Spring!!!

Weeping comes in the night (winter) but joy comes in the morning (spring)!!!!

The transition from winter to spring almost always makes me think of that verse. Even though it is slightly out of context, the concept rings true!! I am filled with so much longing for spring while I'm in the trenches of winter (especially with a 2 month old...or in the frigid downtown Chicago windy temps, trudging through drifts of bitter cold and wet snow.) Either way, these are just two vivid images of winter that I see once the warmth of Christmas goes away, and I am left with the doomsday months of January and February (also insert March and April here if you live in Chicago, or anywhere in central Illinois...sorry guys).

Anyway, we got to play outside almost all day yesterday! (Or so it felt!) We went on a long walk through the park, got some half price frozen yogurt with two friends, I went on a long run and caught up (through gasps) with a great friend, and we grilled out! And the weather is looking good for the next week, too! 60's and 70's...even 80 today I believe!

Here are a few more pics from our little play date outside! I'm sooo looking forward to more lovely days outside like this! It is coming at the perfect time for Ellie! She loves taking everything in, and even the smallest things make her so excited!


The wind got a hold of her bonnet! Hehe

A Tribute to Marriage

A Little Bit of an Update

We don't know much of anything new about Ellie, but she did have her 4 month well baby check up yesterday. The doctor gave me a little more clarity on his specific concerns for Ellie Grace. He is concerned she might have De George syndrome. Apparently, the heart defects that she has had, combined with the hypoplastic thumbs can signal this syndrome. Here is a link about it if anyone is interested in reading further.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/digeorge-syndrome/DS00998

I have been up and down about it all. Part of me really feels like she isn't demonstrating so many of these symptoms, and that I shouldn't be worried. By all other accounts, she is a really normal baby. The doctor thinks so too. He just wants to be careful and cover all of our bases. Sometimes I jump years ahead and envision how we will deal with her if she has these issues.

Please pray that the Lord will change how Ben and I are tending to respond to this. We are already thinking about how this will potentially affect our and Ellie's lives, rather than taking it a day-at-a-time. Pray that we will know the Lord is GOOD, and that we are driven to our knees by this. I told a dear friend yesterday that I do feel that the Lord knows that it (sadly) often takes my desperation to drive me to him, and nothing else can. It's happening, and it feels so GOOD to need him again.

Thanks. I will continue to keep you updated. We are not yet sure when we will go to Louisville for testing.

In other news, I praise God today, because he has recently brought about 4 new friends (all such encouraging women!) into my life. This is HUGE, as I have felt a deep need for good relationships down here for a long time. And it is so good of him to be developing these in a time of huge weakness for me. So yay for that!

Love Whit