Joy in October

Since we've been married, Scott and I have talked on and off about having a baby. The thought of a baby joining our family thrilled us at times and completely overwhelmed us at other times. In the past year, we became more thoughtful about the idea of becoming parents. We considered the weight of bringing a child into the world, the joy a baby would bring into our lives, and what God would teach us in the process. So last summer, we stopped trying to prevent a pregnancy and instead invited God's perfect timing to show us when.

I was convinced it would take several months (or even years!) for birth control to get out of my system and to get pregnant. I was amazed when only four months later, a pregnancy test confirmed that indeed a baby was growing inside of me!

I took the test right after work on a Tuesday in late October. When the stick immediately read "pregnant,"  I got a huge smile on my face and danced around the bedroom. I think our cat, Zoe, knew something was up! I thanked God and fell on my knees glorifying Him for such a surprising joy.

Scott was going to be home soon, so I didn't have time to pull off a big celebratory dinner. Instead, I found my old baby blanket, a few of his old Sesame Street toys, and a card that read "Then there were three." I placed all of these items in a box with the pregnancy test to confirm the news. When he got home, I handed him a glass of whiskey and the box.

I have never seen Scott so at peace and yet so excited. His face got soft and he smiled a smile I'll never forgot. The joy in that moment was so palpable and real. We were (and are) completely filled with joy and thanksgiving for God's love poured out on our lives.

Now the journey continues. A new chapter begins...