Waiting

We are just waiting for Carson to make his arrival. Could be any day now. I am excited but also scared about this new adventure. Everyone says that when you first hold your child and look into their face it changes you forever and you can't imagine life without them... I am clinging to this promise when I start to get a little sad thinking that soon it will no longer be just Marcus and me.

Am I scared? Scared about the late nights, crying for no reason, our child getting sick, living so far away from friends and family, Oh yeah- but I take great comfort in knowing that no first time parents know what they are doing with their first kid. It's a lot of trail and error and then somehow, someday it just all clicks.

I think I am ready to be a mom but how do you truly prepare for this life changing event? My prayer is that I will be a good mom and raise up our son in the way that he should go, pointing him constantly to Father, and preparing and cultivating his heart to know and love God.

As I wait, I give thanks for the support group I have around me who will help me and encourage me in the days ahead... family, friends, co-workers, etc. I praise God for giving me a godly husband. I can't wait to see Marcus as a dad- He's proven to be an amazing husband and he is going to be a great father, I just know it. And, I praise God for being Immanuel, the God who is with us. I know my relationship with Him will deepen and grow as I am constantly on my knees asking him to help me raise this child and giving me peace and guidance.

Although I am waiting now I know soon ready or not Carson will make his appearance. I am praying for a safe delivery, a healthy baby boy, and honestly that he will be cute... and not just to us his parents, haha.

Overview of the last month- Waiting on Carson's arrival

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Although we miss being in the States during the holidays, we’ve found over the last two years living in East Asia that it is so refreshing to be away from all the commercialism of Christmas and get to celebrate the real reason for the season. We really enjoyed celebrating Christmas in our city with the locals this year. Most people in East Asia have never heard of the real reason for the holiday so this Christmas season we got to share with them the magic and power of that first Christmas Day.

Before we traveled to Thailand to have our baby, we hosted a Christmas party for our college friends and twenty three students showed up. It was a full house. We began the party by asking them what they thought Christmas was all about they said, “gifts, drinking, partying, Santa Claus, and shopping.” After playing a few games and singing Christmas Carrols, we explained to them the true meaning of Christmas. Three family members helped us tell the Story in our people’s heart language. These students memorized the Story and spoke it with such passion. It was such a blessing to hear them share the Story to their friends as their gift to Father.

We made it safe and sound to Thailand a week before Christmas without going into labor on the way. We are really enjoying the warm weather, great food, our housing accommodations, and the superior medical care.

The first week we arrived we met with the doctor who will help with labor and delivery and took a tour of the hospital. I am going to try to do a water birth- we will see how that goes! We feel so blessed to be here in Thailand for the delivery especially with the superior medical care. There are two other couples who are also awaiting the arrival of their little ones. We have enjoyed their company and are grateful that we have friends here to talk about the joys, fears, and excitement we have about what waits us during this coming month.

While we’ve been here we’ve gotten to see many friends that we made two years ago who also live on this side of the world. Our hearts have been so full as we’ve spent time catching up with them, laughing together, going out to eat at Western restaurants we’ve missed, and to the movies. It’s been a great time leading up to Carson’s arrival. How we are just waiting on the little one to make his appearance. Could be any day now!!!

Pregancy Pictures

We, I, deciced to be brave and take pregnancy pics when I was 8 months along to remember this stage of life and pregnancy. Here are a few of Marcus and I and my HUGE belly. You can go to this website to see more pregnancy pictures www.kodakgallery.com/pedroza

I can't believe how big I've gotten and that in just a month or so we will be holding our little boy!

Ode To My Son

There is a child growing within
So tiny, so small, so tender, and fragile
There is a new love growing as well
So precious, so pure, innocent and sweet

This love with change me
This child will challenge me, mold me, grow me, love me
I know I will never be the same after I look into my child’s face

My child, my offspring, my son
The words still seem so foreign to me
Yet these words bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart

My heart delights when I think of you, little one, little love
Although you are still so tiny, so small, so tender
You have already captivated my heart, my soul, my life, my love