Why today was so precious

Sometimes you don't need any more words than the pictures you see.

Allison Lauryn is here!!!!

It is hard to believe that just 24 hours ago we all figured it was going to be at least another week or so before our daughter would be born. Well, I guess God has timing that we really can't predict. Jody had been on bedrest for 12 long weeks, was taken off bedrest at about 12:30PM Monday afternoon, only to be brought back into the hospital about 1:00AM Tuesday morning. At 12:30 this morning, Jody's water broke, and this time there was absolutely no question. We are so thankful for our neighbor's across the street - Pastor and Mrs. Cournoyer - for all their help. I know woke Pastor C out of a very deep sleep, but he very willingly came over to stay with our boys at 1:00AM

Anyway, we get to the hospital, check in, do all the fun stuff, and I get sent to the store at about 4AM for a few things. By that point Jody was uncomfortable, but still able to deal with it. We both got maybe 2 hours of sleep. By 8AM we knew this was going to be the day. At 11AM, Jody was dialated to "between 3 & 4" as the nurse said, and at 11:38AM Allison graced us with her presence. Yes, you read that right. Jody went from "somewhere between 3 & 4" to 10 and delivered a baby in only 38 minutes!

Allison was 6 pounds 1 ounce, 18.5 inches long. Mommy and baby are doing tremendous. Both are sleeping now (I presume anyway) and I have been sent home to get a little bit of rest before this even, but of course, it is so hard to sleep right now. We want to thank you all for your prayers. We know that only God allowed us to make it this far, and we do believe it is because of the faithful prayers of individuals like you.

I will try to get some pictures posted in the next few days.

False Alarm

Well, I guess God has decided that today is not the day. Please continue to pray though.

Is today the day?

If you remember, please keep Jody and baby in your prayers today. We are not totally sure, but we believe that Jody's water may have broken last night. She is in her bi-weekly appointment right now, so we will know soon enough. We are so thankful for all the prayers to this point, as this is the longest Jody has ever been pregnant by 1 week! Today was also the day that she was supposed to be taken off of bed rest (house arrest, whatever you want to call it). I will send an update when we know more.

Thanks again for your continued prayer.

--Brian

Just some random thoughts

Well, we are still waiting for our little one to be born. Starting this coming Tuesday this will be my longest pregnancy, which just seems a little weird to all of us, but we know that God is protecting our little one. One of Brian's co-workers made a comment to him the other day that "It has to be a girl, because if it were a boy he would be out by now. A girl on the other hand will only come out when she is good and ready!" I guess there may be some truth to that. We got a good chuckle out of it anyway.

Other than that, please continue to pray for Brian's job situation. We did find out last Friday that his last official day of employment is May 30, so that gives him some time yet, but I know this is all starting to wear on him. Like today for instance. He hasn't really heard anything about a job opportunity in about a week and a half to two weeks, which is much different that when this announcement first happened at the end of November, that from then through about mid to late January he was getting literally 6 recruiter calls A DAY, and very few actually in Minnesota compared to elsewhere. He has flown to Boston for a job interview, has talked with individuals in Miami (no thanks), Dallas, Atlanta, New Orleans (again, no thanks), Phoenix, Denver, Chicago, Indianapolis, Seattle, Las Vegas, Detroit and New York, and then today he talked with people from Northern California, Atlanta (again) and Virginia, and was contacted by email by recruiters from Los Angeles and Philadelphia. I know this is very hard for him, because he has wanted to move out of Minnesota for a long time, yet he also finds the thought of leaving very hard. We just enrolled our oldest son in K-4 (I can't believe he will be 5 in July already!), and then with the bed rest and getting through all the stuff going on at work, I know Brian is just mentally wiped out, and probably is just a little stressed out about everything, but honestly I don't think you would really know it. He is trying to be calm and understanding about everything, but I can tell that at times he has to be getting to a breaking point. But it is like he said the other day, now that he has his end date on paper, that is one less unknown he has to juggle.

Other than that, we are just waiting for spring to actually arrive. The last several weeks have been warm, then snowy, then warm, then snowy, then...well, you get the picture.

