More Fingerprints...

Brandon and I are just in awe as we watch our family. The task of raising four (soon to be five!) little blessings really feels like too much for two people to do alone-- but we have God's help and He is so good to us!

His provision is great and it always has been. The more we trust and walk this road, the more He shows Himself to us in little and BIG things.

Here are just a few of the ways that He has shown Himself through our most recent trials.

1. Our family doctor was just speechless when we went in for our last weight check. He said he was embarrassed by the way that various medical professionals have treated us. When I left, I left with his business card in tucked away in my wallet, with his cell phone number written on the back. Now, we've been through a lot of doctors with insurance changes and moving and I have never received a doctor's cell phone number, ever. He trusts us to use it responsibly and we will. But if we are ever in a pinch again... we have it. Our doctor has also told us if we call to get an appointment for Xander and we are told he is booked, to call his voicemail and leave a message. He wants Xander to have continuity of care and prefers that he is the one to see him all the time, rather than his partners. (Not that there is anything wrong with his partners, but Xander's case is a bit complicated.)

2. Our church has been amazing to us. I do not find it a coincidence that we floundered searching for a church home for so long after moving here, yet all this unfolded as soon as we were settled in our church. Cool Spring's people are amazing. They have really stepped up and gone above and beyond anything we could have imagined. Prayers, dinners, hospital visits, phone calls, surprises, really... we are so blessed. I'm often moved to tears when I think about it, and ask God to let them reap far more than they have sown into us.

3. Due to the way things played out, my Auntie Karon was here for Lainey's birthday this year. Last year, she was able to either meet up with us or be here for Julianne's and Xander's birthdays. And she was here shortly after Solomon was born. But this year, Lainey had her Auntie Karon in attendance and she was so excited!

4. Due to Xander's medicines all needing compounded, we have met the most amazing pharmacist. We had to go to the little pharmacy in our little town to have Xander's prescriptions compounded, but the pharmacist read the prescriptions and stopped to ask me "What is going on with little Xander?" I explained the saga, and he was very encouraging and helpful. As I waited for the prescriptions, I got to see him interact with other customers and he was just as kind to each of them. Now, I'll drive out of my way to get to that pharmacy.

5. Xander is coming around. Slow but steady wins the race! It is exciting to watch his personality come back along with his willingness to eat a wider variety of foods. We still aren't at the goal, but we are making progress. His diapers are much better than they have ever been before, even though he has lots (!!!) of dirty diapers each day. Still, I'm clinging to the progress. We've come so far, Baby!

6. Our adoption worker from Xander's adoption agency has really stood by our side. She is always so amazed at the lengths we are willing to go to care for our children. Anyway, we were approached about an adoption situation and before anyone has a heart attack, we let her know that right now the timing just isn't right. We also let her know what was going on with Xander, and she was very compassionate and looked back through the file to see if she had any kind of medical clues for us to help. She also said that if we ever really, really needed to have some additional questions answered by his birthmom that she would be willing to facilitate that for us. She is a Believer and is praying very hard for our son. Xander captured her heart when he was born and he still has a grip on it. She literally dances in the lobby when I stop by with pictures of Xander but her favorite times for us to stop by are when we walk in with him. She just adores him. She isn't in the adoption field for the money, it is truly her calling. <3 her!

We do have a new prayer request though. We have to call around to various labs and attempt to find a lab that does a certain test for Cdiff. It is more sensitive than the test that was done at St. Mary's. If we can have this one test done, it will be so much more accurate for us. If we cannot find someone that does this test (closer than driving back to DuPont to drop off a dirty diaper!) then we have to do the other test, which requires three samples and still is not as sensitive.

Please pray we find someone to do the sensitive test. I have orders for both, just in case, but it would really set me at ease to see the results from the sensitive test. This will be my task on Monday so we have a few days to pray! (He can be tested from Tuesday to Friday next week.)

Father, You still amaze me! The way that You take care of the details, before we even know what we need continues to amaze us. We love You and are so blessed to have the opportunity to raise FIVE children to know and love You. Your fingerprints are so evident in our lives. Continue to keep our eyes open, especially when things get tough, so that we can see Your presence! Love You and praise You, Amen!

