faces of loss, faces of HOPE

I submitted my abbreviated story to Faces of Loss, Faces of Hope last week and they put it up yesterday....

facesofloss.com

no, it's not faces o' floss, as it looks...haha.

Click the link above and scroll down a few ladies...I'm there. I guess if I'd realized they'd actually post my story, I would've maybe gotten more detailed or put some Scripture with it but all in all, I'm so glad it's there. Check it out!!

I put my miscarriage that happened in 2006 on there because honestly, when I get to heaven and meet the kid (see the book "Heaven is for Real"), I didn't want him/her to be mad that I didn't count him. We named him because that made him seem more real. Which he was, but I lost him at 12 weeks. He counted...he was real. Plus, having that miscarriage, as I wrote, really did help me to cherish my pregnancy with Molly so very much.

On to a busy Thursday...tally ho!

I'm alllll ready....

This is my birth kit...waiting and ready to be of service....

Here is everything else on my supply list, within arms reach of the midwives. I've been ready for way too long actually.

I'M SO READY.....

but apparently, Master Young is NOT. I know God is in control, and Jack will arrive when he's good and ready...but that does not make this any easier. I'm on hold. just not sure how much more of this I can physically take. I know, I'm whining. sorry.

I had consistent, 12 - 15 minute apart contractions in the middle of the night so naturally, I thought THIS IS IT!! yeah, no. I fell asleep, woke up and nothing. occasional twinges.

On a positive note, MH is coming at 11 today (less than an hour from now) and says she will do all in her power to get this thing started. I'm nervous, have to keep talking myself down from the ceiling but then I remind myself who is in control and all that good stuff. Perfect peace...He's delivered me 5 times before...and He will do it again. in His time. not mine.

That can be difficult to grasp, ya know? but a very promising reminder...

So, off to prepare for Mary Helen's visit and hopefully baby boy six. Hope this finds you enjoying this lovely almost last day of June...(our weather has been dreamy, actually!!)

UPDATE: MH just left...dilated to 3 cm, she definitely thinks by weekend but probably tonight or tomorrow. If he doesn't show up tonight, I begin castor oil bright and early. All the signs are in place, we are just waiting on Jack to put that old head down, which, when she checked, he moved it up...like "Hey, don't touch me!". brat. :) Hope to be back with baby news in the next day or so. Thanks for the prayers and encouraging words. I love you.

Nice distractions...

Probably the last pic of just 5 of our kids. We went to Cheesecake Factory Wednesday night to celebrate Father's Day and to get Mel her birthday cheesecake (she chose the Reese's one...eww.)

Apparently, this baby didn't come with a little pop out thingy that says when he's finished because I am STILL pregnant...and it's the day AFTER my due date. I'm beside myself because I have never ever ever been in this position. I have a lot of thoughts going thru my head, some of them are freaky and I just can't help but wonder what God is trying to teach me. I'm open, waiting to learn...but failing. just keep swimming, just keep swimming....

Hey BIG LADDDDYYYYY! (totally reminds me of a story from my pregnancy with Will...I'll have to blog about it someday...) this just looks painful...ouch. help meeeee!

Hi there. How are ya?

I'm trying to stay positive, keep smiling (hence the smiley songs on playlist..yes, Justin Bieber makes me smile. Leave me alone), stay busy so I don't dwell too deeply on the fact that I'm going to be pregnant FOREVER.

Today's date is rather significant for this child of the 80's. Here's why...

~Today is George Michael's birthday (I know) and today is his birthday. I loooooved Wham! when I was a kid...yeah, he doesn't have the greatest character but I still remember his birthday.

~Two years ago, on this very day, Michael Jackson passed away (or so they say). I was a big MJ fan as a youngster. I still appreciate a lot of his musical talent though his character also was less than stellar. so what (that's pregnant me talking)...

I've told the baby that if he doesn't come TODAY, I will name him either George Michael Young or Wacko Jacko Young. no pressure.

In all seriousness, I think we've chosen baby boy's name and it has Godly purpose. We asked the Lord to bless us with our 6th baby, if He'd bring some JOY along with him. I'm not saying that we will always be JOYFUL because the baby is here, but we are praying for the reminder of Joy in spite of ourselves.

We kinda wanted to implement initials of said baby with the JOY acronym (that's an acronym, right? correct me if I'm wrong...) If it was a girl, we wanted to name her Olivia Joy Young (yes, out of order but Joy would still be there) and we've had a harder time with a boy. We've tossed different ideas around...I think we've settled on Jack Oliver Young. Please don't refer to him as JOY (I can totally hear that Johnny Cash song "A boy named Sue" in my head)...but he is our JOY baby.

Maybe that's why he's making us wait...we need to find the true meaning of JOY. It's a choice. I will choose JOY today. even though, with every contraction, I freak out a little bit more...joy, joy, joy....and can I say that once he does arrive, you all, as far as Japan, will probably hear me whooping and hollering with JOY!!

David and Ethan are working over in Centerville so the remaining kids and I are going to visit the Greenwood Freedom Festival. Parade, booths, too many people. A nice distraction...thank you, Shellee, Nic, Tory, and the rest of you on Facebook etc. for your kind, caring words and prayers. I deeply appreciate them and ask that you keep them coming. Hopefully the next time I'm on here, it's to post pix of baby Jack on here. we can HOPE.

