Welcome Back...With News!

If you notice the date on my last blog post, it was in February - four months ago. A lot has happened during those four months, including a first birthday. You might think I feel extremely guilty, but Holden had an ear infection on his birthday, and he will probably thank me for not posting pictures of him looking sick and miserable.

Back to February. Nathan and I said yes on New Year's eve to going on a mission trip to Africa this summer, and February was when planning began. There were a total of seven couples going, and we had our first kick-off meeting Friday, February 18th. We met the team, introduced ourselves and were getting more and more excited by the minute. There was just one tiny problem - I was late (yup, that kind of late).

My body had just gotten back to normal in January (I went a total of 17 months - love nursing!), so when February was a little off, I wasn't too worried about it. But with Africa becoming more and more a reality, and money needing to be put down, I thought I should double check just to be sure.

Nathan and I started laughing at the possibility of me being pregnant, and then I stopped when I saw the "pregnant" word on my little pee stick. Holden was only nine months old at this point - how could I be pregnant again?!?

Everyone in our family was surprised and a little shocked. Two kids under two, two kids in diapers, just the idea of two kids. For me, I did not think I would be ready for this task, this "promotion" as Nathan called it. Honestly, I selfishly stayed in a state of shock for about three months. God's plan was not my plan. We were supposed to be going to Africa, not having another baby. We were supposed to be enjoying our little boy, not having another baby. I was selfish and I was scared.

God's grace, power and strength are amazing, though, and I am feeling more and more confident by the day. This baby started kicking much earlier than Holden, and baby has reminded me how much joy and love I have in my heart to give him/her. I look in amazement at how far Holden has come, and I am becoming more and more excited about meeting our newest addition.

I am just about 21 weeks along now, and due October 22nd. I do not know the gender of our baby, but Nathan does, so ask him if you want to know - - but keep it a secret from me!

Meet the newest Sandell: