New Year's Surprise

Brett and I discussed having children early in our relationship. We each had our own timeline and we met in the middle. We did the same with the number of kids we would like to have. Of course, we have revisited these discussions many times since we’ve been married. Our desire to become parents one day was mutual and we were granted that gift soon after our wedding. Our little saint made us parents. We mourned the loss of our baby and rejoiced in the truth from God that we would be united again.

After some months of mourning and having "baby fever" over and over, I decided that I was not going to spend my time longing for another baby or grieving the loss of our baby but rather really enjoy that time of our marriage. Brett and I enjoyed vacations, day trips, and endless nights staying up late and sleeping in for our leisure. But it wouldn't be long before once more, I would begin to dwell on becoming a mother, especially as the holidays approached. I decided again to not yearn but rather take it to God through Mary.

I prayed a novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe since that was the closest Marian feast. I asked Mary to help me to let go and let God bless us at the right time. After the novena ended, I felt a difference, like I had truly let go and let God. I felt peace such as I had not experienced on this subject. Then here comes the next Marian Feast day, January 1st, Mary, the Solemnity of Mother of God. On the 30th, I bought some home pregnancy tests because I didn't feel normal. On New Year's Eve morning before mass, I took the test and left it on the counter; Brett was the first to discover the results. We were shocked and unprepared but felt peace and knew that it was God's time, not ours. We have been open to life since we said our vows 16 months earlier. I knew that Mary, as the Mother of God, was by my side and have not stopped asking for her intercession as I encounter all the changes of my life with this pregnancy.

One of the Bible verses that I keep pondering on during this time is Proverbs 19:21 which reads:

Many are the plans of the human heart, but it is the decision of the LORD that endures. 

And this is what our baby Duke is, a decision of the Lord that began as a plan in Brett’s heart and mine many years ago. I pray that our baby will know that the Lord has wonderful plans for her/his life.

Our Baby Duke's first picture at 8 weeks!