A walk down memory lane...

...or not. I was about to reminisce and post some pictures I have taken over the years of 2 little boys that grew very special to me before I had my own. But, the location on the computer where these priceless pictures of mine should be is empty. And even the CD on which I expected to find the back ups is missing SO, while trying not to spend too much time searching for them or worrying that they are forever gone, I'll go ahead and post the rest of the pictures that I was trying to lead up to with those. I met these beautiful boys (insert picture here of bright eyed brothers eating watermelon while dripping on their bare bellies:) when they were just two and four years old. I had just began working at a daycare after Ryan and I moved up to Michigan from Florida. To say they stole my heart is an understatement. And I love them and have a desire to see them grow and flourish and know the greatness of God's love and purposes for them to this very day. I have thankfully been able to continue in relationship with them and their family even after having my own and, several months ago was able to spend time photographing them which I first posted about here. And, finally, here are a few of the other shots from that day. If you have had the chance to meet these boys whether it was when I brought them with me to Illinois or when they ran around church weekly taking a hug or high five from whoever would give them one, I'm sure you'll be just as amazed as me to see them so grown up.

the whole family

their adorable little sister

cool with "B" and kisses for mom

their mom who is a natural in front of a camera

a whole lot of silliness:)

"J" (7 years) and "L" (9 years) with one of their step sisters

handsome boy

nothing compares

Today I am full of thoughts, gratitude, and encouragement after a very rejuvenating day of rest. I really have not been honoring God by having a consistent day of rest lately. But today, I did some juggling so that I could free myself of any extra responsibilities. In some ways I feel like the refreshing I felt inside of me today was a breath of fresh air straight from God as a result of honoring His ways. He tells us over and over to have a day set apart from all others.

As I sang to God this morning at church I felt very alert and aware and able to communicate with Him. Some times its just not like that and that is OK. But today I enjoyed the way I sensed His presence. Jayce also was drumming away with a freedom that he doesn't usually have unless he is at home and, either very comfortable, or unaware of who is around. But today, he joined right in with the worship team and beat his djembe unashamedly and joyfully-right to the last beat. At one point, when I realized what I was hearing, even I, knowing of his gift, was in awe to see that his heart and his hands were so able to be moved by the Holy Spirit. He lingered after we were done instead of running off to Sunday school and I knew it was because he had felt God and didn't want to leave. On the way home after having a nice lunch with friends I said, "I felt the Holy Spirit today." And he responded, "I did too." I asked, "What did that feel like to you?" And He said, "It feeled like He was touching me every minute."

As I thought about this and the way I felt today I thought about the words of the song that say, "and nothing I desire compares to You." I can honestly say that I have found this to be true. I don't always live like it's true, but I have, without a doubt, never found anything or anyone that holds the ability to compare to knowing Jesus and the the life, joy, freedom, hope, fulfillment and strength that He has given to me-in my greatest times and my most difficult of times-when I am interacting with Him, living according to His way, and acknowledging Him.

well hello there...

Tonight I got to take some photos for one of my favorite families around. And even though I'm quite exhausted tonight from an on-the-go kind of day, I just had to take a second look at this photo after I caught a glimpse this sweet little guy "waving" at me while the pictures were uploading. I had the great priviledge of being at his birth in March and now, as of today, he is 8 months old. And clearly, he is perfect and as happy as can be!

10 things I thoroughly enjoyed in the past 24 hours...

10. Leaving the house while all my boys were still sleeping peacefully this morning and getting to flip and fold shirts at Target for over an hour straight which gave me the opportunity to pray for many people and ponder many things.

9. Jayce. Who very seriously organized a funeral for his imaginary co-worker's imaginary dog who he said died because it "had a fever of 74-67-72" or some numbers close to that. He lined up chairs, had the (stuffed)dog laying nicely in a "casket" made out of 2 bean bags, passed out tissues, played music, and even had a picture he drew of the dog hanging on the wall. Ryan and I were in attendance. I dont share this to trivialize death at all. It is something Jayce has been processing deeply over the past 3 months, and for all the serious, beautiful and thoughtful questions he has asked throughout this time, I was glad for this expression of processing that came through in his "play"-though it was no joking matter. (which made me ever so grateful for the tissues he handed out because he was being so very cute I could not control my laughter and had to hide it somehow)

8. Raking our leaves to "Cameron Drive" perfection. There have aways been things about our yard that are not up to par for Cameron Dr. But tonight, leaves in the yard are not one of them.

