Grace, I say your name a lot more now.  You’re dad and I are getting ready for you.  10 more weeks.  Wow, I can’t believe you’ve been growing in my belly for 30 weeks now.  Time is flying by now, Gracie.  Your dad thinks that you’re so active, you might just kick your way out a few days early.  I vote you stay in there as long as you like : ) 

Your Grandpa David and Grandma Celia came to visit us this weekend.  It was such a gift to have them here.  We celebrated your Grandpa David’s birthday and talked a lot about you.  Your dad and I are almost done with your new room.  We’ve been putting together furniture and hanging lots of special things for you.  Your Grandma Celia and I made a big shopping trip for you on Saturday, too.  She also brought you some wonderful treasures including some of my favorite baby books, some beautiful dresses and a very special quilt that your Great Great Great (yeah, that’s a lot of greatness!) Grandmother made and has been added to by every generation since.  I miss your grandparents a lot, Grace.  A whole lot.  They both have hearts of gold.  I’m sure you can feel my sadness today in not having them here anymore.  Your dad and I joked yesterday about buying the house next to ours so they could come live close to us.  Who knows what God has in store, but that would be just wonderful.

You danced away during church yesterday, as usual.  We sang a lot of your Grandma Celia’s favorite old hymns that your Great Grandpa Cecil taught to us both.  It was wonderful to praise God together and be with such loving people.  I always say that the people in our church are genuinely the happiest people on earth.  They love God so much and it shows through their love of others too.  Your dad and I feel so grateful to have that positive community around us.  We’ve learned so much from them and how they care for so many people in need all over the world.  I can’t wait for you to SEE all of the happy faces that sing the songs you’ve been dancing to soon.  I know they can’t wait to meet you, too.  I think one of my happiest days will be taking you there for the first time.

I have a lot on my heart lately, but, no matter what happens, when you move in my belly the world feels right.  My focus can go from narrow to seeing God in all things when I feel your kicks. I see the bigger picture and I feel grateful.  We love you, Grace.  Your dad and I can’t wait to meet you soon.  Very soon.

P.S. Your Aunt Emily sent me this verse today and it made my heart calm.  Someday, you will read this too and I hope it brings you just as much peace.  God is good.  So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10