Moving

Because we have moved 3 times already in a year, why not move once more, right?! As most of you know, this past year hasn't been exactly easy, but it has been sanctifying to say the least. It is a crazy journey that the Lord has purposed for us and there are still things about it we totally don't understand, but He is good. The greatest joy has come from knowing that our Savior is good, that He restores, and that He is faithful in all that He does and promises to those that are His. 

It has been so much fun and such a joy to blog about our pregnancy, and the sweet blessing of a little guy who is on his way into the world within only a few short months. Ahhh! We so look forward to continue sharing our journey through parenthood and surrender of this child daily to the Lord. We know that our dear son is the Lord's, and we are expectant for Him to be the one who guides our steps of this unknown territory of parenthood just as He has through this past year of unknowns. He has been ever so faithful!

We are beyond grateful to share that we are not just moving for the heck of it. On September 29th, we bought our first home! We close in only 2 weeks and could not be more thankful!! The inspection is complete, and now we play the waiting game until closing and move-in.

I love our red door! We are moving from Keller, Texas to The Colony, Texas. This will now change Cory's commute to work from an hour and a half (sometimes 2 hours) to 20 minutes with traffic. What a blessing that will be for him! I am thankful that his drive will be close. He is so ready. Also, I will finish work in December so I'll have to make the treck back to Keller for about a month BUT I want to say now that it will be totally worth it to be in our home! Right now, I only drive a mile and a half so I'm pretty spoiled. We will also be only 20 minutes from our church! 

I am ready to do some cooking in this here kitchen!

As of now, we are packing like maniacs. We're also trying to decide on colors for the nursery, but I just am so terrible with decision making... can't I just pay someone to come make all these decisions for me? Oh, if only...

My exhaustion has returned but I'm guessing it's due to all of this crazy, fun running around. Can I just be honest? I despise packing. We have done this so much we should be pro's by now but we absolutely are not. :( As much as we dislike the packing process, it is so exciting to know what we will unpack these boxes into!

If you think to pray for us this week, please pray for our hearts as we are going through so much transition. There is so much going on in both of our hearts as it should be with all of this newness around us coming, but we want to actively be pursuing and listening to the Lord. Pray that we could quiet our busyness enough to simply be still and be in His presence. Also, that we will continue engaging those around us and those we are in community with. May the Lord be exalted and our hearts be stirred to worship during this time. Pray that we will find and get plugged into a home group quickly when we move. This has been the true lifeline of the body of Christ at work within our past 2 years at the Village Church, and we know that God is sovereign over this all. We ask for an incredible community of believers that we can learn from, grow with, and one that will support us in loving our son well.

Thank you for those of you who ask for ways you can pray and who truly do bring our requests to the throne! We are so grateful for your prayers as they are heard and felt.

Cory & Hannah 

It's a....

At 19 weeks, we are announcing to the world that LS is a BOY!!!!!!

We are in love with this darling little man! 

There were only about 3% of our friends/family that thought it was a boy. 

Contrary to the rest of the 97% of people and to just about EVERY old wive's tale, our LS is definitely a boy! 

This is a happy mommy about our boy!

And now for a few highlight pictures from our gender reveal party. The rest will be on facebook soon!

Opening a few sweet gifts.

Celebrating our little man! 

The dearest family and friends!! (minus Autumn & Austin)

We passed out staches to commemorate the night!

I absolutely love this series of pictures with the mustaches :)

We don't have any pictures of the way we revealed. It was a precious memory that we caught on video but these are some blue-filled cupcakes modeled by the beautiful Brittani that we all enjoyed! 

My grandparents and parents ecstatic that it's a boy!

Cory's grandmother, his parents, brother, and sis-in-law rejoicing and in shock that it's a boy! :)

How far along? 19 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 7 lbs. 
Maternity clothes? Yes. 
Stretch marks? Not yet but cocoa butta has been bought!
Sleep: I am so tired! I've been going to sleep around midnight every night though because we've had so much going on. That makes anyone tired! 

Best moment this week: Our gender reveal party! It was the most precious, dear time that shocked everyone. It was so much fun. I just wish I could have spent more time with all of our people. Another best moment is just sharing our news with our dear friends here in Texas and just with everyone! This blog entry has been so long awaited and I've been ecstatic to share!! I accidentally erased all of my pictures last night so I was bummed to have to retake them and postpone the blog even longer.

Miss Anything? family and friends :) As far as missing previous things I could have before pregnancy-lots and lots of caffeine. I miss not having to worry about my caffeine intake. 
Movement:  I'm so longing to feel his movements! I was able to feel my little nephew's kick inside Kala's belly this weekend and it was the sweetest thing!
Food cravings: Hot chocolate with marshmallows and cracked sea salt on top. I really have been craving all things chocolate this week!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nausea is gone! 
Have you started to show yet: Yes, of course! 
Gender prediction: B-b-b-b-b-oy!
Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody, super moody 
Looking forward to: Feeling him moving inside of me. Once it starts, it will be constant I feel like. He is an active little guy in there. Every sonogram, he is turning flips and pushing on the walls of my uterus. :)

All about baby BOY Steiner:

Our munchkin is in the 95th percentile already they are saying and I am measuring a few weeks early. He also has "highly above average femur bones"...just like his daddy!

