Resurrection- New Life

Easter has been hard for me for the last 5 years.  In the beginning of Lent, I always would think about remembering -our death, brokenness, and places that are suffering-the things we are supposed to be reminded of on Ash Wednesday and the 40 days through Lent.  But on Resurrection Sunday, I would always be so sad and disappointed that new life did not happen within my body. It was still broken and suffering.  I always felt as though nothing changed.  I always had many pregnant friends around me and craved to have the new life growing in me like it was in them.  . .

This year, my friends it is.  I can't believe it.  This is the happiest Easter I can remember in my life.  When I got up this morning, after looking in Monika's room, I couldn't stop crying-tears of JOY, excitement, hope, love . . . I am having a baby.  I decided to wear water-proof mascara because instead of crying a lot on Easter like I have the last few, this year was so different--it was tears of intense joy. What started it all was I took a picture of this glorious drawing from Stevie, our dear friend's Tony & Angie son and texted it to friends.

I framed it yesterday because we are hanging things in the nursery tonight, super exciting. Stevie drew this picture-when he found out we were having a girl named Monika and that's all Tony & Angie said. I feel like Stevie is a prophet and he's only 5--he must have great parents ey?  In the drawing, Todd is holding up Monika straight over his head like Simba in Lion King and I am next to them.  You can sense the joy, the excitement, and the feeling of "YES! WE DID IT" in the drawing.  I love this drawing. It started the tears of joy this Resurrection morning.

 Then at church, the joy was present. Monika had hiccups for 5 minutes during the sermon and all I could do was smile and put my hand over where I felt them.  What a joy was I all could think.  Last Easter I never ever thought I'd be here this Easter.  New life inside of me and it is such a glorious gift.  Then my friend Sarah was sitting next to me and while my eyes were closed for prayer I felt her son, who was on her lap, Henry, touch my belly.  I opened my eyes and he said "Baby? Baby!" and smiled.  Yes, sweet Henry, there is a baby, I can't believe it either.


Todd and I are now putting nursery furniture together and it's so much fun.  But I'll post more when it's done.  I know I'm super behind on blogging.  So first, this week, on Tuesday, March 25, Heather Marie, popped in for a visit . . .

she got to feel Monika Marie for the first time with the flash light trick.  She got to see and tour our house and I made her a latte. It was awesome.

This is the last picture update Tuesday March 19, 28 weeks.  (i'm 2 weeks behind I know) And Monika is the size of a Chinese Cabbage, 2.25 lbs, and 14.8 inches long.

 

Thursday March 21 through Monday March 25, I flew to Chicago.  My mom & sister through me a baby shower on Saturday March 23.   I got to hang with my family for 2 days and go wedding dress shopping with my sister! YEAH! She's engaged! We are so excited, congrats Becky & Paul!  I'll post more pictures from the shower when I get them.

 And I got to visit Maggie & her 2 children.  Above is Mags & I at the Easter egg hunt at Morgan's preschool--it was 30 degrees, yikes!

Here is Morgan, with her face painted, me, and Maggie's son Logan.  I love the Berg children! I had so much fun with them. 

More later.