~Stephanie

Happy 5th Birthday, Julianne Arissa!!!

Birthday season has really been busy this year! (All of the children were born in Feb-June with only March as a break!)

Dear Julianne,

Goodness me! Time has flown. My pregnancy with you was the hardest but I always knew that you'd be worth it. We fought to conceive you and we fought to carry you as long as I did. I had faith that God was going to allow you to come to us even when things looked bleak. I'll never forget Daddy rubbing my hair while I was in the operating room. I was so curious about what was going on, on the other side of the blue curtain. Daddy peaked and said "You don't want to know!" Did I mention he was white as a ghost? All I wanted was to hear you cry and the first thing my OB said was "Mom, her lungs are fine." You really let those nurses have it!

You are growing up to be such a sweet, lively little girl. Your nickname has been "Sass" and "Sassy" since you were old enough to talk. You earned it honestly and for quite some time you had a very smart mouth. Overtime, it's turned into quick wit and hilariousness with a touch of sass, but you've definitely learned to reign that in.

You live life with exuberance. You smile easily. You love thoroughly! I don't know who is more excited about our next adoption, you or me. But your face lights up when you talk about "another brother or sister." Every time you see baby clothes you say "Oh this would be PER-FECT for the new baby!"

Just recently, I asked you what if the baby was a boy instead of the girl you've prayed for and you answered "It'll still be a baby and that is all that matters." Well said, my sweetie.

You feel everything to extremes and while that means that when you are happy, you are really happy, it also means when your feelings are hurt, they are very hurt. This past year you've learned that Mommy appears unaffected when you tell her that you aren't friends with her anymore. While it pierced my heart, you had to learn that I'm mommy first. I will always love you to the moon and back.

You and I are so much alike and while at times it causes us to butt heads, it also means that I can read your mind and predict your reactions usually. You also look most like me and I have to say, it's pretty amazing looking into "my" eyes when we look at each either.

I pray that you continue to live life to the fullest. I pray that you always love your youngest siblings as much as you do right now. I pray that you are always the little firecracker that you are. I pray that you never lose your stubborness but instead learn to channel it to the things that really matter.

I can't wait to see who you turn out to be. But remember our conversation in the van today. No matter how big you are, no matter how many "fingers" or "hands" you are, no matter how tall you are--you will always be my baby. I'll always be your safe place to land and I'll always be your corner. No matter what.

Love you to the moon and back, times infinity,

Momma

Happy Birthday, Baby Boy!

Ahhh... It's here, Soli-boy-- Your first birthday! This year has been a blast and a blur. And every morning, I pinch myself because I still feel like I'm in a dream!

You, my dear sweet boy, have been the easiest Bee Baby yet! You are so laid back and happy. You laugh and smile easily, go with the flow and in general are just so mellow. You are the longest "mama holdout" too. You still prefer mama to daddy although I cherish each moment that you prefer me because I know soon the pendelum is going to swing towards Daddy hard! Then I'll only be good enough if you are hungry or hurt, if Daddy is home.

But I'll always get to brag that you are the first Baby Bee to say "Mama" before "Dada." Attaboy!

All of us are shocked when we compare how much you look like your big sister, Julianne. She is thrilled that you look so much like her. Although she says that your hair is "totally, totally differwent!" *giggle*

Lainey loves to help me feed you baby food even though she says she has "No idea!" how you can stomach your veggies mixed with your fruits. We whisper that when you are around because you think you don't like veggies, my dear. Yup... Mama has tricked you but it is for you own good.

Xander loves to bring you toys and pat your head. One day you'll be best friends and thick as thieves. We often joke around about how much mischief you'll get into together. Oh the stories I'm sure I'll get to tell!

I love to hear you clap when we get excited about something. Know that I'll always be in your corner clapping for you! I pray special blessings over you. I pray you grow up to be a wonderful man. If you are half the man that your Daddy is, you'll make a young lady very happy one day. You are SO much like your Daddy, sometimes I make sure that there isn't a cord attaching you to him.

I pray you continue to show such amazing patience, that you always laugh and smile easily and that you always have a place in your heart for your family... especially your Mama!

