No baby yet....

...that's right, no baby, today is her "due date" and she is not here. I guess Miss Lydia didn't get the memo that she was supposed to arrive today. I am trying to rely on the Lord as I wait for His perfect timing for her birth. Hopefully I'll have a "birthday" post soon! I am thankful that my mom, sister, and her 2 boys are here to help. So, as we wait for our baby girl we are doing our best to stay focused on other things. Here is some fun we had in the back yard this afternoon.

Ethan, Owen & Carson enjoying their watermelon in the pool

Getting ready for Lydia

Since returning home from Hilton Head we've been doing a lot to get ready for our new addition in the family. I've been doing some serious "nesting" as I await her arrival. Here are a few pictures to show how we've been getting ready for Miss Lydia. We are ready for you little girl...now we are just waiting for God's good timing to welcome you into this world. We can't wait!

Carson in his new high-back booster car seat. He will moving to the back of the van and buckling himself. What a gentlemen to let his sisters have the front:)

The girls' row in the van...this makes it pretty real that we are getting ready to have 3 kids!

Baby equipment ready to be used

the hospital suitcase

baby clothes washed and hung

her bed is ready to go. She'll be in our room while Grammy is here and then we'll be moving her to the guest room which will be her room until 2 of the kids are ready to share a room.

Play date with the Finleys

This morning we went over to the Finley's house to let the kids play outside in the kiddy pool and have lunch together. It was a fun time as always with our dear friends. Cayce and I get about 2 sentences in and then another conflict among the kids arises. The joys of motherhood:) How thankful I am to not be in this season alone:) The kids had a ball and Cayce and I got some adult conversation....we all win!

Bryn loves wearing bike helmets...silly girl

Carson & Will (the toy lawn mowers are always a hot item among all the kids)

Reese collecting some leaves....she's growing up!

Bryn & Carson with the lawn mowers

Stu

I just realized I have pictures of all the kids except for Clark....who may have been in the buff by this picture;)

13 days....and counting!

Today I had my doctors appointment and things are looking good. I am 2 cm dilated and she is head down! Every day I'm more ready to meet our little girl. Here are some things that we would really appreciate prayer for as we approach delivery day...

• good sleep at night and good health for our family
• that God would prepare our family for this new addition
• that Carson and Bryn would adjust well to bringing the new baby home
• that we would know when to head to the hospital (40-50 min. drive)
• that the delivery would be smooth and without complications....and that my epidural will work this time:)
• for a fast and easy recovery from labor
• most of all, please pray for a healthy baby girl and that we would trust God wholeheartedly in this transition.

Thank you!

Cease Striving

Psalm 46

1God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
7The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
8Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
9He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
10"Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
11The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

I was so encouraged by this Psalm today as the simplest everyday tasks are becoming challenging for me in this 9th month of pregnancy. I am so needy of the Lord to supply strength and rest (both of which are hard to come by these days). It was good for my soul to reflect again on the truth that God is my refuge and strength and a very present help in trouble! Therefore I will not fear! I don't need to fear all the things that I'm tempted to fear because God is in my midst; the Lord of hosts is with me, He is my stronghold! It's amazing how when my thoughts are focused on the Lord and His great works then peace reigns but when I focus on me and my circumstances, anxiety reigns! I want to choose to behold the works of the Lord! I just love verses 10 and 11 "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold." The footnote for "cease striving" in my Bible says it could also be translated "Let go, relax!" Today I want to let go and relax and focus on the greatness of my God and His power and promises!

If you need a good laugh

This video is from a couple weeks ago when we were at Bluff-fest. When I did that post I wasn't able to upload this video. I had to share this video with you, you may even want to watch it several times. When I just need a good laugh I go to this video, it has served me well:) Enjoy our wild biker girl!

Happy Birthday Ethan

Yesterday was our nephew, Ethan's, birthday! He turned 6 years old. It is so hard to believe that he is 6! We love him so much and can't imagine life with out him. We love you Ethan!

Ethan (on left), Owen (middle) & Carson (right)
3 little Indian cousins

Happy Birthday Will

Yesterday we joined the Finleys in celebrating Will's third birthday at Chic-fil-A and then we all went to Monkey Joe's indoor play area after dinner. As I was driving home I was reflecting on the day he was born. Carson and I were privileged to be a part of his birth. Jason had been gone to Moroco on a mission trip and we came to stay with Cayce to help with Reese before the arrival of baby Will. Jason arrived home late Saturday night and Cayce went into labor the next day! I stayed back with Reese & Carson and then brought them to the hospital to meet little Will. What a special day that was! He is a delight and we love him so much.

