Completely Random ; )

Happy Friday!

I'm so excited because next week at my appointment we are hoping to schedule Colson's C section date. His birthday! Only the Lord knows when he will come into this world, but it's fun to have a specific July day in mind. At least we'll know he will be here that day or before.

All of our baby books are Penny Laine. Some stores carry them or you can order online. They have so many cute options. ; )

So, I guess you are all siding with Jason about painting the trunk red. ; ) I just don't know. I love most anything red...cars, purses, pens, stationery, clothes, shoes, so I'll try to be convinced about furniture. We'll see.

Some sweet friends and I met at a restaurant this week to celebrate Carrie's (purple shirt bottom left) third little boy. She is due any day with baby Brady. Boys boys everywhere. ; )

Guess what I received in the mail!? I may be the last to know about this website, but I'm thrilled!

I have been looking for an easy way to print off my posts into a book especially since I'm sharing so much of my feelings concerning Zach, Reese, and Colson. I would be devastated if something happened to blogspot, and all of my entries were lost. I needed some backup. ; )

Here is the Rowe family 2008 edition from www.blog2print.com.

It's SO easy and has no frills which is just what I wanted. You basically pick out the title, cover design, and way you want your posts to look like in your book. You don't have to edit each page. I just ordered our 2009 book and plan to order one at the end of each year.

I know, I know it's the little things in life.

A precious woman recently commented, "I envy your time being pregnant and preparing, I've never had that." Wow. I need to remind myself of this every time I even want to complain about my aching body and being pregnant for so long.

I know we all have our mountains to face in life, and there is always something to be thankful for.

Z and his big mouth...like father like son. Just kidding, honey. ; )

Jason would say it was definitely the other way around.

I opened Colson's closet yesterday and noticed something...it still smells like Reese. What a gift from the LORD! Only He could do pull this off. All baby boy clothes, blankets, and burp cloths yet with her familiar scent. Makes my heart happy.

Miss you, precious girl.

Thank you for continuing to lift us up in prayer...about Reese, our healing, Colson's health, my health. Everything the LORD puts on your heart for us. We feel them we feel them!

I will meet with you there...I will speak with you...

Exodus 25:22

Little Stories

A few fun things about Zach being 2 1/2 I want to remember...

*I love having little conversations with him. I think he may be one to tell on himself. This was our conversation in the car Monday when I picked him up from "school." I had been driving for a few minutes when he says, "Zach...go to time out." He's never told me this before.

I asked, "Oh, you went to time out? What did you do?" Of course meaning what did he do to get in trouble.

He answered, "I cried."

He never did tell me what he did to actually get into time out.

*All day long he says, "Mommy, watch this" or "Yook Mommy." Then he does some sort of trick. It's cute.

*After school Monday a friend of mine told me something I really needed to know. Her sweet daughter (who is in Zach's class) had informed her that she was going to marry him.

I had no idea this started so early! This is Zach's first actual proposal, but it makes me scared about all the "girls who chase after guys" who I'm going to have to keep an eye out for for the rest of Zach's life. Ha! I am known to spy, so I'm sure Jason and I will be following Zach and Colson on a few of their dates. Can't wait. ; )

Thank goodness this little girl is precious, and I like her sweet mom. Maybe it's ok to already pair him off so I'll get to know one of my future daughter in laws really well. ; )

I understand how a little girl couldn't resist claiming him. ; )

But now, this is what the LORD says—

you are mine.

Isaiah 43:1

Baby Books

I love Zach's, Reese's and Colson's baby books.

Zach's book

Reese's book

I copy and print out every email I receive about Reese. Her book is already filled with hundreds of pages of encouraging words for us, and this is only from August 11 to December 31, 2009! Amazing. I'll have to get another binder for the rest. ; )

Colson's book

As I completed what I could of Reese's book something hit me as I turned to this page...

Welcome Home

Only the Lord knew this phrase would not signify her earthly home with us. I was never meant to fill those pages in her book. Her "Welcome Home!" was what Jesus said to her as He gathered her in His gentle loving arms.

Without a doubt He said, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

What an example my daughter is for me!

...You have established a stronghold from the mouths of children and nursing infants, to silence the enemy and the avenger.

Psalm 8:2

Nursery Trunk

Jason found this trunk at a garage sale before Reese was born, and we love it! It was already pink, so it went perfectly in her room.

Now for Colson...not so much. Jason has been sanding it down, but we can't decide what color to paint it. I am so proud of my hubs for tackling this project. ; )

We're thinking either cream or red? Cream is the safe color, and red would be bold. The red would match the stripe in Colson's bedding, but I just don't know if I can go red (for furniture). ; )

Drawers are on this side.

Guess you'll have to wait and see!

Thank you always for your sweet words. I feel like I have been big for months as I roll off the couch each night and out of bed in the mornings. Jason and I just laugh at my belly. Let's just say his grandfather (who is the NICEST most GENTLE man) compared me to a walrus. It was hilarious.