Hugs...

Happy Belated Father's Day...

To all of you daddios out there...I'm sure that one of the only father's that reads my blog is my very own...Thanks Dad. Thanks for holding me accountable with my beloved blog.

This distinguished, salt and peppery haired guy is one of the finest dads around.

He is a hard worker, very dedicated to his company, his employees, his associates and his customers. A rare find these days...I really do love you, David.

this guy is my dad...you can see where I get some of my good looks. :) and my beard.

He is not only a fine father, but a stupendous grandpa. Molly's cherubic face pretty much sez it all.

And this is where I should put some pix of my father in law, Carl, but unfortunately, I don't have many pix of him floating around. So here's to you, Carl...Thanks for instilling some amazing character into your firstborn son. We are eternally grateful for your involvement in our husband's/dad's life.

Last but most certainly not least, I am so thankful for my Heavenly Father...His mercy endures forever and He is my strength. Now, if He'd just push the button to get #6 out, I'd be sure to shout from my very own rooftop just how much I love Him. Which I should do anyways...but it's kinda dangerous in my fragile condition. Thank You, Lord, for saving my wretched soul!

Happy Father's Day, Guys!!

So, yeah, Will has poison ivy. David is coming down off the sickness/work too much for one's own good high. Molly keeps tinkling in her pants. Levi ruined his fairly new sandals on the treadmill tonight. Melanie is loving her new bike. I'm still flipping pregnant. I'm at the stage now where you SWEAR you will never ever (let's hope D's surgery was successful) want to have another baby. Still numb in my ribs, baby's not moving about as much, which leads me to believe he is hunkering down and getting ready to "head" out. ha ha. Braxton Hicks are getting more intense and general discontent and irritability is at an ALL TIME HIGH. watch out!

The way I've felt today, lack of breath, general laziness mixed with spurts of energy, weird aches, cause me to wonder if THIS is the night. Pop goes the weasel. Please pray for me...the general funk that is settling over me and my house is disconcerting. just down right weird. David and the kids prayed for me tonight...whatta gang.

So I guess until Jack shows up, my posts will be pretty repetitive and for that I am sooo sorry. I can't wait to put some pics on here of our new fella. I'm soooo ready to meet him, see his sweet little face. Just CAN'T wait. <>

gotta go finish some worky stuff for my hubs and go lay back down on my bed. Fingers, toes crossed for a baby party TOMORROW. too much to ask? prolly. o well. Hope this finds you well...hugs!

prego pix by Nat!

umm, can someone help me hold this up? (whoa, big laddddy!)

Molly and Ryan...adorableness.

In a month, when my tummy is still this big but extremely squishy, I will cry when I see this picture. :)

I simply love David's impish grin in this pic. he's just cute.

again, in one month, do you actually, as Brittany said on Facebook, think I will want anyone to take a concentrated photo of my midsection? you're right, no.

the Y block kept moving because the little guy was kicking right then. it was kinda cute. such a clever pic, Nat.

love this.

with God's help, we did this. weird.

so artsy.

love child. isn't Daveyboy just cute as he gets older? I be thinkin' so. fine wine.

I really just can't wait till #6 is not shrouded in our family photos. it will be so nice to have him here. and to be done. amen. love this amazing group of peeps.

and to end with one of my faves. here's to hands, which I've posted about (back in March/April)....I LOVE THIS PICTURE. I love all these grubby little hands and not so little hands. Mel wishes she hadn't had her nails painted but it's cool to me because it makes her hand stand out.

David's next to last sister, Natalie, a semi-frequent subject on my blog and off to the right side, you can view her blog, Next to Last, was wanting to increase her portfolio for her photography. I volunteered our family. Also, my midwife suggested we get some pix to document this last pregnancy. What stinkin' fun was this? So, all credit goes to Nat...and if you are in this area or western Illinois/Danville/Georgetown, may I suggest using her services? She is chock full of groovy, and clever ideas and very willing to take any suggestions. Great work, chick. I know who will be taking Will's senior pix...and so on. Thank you so much, NS. We love 'em and thank you for the opportunity to get some great shots.

So this weekend will be rather crazy hectic...last soccer games tomorrow (can I get an amen? can I get a whoop whoop??), grad open house for fellow homeschool family, and hopefully time to get the pool all hooked up and ready for the warmth...I am soooo very excited about this. Sunday will find David heading back to his camp out in Richmond but with no soccer or Biology, we might be able to be lazy. maybe I can get the lawn mowed completely. and plant my tomatoes.

Well, I need to run, gotta pick up Mel from Kaleo and get to sleep (ha ha. yeah right) for the busy day ahead. Hope this finds you well and gearing up for a lovely weekend.

This just may be the day...

It's 3:48 a.m. I have been up for the past two hours, with gradually more consistent contractions. They are not the sweet little Braxton Hicks ones that we get to enjoy mid-pregnancy to near the end...these are the kind that you can feel them opening up your ol' body to bring the kid out...youch.
I have called the midwife to make her aware but she said to wait it out till they become more consistent.
Well, I will get back on if anything changes but I need to get back to my not so enjoyable late night/early morning television...hopefully next time I come here, it will be with pix of our baby...o i hope so.
Pray for me..I'm scared and hurting!
Love Laurie