He very much wanted us to know that he is a boy. He didn't give us a very good facial shot. He cooperated well for the anatomy sonogram!

Please join us in praying for our baby's health and development, his salvation in Christ one day, for him to be a good sleeper when he arrives, and for his size. :) 

Our darling boy is happy to welcome his best friend and possible future wife today into this world Emma Kathryn Ilse! He can't wait to meet you already!!! :) Congrats Sara and Terry!

We are hoping to officially decide on his name very soon! 

Love to you ALL for your anticipation, excitement, and sweet words! 

You guys are great!

18 weeks...Which will it BEE?

Mommy and LS at 18 weeks!

I just love our board this week! It's always an intimidating process to decorate. When I finally do, I don't like erasing it! HE or SHE... Which will it BEE? We find out tomorrow :)

How far along? 18 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 8 lbs. I'll have a more exact number when I go to the doctor tomorrow.
Maternity clothes? Yes. My favorite jeans are some Old Navy bootcut jeans with a full panel :). haha I love them. They're super comfortable. Cory loves the idea of belly bands and panels in jeans so much that he would like some also. :) 
Stretch marks? No, but my tummy has been itching. 
Sleep: I feel the need for more and more but am not sleeping too well. We've been keeping Collier, the two year old girl that I nanny this past week during the day and overnight. This could add to the need for more sleep and the result of less. Parenthood is slowly creeping in on us! I'm praying that LS is such a good sleeper!
Best moment this week: I am sitting in tears as I write because it was such a pivotal moment for me this week. I was struggling with something deeply as I was sitting at the park watching the kids play. I was praying knowing the Lord was meeting me there and heard every cry of my heart. I was just processing some things hoping to have someone to talk to about it. I knew He was enough and He was listening and fulfills the every longing of my wayward heart. I could faintly hear the kids playing but was so focused on this moment of surrender to Him (such a bad nanny, I know). I noticed this other mom there and we ended up talking after introducing our kids to one another. She is also a believer in Jesus and has a beautiful heart for Him. She just started pouring her heart out through conversation over something that probably didn't mean that much to her, but as the words fell from her lips, I felt the Spirit of God reassuring me that I am so loved by Him, this is ultimately for my joy, and His plan is so intricately perfect and beyond my wishes and hopes. 
"I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly." John 10:10.
I felt so loved and cared for by the Creator of the universe who was bringing out the wind from His storehouses (ps 135:7) that was blowing on our faces. I'm glad I had my shades on because she might have thought I was crazy as my eyes were filling with tears. In such huge ways and small ways, I could firmly believe in my heart that I am His and He is mine! 

"No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand. 'Til He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I'll stand."  -In Christ Alone 

Our faithful and sovereign God so purposed for that sweet lady to be there at the perfect time. His grace was extended through another sister. This was my best moment this week! This might not seem baby-blog worthy but it is a moment I don't want to forget.

Have you told family and friends: Yes! We are only two days away from telling our family the gender and only ONE day away from finding out ourselves! We are so thrilled to go to our appointment tomorrow!!
Miss Anything? sleep
Movement:  I don't know for sure. There was a slight "flutter" I felt, but I wasn't sure what exactly it was because it went away so quickly. Sometimes I'll sit really still as though if I concentrated on it, it would happen. haha!
Food cravings: Applesauce, chocolate, fudge, ice cream (which is dangerous bc of a lactose intolerance. Mom, you can relate :)
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nausea is gone! Praise the Lord! Back pain is here and in full force, but I'm so thankful nausea is gone! I'm thankful for the encouragement from so many women that understood, related, and encouraged during that seemingly forever long season of nausea!
Have you started to show yet: Yes, of course! I've gotten several of these- "I know you're not supposed to ask a woman this, but are you... (hoping I'll fill in the blank while they pause....) pregnant?" Haha :) It always makes me smile with the awkwardness they must be feeling when I let them pause. 
Gender prediction: HE or SHE, which will it BEE?!! We find out TOMORROW! 
Labor Signs: No. For the most part, the BHC are gone!
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody 
Looking forward to: Our appointment tomorrow with the sonographer and our OB. Cory and I are extremely ready to see our little darling moving and stretching in there. I was able to see it a few weeks ago but Cory wasn't there. I'm ready for him to experience it with me and especially to see if it's a boy or girl! Also, we are really looking forward to going to Louisiana this weekend to share with our families and a few friends what this munchkin is! 


I just want to say that it is such an encouragement to me having people read and comment. For those of you that leave me some love, I so appreciate it and every post means a lot to Cory and I both! Thank you guys for reading and keeping up with us through this current journey. We are grateful for the family and friends that our baby will be welcomed into this world with!

17 weeks :) ...overdue

Mommy at 17 weeks

Our little darling's profile! The baby is measuring early. We went in at 16w4d and the baby is measuring 17 weeks 1 day. Changed due date to March 7th...for now anyway. 

