Little Drummer Jada...

My brother, Chip, decided to send Jada a drum set for Christmas. We decided to brave the noise and set it up for her. She loves it. She speaks in third person all of the time and all morning she said "Jada drums!" So, thanks Chip (I think:)
and yes, she is wearing her jammies, an apron, two bows, and a headband...it was a fun morning :)

Intimacy NB

First...thank you for your prayers. Intimacy New Braunfels was truly sweet, there was something almost other-worldly about speaking to young women in the sanctuary of TbarM. I was a counselor there almost 11 years ago...and...I met my Brian there!!! There were some truly amazing responses from the girls and I truly delighted in the time that I had with many of them.

Thanks for your encouragement. I am looking forward to the next few weeks of "normal".

Have a great week!

today...

It was a day that we will no doubt remeber, but certainly not in the ways that we truly desired. Mia was due today, and instead of going to the hospital and delivering a beautiful baby girl named Mia Carolyn, we went to the cemetary and looked at our precous daughter's headstone. It really stunk. Brian and I wept, Brian read the letter that he read at Mia's funeral while we were there, and then we prayed. That was this morning.

We were encouraged to begin journals that we write letters to Mia or to the Lord in on this day every year...and we each did that, which was a good honest time for both of us. Brian and I miss Mia and there is absolutely nothing that can change that. We wanted her desperately and are more hopeful than ever for the day that we will get to run and play with her in heaven.

Until then, we hope for more children (the sooner the better :)) and we hope that Mia's life will continue to impact the earth for God's kingdom. We hope this because of God's great love for us and His great love displayed to us through you all...thank you for your love, e-mails and simply remembering us today.

Tonight we began praying with Jada for "mommy to get pregnant and for Jada to have a baby sister or brother soon". She was excited to pray for that with us and we are hopeful for our family to experience God's goodness through answered prayer.

As promised, here are the photos of Mia's headstone.

The week ahead...

Hey there friends...today I was able to spend time alone at Mia's grave. Her headstone came in this week and I have not been able to spend any quality time out there since. Today I did... and it was good. I plan on posting more this week about some things that I and we are processing through, but I wanted to send a little pre-post to say that this Tuesday was Mia's due date (the 20th) and this Friday (the 23rd) I am planning on speaking at a girls'/ladies' night in New Braufels. So, kind of a big week. I will post some photos of Mia's headstone and write more later. Much love- Steph

Our friends in Waco and a wonderful Hill Country getaway!

Two weekends ago we had a fun time with some of our good friends, The Coles and The Sepulvedas. It was so much fun to watch the children interact and to catch up. These friends are our friends that are so much like family...we've been through lots of different seasons together, and I am very glad that we had the opportunity to spend some quality time together! Here are some fun photos from our time...

Eliana Cole needed a kiss :)

I love this pic of Toby and Jada

Jada and her daddy look a bit alike :)

The children eating yummy mac & Cheese :)

The group...

This past weekend was our hill-country getaway...and we can truly say that we were refreshed and simply thankful. It was a gift in so many ways! Thank you!!!!!!!!!

We're off to the hills!

Mia was due on the 20th of January and in light of that, we are sent off to be away in order to think, feel, pray, relax and take in all that Jesus wants us to experience. Tomorrow we leave on a trip that many families in our church gave to us! So, please pray for this to be an honest weekend of peace and nearness to the Lord. Even before we leave, I feel so loved and tenderly cared for by the body of Christ around us. To all who gave and to all who pray...THANK YOU!