Baby Babinetz?!?!?!

Happy Father's Day!Surpise!The Willmans

My mom's neighbors and like parents to meThe great grandmothersFirst gift from the Lucas', the baby experts

It's a miracle! I can't really believe that I am actually writing these words but it seems to be official...

WE'RE HAVING A BABY!

I know it happens everyday but this part of life has been such a faith walk for me. During my whole 20's, I had a desire for a family of my own. But there was nothing in the natural to make me think it could ever happen. I spent many years wondering if my dream would come true. My future was in God's hands, the best place it could be. Now I can say there is such a peace in waiting for the perfect timing of God. I have no idea what I am doing but I have total confidence that God will see me through. What better parent to learn from? Nick is a natural but I'm going to need some supernatural help! I've always held onto this verse about Abraham and Sarah. So maybe I'm not 90 like Sarah but sometimes I thought I was going to be! "He (Abraham) did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform." Romans 4:20-21. I knew that God was able to perform what I believe He put in my heart. I'm just so thankful I had friends like you to help me in trying times to walk by faith and not by sight. Thank you so much!

We made a trip to see our families and tell them in person. I wrapped up little bears with bibs that said, "I love Grandma", "I love Grandpa" and "I love My Aunt". It was so much fun to see the look on their faces when they realized what was going on. My mom was totally shocked but Nick's parents seem to expect it. The two great grandmothers and great aunt teared up and it just meant so much to me to bring a little smile to their faces. Nick is the first cousin on both sides so it's kind of cool. My mom got me tearing up because it just made it seem so real. My mom and I have spent many, many years alone on vacations and other times (with my sister being far away) and I kind of wondered if I would ever be able to give her that news. She was genuinely surprised which was so great.

So now for fun details...I'm 2 months, 7 months to go. I can never figure out all the weeks people always quote. But that's 8 weeks for you experts. That makes my due date January 26, 2009. So we will have quite an anniversary present! Anastasia was born last year on January 27th. Baby Babinetz might share a birthday! Dana, that could save us a lot on joint birthday parties through the next 18 years :)! And Gina, if Little Sunshine goes to the same school, we could carpool! Can you imagine having kids in the same class? I can barely imagine having a child at all! Well, if anyone has some advice, feel free to share. I am all ears! Please pray for us. Thanks!!!

Reunited

Happy Birthday Andrea!

Well it took Andrea's birthday to get the four New York transplants together. I think it's the first time outside of church that the four of us have been in the same room since NYC, a year and a half ago! Way too long but these are some busy ladies. Getting them all together was harder than my job of getting surgeons in a room together! But I perserved and took a picture to prove it's possible. I guess you could say everyone is adjusting well to Florida, they sure have busy social calendars!

Happy Anniversary!

Four years of marriage and three beautiful children- congrats!

Thank you for being such faithful friends!

Happy Mother's Day!

All the mothersMy mom cleaned up, her birthday was the same week Nick's grandma and aunt missed their dog Chloe,

so we brought them a cake in her memory Still eating at the kids' table... A beautiful family Someone got a little silly...

Happy 3 Months!

Isn't Florida beautiful in the Spring?

Even the banana pudding is smiling

Administrative Professionals' Day :)

On April 20th, as Nick likes to say, we made it through our 90 day probation period!

Sea World

We went to Sea World with Nick's job- on them! For $20 more, we received season tickets! So if you ever want to come visit, and need a guide, let us know!

Redemption

Nick's Grandfather's 70th Birthday

My cousins Ken and Mike My dad's brother's familyThe victim Redemption Remember the poor cooking pot, the victim of my butter fiasco? On our three month anniversary, we headed to Linens N' Things to get sheets that were on our registry. They give you a 20% discount on your registry up to three months after the wedding. So as we walked by the pots and pans, I had an inspiration. No, we couldn't buy a whole new set but just maybe they were selling pieces individually. Miracles of miracles, there was a new pot like the one I scarred for life, all by itself, ready to be adopted! There were only three pots they sold individually so I was pretty excited. I could use the old pot while Nick could use the new one. A few days later, when we finally took the pot out of the box, it was even bigger! How cool is that! I just had to laugh because that is exactly the kind of way God speaks to us through our everyday lives. He redeemed my mistake, not just restoring what I lost, but a gift even bigger and better! It was like He was telling me it's OK if I'm not a perfect wife because He can use my weaknesses as an opportunity to show His goodness and strength. "And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9. He has also been reminding me of the song "Glorious" that says God makes everything glorious. I realized that even when I blow it, God can make my job, marriage, life, and even cooking skills, glorious. I just need to give it to Him.

God has also been restoring family relationships. Nick and I went to visit our parents and celebrated his grandfather's 70th birthday. My last grandparent passed away 10 years ago so I have not celebrated with grandparents for a very long time. It was really special to me to buy a card for a grandfather. We got him those candles that are like fireworks and won't go out. He was a good sport about it and he's really funny any way so we had a neat time. Then we had dinner with my uncle, aunt and two cousins, Ken and Mike. I had not seen my uncle, aunt and Ken for 10 years and only saw Mike because he came to the wedding from Orlando. My Uncle Ken totally reminds me of my dad! It was so wonderful for Nick to meet them and share stories of when my older cousins used to throw my stuffed animals to the dogs and tease me. I was the youngest by three years to twelve cousins and an older sister! Nick is the oldest cousin and an only child so he learned how the little cousins, brothers and sisters of the world feel! After all the stories from Madelina and Theresa; Sofia, I know you feel my pain as the youngest jewel in the Chen dynasty. I was the runt of the Wolf pack! But be encouraged, things change. Now I married the lead of the Babinetz clan. It was pretty neat when I moved up from the W's to the B's in my last name. At work, my name actually starts the alphabetical list! How strange is that! Maybe not, the Word says that the last shall be first!