So this is LS at 17 weeks! Look at those sweet cheeks!! Ps...the white-ish part on the back of the head is from the ink smearing when the picture was printed. We love this little one!!!

Here's a picture of Mommy and Daddy at our sweet friends' wedding shower. Baby LS looks squished here with me slumped over. We were roasting apples over a fire. Baby LOVED them :)

Here's an update on this week. We apparently have a long baby growing. LS is growing perfectly on the "average"scale except for above average-size femur bones. :)  

How far along? 17 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 7.5 lbs. It seriously looks like way more. I guess that my weight just shifts. I was really surprised to go into the doctor and find that out. 
Maternity clothes? Yes and no. Mostly, I have been wearing maternity clothes, but there are a few things that I've still been able to wear. I did find some great deals on maternity clothes at Ross this week :)
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: I have not been sleeping very well. I am already barricaded in with lots of pillows for comfort. 
Best moment this week: Seeing our sweet baby's profile and hearing that he/she is looking great! I loved seeing LS hiccup during our appointment. The baby kept moving and stretching like never before! It was a precious moment for me. He/she looked squished in there because LS kept pushing and kicking around in there. It's been so great to feel more of an emotional connection to our baby this week. Those pictures and sonogram sure do grow my love more and more for that dumpling. It's truly a miracle how our Creator forms and knits new life together!
Have you told family and friends: Yes!
Miss Anything? I miss being able to eat sushi this week.
Movement:  Not yet
Food cravings: I have been craving candy like crazy! How weird is that? I am definitely a chocolate kind-of gal but I have been wanting sugary, sweet candy. Also, I've taken a new liking to Gatorade
Anything making you queasy or sick: PRAISE be to the Lord that the nausea hasn't been as bad! Nasty smells still make me sick but that's pretty normal. 
Have you started to show yet: Yes! Now, even when I lay down flat on my back, I have a distinct bump still.  
Gender prediction: So, we've been thinking girl but I've been having boy dreams. Maybe it's a boy. 
Labor Signs: I've actually been having Braxton Hicks contractions. I had to go in for a work-in appointment this week to make sure everything was okay. The baby and everything else looks great but I'm having the Braxton Hicks. I'm thankful to know that baby is good though!
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and tired, tired
Looking forward to: Feeling the baby move!

Week 17 post is about a week late so be ready for week 18 sooner than later! I'm such a terrible blogger, but I'm trying!

16 Weeks :)

Finally I have taken the time and mustered up the energy to take a picture, download it, and write a short snippit of a blog post. Okay at first, I let several negative remarks affect my outlook on the blog updates for a few weeks in the beginning. When I got over that and decided I was still going to update it each week, I have just been so sick and exhausted each day that I haven't made time for it. Although this is not the best picture quality, it is up! Week 16 will begin the weekly updates. I am so looking forward to watching this little bump continue to grow. Thank you for journeying with us through this and especially to those who are praying for our LS. And yes, I've had a sonogram and no, I'm not having twins. :) 

Here is a template of questions that I'll be answering each week. Read if you'd like :) 

I'll be keeping track of all of these details for myself to look back on. 

How far along? 16 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 5 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Yes! The belly band goes on everything that isn't maternity. I tried to wear "regular" clothes this morning, and I had to come home and change because I felt like the life was being squeezed out of me...not good. 
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: About a week ago, I started having the strangest, most vivid dreams. This now happens every night so lots of tossing and turning but I love my sleep! I wrote it as one of my cravings because I still can't get through a single day without a nap. 
Best moment this week: Finalizing plans for our family/friends "gender reveal party". So excited to find out what our little darling is! 
Have you told family and friends: Yes!
Miss Anything? I desperately miss having energy and not feeling nauseous.
Movement:  Not yet...hopeful :)
Food cravings: Fruits & more fruit. Any cold, juicy fruit is what I want... always! I've had more food aversions that food cravings so when I'm nauseous, (currently always but looking for that to be different soon :)  cold fruit is all I want. Oh, and diet coke!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Chicken and even the slightest whiff of a nasty smell. When they say that your senses are heightened during pregnancy, they don't lie. 
Have you started to show yet: Yes, I have as you can tell. This is my first week where people who don't know me have asked about my pregnancy. It is evident now.
Gender prediction: Girl - we will find out in 2 weeks!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Tired isn't an option?
Looking forward to: Finding out the gender & feeling the baby move!

Prayer for the week: My joy will not be found in the circumstance of the way I currently feel but in the Lord and His glory. I am praying to feel restored physically and the second trimester "bliss" of no nausea will hit soon. 

Part 2.... Delivery room prophesy

I know that I tend to be a little long but I do ask that if you haven't read part one to this segment yet, scroll down and read that first to tell you how we got to where we are. I broke it up hoping that you didn't get overwhelmed by the read and stop because both post are too good to not give full credit to...in such different ways.

