Reminiscing

What a difference a year makes.  A year ago today, our lives were completely different.  A year ago today, we were in a waiting game.  A year ago today, we had so many dreams unfulfilled and so many hopes up in the air.

Then everything CHANGED.  For those of you who know me well, you know that I don't particularly like change.  That I tend to fight and resist it with almost all of my being.  But a year ago today was different.  A year ago today, God blessed us in ways that have truly changed our lives FOREVER!

Allow me to reminisce:

A year ago today seemed like just another day - we had yet another doctor's appointment to determine how baby boy, our little Greenbean, was progressing and how I was preparing for his big arrival.  We would have never known as we woke up on Jan. 25, 2011 all that the Lord would do in a matter of 14 hours.

You see, Cade was past his due date, but we knew we wanted him to arrive as naturally as possible, and only in the timing of our Lord.  So as we made way to my doctor's office (shout out to Paul for being the MOST AMAZING OBGYN) we had no clue that everything was about to CHANGE.  Paul did his usual and checked my blood pressure and my body's preparation for labor and delivery.  While it seemed by body was not ready to let our little guy out, Paul was a bit concerned with my blood pressure and so, we were sent to the hospital to officially get things started.  YIKES!  I knew in my heart that it was time and I knew in my spirit that God was with us.

As I got settled in at the hospital - gown and all - I had several visitors.  Friends that will remain our surrogate family, really came to say hi and to wish us luck!  It was a blessing to see them and they truly helped me take my mind off of the impending labor that was about to occur.

Just as the doctors administered some medicine to get my body prepared for Cade's arrival, Pete received a call on his phone.  It was a call we had been awaiting for weeks!  When Pete told me who it was, I quickly said,"Answer it!"  I couldn't believe that Ron, from MAF, was calling us now, but I needed to know what he had to say.  Pete returned to the room a few moments later with a silly grin and deer in headlights look on his face.  "We've been approved and are scheduled for the Summer 2011 Candidacy class."

This was news we had been hoping and praying for throughout the entirety of our pregnancy.  It was surreal as I lay in the hospital bed, preparing to have a baby.  I looked at Pete and told him that I thought this news was more overwhelming than going into labor - WHAT?!?

In a matter of minutes we had gone from preparing to have a baby to being accepted to Candidacy - both of these things would change our lives in ways we could never have imagined, but were JUST what we had been hoping and praying for.  There is no doubt that Jan. 25, 2011 will forever be a day we REJOICE over and a memory we never forget.

A mere 13 hours later, on Jan. 26 2011, our precious little Greenbean, CADE BENNETT GREENWALD emerged.  He was as handsome as I have EVER seen and the three of us had an INSTANT CONNECTION.

A Day at the Beach

There is no doubt that Pete and I have been blessed with some of the most amazing friends and family anyone could ever ask for.  Whether it's watching our husbands shoot zombies for hours while we chat about life before, during, and after pregnancy or taking a fun trip to see manatees and play in the waves, we have friends that are with us through life challenges, family changes, and miles of separation.   These are people who keep us encouraged, help us grow, and lend us an ear or hug in time of need.  We pray we are a blessing to them, as they surely are to us.

One thing is for certain, Pete and I would not be who we are or where we are without the kindness and support of these friends.

This weekend we visited the Webb's.  When we were engaged and Pete was in school at LETU, he would call me and tell me about this couple that we had to hang out with when I moved to Texas.  I remember our very first "date".  As we walked to our meeting location - an indoor blacklight mini-golf course - we were all nervous (although we didn't find that out until years later).  Pete introduced me to his friend Amber and her husband, Micah, and Micah was introduce to Pete and I.  We proceeded to "enjoy" a round of horrible mini-golf and somehow amidst the nerves and odd choice of venue we became friends.  These are friends that I know are God-sent.  They are friends who, despite miles between us and different life circumstances, will remain a constant.  They are people we rejoice with, mourn with, and share in the big and the little life has to offer. This weekend was no different.

While there precious little boy, Ben, has grown up at the beach, this was Cade's first trip and boy was it memorable!  Our little sand-man ate the sand, threw the sand, crawled in the sand, rolled in the sand, and brought the sand to his not-so-sand-loving momma to give her clothes a more "sandy" look.  We had a blast!  Here are some pictures of our day at the beach.

Who said this water could come and take my sand away?

Snuggling with momma and getting dried off.

Sand, Where have you been all my life?

Crawling to MORE sand!

He LOVED throwing sand!

Happy Little Monkey (and Momma & Daddy)

Uncle Timmy & A Day at the Aquarium

Throughout our journey, Pete and I have met some amazing people who we are blessed to call friends and grateful to be a part of one another's lives.  One of these people is affectionately referred to as "Uncle Timmy" around our home and will forever be someone who we look up to and hope our son sees as an excellent male role model.

This week, Cade met his Uncle Timmy for the very first time.  Through a series of life events and circumstances, this week was the first time that both Uncle Tim and the Greenwald family were in the same place at the same time since Cade was born.  We have been waiting for this special time for quite a while (11 months or so, to be exact)!

Today, we spent the day at the Georgia Aquarium loving on the sea creatures and watching a fun (if a bit cheesy) show in the dolphin area.  My personal favorite was right at the entrance - a "touch pool" with sting rays (no barbs attached) and little sharks!  It was so exhilarating to stick my hand in the touch pool and feel the slippery and soft skin on the back side of the sting ray.  What beautiful and graceful creatures!

Earlier in the week I had read in Genesis about the Lord God making all the birds of the sky and fish of the sea.  What an imaginative and amazing God we love and serve, and who loves and serves us!  After seeing the sea creatures today I am blown away at the creativity and detail that He put into His creation and more so blown away that He calls us friend and is intimately acquainted with each and every one of us.  Tonight I stand in awe of our Lord just a little more than I did when I woke up today.  And to think, these are just a FEW of the sea creatures and the fish of the sea are just a PART of the WHOLE creation. WOW!

Not only did my understanding of the Lord's creativity grow today, but it was such a fun day to share with our dear friend, Tim.  Life doesn't bring us in the same area all to often any more, but he is one of those friends who you just pick right up where you left off and you let one another grow, learn, and be who God has created each of you to be.  Pete and I are blessed to call him friend and can't wait for Cade to be able to say the words, "Uncle Timmy".

Daddy, Cade-Man, and Uncle Timmy

Sting Ray/Shark Touch Pool

Daddy showing Cade the fish!

Dragonfish - SO COOL!

Beluga Whales

Cade getting up-close and personal with the fish!