Prayer for Ms. Debbie

Please continue to pray for our friend and surrogate grandmother, Debbie Dennis. She seems to be at an imapsse in her treatment. She has a tear in her intestine and after surgery on Wednesday to attempt to fix it, the doctors have concluded they cannot. There is too much build up and scar tissue in her abdominal cavitiy to break through. We are now waiting to see what is next. She is in very good spirits and is ready to go home and get back to her life. I cannot imagine handling the health obstacles she has faced with even one tenth of the grace and courage she has. She is such a godly woman and her constant reminder to us is "I'm in God's hands." She has fought so hard for so long, and she and everyone around her is continually made stronger and drawn closer to God because of it. She is truly an inspiration and we love her so much. Please pray for her healing if that is what God desires, and for her son, Chris and daughter, Ashley as they care for her. Also for all of us who have been blessed by her life that we would be strong and continue to help and care for her. Charlie and Madeline love her like a grandmother- she calls them her grandkids. Please pray for their understanding while she is ill. She also cannot wait to meet Baby Caroline. I will continue to post updates. Thank you in advance for the prayers and also for those of you who have been all along.

"Sweet Caroline"

I haven't posted yet about our new baby's name, so here it is: Caroline Faith Woodbury. (Even as I am writing this, she has the hiccups- she must know I'm talking about her!) Anyway, Caroline is pronounced as in the song, "Sweet Caroline," and as in Caroline Kennedy (though not named after). We love this name and think it sounds old-fashioned and melodic like Madeline and Charles. It is not pronounced like Madeline and Catherine- the similarity in spelling was purely coincidence!

Her middle name, Faith, is because Madeline's middle name is Grace. We wanted them to go together and chose this one over other "inspirational" names because of Ephesians 2:8:

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."

So there it is. The kids love it, too and can't wait for "Baby Caroline" to get here. And so I say, not too long, now, my Sweet Caroline.

Big Belly!

I think the pregnant belly is such a beautiful thing on any woman. Anytime I see someone just walking by with a pregnant belly, I instantly smile and feel jealous. It is such a wonderful miracle from God to have a child growing inside of you. I know most of you know what this feels like so go down memory lane with me for a minute. There is nothing like feeling a baby move and kick inside. This one especially likes to punch and roll. There have been a few times I have actually almost come out of my seat! I also love to watch my belly as it jiggles and moves. Yesterday in Sunday School, the lady next to me (who is also pregnant) could see it too. When that happens, I want the world to know. I want to stand up and say, "Everyone, look! Watch my belly!" And I want everyone to feel it too. I have to fight the urge to take the hand of whoever is sitting next to me and place it on my belly. I just wish I had a little window into my womb to watch as well as feel. Again, I don't think there can be many miracles that top this one- the miracle of growing and birthing a baby. And I am not one of those women who hates to have people touch her belly- I wish evryone would! I wish everyone could feel what I feel. I wish Dave could feel what I feel. I hate that he misses out on this special time. And yet I feel honored to have this time with our new baby as well. These pictures are of my belly at 5 months and at 7 months. (Our Christmas card was at 6 months.) I will continue to post the 8 and 9 months pictures as well. I am already going through withdrawl knowing this pregnancy is almost over. I can't believe I only have 7 weeks to go!

Special Siblings

This past Saturday, the kids got to go to a Siblings class at the hospital. They got to watch a video about having a baby at home, and then they got to use dolls and learn how to clean the umbillical cord, diaper, and swaddle them. They did such a great job. They also got to tour the LDR area and see a room like where I will give birth, and then where I will room afterwards. They got to see the nursery and there was a little baby to see.

At the end, they got a Big Brother and Big Sister sticker and their picture taken, and a Certificate. It was such a special thing for them to do to prepare for their little sister.

On the last day we were there, the guys got to go to the Capitol One Bowl game in Orlando. They had a great time even though the Gators lost. So while they were gone, the girls took the kids to the Florida Aquarium. They had such a great time. They loved the huge aquariums, petting the stingrays, petting the fish in the small tanks, and especially the Penguin Exhibit. They brought out two African Penguins and you can see how close the kids were able to get to them. They explained that these penguins are endangered so you cannot reach out to them to pet them. But they were allowed to come up to you if they wanted. They were almost in the kids' laps, and I think one actually did get in Abi's lap. They would go after keys and camera straps and come right up to you.

Playing with Cousins

So the kids had so much fun playing together on Mimaw and Pop-Pop's playground. It was amazing to watch them together. And this is Sadie- it was her first Christmas and her first time to meet Charlie and Madeline. They were so good with her and got lots of practice for our new baby. They were very gentle with her and wanted to love on her lots. Madeline gave her lots of kisses.

