Baby #3 - The night before!!

So, I am 39 weeks officially! (Today I am 39 weeks and 4 days)

Time to get this little boy out of my belly!

It's the "night before" Blake will arrive and I have so much running through my head! It's crazy all the emotions that can take over and flood your thoughts. Here's a few things that happened today...

1. Avery started 1st Grade today! Oh boy, was she excited.

I actually handled it pretty well. I wanted to burst into tears in her classroom but I held it together and relished her enthusiasm and excitement for her new school year. She is such a gem of a child! I don't know how she could get any sweeter. I am sure going to miss her during the day...how did this full day of school come so fast? But it also makes me grateful for the 1/2 days she had last year...at least I got a little more time with her then. :)

I have to write what she said to me the night before school "Mom, I am really glad I am going to be in school all day, because then I don't have to run errands with you!" LOL- excellent observation my dear daughter!

2. Riley and I spent the day together! It started out with me scurrying around trying to get laundry done and dishes washed. I changed bed sheets and swept the house (it's amazing what you can get done when you are on "school" schedule and not "summer" schedule) We even ran a couple errands and then it dawned on me...it's my last day with RK as my baby!

So, I turned and looked at her as we sat in the Sam's Club parking lot and asked her if she would like to go to the pool today with just Mommy? Her face lit up and she said "YES"!

We hurried home, I packed us a lunch and snack and we went to the pool. We stayed for a couple hours and it was so much fun!

When we were at the pool you said to me "We are having a Mommy Daughter Day"....you melt my heart Riley Kate! I LOVE spending time with just you because you are a completely different child without your sister around. It's not a bad thing but it's just different. You talk so much to me and tell me all sorts of random things. You still LOVE to hold my hand everywhere we go and your giggle would make me laugh in the hardest of times! I always call your sister "sweet" but you are just as much - a little "sugar muffin". 

Mommy is going to try my best to continue having time to spend with just you (and Avery) once Blake comes. :)

3. Looking back at the 2 years that we tried to have another baby and all the prayers said and tears shed, we are now less than 24 hours away from meeting our newest blessing. Being a mom is the hardest and most amazing challenge I will ever face. Raising kids to honor their parents, Love God, have good behavior, respect others, take care of their "things" and love life, sure is a huge undertaking. I know that most days I royally screw up. I know most days I don't even come close to being the mom I know I could be but in the end I know that God's GRACE covers it all. He has my tired, sore, aching back and will carry me through the challenges that lay ahead in parenthood (and life). And my kids may be a little "messed up" but in reality who isn't?? haha

I am beyond blessed to have grown in my relationship with God over the 2 years that I waited for Blake. God taught me some incredible lessons - most importantly - to be thankful today for all that surrounds me. To be content in my situation and to trust that his timing and plan are PERFECT. I don't know why things happen when and if they do but I know that God has plans that far exceed what I could ever ask or want.

And even though right now, I am so thankful that he gave me what I desired...

I know there will be times in the future where I won't receive what I ask for...

or my children won't get what they pray for...

or a friend or loved one will not hear the answer they desired. 

My hope is that my heart will continue to TRUST GOD through it all. And to remember His best is always laid out for us as long as we are seeking Him. 

Thank you Lord for our Blake and Thank you Lord for our Hope in You!