So, we are pregnant...so says the 3 pregnancy tests that sit on the counter. This was Wednesday, July 4. The next morning, I called my doctor who is my regular doctor. She also does well woman check up's but does not follow pregnancies. I called and they told me to go ahead and come in. They'll do the first appointment, blood work, test to confirm pregnancy, and then refer me out to an OB. They scheduled the appointment for Friday morning. The family I work for was still at the beach so this worked out perfectly. Cory decided to take off work to come along and be supportive which was so sweet! I was thrilled but continuously assured him over and over, "You know, it's not going to be anything special. It's not like we're going to see the baby or anything. It's too early. They will just do tests." He then repeatedly told me that he didn't care. It was my first appointment and he was going to be there for me. So on we go to the doctor together...

They called us back and then I heard those dreadful words "Go ahead and take all of your clothes off and you can use this (a napkin basically...I mean like the thinnest one I've ever seen) to cover up with.  Yuck...but who does like doing this? I was trying to "woman up" and just do it because it was just the beginning of this long journey of discomfort and immodesty that pregnancy/childbirth is. So I follow the directions and lay down while beginning to explain to Cory everything that's about to happen like what a pap smear is and all that it involves. That was followed by my dearest husband saying things like, "You're just laying there naked with a shoulder pad napkin on. HAHAHA." I then lovingly tell him that this was the most vulnerable position to be in and if he was going to crack jokes, he could do it in the waiting room. Just to clear up any question, we weren't fighting. It was more of a playful, yet serious banter.

Hah...He then apologizes and confesses that he doesn't know how to deal with super anxious situations like this except to revert to humor but that it shouldn't be at my expense. So if you didn't know this about Cory, he is very queasy talking about medical things and such. So we continue to wait together as he tries to avoid the reality of what was about to happen. Then he said a few things like, "Thanks for getting your pap smeared for our family." and "How many times will you have to do this?"

These quotes were interrupted with my sweet doctor opening the door and saying, "Congratulations mom and dad! You're pregnant!" She then explained along with her nurse what they would do during the appointment. Up came the stirrups and out came the speculum. You know the rest. Cory came over and stood next to me holding my hand. They have the speculum in place about to do the deed. I was not looking at Cory knowing it would make it worse for him and then all of the sudden, I saw/felt his torso hit the bed next to me and for a second, I was thinking, "Is he trying to like snuggle with me right now?"

That's when I realized, this was bad. He passed out but it wasn't one of those where people "pass smooth out". There was nothing smooth about it. It was incredibly violent. His 6' 3" self passed out, hit the table where I was laying, fell again and hit the side of the table which cut his eye and was followed by an intense fall to the floor. When I realized what was happening, I grabbed his arm trying to brace his fall to the floor but it all happened so fast. Even knowing that he gets queasy about stuff like this, I just had so much adrenaline in me already because of the awkwardness of laying there naked and now since he passed out. I started FREAKING out. Completely freaking out. I started screaming and trying to brace his fall while the doctor yells at me, "Hannah! DON'T MOVE!" because the speculum was in and I was reaching off the bed toward my basically unconscious husband. He tried to pick himself up and kept falling repeatedly over. It is quite hilarious now but at the time, it was such a sad thing to see my strong husband be so helpless in that moment as he tried to pick his head up with continuous fails. Well, the nurse calls for backup. The doctor takes the speculum out. My doctor looked at me as they propped Cory up against the wall and said, "I know who won't be in the delivery room."

Cory had random mumblings of, "I don't know what happened. I just had a really bad dream! I'm sorry this is not about me. It's supposed to be about you. I'm sorry...I'm sorry. I don't know what happened."

The nurse looked up at me and said, "I'm sorry mam, we're going to have to move your husband to the next room and check his vitals."

Oh, how hilarious was this moment. So much had just happened, and then I was fine. The doctor assured me everything would be fine. They had a team of people helping him and his red marks and gash on his eye. Poor guy :(   My doctor finished running my tests and Cory came in my room for a little bit. Then he just went to the car to nap after the doctors cleared him too.

It was traumatic yet stinkin' hilarious! Although the story's much better hearing it in person, hopefully most of it translated well enough. So needless to say, he didn't go to work at all that Friday. He went home and went to sleep but thankfully, no concussion.

Now my wondering is, "Was it a delivery room prophesy?" haha... oh, I hope not! My dear grandfather wisely suggested we get him a good helmet and a nice chair for the delivery room! :)
We really are working hard to try medicines to ease his queasiness and work in baby steps toward the delivery process. Good thing we have about 6 and a half months before that happens! When those of you who are faithfully praying for us to have a healthy and ease in pregnancy, please also pray that Cory can be present and conscious throughout the whole process...doctors visits, delivery, and all! I have currently gone to 2 appointments on my own with my new OB due to complications and him not able to take off work at the last minute.  This Tuesday will be his first appointment to go to since the episode. Oh, and about the complications...everything's fine and we have heard a really sweet and strong heartbeat!

