We are expecting!!!

"Behold children are a gift from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of an archer, so are the children of ones youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be ashamed." Psalm 127:3-5

Our baby is the size of a lentil :)

Andrew and I are thrilled to announce that we are expecting our second child!!! We found out Christmas morning that Sophia is going to be a big sister. We are so excited and feel so blessed to share this announcement with you. We are due the beginning of September, so the kids will be two years apart. I am only 6 and a half weeks in...which is still pretty early, but unlike last time we wanted to share the news with everyone so you can begin praying for us :)

We will keep you updated...love and kisses :)

Prayer Update for Kai

Below is the update written by Kai's Mom...please continue to lift up this family in prayer.

PLEASE PRAY FERVENTLY:Well, Kai had a really hard time this morning before the procedure. He was SO hungry and he wasn't allowed to eat or drink. We finally went in for the procedure around noon. We got to pre-op and they realized they had forgotten to order his chemo (for the spine) - so we waited there another hour for that to be ordered and for it to come up. He went in around 1:30 - but didn't come out until about 2:15. We got back to the room and he pigged out on rice, half a cheeseburger, some pretzels, some fishy crackers. He wan't even half way through lunch when they gave him his Vincristine, then they started his Eprutuzumab. So, right now he still has about 2-3 hours left of the Eprutuzumab.

We got the results from his bone marrow aspirate. We needed his leukemia cells to be under 5%. Instead - 65% of his bone marrow was leukemia cells. NOT THE RESULT WE WERE PRAYING FOR - but, we do know that God's sovereign hand IS in this. The doctors did say that most of the 65% of the cells were dying cells (not active), which is good news, however its just not where we want it. They are going to continue with the plan we have been on the past 2 weeks. However, we misunderstood - his next bone marrow check is in 3 weeks (day 36). So, they have informed us we have 3 weeks to get that count to 0. There cannot be any cells present for him to be termed "remission." If this happens we will move forward with the plan already made for him. If not, they will come up with another tough chemo plan to try for the next month. So, we will see what the Lord has in store for our little Kai. I have to admit that I was totally shocked with the results. I thought that if it wasn't under the 5% - it would be about 10-15%, but when they said 65% - I emotionally lost it. I was stunned. I know that the Lord is in control and we are to wait for His results. Boy, our selfish desires take over and we want what we want. But we know that if the Lord wants to take our little boy, he will be PERFECT and PERFECTLY WORSHIPPING our Lord. Whatever the Lord has planned we are willing to follow in HIS footsteps. However the Lord commands us to ask - so, I am here asking you to pray that these next 3 weeks will be SO effective. Pray these next few weeks clear these cells out of his body completely. Pray that Kai's body will fully respond to the plan laid out before him. Pray that we can bring honor and glory to our Father as He literally carries us down this path!

Thank you for your prayers so far. Please continue to pray.

On a side note - Ethan had his screen for bone marrow this morning - what a champion. He didn't even cry - they filled up 3 big viles of blood - not one word! We were so proud - so of course we took him ot the gift shop for a prize. He picked out a Lightning McQueen car and he wanted a train for Kai. He was so sweet. We won't find out the results of that for a few days. Pray that Kai can get into remission, so we can do this process.You can always read daily updates on Kai at www.caringbridge.org then type in: malachismith (as one word)

15 Month Check Up

Our little girl {no longer a baby} had her check up yesterday. Sophia weighs 20.11 lbs {still}

she placed into the 20% percentile for weight. She is a string bean...which I do not understand because she is eating ALL THE TIME!!! An example...before her appointment yesterday she ate half a bean burrito and two bowls of pasta for lunch. How is she not the size of a tank?? She placed into the 55% for height and her head was in the 80% {one smart cookie}.

Right now she has about 11 signs she uses on a daily basis...she can sign for "food, drink, more, all done, bed time, bath, lights, blanket, banana, book, and cereal". She loves to sign and it's fun to watch her learn new things.

She is really in love with dogs right now...she calls all of them "Belle" which is the name of my parent's dog back home. So whenever she sees a dog she says "Belle" and makes her version of a "ruff" noise.

