April 2nd--The day my son accepted Christ

Wow! That describes this day. I woke up rushed and slightly overwhelmed. I had to get everyone up, dressed, lunch packed ( I didn't prepare well the night before), backpacks ready and out the door by 8:30. Roman had MDO and I had to get to kindergarten registration. I can't believe my little baby is going to kindergarten this fall. No tears were shed during registration Avery kept me far to busy for any sentiment ha!

Anyways, on the way to school we prayed for our day then out of the blue Roman said, "mama last night when I was in my bed I asked Jesus into my heart because he loves me and I love him so much." What?! Ever had one of those moments that stop you in your tracks. You instantly have a grin so big and you can't wipe it off your face, but at the same time you want to cry, scream and laugh. Ha! That was me in my car in the Cross Church parking lot. My son just told me he accepted Christ. My son, my brother!

 I've prayed everytime that I've prayed for Roman that he would know Christ and that he would accept him early in life and he would be used as a mighty man of God to lead others to Him! After hugging, kissing and congratulating Roman went into his class. Me on the other hand cried and thanked Jesus for his salvation all the way to registration. Not exactly the tears I expected on registration day : ) Way better.

When Roman got home we were sitting at the table. I asked him what made him think about asking Jesus into his heart last night. We've talked about it a lot but we haven't lately. We've talked a lot about Easter, Jesus dying on the cross and raising from the dead, but not specifically salvation. He told me Jesus did. I asked did you think about it or have a dream. He said, " In my dream Jesus told me he loved me and wanted me to ask him into my heart".  Yes, I had another one of those moments. He was so smiley, happy and innocent. Amazing!

I feel so overwhelmed with gratefulness! I told Roman this was the greatest thing he will ever do (and he's 4). Roman is so kind, gentle, patient and loving. He has such a sweet spirit. I know God has huge plans for him. I'm so thankful that God blessed me with Roman Carter Laney! I'm thankful I get to be his mom, and I pray for the wisdom and discernment to put into Roman what will shine as a bright light as it comes out of him. Use me as a vessel, God and Use Roman as well. Thank you for dying for us, for interceeding on our behalf. Thank you for our SALVATION!!

Roman, I'm so proud of you! I love you!!

A letter to Ella on her First Birthday

Dear Ella,

Tomorrow you will be ONE! I can't even believe it. You're my third and of all three of you your first year has gone by the fastest. It makes me sad. When people ask me how old you are I still want to say 7 months..ha! Don't ask why its 7 months, but I do. It's so hard to believe you are one. You are our little surprise. It's a funny story, so on the eve of your first birthday, I think I will share : ) We had just moved to our new house, Avery was 8 months old, and we had just booked our first vacation just daddy and I for Mexico. I was feeling kinda sensitive, more emotional, than normal. I was exhausted and (the tale tale sign for your mama) I started having break outs on my face. I joked with daddy that I may be pregnant. He laughed and said, "That would be fun, its about time we have another baby", remember Avery was 8 months old. Anyways, one day while I was doing our big grocery trip I just decided to get a pregnancy test, you know just to put that question out of my mind. So while I was unloading groceries I ran into the bathroom, took the test, and continued to unload groceries. I knew it would negative but I needed to be certain so imagine my surprise when I walked in and before my eyes was a bright pink + sign. You know how I told your dad, I text him. Ha! I sent him a picture of the test and it said, Ready to have another baby?

I have to be honest I'm a planner and I was completely taken off guard. I was selfish and worried if I would enjoy Mexico as much being pregnant, I worried because I still hadn't lost my weight from having Avery, I was worried about Avery. I thought that having another baby would somehow take away from her "babyhood" and was just scared that I wasn't ready yet to have another baby.

Well you know what? You were the BEST surprise ever! I'm so glad that the unexpected happened to me. I loved Mexico, I still haven't lost all the weight and you and your sister are close in age and will always be so close in life. None of those fears ever amounted to anything!

My pregnancy was wonderful and my delivery couldn't have been better. 3 pushes and you were here.You were so mad and didn't stop crying for what felt like HOURS and baby you were so red..ha! You were/are absolutely beautiful. You fit immediately into our family. Roman adored you and Avery was smitten. They still do/are. You are such an incredibly blessing to our family!

