surprise!

last summer and fall stelly wanted nothing to do with the big slides at the park. she was terrified of them to say the least. kids her age were flying down them on their stomachs and backs and however else they could think to go down but she couldn't stay far enough away. so imagine my astonishment when we walk to the park a few weeks ago and she proceeds, with no prodding from me, to march up the steps and go down the biggest of all the big slides there. i couldn't believe it. what in the world?!

here she is on one of her trips down the big slides

every parent has one of these crazy hair bathtub pictures in their archives

so we had to add one to ours. now we need to get one w/ a bubble beard!
stelly rolled lakeisha into the hall one morning with both of them sporting their sunglasses
then she wanted to wear the "elton" glasses and hold keisha's bottle filled with necklaces

Women Who Hope in God

The following is a quote to honor the women in my life whose example has challenged me to hope in God: 1) my mom who is the epitome of what John Piper calls "velvet steel" - she is both strong and sweet at once 2) my mother-in-love (to borrow Elisabeth Elliot's reference to her own mother-in-law) who was my mentor in ministry before she became the dear woman whom I respect for raising such a wonderful, godly man (my husband!) 3) my grandma who is with the Lord, Carol Jean Neuhart, who was the most godly woman I have ever known. I thank God for all of you and the influence you've had and continue to have on my life! I love you! Happy Mother's Day!

I Peter 3:5 “This is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands.”

The Deepest Root of Womanhood: Hope in God

The deepest root of Christian womanhood mentioned in this text is hope in God. “Holy women who hoped in God.” A Christian woman does not put her hope in her husband, or in getting a husband. She does not put her hope in her looks. She puts her hope in the promises of God. She is described in Proverbs 31:25: “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.” She laughs at everything the future will bring and might bring, because

she hopes in God.
She looks away from the troubles and miseries and obstacles of life that seem to make the future bleak, and she focuses her attention on the sovereign power and love of God who rules in heaven and does on earth whatever he pleases. She knows her Bible, and she knows her theology of the sovereignty of God, and she knows his promise that he will be with her and help her and strengthen her no matter what. This is the deep, unshakable root of Christian womanhood. And Peter makes it explicit in verse 5. He is not talking about just any women. He is talking about women with unshakable biblical roots in the sovereign goodness of God—holy women who hope in God. -John Piper, from The Beautiful Faith of Fearless Submission

Update

We are overwhelmed by how many of you pray for us and this pregnancy and wanted to give you an update. First, I just want to praise the Lord for the smooth pregnancy this has been. I have felt great (even better than I did with Stella) and we have had relatively few bumps in the road. The battle has been more in my mind of obeying Him with my thoughts and trusting His sovereign hand to do what He deems best. He has been so faithful to give me grace upon grace in this daily struggle.

Today I had an appointment and things continue to look good. We are on the homestretch now, Lord willing, with only 9 1/2 weeks left. Starting the week of May 12 (my 32nd week) to my 40th week, I will be having 2 non-stress tests a week, every Monday and Thursday. This is just another precautionary measure to monitor any contractions and to see if the baby is under any stress. My Dr. and my specialist had a nice long talk and they have a delivery plan for me, so as far as my Dr. is concerned things are all set on her end.

Thank you again for helping bear our burdens, and as Matt says, being the church to us. So many of you who grieved with us have been so encouraging to rejoice with us as God works each step of the way. It is almost surreal to think that the Lord is bringing us to the end of these long months of waiting. We certainly aren't there yet though and still want to be careful not to run before Him. Our hope continues to be in Him and our expectation from Him!

I realize all ultrasound pictures tend to look the same and I'm sure these are no exception. However, we had to laugh at Ruby's smile at the end of her photo session.

No smile...

Say cheese!