I'm taking a little break from my unintended blog break to say that Annabeth Ellen Jones turns 9 months old today. If I had known how much I would love this baby girl, I would not have been able to contain my joy on the day I gave birth to her. I would have floated away from my hospital bed and landed on the moon. In the last week, Annabeth started clapping her hands (which makes her so happy) and saying "dadadadadada." She doesn't know what she's saying but it's still fun. She even threw in a couple of "mamamama's" the other day!
I think it's normal for moms to pause and take it in when their babies get to this age. My baby has been with me in my arms for as long as I carried her in my body. Do you know what occurs to me? PREGNANCY IS VERY, VERY LONG. I once heard someone say that because we carry our babies so long, women have a keen appreciation for the value of a human life. I love that.
Speaking of the value of a human life, did you hear about this? I am so amazed and blessed by this woman's testimony. I have been disheartened that even though we had a pro-life president for 8 years, we were not able to stop infanticide in this country. Now that we have the most pro-choice president our country has ever seen, what hope is there? But God reminded me through this testimony that laws cannot stop our God from working in the hearts of people. That is awesome! I love that the woman is quoted as saying, "I feel so pure in heart. I don't have this guilt, I don't have this burden on me anymore." God is so gracious to all of us. I am praying for this sister that God will bless her and protect her.
I have also been praying earnestly for the last week for my friend Jenn and her fiancee Joe. Joe is a Navy pilot based in Corpus Christi, TX, whose plane went missing around the Gulf last Wednesday. The body of his co-pilot was found but there is no sign of Joe. The hope is that his parachute worked and that he is safely awaiting rescue. The official search has now been called off, but other people are continuing to search today. There are many, many people praying for him. Please join us. You can read more about it here.
Life is really busy right now and work is on the very full side. Maybe this post will free me from my bloggers block, but if not, just know that the Jones family is well. Much love to you on this beautiful Tuesday.
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29 comments:
Happy nine months Annabeth! :) I love it when babies start clapping - I always join in with them and yell "Yay!"
Joe is the brother-in-law to a college friend of mine. His mom sent out a tender email with an update/prayer request. I'll forward it on to you incase you are interested. There is peace and great hope knowing God has blessed us with such a family who can unite together and call on Him.
So glad that all is well with your family. I will be in prayer for both of these you have mentioned on your post. My heart goes out to Jenn.
God Bless,
Mary
I share your joy, Darling. I will never forget sitting in that maternity waiting room and getting that text from Curtis telling us, "It's a girl!" Even though we'd been told that a dozen times, it was still such fun to have it confirmed. I agree with you: if we'd known then what we know now, we couldn't have stood it. And if I'd known thirty years ago what I know now, I, as my grandmother used to say, wouldn't have been worth killing. I love you. And I love her and her brother so much.
Oh Amanda! Motherhood is so grand, isn't it?? God has truly blessed us moms in ways that I could never have comprehended had I not become one.
Wait until Annabeth turns two--that's when some of the really fun girly stuff begins. Nora Grace LOVES to try on clothes and shoes and walk back and forth between me and her daddy proclaiming "Pretty."
Also, last night we viewed the beautiful full moon way up high in the sky. She kept saying "Look Mama, the moon. Pretty. It's way high. I want to touch it." This Mama wanted to flat out bawl at the sweetness of it all.
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
My heart goes to Jen and my prayers before God - to find Joe well and to give PEACE to the family of the co-pilot.
Siesta OC
Pregnancy IS long! However, I am humbled by the fact that I've found out that two friends of friends have, between them, lost three babies--one at 24 weeks and two at full term. Life is so fragile and precious, and we are nothing more than jars of clay who owe God thanks and glory for every heartbeat. Joe's story makes me think of the same thing.
Happy 9 mos, Miss Annabeth! What a beautiful little lady you are! It's so much fun watching you grow and now that we know we're having our third little 'granddaughter' in March we can hardly wait.
I have been praying for the two pilots and their families since the search began! My heart is breaking--please pass on my tho'ts and prayers to Jenn. These stories always catch my prayers because my Man is an Air Force pilot.
I heard the story about the Planned Parenthood situation on our local news this morning and felt the same way you did! I pray that God will hold her up and give her the strength and wisdom she needs!
I think you're spot on, Amanda. I always fall head-over-heels with my babies around the 9-month mark, too. (Not that I didn't love them before. But by then, I lurve them so much, I'm liable to burst!)
And you're comment about pregnancy being long made me laugh out loud. I'll be 12 weeks tomorrow, and it feels like I should be around 18 already. I feel like I could add "gestates" to my resume.
So glad all is well with your family - I was a little concerned when you hadn't posted in a while. My kids are 11 and 17, so I really enjoying 'reliving' their younger years with you and yours.