I've loved learning your habits and your likes and dislikes. Can't wait to see who you turn into!

~Mama

Happy 2nd Birthday, Xander (An Open Letter)

(Please excuse the lack of spacing, I'm having problems with Blogger.) Xander- Man, I'll never forget waiting for the internet connection to load my very first glimpse of you. I must have refreshed the picture 10 times trying to get it to load. I never imagined on that day that I could love you more than that very second the computer loaded one of the most beautiful faces I've ever seen-- my very first son to call me Mommy. And then I held you the next day. And I never imagined it could get better than holding your tiny self in my arms and rocking so much! I thought we were going to wear out the rocking chair! Thankfully it held up as I rocked you those weeks until your discharge from the hospital. And then, I brought you home! I think about that trip with a lump in my throat. You hated the car... and I wanted nothing more than to hold you tight and assure you it would be okay. We laughed as Daddy drove slow. We prayed through red lights. And as soon as Daddy pulled in, I jumped out of the van and started unfastening your carseat-- the van wasn't even in park yet! With each milestone, I've loved you even more. Each time I think surely I could never love you anymore than I already do! I already cry thinking about the man you are so quickly growing up to be. You are already so strong. You already treat your sisters and Mama with such gentleness. Your "I yo yo" (I love you's!) melt me into a giant puddle of tears several times each day. You've come so far, baby... I can't imagine you one day towering over me. But I know one day you will. I pray you grow into a wonderful leader for your future family yet you maintain your gentleness. I pray you continue to live life with zeal. I hope you always laugh full force. And most of all, I pray you grow to intimately know the God that loves you SO very much! I pray you seek Him with reckless abandon and your heart breaks for the very things that break His. We love you and can't imagine our lives without you. Quite simply, you amaze me son. No matter what, I'll be your mama-- because family is forever. Love ya to the moon and back times infinity, Mama

Hi Friends!

I've been gone for quite some time (It's been busy around here!) but I hope to catch you up soon.

For now I'll leave you with this:

Solomon Kincaid

May 31st, 2010 (36W5D)

2:14pm

6 lbs 15 oz

19 3/4 inches long

We are so very blessed!

~Steph

It's been busy around here!

Well.. more busy than usual. *grin*

Brandon and I have always seemed to have a very fast paced life. So what we consider a "slow time" still receives comments from friends and family like "Don't you EVER slow down?" Oh and we got lots of "Number 2 will slow you down." And that was followed by "Number three will slow you down." Well.. now we are starting to get "Number 4 will slow you down." HA! I think each one adds a little bit more speed to our "busy." But we do slow down.. in our own way.

So let me catch you up.

1. I've been busy thinking about revamping our homeschool for the 2010-2011 school year. Our homeschool is an ever evolving process and I'm okay with that. After 20+ years of watching my mom change her thoughts and plans as a public school teacher, I see this as a normal and good thing and it doesn't freak me out. January starts what I call "Homeschool Season" with new catalogs arriving and conventions. I've been keeping a working document on my computer with my thoughts and what I'm looking for for each subject so that will help me decide. This next year will add the challenge of adding another "little" as I teach Lainey who will be in 2nd grade this coming fall. 3 littles, 1 student and 1 teacher/mom. Some days it feels frazzled but Lainey gave me the best compliment that I could ever receive as a homeschool mom. We were at a restaurant and someone asked her what grade she is in. She said 1st. Next they asked about her teacher.. do you like your teacher? She said "Oh she's great.. and she's my mom. We homeschool." This big blob of hormones had to fight back tears.

Sooo.. we are keeping Math-U-See. As a visual learner this is a definitely a plus in my book (and Lainey's.) She loves the video lesson that she watches once a week and loves playing with (ahem.. manipulating) the blocks as she does the work each day. Thumbs up!

For science and history/social studies we'll be using a unit study approach by Christian Cottage. Unit studies will be new for us but I love the way the curriculum is laid out and compared to other unit studies, this is a steal of a bargain!