Then be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating.

Isaiah 65:18

Guess What?

This morning I left these two cuties...

to play with another handsome little guy.

I watched Westin for Shannon this morning, but we did not have enough time together. I was so excited because this was my first time to keep him. We only made it to one store, although there was plenty of time in the car to talk about how I'm his favorite aunt. ; )

It seemed strange carrying one of these again. Since I'm used to carrying Z, W's car seat didn't seem too heavy. Westin did great, and he makes me wish all my nieces and nephews lived close by!

GOD - He clothes me with strength and makes my way perfect.

Psalm 18:32

Happy

One half of a muscle relaxer

plus a heated back wrap

makes one happy 6 1/2 months pregnant woman.

Jason loves to talk about high maintenance I am, but I strongly disagree. ; ) I've been pregnant for almost 17 months straight!

I am so thankful to have Colson growing inside me. I love to feel and see him move around. Only three more months.

...the LORD had given him rest on every side from all his enemies...

2 Samuel 7:1

Reese's Name Gallery #18

We're on the 18th post of Reese's name gallery! I am amazed and blessed. I'm going to keep sharing her pictures until people run out of ideas. ; ) What a treasured book they will fill.

I haven't posted all the pics in the order I received them for three reasons...

1. My computer doesn't save them in order (crazy!).

2. Some are seasonal, so I like to stay with a theme. ; )

3. A few of the pictures I received are too small or for some reason would not save to iphoto on my computer. I am so sorry! Please know they are just as important to me even though I am not able to share them online.

Thank you for thinking of us in your daily routines and even on your vacations. Where would we be without the thoughtful prayers and support of sweet family members and friends like you? These pictures are powerful gifts to us.

Marshmellows

Alphabet cards

Nail polish

Sweet ribbons & bows

Scrabble (I could not get this pic to rotate for some reason)

It just adds some fun. ; )

Don't worry, the hog is still with us...

Cody, Z, hog, Shannon, Elizabeth, Westin & me

He even joins us for fam night! It was a special occasion being Westin's first fam night at our house. ; )

Because of Your name, Yahweh, let me live. In Your righteousness deliver me from trouble.

Psalm 143:11

Sweet Feet

Sleepy feet

Zach's feet poking out under his bumpers while he takes a nap ; )

Reese's girly feet

Colson's kickin' feet

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 119: 105

Lifted Up

GOD's grace abounded this weekend. Thank you for continuing to pray for and love on us. Living without Reese is a daily reality we face, and the LORD is good to carry us.

Meredith and my mom helped me with the nursery, and my dad helped Jason in our yard. We put people to work when they come visit. ; )

My dad busy pruning the crepe myrtles

I can't wait to see them bloom! Jason and his dad planted five along our driveway in Reese's honor last August.

Me & Mere on the square

My dad ran a half marathon on Sunday. He won his age group. Go Dad!

Me & my dado...sigh, maybe one day I'll be able to run again. Does chasing Z count? ; )

Silly times

Me and my wonderful mom

Jason's and my family give us such joy. They are my strength so many days and keep me going. They love Reese, and she is a huge part of their lives, too.

Just for fun ~ pics of our three kids

Mere took this pic of Z. My big boy!

Our perfect baby girl

Our new little guy. Colson says, "I'm on my way!"

But You, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.

Psalm 3:3

Reese's Room

It has been my heart's desire these past few weeks that GOD would collect all of your prayers and lavish them on us when the time came for us to go through Reese's room and closet.

Hope to plan and prepare the nursery again began to invade my heart where only dread and sorrow had been.

The time came this weekend. It was a step I needed to take. I was as ready as I could be.

A sweet friend reminded me "...even Jesus asked at least twice "If there's any other way..." (Matthew 26:39 & 42) and ending with "...may Your will be done." Oh the faith it takes to pray that prayer... I think we are so conditioned to pray for safety and comfort that sometimes we forget His will isn't necessarily about either of those, but His will IS GOOD."

Putting away Reese's clothes and her little pretties represented many things to me, but it mainly meant closing the door on what our family would have been physically on earth with the four of us. Colson (and the LORD, of course) has opened my eyes to a new path of what our family will now be with Reese in Heaven.

GOD answered my prayers and many others yesterday as I felt completely covered with and carried by prayer. Thank you! The LORD was so gracious to allow me to feel such peace in something that could have been impossible to face.

As we emptied Reese's closet and room I wanted to fill it up just as quickly with things we have for Colson. I have been planning (in my mind) and shopping for his nursery for awhile. I have such a peace about having another little boy.

The nursery has been Zach's, Reese's and now Colson's room.

Reese, thank you for filling our lives with beauty eight months ago today. You've made Heaven more real, GOD's Word more alive, and my heart more full.

Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea so that the redeemed might cross over?

Isaiah 51:10