God answers prayers!

     I was driving along in my car earlier this Summer, Johanna in the backseat humming contently away to some unknown song in her head. Hearing her singing and the innocence and happiness behind it, I was struck with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. I am blessed with such an amazing daughter who has taught me so much; patience, selflessness, eternal love. As I continued down the road I really started thinking about my Johanna Faith. Faith I thought to myself, what did this name really mean? It was a pretty name, went well with Johanna and something that Jeff and I both thought had a positive vibe to. But then I got to thinking, really thinking. What is faith? So then I did it. I said a prayer to God to show me what Faith was.
   
     Fast forward to today. A few months have gone by since my silent conversation with God, the Summer is coming to a close and Johanna is getting bigger every day. Jeff is still traveling for work 2 weeks away from home with 1 week at home which really translates to 5 full days at home, 16 days away. It has been challenging to say the least but I have unconditional support of my husband and the hard work he is doing to provide for our family. While away for a trip to Ohio I just felt like something seemed a little off. I had one of those hunches... you know the feeling we women get especially those who have been there before... that I needed to get a pregnancy test. Much to my disbelief, after waiting my respected 2 minutes I was greeted with a big fat positive. Immediately my mind goes back to the one week Jeff was home. Yes alcohol was likely involved, no this was not planned and how in the world does it happen that fast?! I thought frantically to myself. But there it was, no going back, we were going to have another baby!

     I struggled with it at first, the first few days were a whirl wind of mixed emotions. Is it too soon? Will Johanna have enough of my attention? Will this new little one have enough of my attention? How will I do this while Jeff is away all the time? But then I thought back to my simple, sincere prayer "God give me faith." So there it was plain and simple, He was answering my prayer!

     We have had several weeks to soak it in. To tell our families and close friends and now our extended family and friends. We are so excited and feel so extremely blessed to have this new addition on the way. As my dear sister-in-law Kara put it, what better gift to give Johanna than a sibling? He/She will teach her to share, to learn responsibility and practice empathy. She will have a built in play mate, someone to grow up with side by side.

     So as I sit here writing this explanation of sorts, I am gushing with excitement. I am no longer fearful of the future but thrilled with this blessing of Motherhood again. I have learned that faith is our confidence that we will receive the things we hoped for, it is opposite to fear, doubt and worry. So even though the future may hold some bumps along the way I know it will all work out in the end!

 Jeff posing with his birthday presents that I brought him back from Ohio. I wrapped them up in between a shirt I had gotten him at the Mud Hen's stadium gift shop. He opened up his present, pulled the shirt out to take a closer look and out popped the newborn onesies...SURPRISE!

Johanna wasn't sure what we were so excited about, but it was so infectious she couldn't stop herself from squealing with glee!

Baby bean at 8 weeks 2 days, due March 25th. We got to see his/her little heart flicker and hear it beating and even saw little arms wiggle. We love you baby!