Anyway, I hope this blog finds you all in good health, good spirits and in a good relationship with God.

God has a sense of humor!

He really has to. I have come to that conclusion. Take today for instance. We were at the point that most of our snow was melted, even after two small snowfalls earlier in the week. Now today it is snowing to beat the band out, and not just the nice white fluffy stuffy. No. This is the wet, very heavy stuff. It is actually kind of nice (especially since it allowed me to work from home today), but I am ready for snow to be done for the year. The humor part...one of the weather people on the news this morning (again, don't ask me which one, they are all the same) was complaining that "how can you call today Good Friday when the weather is doing this"? Ironic, isn't it?

On the baby front, still not much happening. Jody is as uncomfortable as ever, but the baby is still hanging on. We appreciate your continued prayers, as we know that even though we are ready for this to be over, our precious baby is still premature and this is the best place for her.

My family and I would like to wish you all a very Happy Easter, and remember, Easter is because HE AROSE, not because some stupid bunny hid eggs or something like that!

At our Target Date

Well, although we know this, even though many times we seem to forget, God is GOOD! We have made it to our own target date of 33 weeks, which is even two weeks longer than the doctors originally gave us. We are very excited, but still nervous. Also, my life just got a little less stressful, as we finalized our standard annual filing with the SEC, so now I will have more time to focus on other things. God knew that I wouldn't be able to handle another thing like that.

Please continue to pray for Jody. I just got off the phone with her about 15 minutes ago. She is waiting for her bi-weekly doctor appointment. Her doctor got called into a delivery. She has been feeling very bad all weekend, she has dropped ALOT, and now she is a little nervous. Even though we made 33 weeks, we still want to make sure the baby is healthy. Thank you for your continued prayers, and we will continue to update you as things progress.

Oh, and please continue to pray for my job situation as well. God is opening and shutting doors, and it is going to be very exciting to see where He leads.

Brian

Everything still holding

Well, no baby yet! We are actually very grateful for this, and it appears as if we will make it past our early date of March 17, or week 33, which is when our youngest (and earliest) one was born. Jody is extremely uncomfortable, and every so often something will happen that makes us think it is time, but so far God has not allowed that to happen. We appreciate your prayers as we make it through the rest of this. I can say that Jody is officially "sick of bedrest and never wants to have to go on it again"! Can't say I blame her.

Sharing

Ok, so color me stupid! I guess I get to now share in a little bit of the pain my wife is going through (only a minute amount though I realize). Have you ever had one of those times where you are walking and you catch your foot on something, only to realize that you just ripped your little toe off (end of the bed, dresser, etc.)? Right now I can hear all of you cringing as you know what I am talking about. Well, I didn't do that. I went even one further and managed to, at full tilt and stride, ram my foot straight into the support of one of our beds, an old bunk bed with the big, square braces. Oh yes, straight on. The big toe and little toe missed completely, the other three weren't so lucky. In my own clumsy way, I managed to break the middle toe on my right foot! It is a nice shade of purple and black through most of the toe, and most of the time feels like it needs to be yanked as if out of joint, but it is not! TRUST ME ON THIS! I did try to "re-set" it thinking I might have dislocated it. Oh no, it's broken. How does this compare to the pain my wife is going through? It really doesn't in the grand scheme of things, and I realize that, but I guess it is about as close as I want to get to all of it!

As Jackson would say, "Daddy, you're so goofy!" I guess he's right.

Starting to understand reliance on God

Not that we haven't before, but with everything that has happened over the past couple of months, it is amazing to us, as well as rather convicting, just how easy it is to "rely on God" when things are easy. That is to say, we really don't. It is so easy to think that we have placed everything in His hands when everything is going smoothly, but throw a couple of wrinkles into the mix, and you get to see what you really have.

This has probably convicted me more than most things lately. Even when things aren't going well, I like to think that I have some sort of control in the matter, but now that I have a wife on bedrest, two little boys that need attention and stability, a job that is ending, and no real solid replacement at this time, I find myself "on my knees" so much more. Sometimes literally, but even figuratively. For those of you that don't know, I have a pretty decent commute to work (35 miles one way through the heart of traffice) so I get quite a bit of car time. God has really shown me lately that, rather than get upset with all the other non-qualified drivers in the state of Minnesota, I can just let traffic be what it may, and spend that energy in time talking to Him. He has shown me so much when I take the time to look and listen!