Listening to that heartbeat so stirs my affections for the Creator as He is knitting our baby together in my womb.
Just like the Hannah (that I was named after in Samuel) prayed for a child and her thankfulness to the Lord was this, "For this child I have prayed and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to Him."  1 Samuel 1:27
This is still not a treasure that is mine. God has entrusted me to care for and be a good steward of this gift that is HIS and is from Him. The day/days that I forget that are times where my treasure is ultimately not found in Him. It is a daily, sometimes hourly surrender of this baby to Him. I am beyond grateful to be this baby's mommy however long I am blessed to. May we always hold fast to the same truth that He is good, He is for us, and He does as He pleases as a Holy God.
We bless Him holy name and rejoice in His faithfulness and character!

How it happened...part 1

No, this will not be about any birds or bees so don't worry. I've been encouraged by many to blog this story, and I'd like to for my own sake also to remember the faithfulness of the Lord as well as the hilariousness of it all.

Most of you know that Cory lost his job back in February on the day that we were closing on "our house". Grief became such a close companion during that time. I wanted to blog even then about every emotion and prayer and surrender that was happening but I felt overwhelmed to write. I feel strongly about writing about what the Lord very lovingly, but fiercely taught me during that time. That will have to be for another post though :). 

Because we were about to close on the house, we had already put in our notice at our apartment which meant that we had nowhere to go. I was about to start my new job nannying the very next week and Cory was unemployed so there was no apartment complex that would even approve us. We asked our families, friends, and church family to pray for us. A family from our church opened up their home for us to live with them for several months. During this time, I started my new job as Cory searched for a new one. I started nannying for a family with 3 kids and we lived with a family with 3 kids. Of all the times that birth control would be on my mind, it wasn't. The Lord was doing a great work in my heart to prepare me. I had continuously felt a strong direction from God that it was time to start a family. "Really? We have no job, no money, no house, and no real stability. Am I making this up or is this from You?" From the world's standards, we would be outside of our minds to bring a child into the world but the sweet peace came in Him reminding me that it would be all Him for His glory and His purpose...not my own. 

So with that, I continued surrendering it back to Him whenever I thought of it and prayed for it. I didn't talk to Cory about it. There have been times in the past where we have both said out of emotions and baby fever, "We want a baby!" I didn't want to go to Cory with this notion of "baby fever" and attempt to convince him that it's time. So, I prayed for him...and I waited. I prayed that whenever the time was right that God would strongly lead Cory in that. A few months went by and then one Sunday afternoon, we ordered pizza, went to the park, and were throwing a frisbee in the shade. There are some times in life that I can look back and so distinctly remember every detail about it because of the power of the presence of the Holy Spirit in that moment. This was one of these times. I had been faithfully praying for my husband, for my heart to surrender and be patient, and for the Lord to reveal Himself to us in a greater way. We were talking about many random things that then led into serious talk all while the frisbee is still going. Cory then said, "I know this may sound crazy because I don't have a job and because of all that's happening, but I've been praying about it a lot and really feel like it's time to start a family." 

I was in shock.... Why? For some reason it surprised me that God was faithful in that. Of course His faithfulness would abound. That is His character. I rejoiced so greatly in that moment as we did together while I shared with him my heart on it. Two days later, he got the job at Schneider Electric! We had a few months of negative pregnancy tests later seeing His provision and protection in those. 

The first month, I would not have been covered on insurance yet and it would have counted as a "pre-existing condition". The second month, I had oral surgery and needed anesthesia which apparently you cannot have if you are pregnant and believe me, for this surgery, I did NOT want to be awake. I had a random tooth coming out in the roof of my mouth that they removed along with my wisdom teeth. Crazy I know. I praise the Lord for allowing me to not be pregnant in that moment...put me out!

A few weeks after the surgery, I was able to go on a retreat with people that I serve with at church. It was a sweet time with friends and especially hearing from the Lord. It was another time where I can remember every detail of those moments that led me to the point of surrender. I was really struggling to believe that God is good. I didn't even realize that I had been. When Cory lost his job, I knew that God was a faithful God, but looking back, I struggled deeply and still was struggling to BELIEVE that He is a good God and He is for us, for me. I thought surely He will provide but this is just like God to take away something to teach me a lesson. At this retreat, He gently but ferociously revealed His goodness to me and gave me the faith to believe and rest in it!

My righteousness and obedience is not what saves me and justifies me before the throne above. Jesus Christ paid the price on the cross for me already. I don't have to do anything to please God in order for Him to like me more. He is pleased. He looks at me and calls me "daughter". He sees me as spotless, blameless. With a God like that whose faithfulness in delivering a broken world by sending a Savior to us and fulfilling that promise, I don't have to earn His favor. He is FOR me. I'm not talking prosperity gospel here but I am saying that resting completely in knowing that whatever has happened to me, whatever will happen to me, it has ALL come through His hands and been allowed by Him. He is not surprised. He cares for me and wants me to know Him more intimately. That is why He allows things. He has the ultimate power to stop or allow anything because He's God and He is good. He gives and takes away. Blessed be His name! 

I love the line in the song that says, 

"Whatever my lot, God has taught me to say, 'It is well. It is well with my soul.'" 

