First Ultrasound

This week has been a great one with another cool moment in the journey of our little 'peanut' continuing to grow and develop. We went for an ultrasound this week to make sure everything was going along properly and to find out an actual due date as they were not quite sure how far along I was. What an amazing experience! Baby Rourke was SO tiny but on the screen we were able to see the heart flutter away, see an outline of the head, body and even a little hand. Everything is normal and healthy and we praise God for His continued protection over this child. It sure made it that much more real to see this little bundle inside of me. So precious. The pic didn't turn out compared to the screen as baby moved just before they took the pic, but baby Rourke is in the lower right side of the black bubble (my womb). I went to my doctor this morning (Monday) and finally got a due date. I'm due Sep. 23rd which means I'm 10 weeks along.

We are heading down to Vancouver tomorrow to explore and be apart of the Olympic Spirit. I'll be sure to post pics of all the sites we see.


Have a great weekend everyone!

God truly provides

With this baby on the way Lance and I have needed to think creatively regarding finances on how to afford everything this child needs. We had a very rough year financially in 2009 (like a lot of other people in our country due to the recession) due to me being laid off and out of work for 6 months. My new position has helped but it isn't anywhere near what I used to make so we are still trying to recover from this past year. All that to say we had to lay our pride down to the Lord and ask Him to give us creative ideas on how to afford everything from Maternity clothing to baby furniture. This post is to testify how great God is and how He TRULY provides when we humble ourselves and ask. :)

I went onto CraigsList about a month ago. If you do not know what Craigslist is, it is like a buy and sell but for ANYTHING you want. I knew that Mom's put baby stuff on craigslist to sell so I thought maybe they put Maternity clothing on too. Sure enough they do! Now to find my size, season and clothing for work and casual would be the challenge. . . .Not a challenge to the Lord!

I tried one Mom that posted an add who lived in Burnaby. I emailed her to find out her clothing was gone within 4 hrs. of her posting. WOW. So I kept searching. The next day I found a post for my size, my season and she lived in Surrey. (The next city to me) I emailed her right away to see if the items were gone and she said everything was still available if I wanted to come take a look.

So after work I ventured out to her place and not only did she have such nice Maternity clothing that was my style, but it was the right season of clothing, it included work clothes and casual clothes, a beautiful black dress for a wedding (We have 2 so far to attend this summer), a bathing suit and a brand new nightgown!! In total there were 60 items for $150!! That worked out to $2.50 per item. She told me that some of the jeans alone were $80!! God knew what I needed before I did. I didn't even think about the weddings until I saw the dress. WOW! Needless to say I took the 2 full garbage bags and thanked her over and over.

She then asked if I needed anything else for this baby. I told her we were starting from scratch as this was our first child. She then showed me her bouncer that she paid $70 for and said she would throw it in for $10 if I wanted it! (The picture is the one she gave me) Unbelievable!! I gave her a big hug as I left and said, "You have no idea how much you have helped me out today! Thank you!"

I was in tears as I drove home thanking the Lord for providing. Not only providing but providing all the details before we even know we need them. It confirmed to me once again regardless of how we think our financial situation looks, God is our TRUE provider and HE and HE ALONE provides for His kids.

I'm looking forward to seeing how else this 'creative thinking' plays out as God continues to lead and show us His blessings.

Fish sitting

Our good friends have gone on a vacation to Mexico and their girls have entrusted us to take care of their fish 'Toopy'. He is a Beta Fighting Fish and we have had him almost a week already. Toopy is such a fun fish! He gets excited every time we come home from work or wake up in the morning. He swims around and around, side to side quickly in his bowl to make sure we are paying attention to him as if to say "Good morning". He is sitting on our side board that we use a lot and is in the centre of our living space. So whether I'm getting dishes out of the side board, sorting through bills, or organizing teaching stuff, he LOVES that I'm there. I've never met such a social fish! He is so social that when we feed him he doesn't realize it as he would rather show us swimming tricks than clue in there is food at the top of his bowl. Too funny!!

This has got us thinking - maybe we want a fish. I remember having a fish as a kid. In fact the first fish I had I called TERESA!! Why, I don't know. Only in a five year olds mind is that a good name for a fish. :) We have a HUGE vase that would make such a great 'tank' for the fish and it would be a neat pet to have in our house. Hey it is better than buying a cat or dog before the baby comes! At least the fish will still get all the attention it deserves when baby does arrive. :)

We have Toopy for another week and a half so after we give him back we just might have to make a trip to the pet store to pick out a fish.

2010 off to a great start :)

We knew that this year was a big one for us with God's promises coming to pass. We just didn't know it would start right away at the beginning of January. :) We are believing for 5 specific things this year and spent a lot of last year fasting and praying over them. We KNOW God is working them out, lining them up, and getting ready to reveal them oh so soon. Never under estimate the Lord we serve! He is FULL of surprises and great things.

The 1st has been answered! We are happy to announce how excited we are to meet 'Baby Rourke' in the beginning of September!! YES we are expecting! This has a long story to go along with it but please know this is a miracle baby and we are in awe of God's faithfulness. We have had so much fun telling family & close friends that have been praying for us as we have walked this journey and seeing how much this baby is already loved is such a beautiful thing. :)

As Lance and I have been thanking the Lord for how good He is DESPITE our circumstances, we have been reminded of how important it is to always stand in FAITH. Even when everything seems to be going the opposite direction than the way it should be. That was 2009 for us. Things just kept getting worse as the year went on and while all we wanted to do was give up, we kept pressing forward. We chose to trust in the TRUTH instead of doubt and believe the lies. This is the year of us seeing and being in the promise land.

So be encouraged. If you are believing for something and have been for what seems like forever, know that it is already in the works. Keep trusting in God's TRUTH and KNOW that He is always faithful to His promises. (See the scripture at the top of this blog!) In HIS timing the things you are believing for will happen.