mini brand
brand building
website design
template customization
If you are visiting for the first time from SITS, then Welcome! I’m so happy to have you! Feel free to poke around a bit, get to know me and my family a bit. You’ll find my most popular posts in the sidebar and some of the things I ramble about the most in the navigation menu. I look forward to getting to know and meeting all of you!
Some friends of ours just had their baby.
A little boy named Ezekiel (“Zeke” for short).
I had the privilege of taking his newborn photos yesterday (they’ll be on my Facebook Page in a few days!).
His tiny little hands…his little bitty feet.
That sweet baby smell…the softness of his baby skin.
I was absolutely intoxicated by this little boy. Mesmerized by his sweetness and newness; entranced by the obvious adoration and affection that his new mommy and daddy had for him (and for each other). And I was way beyond excited to get to experience and be a part of this exciting and once-in-a-lifetime moment with this family.
And inside…
I was aching.
It’s a bit easier to be excited and elated for close friends when they have a baby. I mean, you’re supposed to be excited and elated, right?
Supposed to be eager and willing to jump into the wonderful throes of new-dom (yes, that’s a word…it has to be, my spellcheck didn’t’ auto correct it) with them.
But…
Despite how much I love this family and how happy I am for them, I was still a bit heart-broken.
My husband new it.
We left their house the day that they came home from the hospital and it took all that I had in me to keep the silent tears from falling.
Because eight months into this journey of adding to our family, we seem to be no closer than the day that we started.
Days continue to tick by and turn into weeks. Weeks turn into months, and months are creeping toward years.
It’s hard to believe that we’ve been trying for eight months already. Inside, I keep trying to stifle the acknowledgments that if we’d gotten pregnant right at the beginning (like we did with Little Man), then we’d be getting ready to meet our new baby next month. We’d be nearing the end of the pregnancy, would know if we were having a boy or a girl, and would be picking out baby names.
At the same time, I rationalize that if we’d gotten pregnant right at the beginning this time, there would be some things that I wouldn’t have been able to do. Like take little Zeke’s pictures for his mom and dad. Or work the kind of hours I’ve been working (which has earned us some extra bills/savings/Christmas Fund money). Or roll around on the floor and wrestle with my little guy.
With every bit of good comes bad. Just as with every bit of bad, comes good.
But, it’s still hard.
Watching another baby be born; seeing another pregnancy announcement; my three year old grow up and embrace life as it comes at him…
Waiting for our turn again; for the chance to add to our family and give our son a little brother or sister…
Praying that God continues to soften my heart to his will and his timing; begging for strength to continue to push through this season of ours lives…
Because other than that, what else can I do?
Sharing this post with Shell @ Things I Can’t Say for Pour Your Heart Out and with The Extraordinary Ordinary for (a very late) Just Write.
Congrats on being F/B today. Enjoy your day as Queen!
Thank you!
Happy SITS Day! I am hoping that you are blessed with a new little one and that life presents you with only the best 🙂
Thank you so much, Aly!!
I remember those feelings when I was having trouble conceiving our first child. It seemed like at every turn someone was sharing the good news of their upcoming baby. It was hard to smile when inside you felt like crying. I finally realized that I had no control and gave it to God. It gave me a little peace knowing that He had a plan for me and that I really wasn’t the one in control; He was. Sending prayers your way.
Thank you, Kristi! That’s such a great reminder. I’ve realized more than anything that I just have to wake up each day, lay it down and let him have it. Praying through the heartache and the sadness when I see a new pregnancy announcement is making it much easier to cope and deal with them. I know in my heart, despite my resistance to listening, that my time will come…eventually…when God’s ready for it. Thank you for stopping by on my SITS day!
I understand you and will pray this happens soon for your family. Blessings and love to you as you wait with grace.
Thank you so much, Colleen! I really appreciate that!
Always wonderful to meet new people through SITS. You have a great family already and best of luck with the strive to expand it. Thanks for sharing your blog.
Thank you, Sela! I appreciate that! 🙂 And thank you for stopping by on my SITS day!
I hope you understand that I understand! I know that if I had stayed pregnant the first time I never would have run a 5k this past summer. Still I grieved each uneventful due date that passed and played the dreaded waiting game.
You never know when this time will be the time. It might be years. It might be next month. I’m praying for you. I’m praying that while you wait and try and pray that God will bless you with so many other things that you couldn’t do if you were preparing for that much loved baby.
xo
I hope you know how much I value your friendship, Laura! And I how much it means to know that you not only understand but empathize with me. Know that your support and your prayers mean so much more than I could ever say! Thank you for being such a great friend! LOVE!
Have a great SITS day, who doesn’t love cupcakes? They are awesome!
Oh yes. Cupcakes are THE BEST!
Hi Courtney, Happy SITS day!
On a more personal note, I am touched by your post. I know the pain and heartache of not being able to conceive when it should be one of the most natural, easy things. My hubby and I have been TTC for nearly 6 years to give our 7 year old daughter a sibling. At this point I have given up and if it ever happens I will be ecstatic, but if it doesn’t I have to believe there is a purpose for that. I pray you will be comforted during your journey no matter how short or long that may be. Hugs!
Chrissy
So many hugs to you, Chrissy. I can imagine how hard it must be for you and your family. I really appreciate your support; especially when my eight month wait pales in comparison to the extended heartache your family has gone through. Like you, I have to believe that there is a purpose and a reason behind everything. Even if we don’t understand it. Hugs to you and your family. Thank you for stopping by to share my SITS day!
a very happy SITS day to you today sweet bella. I look forward to reading more, and know it was PROVIDENCE that brought me to your blog this morning. Prayers are coming to you this morning, because I know in my heart that timing is everything and His ways are higher than our ways. I know God has such a perfect plan for your life and your family
“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!” Psalm 27:13-14
feel free to stop by and visit me anytime at mangiabella….have a glorious week!
Thank you for that. I really love that scripture. One of my favorite verses. And I can’t tell you how much I neededto read that. I really was divine intervention that sent you my way this week. 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Happy SITS day, Courtney! What sweet photos ; – >
Thank you so much!