Unexpected Blessings

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart . . ."
Proverbs 3:5

Hello friends,

There are so many great "memes" out there - but I don't always have time to join in on the fun. Many times I have wanted to write on certain topics - but my computer time is limited with Baby Girl in the house. Usually I only update while she is napping because it is impossible to write with her underfoot. She is into everything and would have all my computer drawers emptied in a matter of minutes if she were in here with me! And I don't usually update at night because after I clean the kitchen, pick up Allie's toys all over the house and fold a load of laundry - my brain is mush and I'm too tired to write. :) Plus, that is my only time with Donnie - so computer time is limited in the evenings as well.

But I thought I would try to participate in one meme a week . . . and this week I'm joining in "Thankful Thursday" because today I am thankful for Unexpected Blessings.

Life is full of surprises and I always think of the quote from Forrest Gump . . .

"Life is like a box of chocolates . . . you never know what you are going to get."

This quote couldn't be more true. No matter how much you plan, pray or prepare - life doesn't always work out the way you think it will or the way you want it to. Sometimes life's surprises aren't very good at all and sometimes those surprises are wonderful . . . you never know what you are going to get. And then sometimes life can throw a surprise at you that turns into an Unexpected Blessing that you are oh, so very thankful for! Let me fill you in on our unexpected blessing . . .

Many of you know that I have a good friend, Rhonda, who lost her husband to cancer. She has 3 boys who are 11, 7 & 4 and they are good friends with my guys. We do a lot of things together and always have the best time. Well, over the past year Rhonda and my brother, Steve, became good friends and my brother would often help her with things around her house. Here's a picture of all of us last year at Disneyworld. This is really when Steve & Rhonda became friends.

Well that friendship grew into something more - which thrilled us all - and Rhonda and Steve started dating! Rhonda already felt like family and it just seemed natural that her and Steve were a couple. Rhonda's boys really like my brother and they all get along well.

Well, not long ago Steve and Rhonda shocked us all with the news that they are expecting a baby. What a big surprise that was to our entire family . . . I'm sure my jaw hit the floor when I heard the news because it was the last thing in the world I expected to hear. This pregnancy was not at all planned or expected and certainly didn't come under the circumstances we might have hoped for . . . but my - what a blessing it is!

"Having a child is surely the most beautifully irrational act that two people in love can commit."
Bill Cosby

Steve, Rhonda & the boys are all so excited about this new little one and our family is all of a sudden making baby and wedding plans. They just found out that the baby is another BOY! So Allie will remain outnumbered and will continue to be the only princess in the house. But how lucky she is to be protected by all these boys who love her so much.

I am so excited about this new baby . . . my nephew! I have prayed for years that my brother would meet the right girl, get married and have a family . . . and it is just amazing how God brought them together - even if things didn't quite happen in the order I prayed for. :) After watching my brother in the "uncle" role for the past 10 years, it will be so great to see him as a dad.

Needless to say, my parents were also very surprised with this news but welcome 4 new grandchildren with open arms.

And well, in a family where I am definitely outnumbered by the men myself - I am very excited to be gaining a new sister-in-law. Rhonda has been such a good friend throughout the years and already feels like my sister!

The boys are all excited that they will be cousins. We are quite a crew when we go out together - with 8 kids - soon to be 9! Allie is the only girl and she sure does get a lot of lovin' from all the boys!

Keller, Tyler, Devin, Kyle, Allie, Brandon, Hunter &
Josh (who is my step-brother)

So, yes, this baby was very unexpected - yet what a blessing it will be. And today I am so thankful for this new life! Please join me in praying for Steve & Rhonda and her boys. We all love Steve & Rhonda and will be here to help them and support them as they face the days ahead - adjusting as a new family and preparing for a new baby. May God wrap them in His love and guide their hearts in every decision they make together. And may He bless them with a very healthy pregnancy, delivery and baby boy! I can't wait to hold him . . . and you know I've already bought him a FROG outfit. :)

This Thankful Thursday I am grateful for this unexpected blessing that will be my nephew! His timing coming into the world might have been a big surprise - but God knows him and has formed him! This baby is most definitely wanted and will be loved so much.

For other Thankful Thursday posts, please visit Sting My Heart.

Ending with a scripture . . .

"So take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything."
1 Peter 4:8

Praying with so much love,