Resting in His goodness and having the ability to see it came right here in this moment as I journaled and prayed for hours. I found this cozy spot on this lovely red swing as a storm had just come through. It was June but the wind was blowing, and it was a breezy few hours I spent out there. 

I serve in Little Village at church. I teach 3 year olds a story from the Bible each weekend. The point is not for them to leave with knowing every detail of the story but to be able to grab hold of a foundational truth that is so etched in their minds as we pray that the Holy Spirit writes it on their hearts. Every story we tell, there is one foundational truth that it comes back to. Our foundational truths are:

God is in charge of everything
God made everything
God wants to talk with us
Jesus came to save sinners
and... God is good.

So, as I'm at retreat, I also had been preparing to teach for the weekend. Guess which foundational truth I was teaching to 3 year olds?! God is good. I told them the parable in Matthew 13 about the treasure hidden in a field. ‎"The kingdom of heaven is like TREASURE hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his JOY he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." Matthew 13:44. 

I journaled about many treasures that I was being asked to surrender not for God to steal my joy but ultimately, to bring me the greatest joy in Him. He is the sweetest treasure. I want to treasure Him and His kingdom above all else.
I really wanted to be a mother. He had already purposed a desire in my heart and in Cory's heart and so why hadn't it happened yet? Conviction led to repentance, which led to a sweet surrender. I cried as I wrote these words but sincerely meant them, "If I'm never able to be a mom or own a home or be overseas as a missionary or work in a children's ministry, you are enough and you are good. I have all I need in You." I have desires and passions that are so deep within my heart that I so badly want but giving those dreams to Him knowing that I can TRUST Him for His goodness was so freeing!

So, this brings us to the third month which was a few weeks after retreat. Well, the third month we were in Louisiana for my niece's first birthday party. I had the week off while the family I work for went to the beach. I stayed until Wednesday of that week in Louisiana to visit with a few friends and family and Cory went back that Sunday. Oh and by the way, all this time, I had stopped drinking diet coke and started eating super healthy. That Wednesday, I woke up and felt it. Girls, you know what I'm talking about. The feeling the day before you start. Blehhh. I texted Cory and told him, "I'm 100% sure we are not pregnant. I'll be starting tomorrow." 

So with that, on my way home I drank 3 diet cokes and had like 2 or 3 cups of coffee that day. No big deal. I'm not pregnant and I needed caffeine to stay awake on the drive back alone. I came home, had dinner with Cory, and then went to the bathroom to take the test. Just for fun and because we had one. I thought, "Why not? I have one left. I might as well." Took it and remember saying out loud, "You are good" believing in that moment that positive or negative, He is a good God no matter what. I had already come to grips with not being pregnant that month. 

Well, it was + ! I ran out and screeched it to Cory! I didn't do anything to deserve it. It was just His timing and all a part of His plan that we cannot even begin to understand the depth of. I was speechless and so humbled that He would consider us worthy to be parents. Then, I didn't believe it so we went to Walmart and bought more pregnancy tests. Two tests later, we were sure! 

You will have to read part 2 to find out the story about my first appointment. It's kind of epic...in a terrible way. :) 

We have news...

We have an announcement to make--

On this Steiner road,

we have a BUMP AHEAD....

We are rejoicing for the sweet blessing of life the Lord has created! His faithfulness, goodness, and provision is perfect. We will be 9 weeks tomorrow!!!

March 10, 2o13 is our "LS" (little Steiner's) estimated time of arrival!

New post

New post coming soon!  :-)

Change

During my last post, I vowed that the next blog posts would not be near as long, but I'll go ahead and confess that I can't promise that for this one...Actually, I can promise that it will be lengthy.


I've played this over and over in my head and how I would write the words out to document what the last few weeks of change has been for us. Every time I've sat down to type it out, I just haven't wanted to be dishonest and say how "okay" with everything I was. In my desire to be completely honest with where I've been through all of it, I wasn't ready to process my honesty with everyone that would read yet.


As you read in my last post, Cory was supposed to go to Milwaukee for training with his job the last week of Feb. I was going to Louisiana during that entire week to spend time with my family. I could not have been more excited! I was so ready to see my family and to see my sweet friend Sara Iles.
Cory was called in Friday morning into his manager's office to tell him to cancel his flights to Milwaukee. The company had decided that nation-wide, the role of CSR that Cory holds, would not be going to this training or to the one in April-May. They cancelled all of their traveling expenses to make "budget cuts" throughout the company. Cory's immediate response was, "Does this mean there's a chance I'll lose my job?" His manager's response, "No, not that we know of. If I was told to let go 2 of my lowest performing salesmen, you would not be in that ranking at all."


As I headed to Louisiana still for my planned week of relaxation and fun with family, friends, and my sweetest little niece, Cory made plans to keep himself busy throughout the week while I was gone with friends and planning for our house. We FINALLY found the perfect home to buy. It was a couple from our church that was selling it. It seems so perfect. When we went to look at it, I immediately thought, "This is our new home." The sweet lady we were buying from was a spectacular saleswoman. She immediately sold us on the house. We were excited for the neighbors we would have as some of them were fellow church members of the Village. It is a done deal. We just needed to have the contract typed up and signed! :) I started getting so, so excited! Finally, after all of the looking and researching houses and neighborhoods and square footages and frustrations from apartment living, it will all finally be over! I knew that all of the waiting had been worth it.


