Ash Wednesday

Four Ash Wednesdays ago (it was actually February 25, 2004) I had the hugest surprise of my life. The day before I went shopping with my friend, Kristina. I was feeling slightly crampy and just thought I was about to start my period. We met her and her family at her brother's soccer game, then went out to dinner at Carl's Jr. I got some chicken sandwich meal with fries and a soda and ate the whole thing.

Afterwards we went to Target to see if they had the swimsuit she wanted. I was soooo tired, I had to sit down. I asked her what time it was and it was 6:30 or something. What? Why am I so tired? On our way home we stopped to get donuts. Yum! An hour later we got back to her house and I was starving, so she made me some bagel bites. Weird.

She was like, "What if you're pregnant?" I remember I had the strangest response," Well, I know I'm not. But, I guess I'd rather be pregnant now than not be able to have kids." Then, after watching some show I went home and went to bed.

The good thing about working at a pregnancy resouce center is free pregnancy tests. Although, I had no use for them before then. I had given lots and lots and lots to our clients, though, so I knew how they worked. I took 3 home.

I took the first one and the 2nd line came up. From working at the clinic I knew there was no such thing as a false positive (unless you JUST had a baby or a miscarriage). But, I took the other 2, anyway. What the heck??? This was not good planning. Eric was at a training meeting for the apartments we managed. It seemed like forever waiting for him to get home. I gave him a little baby bootie with an 11-12 week preborn, plastic baby I had gotten at work. I cried, but he was so happy. Even though the timing wasn't what we planned.

It didn't take me long to be excited. This was a BABY. My baby! My miracle baby who God used to heal my marriage and heal my heart and completely change the direction of my life. I love my Judah Paul so much and that day (almost) 4 years ago is so special. Thank you, Jesus!