Great Expectations

"You heard it before me," she said as I sat there grinning. The beautiful sound of a fast, tiny heartbeat. No mistaking it for anything else. A clear sign of the life growing inside.


A wave of relief hit me. I had waited and waited to even bother going in, and now at 13 weeks along, I felt it was time to go ahead and give myself peace of mind.  It was hard walking into the office, remembering a year ago the circumstances were much different. I don't know how women for thousands of years preceding this age (and the women today in third world nations) ever survived the grief of losing child after child. After all, my child was not yet fully formed when I lost him.


Funny how when one resigns herself to a certain fate, God turns the tables. Just a few months before that second pink line appeared, I had made peace with our baby days being over. Focusing on the fun of the school years... savoring the innocence before the wave of teenagers overflow our home (give us another decade and we'll have four residing in our house:-).

Twenty-six short weeks from now, we will be gloriously thrown back into baby mode. Newborn squeaks, constant snuggling, gulping in the smell of a fuzzy little head. This time around, I will have four additional interested helpers. Isaac doesn't remember what it's like having little baby in the house. He had just turned 5 when Daniel arrived. The girls were age 3 and 18 months... babies themselves. They are both beside themselves with the idea of a real baby to love on.


I am determined to rejoice in every part of this pregnancy... even the less pleasant parts. Soak in every moment of the short newborn phase... it only lasts a few weeks. Having had four children spring up in an instant before my eyes has taught me to be content in the moment. There are times the pain, frustration, or lack of sleep can let the joy seep away, and God knows I have too often been stuck in survival mode. That's a fact of life with young children. However, my heart's desire is to be intentional in the time I spend with them. Even if it's just having a 3 year old boy curled up in my lap as I type this.


This October, the Haut House will be a family of 7. God's grace and joy abounds!

Life Unedited: 2012 Camping Trip #1

Two weekends ago, we ventured with our friends to Dan Nicholas Campground, just a 25 minute trip down the road! For being nearby, it is a GREAT camping option, with nice sites, adequate bathrooms, and plenty for the kids to do. We had visited the park on a number of occasions, but had never ridden the paddle boats, or walked through the wildlife exhibit... both of which were fabulous activities. I could have watch the Bald Eagles for an hour, such beautiful birds.

So, here are the few pictures I managed to take. It rained for about 12 hours to start the trip, but the weather was great after that! And a little rain never slows the kids down.


Our site... we roughed it in a tent. Isaac chose to sleep outside with his friend Drake both nights. Crazy boys.


I really don't mind tent camping. But it got much colder than expected the 2nd night. I'm coming more prepared next time. Even Jackson was shivering.




Jackson is learning how to be a camping dog. He had a great first trip, although he needs to learn it's okay to go potty while on a leash.


The boys attempted fishing.


Daniel actually took a 30 minute nap on the boat.








This goose and duck were always together... sort of an odd couple relationship.

One thing is for sure, the kids have a ball, and momma and daddy are always exhausted! Jackson was pretty wiped out, too.