We started shopping for paint and colors as we were planning what we'd have done in each room. I imagined all of our things in our new home. We spent date nights shopping for furniture and dreaming of what our life will be like with this house. We talked about where everyone would sleep when we had our families come to visit. We imagined having our home group there. SO EXCITING! We covered it in prayer together and individually several times a day over the house wanting to continue trusting the Lord through this and rejoicing for what He has already done through it! As I left for Louisiana, I was THRILLED that I would come back to a home that was OURS. Finally. Cory was going to do the official paperwork on Mon. or Tues. of the week that I was gone.


Sunday night when I made it to my parent's house, my sweet and beautiful niece Brynlee was there. She didn't want to miss a beat when I was there. My mom and I put her down for the night while Jordan was working and she was out...until she decided to wake up around 9:30 and wanted to have a late night sleepover party til 2 am with her aunt and grandma! Such sweet memories made with her during this restless time. Monday morning waking up to the most adorable baby girl there is cooing and touching my face was a precious memory.  Jordan brought her in to wake me up. I love Brynlee so much. It often makes me wonder how much I will love my own :)She is so much fun!


We all hung out for the morning and then around 10:30, I started thinking, "I wonder if Cory has talked to the family that's selling us the house. I bet he's already met with them!" So I called him ready to hear the latest on the house. He answered sounded distracted. When I said, "What are you doing?!" He responded with the words that sent me into a shock...."I'm going to need to call you back... I just lost my job."


..........


Truly in disbelief, I just sat there...quiet. I remember immediately getting on my knees but not having any words to pray or any tears to cry. I just sat there.


After about 20 minutes, I went and told my mom and my brother Jordan. Also in disbelief. After thinking contemplating for hours what to do, I ended up heading back to Texas cutting my 6 day trip into an overnight trip and heading back to be with Cory through this. I think I cried the whole way home.


The amount of detail and the Lord's work that has happened since that day, February 27, is truly impossible to give justice to through blogging but I will try...next blog. I have put off posting this and wanting to add such great detail to it...much more than I did. I know that if I don't publish now, I won't. More updates to come very soon!


Jesus is enough.

Life

Here goes another attempt of blogging parts of life. I've attempted before but never seemed to stay with it. My biggest hesitation in beginning is the all consuming nature it has to ability to become. I just have to work through that. I have started a new chapter in life and we are hoping to embark on a new one together soon so here ya go!


A little update on where we are in life right now...


Cory... is working at a wonderful company here in the metroplex as a customer service representative for an HVAC company. He's been working there since September. He loves it! It has it's challenges of course, but in my opinion, it has been completely fashioned by the Lord for him to be here in this position. He is amazing at it! He will be moving into a sales position for the company within 6 months-a year. Although I do despise when he uses his sales tactics on me such as the "sales voice", the business associate face, and sealing a deal with me...he is rather good at it! God's faithfulness has been evident already hugely throughout his job. I think he will do exceptionally well when he moves into sales. He is so good with people!


Me... I have been through much change in the last two years. I say that but really, WE have been through much change in the past two years together. How incredible He has been through it all! He is faithful...a lesson learned again and again and again...and again.
I worked for Irving ISD for my first year out of college and met some incredible kids and co-workers. It was such an over-whelming and draining job/district. I finished the year out and due to stress related health issues and lots of prayer before the Lord, we decided that I was not going to go back. My principal was so gracious and understanding. She was such a blessing and welcomed me back if I could return in the future!


I was thankful for the confirmation of this in my heart through really seeking after the Lord but it was hard for me to tell people and have to "explain myself". I had questions and statements like, "Why did you leave a perfectly good paying job in this economy?!", "Just give it a couple more years.", "It's a job; you'll never love your job." --All such gut-wrenching statements for such an avid people-pleaser. A sweet friend encouraged by saying, "Anytime that I have truly sought the Lord through devoted prayer and fasting over a serious matter, He has ALWAYS made it clear." That was what I was looking for. That's what I needed. I needed that kind of reassurance. HIS wisdom. HIS faithfulness. HIS provision. Don't get me wrong, I don't just take wisdom and advice from those that I respect and throw it to the wind but through such conflicting advice from so many, the Lord Jesus graciously drew me in close to seek HIM for myself. Looking back, this is definitely something He used to strengthen my prayer life.


This led me to my next job. I found a school semi-close to our apartment that was a christian preschool. It seemed wonderful! In all honesty, I was so abundantly blessed by the families and children that I was able to teach and know there. Sadly, I was only there for a short time before something happened that was made clear to me that I needed to leave. Christ is all and in all. Lots happened and when it came down to make a decision to compromise and stay or pursue righteousness and leave, I knew what needed to be done. I again went through the agonizing battle of the mind and fought my pride. I didn't want to leave ANOTHER job! How would this look to everyone who loves and cares about us?! I want CONSISTENCY! WHY do I care?! I know there were many who truly cared and gave opinions based on what they thought was best for us. We felt loved through it. We knew again, this would have to be through the Lord.