Anyway, just to update our current situation, Jody is really starting to feel cruddy. She even expressed this weekend that she thinks things are going to happen sooner than even we expected, but we are relying on God. The boys are starting to feel the stress of the situation, even though we are trying to keep their lives as normal as possible, which is difficult to do when you have two, and somtimes three, different people in your house each day. The job situation is starting to wear on both of us, but we know that God will provide in His time.

Sorry for the rambling, but I just felt I needed to get this out. We thank you for your prayers, and ask that you continue to pray that Jody doesn't feel undue stress from things, that the contractions will not continue to get worse, and that the boys will not be overwhelmed with the whole process of things.

Thanks again,

Brian

Latest word

Well, Jody went to her bi-weekly appointment last Friday, and we never heard back, which means nothing has changed yet. That is a good thing. Even more exciting for Jody was that her doctor told her that he was going to take her off bed rest around April 7, and then she is free to, and I quote, "run, jump, skip, walk the malls, shop to your hearts content" etc. in order to make this baby come. The only thing is that we figure by April 7 she will be off bed rest because the baby will have been born. Either way, we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Please continue to pray for her though, as her contractions are starting to hurt much more, and she made the comment to me over the weekend that her contractions are starting to feel more like labor pain contractions and less like "just some tightening", which is not necessarily a good sign. We really need to get at least another 3 weeks, and preferably at least another 4 weeks, so we really covet your prayers. Obviously it is all in God's hands, but as human beings, not having the "timeline" in hand really makes it a challenge.

Also pray for my family as everything is just taking its toll on Jody and the boys. Between the bedrest, the constant crudiness (not even sure if that is a word, but Jefferson just doesn't seem to be able to shake it) and all the uncertainty surrounding my job situation is putting a lot of stress on the three of them. Just pray that God will give them extra strength at this time.

As for the job situation, it is interesting, because right now I am averaging one call about a job opportunity here in the Twin Cities for every five to seven calls about job opportunities elsewhere in the U.S. We are anxious and excited to see what God is going to do in our family this year!

We also want to say thank you again to all our friends and ladies of the church that are taking time out of their schedules to take care of things for us: cleaning our house, watching the boys, helping Jody. I really don't know what we would have done without all of you.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Brian

Day by day

Well, we have entered into week 28 and so far - no baby! I know that probably sounds crazy, but we are actually very estatic. That means our baby girl is still growing and protected. We do ask that you continue to pray for us, as we have a lot to deal with right now.

First and foremost of course, is Jody and the baby. She has been on bedrest for 3+ weeks now, and I know she is getting sick of the whole thing. The contractions have started to hurt a little more, but still everything looks good, the baby is VERY active, and mom is doing well too, all things considered.

Also, pray for the boys. This has been very hard on them. We are so blessed to have so many family and friends that volunteer their time to come into our home Monday through Friday, cleaning, taking care of the boys, cleaning, helping Jody around the house, cleaning, making meal, oh, and did I mention cleaning? (ok, it is very selfish of me, I admit, but it is nice to know I don't have to come home and try to keep up with all of that too!). It is so hard on the boys though, having two different people (on most days) each day in the house, but they are doing very well. I feel bad for them, and will be glad when all of this is over and "normalcy" can take over again.

We also need your prayer as my job situation is really causing a strain on Jody. For those of you who don't know, I started at this company last June and thought I had found "work Utopia". I am working with wonderful people, my department is probably the best I have ever had, and I really enjoy going to work. In November, a merger between us and our biggest competitor was announced. Last Wednesday it was finally announced that the office would be moving to South Dakota, which means the majority of us here probably will not survive the merger shift. I have been looking since November, but not very seriously. I have had interviews and some potential, but now it could start to get more serious. Well, last week Tuesday and Wednesday I took a whirlwind trip to Boston. A company just outside of Boston flew me out to interview with them. This could be a potential new job, but it is hard because we would be moving away from friends and family to a place neither of us really have been (outside of my 20 hour trip) and a place where we do not know anyone (this is where Hebrews 11:8 gives us a little comfort). Top that off with a very pregnant wife, a son who is supposed to be starting school this fall, and several other things, and now Jody kind feels like the weight of the world is on her shoulders. Please pray that God works everything out in HIS time, but also that Jody will feel HIS peace and comfort on her. There are some job opportunities here too, so we are just looking and praying for HIS guidance.

Again, please pray for my wife and boys as they are really being stressed and taxed through all of this. Thank you

Brian

At least we know WHO is in control...

and we really glad it isn't us! I often get amazed at how many times we can think we have the 'perfect plan' or the 'perfect idea' only to find out we really don't know anything. Take Jody's bedrest for example (no really, please, TAKE IT, she is getting sick of it and we would love for someone to take it!). We knew this pregnancy, as with the two others, would be high risk, but yet God decided to show us that we really don't know as much as we think.

Then there is the situation with my job, that just in the past 12 hours has gotten even more obtuse to us. At this point I will not go into any details, but we are really asking for your prayers, as God is putting our faith in Him to what we feel is an "ultimate test". No, it is nothing that is unmanageable, but God has just allowed enough out of the ordinary things to take place that really have us on our knees right now.

In the end of it all, I sure am glad that I have the great I AM to depend on, because if I were in control, we would ALL be in trouble!

Brian

Through another week

We are so thankful for all of our family and friends that have been helping us through this time! We have people that are at our house from basically 8AM - 5PM taking care of the boys, helping Jody, and doing a myriad of other things: cooking, washing, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning (one individual even got on her hands and knees yesterday and hand scrubbed our wood floors!), all of which really makes it easier for all of us.

Jody has had an average week. Some days she does really well, other times the contractions take over. She did mention to me last night that her back is getting sore from having to stay in the bed all the time, so if anyone has any suggestions, prior experiences or any other ideas, we are all ears.

Thank you for your prayers, and we will keep you posted on the status of Jody and our not yet born baby girl.

This could be a long one!

Well, we all made it through the weekend. Jody is getting pretty restless already, and we still want to make it at least another 8 weeks before our baby is born. Jody told me that the idea of bed rest really sounds good for about two days, then after that it just feels like some kind of unpleasant confinement! I can only imagine.

The boys are getting more and more excited. Jackson can't wait to be the "big big brother" and Jefferson to be the "big brother". Jackson is getting to be such a big help. He enjoys helping out around the house and feeling like he is being important. Jefferson is getting to the stage of saying extremely funny things. His sayings now are "its delicious" (to everything he eats) and then all day yesterday he was walking around the house saying "no money, no ticket". Not really sure where he picked that one up, but still very cute.

Other than that, it was nice and cold here over the weekend. The average temp on Saturday and Sunday was -11. With windchill at one point got down to -31. So much fun!

Family update

Well, all the tests have come back and for now Jody gets to do her bed rest at home! The doctors will be doing this test they ran today called a "fetal fibro nectin" (I think that is how it is spelled) which is done on higher-risk mothers. As long as the results keep coming back negative, then Jody can stay at home for her bed rest. If the test at any time goes positive, then she will most likely spend the remainder of her pregnancy in the hospital.

Thank you for your prayers.

Please Pray!

This is just a quick post asking you to pray for our family at this time - especially my wife Jody and our unborn daughter.

As you can see from the top of the blog, Jody is not even to 25 weeks yet, and this has been a very difficult week for her. She is having anywhere from 15 to 25 contractions a day, and yesterday (Thursday) her Ob/Gyn put her on bedrest. This morning we are going to see her perinatologist (they specialize in premature/high risk pregnancies) and today we will find out if her bedrest can be at home, or if she will have to go to the hospital, which would be very hard on her and on our two very active boys at home!

We are praying that she can make it to at least March 17 (33 weeks) which was the timing of our youngest son's birth.

One blessing and positive note is that Jody still feels the baby alot, so for that we are very grateful.

Thank you for your prayers, and I will post an update later.