Heat Wave

While our time in florida was wonderful, and seeing faimly was both refreshing and encouraging, I can say that the heat and humidity were no good for a seven-month pregnant woman in her mid-30's who is used to winter weather. Christmas Eve found me crying on the way to church because of my hair, and I squeezed my enourmous belly into too-small capri jeans that I had to cut on the sides, and I was the one person in the room always fanning herself and turning on the ceiling fan when no one was looking! My mother-in-law, Dianne, would come to my rescue by opening the door in the bathroom that lead out to the patio, and I think we even had to turn on the A/C a couple times because of the heat. I was even thankful for the few times I had to go somewhere in the car so that I could have fresh air. Again, the joys of being pregnant!! Then, wouldn't you know it, the day we left, we awoke to temps in the 30's. And while our drive back to Texas was in cold temps, two days after we returned, we were faced with a day in the mid-70's!! I must not complain, though, because the bulk of my pregnancy is in the winter time and not the summer. And while I was hot in Florida, I could breathe through my nose clearly, which never happens in the winter or when I'm pregnant. And all the while, what a joy it is to be pregnant AND to be with family.

Santa's Presents

Ahh, Santa was good this year- isn't he always?? Charlie wanted Transformers, and Madeline wanted "the baby that tee-tees (Baby Alive)." Of course, he delivered them to Florida because he knew that's where we would be!!

Trip to Florida

The kids had been so excited to go to Florida to see their cousins. They couldn't talk about much else in the days leading up to our trip. So we packed up (everything but the kitchen sink, it seemed), and headed out. Madeline decided to spike a fever the night before we left, but she was a trouper even though she continued this and congestion and coughing through Christmas day. We made the 20-hr. trip in two days. The kids were doped up on Dramamine, watched videos all the way, and did pretty well. I propped up my feet and my belly on pillows and tried to hold my bladder off for as long as I could. But it seemed that every time I would pee, I would almost instantly feel the urge again. Ugh! One of the joys of pregnancy! Again, all in all, it could have been a much worse drive.



We got there and the first thing we did was go to church Christmas Eve. Dave's family still goes to Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa where he was the Minister to Middle School Students, and they wanted him to sing during the service as they often do when he returns to visit. I am so proud of him, and it is amazing to see how even after being gone for about 9 years, they, too are still proud to call him their own. We are always so welcomed when we visit, and even for me it is like returning to a bit of home. Here is a picture of us in the foyer- the Gatheria they call it- and also of the five cousins before they saw Santa.

From left to right, Sadie is 3 months old, Madeline, Trey is 6, Charlie, and Abi is 3. They were all so happy to see each other because this only happens about once a year. They even played well together for the most part, but like most good things, towards the end of our visit, they began to butt heads a little and had their fair share of squabbles. And soon there will be 6 of them. While we were there, there were times when it was just one or two adults against the five of them. And I kept thinking, how in the world do people handle triplets and more? With four of them almost all the same age, I was ready to pull my hair out!! But it also did my heart good to see them all together. I wish it could happen more often.

"Friends are Friends Forever"

Christmas would not be complete without a visit with two of my best friends from Seminary and their kids. So one night just before we left for Florida, we all met at IHOP and exchanged gifts. Tammy on the left, and her son, Joseph, next to Madeline, and Christy on the right, and her son Gage, far right. I am continuing to add to our brood and the chaos- imagine one 6 yr. old, two 5 yr. olds, and one 3 yr. old all at the same table in a restaraunt. And pretty soon an infant. Yikes!! But oftentimes, this is how we must meet because we all live in different towns. But even though we are always busy, and have hectic schedules that almost never match up, we remain the closest of friends and confidantes. I am so thankful for them in my life- they keep me sane. God has blessed me so much with friendships like these.

But this area of my life is not complete, due to the absence of our fourth friend, Crystal. She is a missionary in Africa with her family and we miss her greatly. Check out her blog :http://www.thereynoldsrap.blogspot.com/ She is an amazing woman of God and she has a husband and two little boys. They are doing the Lord's work in Africa and I am constantly blown away by their courage and strength to be away from their families for so long at a time. You will be inspired by her also.

Merry Christmas!

So this is our official Christmas Card picture this year. I was so excited about this picture- a way to include the baby with the kids. And since it's my last Christmas to be pregnant (God-Willing), I really wanted something special. And then I got some negative feedback. Some people may think this is inappropriate. Well, I am past that. I think the pregnanat belly is beautiful, and it's mostly covered anyway. So I hope you enjoy!! The insciption read, "God has blessed us with the greatest of gifts. We pray His gifts of mercy and grace for you this year."

And here are the kids in their Christmas best. I am again amazed at how grown up they are!

Prima Ballerina

I am posting all about our Christmas and I know it is a little late, but we just returned from our trip Saturday night. I'll give it to you in a nutshell.

I must show you Madeline in her costumes. She not only performed at the Gazebo, but she was also in her school program as an angel. There were nine of them!! I about pulled my hair out, but the end result was so worth it. They were adorable!!

So then she also performed in her dance class that I teach outside of her school. For that one, she did the same Christmas dance from the night at the Gazebo, as well as a traditional ballet number. There were only six girls this time, so not so chaotic, although Madeline was the youngest. She is definitely only beginning, and got the movements most of the time, but also chose to stand there and watch part of the time. But nevertheless, she is my little Prima Ballerina!!