Proud to announce...

If any of you know me, you know how much I don't do surprises, and when something exciting is going on, I am always ready to share the good news!!  I always like to know when something is going to happen, and to be in control of the situation...  If I have learned ANYTHING in the past 8 weeks, it has been, I don't (and won't) have to be in control of every situation, and sometimes- I can keep exciting things in!!

Re-Cap of mine and Brett's life the past 4 months...

Early spring Brett and I prayerfully decided to sell our house..  After lots of prayer (and to be honest, silly impatience on my part- an example of a situation where I wanted to be in control) ...we sold!  It really didn't take long for our house to sell, and the way it all happened made it very evident to us that God sold our house.  He totally took the situation and made it happen very effortlessly!  The timing was perfect, for many reasons!!  His timing always is perfect!!  In our prayerful decision to sell, we were prayerfully deciding to build a home.  In August we moved into an apartment, and bought the piece of land that we will be building on.  We are very excited about all of this!!

It was the day before my 27th birthday when we found out that we had a lot more than a new house on the way!!  I remember being like, OH MY!!! And.. OOOHHHHH MMMMYYYYYY!!!  At first I really couldn't believe it, then the stuck on grin appeared!!  I told Brett that afternoon, and it took him a bit to actually believe me- and showing him the proof!

Ha.. I actually took 5!!!

It was my silly smile that I think kept throwing him off!!  It wasn't long before we were both totally pumped and filled with many wonderful thoughts!!!!

We are now right at the 12 week point (Thursday) and so far.. so good!!  This of course being our first has been filled with excitement, scares, and many smiles.  Throughout this whole thing I've realized more and more how out of control I am.  Thankfully, God is in Control.  When a little bit of worry comes in I am comforted in knowing that God is taking care of everything!  Everyday I catch myself saying, "For I know the plans for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11-- how awesome is that!!  This whole process truly is a blessing, and I can't wait to see what all God has in store.  Our always constant prayer is to follow God's path for us- to listen to Him- and go where He calls.  God is so good!!!!!!  We are so thankful for the miracle He has happening to us right now!!

CHEESE ALERT----

I have to share how TOTALLY AMAZING Brett Paulk has been.  Amazing doesn't even cover it!!  I couldn't ask for more support, encouragement, respect, guidance, patience, -- I could go on and on!!  I haven't been feeling great.. nausea, fatigue, extra trips to the doctor, and what really would look like pure laziness to any outsider!  He has kept up with laundry, cleaning our apartment, dishes, meals, garbage, getting me anything I ask for, praying for me and our baby, dropping everything and going to the doctor with me, watches me take naps, and all without the first complaint or asking of anything in return.  All while opening the gym at 5:30am 4 out of 5 mornings a week, working all day, doing some traveling for work, coaching a 6 year old flag football team, creating our house plans, and preparing tailgates... I AM SO BLESSED!!!!  God gave me such a gift when He allowed Brett and I to form our relationship, have it grow, and become married.  Thank you so much Brett for the man you are!!!!!

AND NOW, INTRODUCING BABY PAULK:

"Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you.  Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you" Jeremiah 1:5

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him" Psalm 127:3