and for us as we seek to love him in limited ways. AND most of all that we'd trust the Lord to love and care for all of us in this time. He is good and He is faithful and He is loving and we need to remember that. His goodness and faithfulness and love don't depend on our circumstances. They are true no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in! Isn't that good news?

Here is a picture of the two of us the morning before my bleeding started. It's amazing how much a few hours can change your life! Or at least your year.