The birthday boy enjoying his cupcake

Will opening his gifts

a cowboy hat and gun from mom and dad

Monkey Joe's (makes me wish I was about 6 again!)

We tried to get a picture with all 12 kids....here is the progression of that effort

Big news!!!!!

For over 3 years now my sister and her husband have been in the process of adopting a baby girl from China. During this time the process of adopting in China has changed and taken much longer then they anticipated. Needless to say, we have all been waiting for a long time for the referral letting us know who their daughter would be and when they could go get her! Today is the day! At 12:15 pm I got a call from my sister that I'll never forget! She was squealing with excitement because she had just got off the phone with the agency telling her about her daughter in China and that the referral was at home. They raced home to see the pictures of their daughter. I just got the email from her with more information about Ainsley and pictures. Right when I saw her precious little face I burst into tears with absolute joy and excitement.

She is beautiful. She has no idea how much she is loved. I love her already and can't wait to meet her!!!!! The following is the email from my sister:

Here she is!!!!!! We got “THE CALL” on my cell phone today driving back from the lake. It’s a good thing I wasn’t driving or we’d be in the ditch. We raced home to see these adorable pictures.

Chinese name: Zhan Ahi Xuan

American name: Ainsley Venyce Clarke

DOB: 5/19/07

She is currently in an orphanage in the Guangdong Province. She only weighs 16.5 lb. We’ll know in a few weeks exactly when we can go meet our baby girl, we’re guessing September.

Love,

The very excited Clarke Family!!!

Bryn is 18 months

I took Bryn for her 18 month check up this morning. Even though it was considered her "well-check" I showed up with 2 sickly kids. They both have runny noses and coughs and they both were treated with pink eye. Fun times! I'm just hoping we are all healthy and adjusted by the time we bring the baby home. Here are her stats from the appointment:

Weight 27 lbs. 15.7 oz. (95%)
Length 34 in. (95%)
Head 181/2 in. (75%)

Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July! Here are some highlights of how we spent our day. It was our last day on Summer LINK before heading home on the 5th.

Emet turned 2 months old on the 4th of July

Jon & Ava in the pool

They dressed up as a salvation bracelet and each girl represented something different (sin, blood, water...etc.) and they even had a little rap song performance...very creative!

Carson on Jon's (one of the staff of Summer LINK and future interns at Crosspoint) shoulders

Watermelon eating contest

Family of 4...not for long!

We got to watch some fireworks from the beach

Now we are home sweet home and unpacking after a great worship service with our home church family. It's good to be home. We are still unpacking and trying to get settled before the arrival of our baby girl.

Very unexpected baby shower

Last night at our women's time I showed up early expecting to just see Amy to talk about her talk she was going to give that night. But, I opened the door to the room and saw a beautiful group of young girls all dressed in pink and pink and white streamers and balloons and yummy food. They had thrown a surprise baby shower for me! I felt very honored! Receiving little girl baby things made it pretty real that we are getting ready to have a little baby in our house! Thank you so much girls for loving me this way! I can't wait for you all to meet out new baby when you're back in Clemson!

The food table

beautiful pink roses

the group of sweet girls....I'll miss them!

Mid-Summer Banquet

Last night was our mid-summer banquet for Summer LINK. The staff will all leave this weekend and the students will take over leadership and responsibility for the next 5 weeks. This night was a time to celebrate all that God has done this summer so far and a time to honor and thank the staff before they leave. The socials team did a great job with the event, it was very nice. We will so miss this group but we are very confident in their ability to take over as we leave and we look forward to hearing great things! Here are a few pictures from the night.

Jeremy and I at our table for dinner.

Jeremy sharing some words of encouragement and charging them to excel still more as they take on leadership for the rest of the summer. I'm so proud of Jeremy and his leadership and vision for Summer LINK.

Staff guys (Jeremy, Ronnie, Jon, Matt)

Staff girls (Tara, Becca, Liz, Ashley, Claire) These girls have been a highlight of my summer!

All the girls

All the boys

Fun in the Sun

Here are some of my favorite pictures of the kiddos this week.

Bryn loves putting on articles of clothing...shoes, hats, and I guess goggles too:)

Ava, our niece, is having her first experience in a big girl bed this week and doing very well. We checked on she and Carson before going to bed the other night and found her like this.

You gotta love poopy swimmie diapers on the beach.

Jeremy's brother, Jon, with Bryn, Carson & Ava

Carson & Kolson - good cousin friends

our sleepy little girl, she just crawled up in Jeremy's lap and fell asleep.