Home Sweet Home: Waiting for Paint to Dry...

I am literally watching paint dry. So instead of wasting my time willing my canvases to dry so I can continue working on them, I thought I would use my time "wisely" and do a little blog post. ;)

I have been thinking a lot lately about our future children. Cole and I would like to have three total. Although if they are all as easy as Ava, I wouldn't mind four. :D Cole is wetting his pants right now. I am starting a new tradition at our house- I found these fun giant felt bags at Bed Bath & Beyond, and I bought one for Ava to lay out each year and Santa will fill it with her toys! Well I had to go there today for something, and I bought two more, just in case we have two more kids and just in case they don't have them again in the future! LOL! I already have names picked out for our next baby...

GIRL: Claire Elizabeth (I have always loved the name Claire, and Elizabeth is my MIL's middle name. Ava has my mom-and my- middle name, so I guess that is only fair).

BOY: Archer Davis (Archer is my maiden name, and Davis is Cole's middle name and a family name for his dad's side).

But I know that future children are not guaranteed...

When I was pregnant with Ava, I knew of three couples that lost baby girls, either after birth or during the pregnancy. Of course, I was scared beyond measure for the health of Ava. Over the last year I have known several people- some close friends, others just blogger friends- that have suffered miscarriages. This just breaks my heart. Ava happened so easily, really much more easily than anyone expected. We were lucky. It shocked me when I found out how many of my friends had suffered the loss of a precious unborn child.

With Ava's first Christmas (and last round of "first holidays") drawing near, I am burdened deeply for those that have lost babies and children. I don't know if I would have the strength to carry on if something ever happened to Ava. I pray each night that she grows to be an old woman and that the LORD will put a hedge of protection around her, and keep her safe. If you have children, hold them close, and thank the LORD each day for blessing your life with them (even if they are being little toots! HA!) And if you have lost a baby or child, or suffered a miscarriage, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. You are stronger than you think, and when you can't go on, the LORD will carry you- you just have to ask Him!

If I don't get a chance to write again before the day- MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

And because I know you all just LURVE seeing pictures of my precious girl... haha!