Bible, phonics, reading and grammar are still up for discussion although the field is narrowing quickly. I'm also looking at more "fun" elective type things for Lainey to explore this coming school year. One of the huge advantages of homeschooling is that you can really tailor your child's learning to the way that they learn best and what they are passionate about or interested in. The flip side of that, is that the choices are numerous so you really have to pick and choose what works best for your family.

2. We are going to a convention! HEAV has their convention in Richmond in June.. but it is pushing it due date/delivery wise, especially if I follow my past pattern. I've not seen a due date yet without holding a baby in my arms (for successful pregnancies.) Walking a convention either hugely pregnant or newly delivered is not my idea of fun. So we branched out. We'll be attending the Midwest Homeschool Convention in April! It's in Cincinnati, Ohio which is exciting for Brandon and I since we've never been. Brandon actually has never been to a homeschooling convention and I only attended one day of the HEAV convention last year.

3. We are taking a detour to the Creation Museum the day before the convention starts. Brandon and I have wanted to go for quite some time and we are finally going to be near enough for a little detour. I can't wait to report back!

4. There is a tiny rumor that we are expecting snow on Friday and Saturday. Saturday is my new shopping day after being moved for Brandon's schedule. Normally that would not worry me but since we've been doing the Pantry Challenge, things were looking pretty bare. So we went shopping to replenish things.

5. Xander is highly mobile! We've had to put the Bee House on lockdown with babygates. Not only is now a speed crawler he is also pulling up on things and taking steps to reach for things. He also has a new found love for touching things that are not his. He is by far my youngest mobile child in the history of Bee children at 9 months old. For example: Lainey was barely pulling up and walking holding onto both of my hands at 13 months. We have a record breaker on our hands folks!

6. Lainey's 7th birthday is coming up and we've been busy preparing for that celebration. Since moving so far from family, we've greatly toned down birthdays. But they are still fun and she'll still feel special on her special day. I'm trying not to think about how much my first baby has grown and blossomed because I do not want to get mushy. I'm usually fighting back tears around 4:48pm on her birthday which is when my first princess made her appearance now almost 7 (goodness is that really right?) years ago.

7. I'm 19 weeks today! Given my above mentioned history of delivering early, I'm over halfway through this pregnancy! It seems to be flying by! Maybe the distraction of my three little blessings are helping that right along. I'm still feeling good. I do have some back pain but after three surgeries on it, I think I'm holding up okay. I'm still losing weight and don't have much appetite. My love for chicken has returned.. so that is nice! Every now and then I do experience nausea but it's nothing my little friend Zofran can't handle. Sleeping isn't going so well lately but I'm just dealing with it at this point. I'm craving protein A LOT and carbs just aren't doing it for this former carb junkie. Brandon is a little concerned about my lack of appetite and he doesn't think I'm eating enough. We'll see. My next appointment is February 2nd and hopefully we will see a beautiful, healthy baby and know the sex. I can't wait to announce the name we've chosen! This was the easiest name decision we've had so far, although actually finding names is quite difficult for us.

8. Speaking of craving protein, Brandon and I realized that Q Barbeque is here in Richmond! Brandon has been watching TLC's BBQ Pitmasters and I put two and two together when we saw the logo after my dentist appointment. So we stumbled in yesterday. And guess who was standing behind the counter? Tuffy Stone himself. He is a very nice, friendly, humble gentleman and he chatted it up with Brandon. Brandon asked if he could take a picture with the pit and Tuffy said sure.. and even took pictures with us! It was BY FAR the best BBQ I've ever had... although that may get me disowned by some of the in laws since I married into BBQ Royalty. Oh well.. I'm honest.. right? Oh and this Georgia girl approves their sweet tea and banana pudding! (It's very hard to find good tea here and the pudding tastes just like mine.. so maybe I'm a touch biased?)



9. The Church hunt is back on. We actually have a few candidates on our list. They are a bit of a drive (25 miles) but we are thirsty and hungry and NEED a church home!

10. Taxes are prepared but not filed. We are waiting on Xander's birthcertificate to arrive and then we can apply for a social security card. I'm SO excited and can't wait to call Dave Ramsey with our debt free scream! It's coming soon folks!

PS: I finally figured out how to hyperlink! Thanks Google!