You look like your daddy and your brother. I love it! Your baby pictures and Roman's are, at times, almost identical. People say your looks are definitely Laney, although, I see myself every once in awhile. You are a momma's girl and still want me close most of the time. You sleep like a champ taking two naps a day and all through the night. You are smaller than your brother and sister at one. You weigh a little over 20 pounds and wear 12/18 month clothes. You say mama, dada, roro,bye bye, and lots of jibberish : ) You love to clap your hands to music and love "If your happy and you know clap your hands." You finally will stay in a nursery. Thanks for that.

You are a pure joy to me and to all of us.

Here is what I pray and claim over you,

I pray that you will be healthy and strong. That you will grow to be a women of character and virtue, That you will love Jesus with your whole heart and you will come to know him early in your life and will be sensitive to him and his guidance. That you will have a discerning heart and won't be easily swayed by the "stuff" thats in this world. That you will be a confident girl and women. Who knows she's beautiful both inside and out but also understands that true beauty is inner beauty. That you will honor your dad and I bc that the first command with promise and its a good promise : ) That you will love and be close to your brother and sister, and lastly (I got this from Mrs. Gwen and I loved it) I pray you will be a mighty warrior in His kindgdom!

I love you Isabella Kate Laney. Happy 1st birthday (in 54 minutes).

Love,
Mom

A Letter to Ella on her First Birthday

Dear Ella,

Tomorrow you will be ONE! I can't even believe it. You're my third and of all three of you your first year has gone by the fastest. It makes me sad. When people ask me how old you are I still want to say 7 months..ha! Don't ask why its 7 months, but I do. It's so hard to believe you are one. You are our little surprise. It's a funny story, so on the eve of your first birthday, I think I will share : ) We had just moved to our new house, Avery was 8 months old, and we had just booked our first vacation just daddy and I for Mexico. I was feeling kinda sensitive, more emotional, than normal. I was exhausted and (the tale tale sign for your mama) I started having break outs on my face. I joked with daddy that I may be pregnant. He laughed and said, "That would be fun, its about time we have another baby", remember Avery was 8 months old. Anyways, one day while I was doing our big grocery trip I just decided to get a pregnancy test, you know just to put that question out of my mind. So while I was unloading groceries I ran into the bathroom, took the test, and continued to unload groceries. I knew it would negative but I needed to be certain so imagine my surprise when I walked in and before my eyes was a bright pink + sign. You know how I told your dad, I text him. Ha! I sent him a picture of the test and it said, Ready to have another baby?

I have to be honest I'm a planner and I was completely taken off guard. I was selfish and worried if I would enjoy Mexico as much being pregnant, I worried because I still hadn't lost my weight from having Avery, I was worried about Avery. I thought that having another baby would somehow take away from her "babyhood" and was just scared that I wasn't ready yet to have another baby.

Well you know what? You were the BEST surprise ever! I'm so glad that the unexpected happened to me. I loved Mexico, I still haven't lost all the weight and you and your sister are close in age and will always be so close in life. None of those fears ever amounted to anything!

My pregnancy was wonderful and my delivery couldn't have been better. 3 pushes and you were here.You were so mad and didn't stop crying for what felt like HOURS and baby you were so red..ha! You were/are absolutely beautiful. You fit immediately into our family. Roman adored you and Avery was smitten. They still do/are. You are such an incredibly blessing to our family!

You look like your daddy and your brother. I love it! Your baby pictures and Roman's are, at times, almost identical. People say your looks are definitely Laney, although, I see myself every once in awhile. You are a momma's girl and still want me close most of the time. You sleep like a champ taking two naps a day and all through the night. You are smaller than your brother and sister at one. You weigh a little over 20 pounds and wear 12/18 month clothes. You say mama, dada, roro,bye bye, and lots of jibberish : ) You love to clap your hands to music and love "If your happy and you know clap your hands." You finally will stay in a nursery. Thanks for that.

You are a pure joy to me and to all of us.

Here is what I pray and claim over you,

I pray that you will be healthy and strong. That you will grow to be a women of character and virtue, That you will love Jesus with your whole heart and you will come to know him early in your life and will be sensitive to him and his guidance. That you will have a discerning heart and won't be easily swayed by the "stuff" thats in this world. That you will be a confident girl and women. Who knows she's beautiful both inside and out but also understands that true beauty is inner beauty. That you will honor your dad and I bc that the first command with promise and its a good promise : ) That you will love and be close to your brother and sister, and lastly (I got this from Mrs. Gwen and I loved it) I pray you will be a mighty warrior in His kindgdom!

I love you Isabella Kate Laney. Happy 1st birthday (in 54 minutes).

Love,
Mom