Much love to you too, Amanda. :)
Amanda, baby girls are just wonderful!! I'm so glad you get to enjoy one! I am the wife of a military pilot, and I am so sorry to hear of the turmoil your friend is going through right now. I'm praying.
Happy Birthday to our little seista
she is growing so fast.
Will be lifting up Joe and Jenn up in prayer to the Almighty
Thanks for keeping us informed and continue to let us know we Love each and everyone of you.
Love Carol Albuquerque nm
Great pro-life article!
Thanks for getting the word out about praying for Joe, I know Jenn and the Houstons appreciate it greatly.
Isn't 9mo such a fun age?! Mine are now 9 and 5, but I clearly remember that sweet age of discovery.
I remember just a few weeks before my 2nd was born, I had myself a sweet little meltdown b/c I was just certain that I could not love him as much as I loved my sweet Emma. My mom tried to reassure me. My girlfriends who had more than one child tried to reassure me. But I just knew there was no way my heart had enough love to give 2 babies. I was a little shocked when it just happened!
I'll be praying for your friend...how horrifying!
Oh Amanda...such sweet and bittersweet news. You and your family...those under your roof and those whom we love, not under your roof, are such a blessing and joy to us.
What a wonderful thing God did, when He blessed us with our children. It always makes me happy to read about your sweet family.
Melana
"laws cannot stop our God from working in the hearts of people" That IS awesome! Thanks for the uplifting reminder!!
I read this same article today. And thought some of those same thoughts as I was playing with Caroline at the park.
I had NO CLUE the immense pure joy that she would bring to my life. God is SO stinkin' good!
Hey girl,
I had a dream last night that I was babysitting your little ones : ) So fun!
Let's meet at the park soon...
PREGNANCY IS VERY, VERY LONG.
Giggle. Amen girl. But worth it!
And from giggles to sadness. So sorry for your friend.
Amanda,
this is said with love dear one - you serve the God of heaven. the current president was put there by one power only : The God of heaven who sets up and throws down rulers.
do not despair. Pray for his mind and heart to be awakened. But never despair.
Deirdre
I am scared to death of motherhood...reading your posts that give a glimpse into the challenges, frustrations, and joys bring a little excitement into the fear of it for me :)
(Not that it will be anytime soon :))
I know what you mean about those little girls. My boys are fabulous but Sydney is a different kind of delight. Just wait until you and AB start shopping together and you discover she loves purses as much as you do. The joy will be complete. :)
amen on the long pregnancy comment. And this is my 4th one!!! The first half went super fast b/c of all the other stuff going on in life. But the last 4 weeks have been *killing me!!*
And it's at the point now that though I finally look pregnant, I feel ugly and chubby. Praise God that I know my feelings don't dictate reality, but goodness. I sure will be glad to hold this little one outside instead of "inside!" =)
Cute pics of the family at First Fest btw. Thought I'd just comment here since I saw both posts today! What cuties! =)
This has nothing to do with your blog, but I had to tell you that I saw a children's book in the library called "Jackson Jones and the Puddle of Thorns". Your son is a star!!
Praying for your friend.
Clearly, I'm no mommy, but sometimes the thought that I could love something that much that it would hurt, scares the tar out of me. Oh, I want to be a mother badly, but I can't even imagine the love of your own child! You love yours so well, Amanda. Enjoy your little blessig that came as a girl!
I like what you said about how God is not confined by the laws made in our country. So true--sometimes the fight feels so hopeless and that was a good reminder.
It's also so fun to hear how in love you are with your baby girl. I just gave birth to our third and I'd forgotten how quickly and easily I would just melt over another baby. Love him so much. It's just so fun to see another mom love and delight in her children the way you do.
Melissa and I went to junior high and some high school together. Grew up in Hearthstone! I've followed your blog for a few months now and love the pics and updates about your growing family!
I've never commented before but this post caught my attention immediately. My boyfriend is a Marine helicopter pilot currently deployed in Afghanistan and I sent him the article you linked to. Turns out he went to the Naval Academy with Joe. Our hearts go out to the families of both boys and I'm sending positive energy to Jenn everyday.
Susan Richardson
Susan, I know exactly who you are! Thanks for your sweet comment. What a small world it is. So many people are connected to this situation.
Wow, Little Momma, that is such a praise that this woman's eyes would be opened and that others are seeing the truth instead of lies from the enemy. It upsets me to think about abortion occuring, I value this life so much inside of me. We prayed for a child so much! She is absolutely precious, there are no words...I love feeling her move inside me. I hurt for those women who are deceived, I pray that they may come to Him for healing. Make the enemy sorry he ever messed with them...I prayed for Joe, that he would be found and come home soon to Jenn, much love to you too:)
katiegfromtennessee
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