Becoming Grandparents....

That's our first grand baby in there... thanks, Tara for carrying this precious one!

Can there be two incredibly happy posts in a row?!!? In the life of a family of this size is seems that that is never really a normal. Someone is always starting school, graduating, getting a new job, going on a big trip, moving to an exotic, or not so exotic location, having an exotic or usually, not so exotic, date.... but it is not every day that one gets to announce that they are on the eve of becoming GRANDPARENTS!!!! Since Dan is not known for big announcements and I am, I am telling you all that in February if 2012 we will add ourselves to the ranks of grandparents that are simply over the top nuts about their grandchildren!!!!

Our oldest son Jeremy and his wife Tara got to the finish line first on this one and we are thrilled! The due date on Baby W. is February 3rd but I am thinking that, because each of my boys were late, maybe this little one could wait till my birthday on the 8th and then pop out. Wouldn't it be doubly fun to have the first grandchild born on the Grandmother's birthday?!?!? Now this little one could also be born a bit early and land on Aunt Hannah's b'day on January 28 or a wee bit over and land on Aunt Abby's birthday on February the 6th. There are all sorts of options. Any one want to wager a bet?!?!

Tara and Jeremy had a bit of a journey getting all the conditions right both body and soul for this little one to come but God's timing is perfect. You can read more about this on Tara's blog at: http://foreshadownothing.blogspot.com/2011/09/half-way-there-and-learning-how-to.html. I hate to steal her thunder but in March she was told she had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Endometriosis that make it difficult to conceive. A miracle happened and she is now just about halfway there! We know that Tara and Jeremy will both be wonderful parents!

While they have names all picked out... they don't want to know the gender of the baby till it is born, but Dan and I have our names picked out too. Dan will be known as Grandpa Dan just like his Grandfather and I will be Grammie Lynn. My grandmother was always Grammie to me so they have special associations for us both.

It has been fun to watch the reaction of the siblings as well. They are all really jazzed about this little niece or nephew that will make them all Aunts and Uncles. Abby is excited that she has her counterpart to Ben's Noah, Hannah speaks of this little one often, Mick told me that some nights he can't sleep he is so excited and Charlie thinks he should go stay there for a couple of weeks after the baby is born... not so sure about that one Char but the sentiment is good....

Dan and I embrace this this role... we are anxious to do our part to "train up this child in way he should go" by teaching him/her about the Savior. We look forward to holding this little one, cuddling and rocking, reading to them, taking them camping, baking Christmas cookies (Christmas at Grammie Lynn's!) and decorating Easter eggs, Skyping, teaching them CD (character development) on a horse but then spoiling them rotten and sending them home. Oh and yes, most importantly... praying each and every day of their lives for them. I learned long ago that the battle is won on your knees. This Grammie will be on her knees claiming the life of this child in every aspect for Jesus.... Amen and Ahmen.... right, kids?!?!?

God's best blessings on Tara and Jeremy's little one. We pray that God is knitting each part perfectly together, will grant a safe delivery and giving them a heart that is open to Him!