Triple the Love: Spring

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Spring

Hi everyone!
First of all - I just want to say thanks so much to so many of you who have lifted us up in prayer and written emails, notes, or given a hug. I really do appreciate all of your support and I have truly felt your prayers as I have had more peace this month than I have had in a while! It's crazy how I lost a baby...and yet I feel like I have more hope than I did in the months prior. In the months (and years) before getting pregnant, I felt like God wasn't listening to my prayers (even though I know in my head that He is doing an awesome work but you know, I didn't FEEL that way)...so then when I actually got pregnant and then even after losing the baby, I felt like He was DOING something! So now I have much more hope...and I'm hanging onto that and trying to continue to trust. That being said, I am so amazed at all of you who have written me about your own struggles with loss or with infertility. It is unbelievable how common it is...and it has humbled me in many ways to hear some of your stories as well. God continues to teach me that He is in control, that He never intended for this bad stuff to happen, and that He does love me and have an incredible plan. I am looking forward to that plan...just like I'm looking forward to summer. :) Spring is such a cool reminder of the hope that He brings.
Here are some pics of what we've been up to.
My niece Erin! Isn't she adorable! Check out her first high pony! :)

The girls give her plenty of attention and toys when we babysit. :)

Heading to school on a warm spring day!! (AHE)

And, our latest exciting thing is that we purchased a lake property with my in-laws! Ryan and I have been looking for a while just for fun...but then last fall when we started to get more serious, his parents said "we want to get in on this fun too!" :) So then we started looking for two homes next to each other or two lots...but that is next to impossible! So we decided let's just go in together! It has worked out so great! We closed the beginning of March and have been having so much fun getting it ready for summer. It's such a blessing to be able to do this! We want to be able to share the fun with a ton of people...so let us know when you want to come visit! :) We have been up there for a couple quick weekends to bring stuff and paint....and then we went up after Easter for the whole week since the girls didn't have school. It's so nice that it's only an hour and 45 minutes away so we can come and go easily. Plus, Ryan does a lot of travel up there for work so now we can actually be together at night instead of him being away from home for a while! I have the BEST memories as a kid with our friends who had a place on a lake...so I'm so happy the girls get to grow up making those great family memories too. Here they are finding their "walking sticks." :)