Tiny Miracles...

This was at my baby shower right before I quit my job. I was 8 months pregnant. The box of Twin Bings were a gift from the girls at work. They special ordered them for me because you can't buy them in this area. They are one of my very favorite candy bars growing up. They are frozen in my freezer and when I have a really bad day and need a sweet pick me up, I get one out and eat it.


This was my baby belly at 8 months gestation. No stretch marks, but very white. It is crazy that a baby can go from this....

To this tiny little miracle, who we now call Isabella.
You may be thinking, why am I posting pregnancy pictures of myself all of the sudden? For one, it is kind of fun to look back on such an amazing time in my life. Second, my aunt Laurel, who is one of my favorite family members, just found out that she is expecting a baby! It is okay that I'm saying that, because I know she has already shared her big news with everyone. But, I just want to give a big CONGRATS to her and her family! That is just so exciting for them!
For a lot of people, it may not be such a big deal, but for Laurel and her husband, it hasn't come so easy. They have two beautiful children that they adopted because they weren't able to get pregnant. But after all these years, and the blessing of modern medicine, my aunt will be able to experience the ups and downs of pregnancy and the miracle of labor and delivery of her child.
I'm in no way saying that children who are adopted are loved less or should be viewed any different than children who are born by the parent. I think adoption is an amazing and necessary process-that blesses both the children needing good parents, and the parents who so desperately long for a child.
That being said, there is something also to be said for being able to experience your child growing inside of you and bearing that child from your body. I know that some women really struggle in their pregnancies and don't enjoy them at all. Not me. I love being pregnant! I love the growing belly, being able to splurge on ice cream and not feel guilt later, feeling your child kicking and rolling around in the womb. Even when I am feeling sick and fat, I feel joy and fulfilment from being involved in such a vital part of God's plan. It is a God given right to mothers to bear children and raise them. I am thankful every day for being blessed with this gift.
My two darling daughters are just that to me- Gifts from God.