We are heading into the final week of summer vacation and I admit, I wish it could last at least another month. There has been a lot of fun and smiles and laughter and sunshine and growing. By all of us! {You can click here for the baby pic at 35 weeks.}This week we will try to get back to a more 'normal' bedtime and hopefully feel more prepared for the actual school schedule, but still I know it will be a bit of a transition. Brock's hair really isn't that long- he had it cut since that picture, but still, I know he is dreading the 'school haircut' nonetheless.
We did enjoy a family cookout/celebration with a group of friends from church last night who were so generous and thoughtful and wanted to show their support as we prepare for the arrival of Baby Ferlaak. {Thanks Allison and Todd for opening your home to so many people and for the wonderful hospitality we were shown!} That blue tongue that Ava is so proud of was courtesy of a ring pop she got as one of her gifts.
We can definitely feel things beginning to change and shift around here. I know many of you are almost as anxious and excited to share in those changes, and you can be sure we will keep you posted with any news.
As for that scrap layout {you can click on it to see it better}, I am trying to hold onto and soak up a few of the memories we've made together this summer. I hope you and your family and friends have made some memories worth savoring too!
12 comments:
I can't wait for him to get here! I am so excited!! I know he is going to just be the cutest thing ever. :) I am praying for ya that everything goes good and smooth.
Love ya, Dani
Jody,
What a wonderful mother! Your children are lucky to have parents who make memories for them. Hey Jody, again I was reading on dbkunz.blogspot.com. You know she is the mother who recently this summer lost her little boy to a tragic accident. They thought he was asleep in his crib and went to check on him and he had strangled himself with the blind cord. The crib was moved to a different spot because they were in the process of painting the room. So sad, but ohhh what faith. Just like you! I don't know how you and her went through the terrible loss of a child. Anyways I want to quote something on her blog she wrote to show the faith of women like you both, "Daxton's death was an accident, as well as a tragedy, but I KNOW it was God's will. I know that when a child is taken from this earth, no matter how tragic, unfair, or unfathomable it is, that is MUST be God's will. How could I pick myself up off the floor and carry on if it wasn't God's will? How could I have the faith to carry on just ONE more day, let alone 1000 days? I couldn't. I would just stay there and cry in the pillows all the day long. There were too many pieces, too many instruments, and too many "signs" for me to deny that Daxton returning to our Father in Heaven was God's will. His death was God's will. I know this and I know that God knows this. Each night when I pray my children will be protected when they are not in my sight, I know God is listening. I know He wants to protect my children, I know He is listening to my prayers, they are not going unnoticed. I also know that in order for my prayers to "mean" anything, I have to conclude with "Thy will be done." It is the only way it works. If my will is aligned with God's will, then yes my prayers are answered when I pray that my little ones will be safe. In answer to the burning question, Accident or God's will? I would have to conclude with-- it is God's will. I am a firm believer that God has a plan for all of us. He wants us to learn and grow through good times and bad times. He wants us to be more like Him, to submit to His will and accept that we are here to gain a body and learn how to use it in combination with our Spirit. In order for us to be able to grow to our full potential He gives us trials and stretches us to the point that we think we can be stretched no more. Just as firmly as I believe God has a plan for us, I believe that He gave us our agency. We are free to choose. We can "choose the right" or "choose the wrong" kids. Because of the agency we have been given, our Father in Heaven sent His Son to suffer and atone for our sins that we might be forgiven, have a clean slate, and be able to live with Him again. So back to Accident or God's will. In Daxton's case, it was God's will that he return to Him. At any given moment He could have intervened. Our Father in Heaven has a purpose for us and Daxton's purpose was to come to earth, gain a body, and bless our home, even if it was for a short time. I think that when little children die, it must be Heavenly Father's will. He wouldn't willingly let His children suffer without a bigger purpose. When I think of losing Daxton, I am reminded that God the Father sacrificed His only Begotten Son so that we might be free to choose and to live with Him again. I feel yet a little bit closer to him.
I honestly didn't know that I could have so much love for another human being. Daxton was perfect. I remember my dad holding him on the table a few weeks before the accident and he said, "This is a special one, he will do great things." I rolled my eyes, but really I agreed. I knew he was destined for a greater purpose. Agency in all this.... I believe God's will took Daxton from me. However, everyone has their agency. I have heard several tragedies from the ER. A woman and her family were sitting at a stoplight when a drunk driver ran into them at 90 miles an hour and killed the mother instantly. In my opinion, the drunk driver used his agency and took the life of that young mother. Again my opinion, when someone commits the act of suicide, they are using their agency. Is it God's will? I don't think I know the answer to that, nor would I even begin to touch it. When the mother who drowned her children in the bathtub because of postpartum depression. She was using her agency. Was it God's will? Again, I would never go there. I was just trying to think of exceptions to the Accident or God's will comment and this was all I could come up with.
Jody, I thought this might give you some comfort to know that our Father in Heaven loves you and your family and knows each one of you. May the Lord bless you as you deliver your little boy into this world.
The word kids was a typographical error on the last comment when I typed "we can choose the right" or we can choose the wrong". Kids should not be there. We don't chose the right or wrong kids, sorry! lol
Hi Jodi,
We too are down to one last week of summer vacay. So hard to deal with but after reading your blog about getting organized for the new baby, I was inspired to go out and get all of the kids' school supplies. We got everything we needed, including backpacks and luch totes. Whew! I feel so much better now! Thank you for your upbeat personality. It is often a source of inspiration for me! Also, on the baby name front, how about another spin on Finn, Phinneus? Phinneus Ferlaak!! I love the way that sounds!! Any choice you and your family make will be perfect. Can't wait to hear the final choice!! Enjoy the last week of summer!!
Kim
i love your LO. aren't church families just wonderful. we are so lucky to have a loving, caring and kind church family! they have been a saving grace to us! wanted to comment on you LO, it is so awesome. simple and sweet. i love how you used the naked chipboard.
I love seeing all the pics of the kiddos just enjoying life and soaking up summer! They are beyond adorable!!!! And you look AMAZING!!!
jody, you are soo dang cute. i can't even stand it!!!!! love that picture!!! so excited for the littlest one to arrive!!!!! :) happy back-to-school prep!!!
I'm finally catching up on your blog! I just wanted to say that I love all the names you have picked out for your sweet boy! My little girl is named Manze and it is a family name. We either get a funny look or people love it when they hear it! But, I don't care because we love it! Good luck as the time gets closer! I love "checking up" on you through the blog world!
Hey there, just stumbled across your blog (well doing the blog linky thing and procrastinating got me here lol)
Anyway just a wee comment to say loving your lo's. And was justreading further down and LOVE your list of baby names. I always like names that are a little bit unique.
My son's name is Jaymin and it suits him no end. Good luck with the new bubs.
Cannot wait to see pictures of the new baby when he arrives. How exciting!
Hey Jody! So excited for you and the baby on the way. I tagged you. When you get a moment check my blog for instruction.
I sent a comment a few hours ago and somehow it did not get posted. I live in Portland Or, in my mid-50's and got hooked to your blog through one of my nieces, all my family lives in Michigan....You go girl...can't wait to her about your delivery
Carol
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