Last Labor Day Weekend

I've been doing a lot of reflecting this Labor Day weekend, for you see, it was Labor Day weekend last year when we found out we were expecting.  It was Sunday morning.  DH was already at church, and for some reason, I woke up and thought I should take a HPT test.  I really wasn't thinking we had great timing that month.  We had only returned from Russia less than 6 weeks prior, and I had quickly jumped into my work routine of preparing for classes and starting back at work.  My heart was heavy starting another school year and my mind couldn't stop thinking about the previous 2 Septembers when we had found out we were expecting.

It was with all of these thoughts in my mind that I woke up and took a test.  And to my great surprise, it instantly came up positive.  I was absolutely shocked (still am when I think about it today).  I tried to call DH, and he didn't answer.  I took a picture of the test strip and sent him a text message asking what he thought about the picture.  I was dying to talk with him about the positive test.  I was completely and totally amazed and in awe.  God caught me by surprise.

That positive test sent me on a whirlwind of emotions as I saw the HCG double, the progesterone plummet, and an early ultrasound confirm a heartbeat.  I went back and re-read some of my blog posts from that time along with all of your supportive comments and prayers.  I could not have made it through the pregnancy without your continued support, encouragement, and prayers.

And here I sit- one year and one day later from that life changing Sunday.  That 3rd pregnancy stuck.  Aside from the progesterone woes throughout the whole pregnancy, everything else went fairly smoothly.  No major complications at all.  Another surprise.

Never would I have dreamed at that time that I would be a mother to a daughter.  A daughter that is now 4 months old and growing like crazy.

And while I'm uploading photos, here are a few of her 3 month shots:

A daughter whose beauty constantly stuns me.  What did I ever do to deserve this?  Nothing.  That's what is so amazing.

So, I still sit back in awe and wonder over God's surprise.  What was different with the 3rd pregnancy?  Why did that one stick?  Why did 2 miscarriages have to precede a complication-free pregnancy?  Why did 3 Augusts in a row all end up with a pregnancy?  Why me?  Why then?  Why not others?

So many questions and so few answers.  Our God is a God of surprises.  He surprised me then.  I pray He surprises you as well as you continue to follow Him, serve Him, and love Him.  Who knows what surprises may be in store for next Labor Day weekend!