She is a joy and the sweetest little girl I know {i am biased, ya know}. I love her so much and am so thankful that the Lord entrusted me to be her Mommy :)

umm...and yes, she is wearing underwear on her head...I have no idea where she learned that from :)

Day after Christmas Zoo Trip

While the ladies hit the after Christmas sales, the men took the kids to the Zoo. They had a wonderful time and it was a nice treat for the ladies :)

A Birmingham Christmas

I apologize for the delay in getting these posts up...Once we returned home from Christmas the three of us took turns being sick. I was the first one to get sick...then got it again at the end. So please forgive me...and enjoy :)

Sophia's Santa stash

Opening gifts Running to her stash Christmas morning

Going through the loot

Loves to read Family picture...so blessed! The girls :) Loving her new Lion...named "millwood" a gift from Aunt Abba and Uncle Caleb

Love from cousin Emma and Isabelle Waiting for the feasting to begin

The Wii Party

Aunt Abba and Uncle Caleb...they are expecting their first baby in July!!!

We are beyond thrilled for them, and Sophia is very much looking forward to another cousin!

Poppy and Soph

Mommy and Soph

Getting Ready for Christmas

Sophia and her festive Christmas beanie Our stocking, hung by the chimney with care...

The funny hat she is wearing is one Andrew MADE while in college

Silly baby

Helping Daddy with the tree

Festive table cloth and Poinsettia.

Prayer Needed!

Dear friends, Andrew and I feel so blessed to have such wonderful, faithful friends and family. Today we are asking you to assist us is praying for a dear friend. This is Kai (Malachi) he is the son of one of my sister's best friends. He is two years old and a wonderful little boy. Right now Kai is fighting an ongoing battle against leukemia. He has been fighting hard for some time.

Over the past couple of days his family has received some "not so great" news. They found out that while Kai was in remission, the cancer has come back. Needless to say this is not what they hoped for, and they have a long fight ahead of them.

Kai's parents, Rachel and Wes, are amazing people. They are trusting the Lord and His perfect sovereign plan for Kai's life. You can find more about their story at http://www.wesrachsmith.blogspot.com/

I am asking you to please join us in praying for this family as they face this newest trial. Please pray that the doctors will have wisdom in treating Kai. Pray that the Lord would give Rachel and Wes strength and peace. Pray for Kai's older brother Ethan as he deals with this situation. Pray thst the Lord gives Kai strength and relieves any pain he might be in. Pray for a miracle and healing.

Thank you so much for taking this family into your hearts.

Merry Christmas

Camera Phone Photo's

Here are some photo's I have taken over the past couple months on my phone. They are random pictures of me and Soph out and about!

Sophia bundled up at the grocery store Chatting with the dog at Old Navy

Reading one of Mommy's books while snuggling up in Mommy's bed.

I really have the best job in the entire world!! :)

The Best Advent Calender Ever!

The 25 days till Christmas countdown is very exciting this year! My Mom and Sister sent Sophia the coolest Christmas countdown. They sent her 25 individually wrapped Christmas books!! Each one is labeled with the day she is to open it. So every night before she goes to bed, she unwraps her new Christmas book and we read it. Isn't that awesome!!!! I love books (so does Soph) and how much fun is a new Christmas story for every night! Opening Dec 2nds book! Reading

Reading and more reading!

Pointing at the pretty pictures

Thank you Mimi and Auntie Ali...we love our new books!

So much to be thankful for....

Our Thanksgiving this year was small...it was just the three of us. We decided not to travel since we had just gotten back from two weeks of traveling. We missed our families, and all the fun we have with them. I cooked Thanksgiving "lunch", and we went around the table listing the things we were thankful for. I think that I am going to have us do this much more often :) Here are some photos of our tiny little Thanksgiving. (above it our fireplace and the cute "give thanks" sign I bought for 3 dollars!!)

Two of the people I am most thankful for.

Soph getting ready to eat...and eat and eat

Our family feast

So thankful.

She has a piece of turkey in each hand...little Miss. Piggy