7. Tyrus. Who is so very pleased about the miniature Christmas tree we let him get out a few nights ago. He takes it from room to room while continuing to wish we could get the big Christmas tree out. (Which I firmly explained---while showing him the calendar---would not be coming out until after Thanksgiving.) Should anyone struggle to find their holiday excitement this season, I think they'll just need a little dose of Tyrus.

6. Going out with my husband for a long awaited date while the kids were at AWANA...hearing some of his ideas, laughing together and actually having a baby name discussion/search that lasted for over 2 minutes.

5. Getting a few things crossed off the to do list that have been on there far too long!

4. Finding Tyrus in the hallway with only his shirt and boxers on-iron plugged in, pants in hand, telling me he wanted to iron his pants. I found him adorable in the moment, while immediately starting the obvious lecture about not using the iron without mommy and thanking God he hadn't gotten to the point of turning it on yet-esp. since it was face down on the hard wood floor. He has developed quite the interest in changing his clothes over the past several days. I think his record number of different outfits worn in one day stands at 4 which is probably not many compared to what his sister might eventually try, but it sure does make for a lot of laundry if I don't catch the fact that half the load is clothes Ty only wore for an hour.

2. The kicks of our baby girl which are getting stronger by the day. And the growing love of her brothers. Yesterday while eating a muffin he had picked out, Jayce suddenly pushed it, half-eaten, towards me. I asked if he had decided he didn't want it and he empahatically said, "Oh no, I do, but I want you to try it so my sister can have some."

1. The sunset tonight. Bright and golden with vibrant orange and purple. Amazing.

God still speaks...even to 4 year olds.

The news that we are indeed having a baby girl has had me reflecting on Jayce---and his heart which is incredibly sensitive to God and wise beyond his years. This might not sound like it ties together, but here is the deal. Jayce told us very early on in my pregnancy that God told him we were having a girl. He told us the the same story about when and where God told him this on several occasions. And he held to his child like faith through the weeks of waiting for our ultrasound. Meanwhile, I was trying to figure out how to encourage his faith and ability to hear God yet prepare him for the potential of a boy. Those 2 things don't go very well together and really made me feel like a mom who lacks faith in God and in my child because the potential of a boy was simply not an option in Jayce's mind. And I found out at times like this...while looking at a picture of my cousin's beautiful family who recently adopted their daughter from Ethiopia, Jayce commented, "They have 4 brothers and then a sister and we have 2 brothers and then a sister." I nicely and calmly said, "yeah, that's what you think isn't it buddy?" To which he replied in a sweet but very sure tone, "I don't think; I know." oops.

Well, I will never ever forget the moment when the ultrasound tech announced that we were going to have a little girl. I teared up instantly. It was relief and excitement and one more step towards knowing our child. And as I glanced at Jayce he looked at me wide and teary eyed and with one big swoop of his hand he wiped a tear from his face too.

7-6, Girls take the lead

Yes, its true. Nearly 9 years ago I came into the Moody family of 4 guys as the lone female. And it stayed that way for quite some time. This was a bit daunting if you can imagine. However, in the past 5 years the ladies have gained some notable ground in the Moody family. Things really picked up when Ken married Brenda in December of 2004 and gained 2 beautiful daughters at the same time. Though it appeared like we had the "score" all tied up, I was pregnant at the time and carried inside a son, my dream come true, who would keep the guys in the lead. Then, less than 2 years later, Chad got engaged to Meagen, who we all adore, and they were married later that year. Lest you think this brought us back to a "tie" you should note that I was pregnant throughout this time and gave birth within a couple months of their wedding---to our second son who I call my dream come true number two. These Moody genes just don't give up very easily. This has been a male dominant family and it seemed it forever would remain that way. But, thankfully E and Liz found love when they found each other and they were engaged and married in 2009. However, while all these guys are finding love, Ry and I are apparently still quite in love because, in keeping with our trend, I was pregnant for this wedding as well. So, just as the ladies had brought things back to a hard earned tie, we knew the baby I hold inside would determine who will take the lead. And---THIS JUST IN---its been confirmed that the girls have taken the lead in the Moody family for the first time in history! Of course we'll have to wait until March to make it official:)

P.S. Of course I really do have much deeper thoughts and emotions about the news of our little girl:) Just couldn't pass up the opportunity for a dramatic presentation about the female dominance that has found its way among the Moody men:)