I resigned right before Christmas time. It broke my heart to have to do this. I trusted in the Lord. I wanted to stay somewhere where I could establish roots and plan to be for years and not be so inconsistent. Again, what lesson did I learn? God's faithfulness. His provision in what was to come has been unmatchable. Since Christmas, there have been many more things that have come about that have been even deeper confirmation of my decision to leave. I was also able to take all of January to spend time being restored.


It was also in January that...
       * I learned to do crock pot meals every day that is very cost efficient AND time saving!
              Woo HOO! Wife points!
       * I was able to take time to get our house back in order. Cory was so happy :)
       * Tuppie and I developed a love/hate relationship due to lack of house training that can
              be done in an apartment.
       * We decided that we will be buying a house & moving to Flower Mound/Lewisville area
       * I started packing everything up in boxes that I had just spent weeks getting "in order"
       * Cory went to doctors and specialists all over to see why he's been having headaches  
              for the past few years. And praise God for no cancer or tumors!
       * Cory encouraged me to rest and be renewed while at home.
       * My days and nights got mixed up and are currently :(
       * We talked about me getting a job in February.
       * We grew closer in our marriage as we grew closer to Him. Praise God for that!!
       * I was able to be encouraged and have really great intentional time with some
              incredible women.
    
The week before February rolled around and no job. I had not been looking at all. I
was going to start looking in February-ish so the thought of switching the calendar over to the month of february brought about some anxiety that I quickly had to surrender to Him.
I cried...alot. I cried because I thought I would have to go back to teaching. That's what is assumed. I got a degree in teaching. Teaching pays the bills...well, some of them! If you are a teacher, you know exactly what I mean. I don't LOVE teaching though. I love kids and I love doing ministry with kids. I love teaching truths about scripture and about God to kids.
I was asked to be on the Little Village team of teachers in January to teach my 3 year old class each weekend. This thrilled my heart but also scared me. What if this was the only "ministry" that God ever allowed? What if He doesn't provide full time kids ministry to me as a job?


This shows my lack of trust and little faith in Him. The spirit revealed the deep longing in me to TRUST that God is for my good in His glory. I always am fearful of letting the things that I care about the most go and trusting them to Him. I can "trust" Him with all the things that don't really stir my heart for much affection but when it comes to things like my husband, my passions (children's ministry and missions), my family, good friends, and my future, I am not willingly surrendering those to the One who is the Creator of all of those things. In His name, all things are held together. He is before all things.


Even through typing these things, my heart wants to cry out to the Lord like in Mark, "I do believe; Help me in my unbelief!"


So trusting Cory and his life and health to him is sometimes a battle but He has not given up on drawing me to Himself and proving His faithfulness. Not proving that He will always give me Cory and nothing will ever happen bad to him but proving His faithfulness that HE is my refuge. This was another one of those things. Trusting Him.. "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." This kept coming to mind when I prayed and cried over wanting to do children's ministry as a job. I wanted to be delighting in Him. The spirit of God faithfully heard my cry and convicted my sinful heart. I felt the conviction and encouragement that my HOPE cannot be found in children's ministry but in Christ and in Christ alone! Easy to say now... but then it was a hard but true concept to grab hold of.


At the Village, our worship pastor wrote this song. It's an incredible CD if you need a good worship CD. I was listening to one of my favorite songs on it called. My Hope is Christ. I stopped right in the middle of singing it around the house one day knowing that it wasn't true about my own heart where I was currently struggling. Through prayer, God was gracious and cared enough to reveal that sin to me so that I could have freedom in that.


THE NEXT DAY.... it was the weekend and literally, 4 job offers. No one I had sought out myself really. Only through talk of people around here hearing I was looking. Out of those, I had a sweet and precious family ask me to be their nanny/teacher to their kids. After talking logistics and praying, I accepted the position to start the first full week of March.
Ages 2, 3, and 6. The six year old will be at school during the day but my time will mostly be spent loving on and teaching the youngest two. The mom and dad are amazing! They are a family that I already know pretty well. They want me to be able to take the kids places during the day too! :)
As we were driving around the day I accepted the position, Cory said to me, "Isn't God so good. You wanted to do children's ministry and this is the best form of children's ministry I can see in our lives right now!" SO true! I was so thankful for his prospective in that.


So, that's where we are now. Cory is working and learning more about his position. He will be spending time in Milwaukee soon for training. I am getting ready to start nannying in a few weeks as I attempt to complete the packing process of our apartment. AND we are both searching for a house without much luck right now. So you could join us in praying for that process.


Sheeesh! That was long. I promise not to always be this long winded but since it was my first post, I figured it deserved some space.


Reflective on some things tonight/this early morning:
Thankful to be saved from wrath and darkness and saved into His glorious Light!
Thankful for a story to tell of His faithfulness and grace.
Just. so. thankful.