a new year's surprise

New Year's day found me waking up at my parent's home. I didn't sleep in super late, being the lame adult I've turned in to, I didn't even stay awake for the ball to drop. I was exhausted! The weekend had been full of celebrating Christmas with my side of the family, running here and there, and getting some shopping in with my favorite shopping partner (my mama). Ben had gone home early due to some rumors of snow since he had to be ready to plow. I didn't stay long on New Year's before heading home myself. Before I left, my mom and I had a sweet time of prayer, for all the transitions we knew and didn't know were coming our way in the following year. Looking back, this makes my heart even more giddy not knowing what even that day would entail.

I met Ben at his aunt's house on my way home for some New Year's chili. He and some of his family had been there all day, so after we ate we headed for home. Randomly, I had remembered that my monthly "friend" had not paid her visit in a normal timely manor, which isn't all that unusual for me. But for some reason, it was on my mind to take a test that evening.

Unless you know what it's like to take those tests and come up empty-handed every single time, even though you're technically "late", month after month for literally years, you might not understand how completely unaware I was at the following moments to come.

I was getting ready for bed, and I decided to test. I had already reasoned in my mind that I was sure I wasn't pregnant, but even if I was, it was night and you're supposed to test in the morning. I tested anyways. For anyone that hasn't seen a pregnancy test work, you use it and then watch for two lines. The first line is the "you're pregnant!" line, the second is the line that you always have, pregnant or not, they call it the "test" line. I've only ever seen the second line. To my utter shock and amazement, this time was different, the first line started to appear well before the test line did. I was in shock. I couldn't move. What?! Ben started to walk into the bathroom and I quickly told him he could not come in. I took another test, one that was a little more expensive in case my dollar tree test was crummy. Same results. Fastest minutes of my life.

I wanted to wait and tell Ben in a cute way, but I was so much in shock I didn't know what else to do or how to buy time! I walked out with the two tests in hand. I gave them to him. He emotionally yelled, "What does this mean?!" And I whispered, "I'm pregnant." Before I could say anything else he whisked me up in his arms and started jumping up and down and spinning around and rejoicing. Tears of joy streamed down my face.

We found out on New Year's Day, 2013, that God has blessed us with a child, and we are parents! God had answered our prayers!! I'm still in disbelief sometimes. Our first doctor's appointment in January proved to me that there really was a baby in there. Strong heartbeat, arms and legs growing. It was breathtaking. Bless the LORD o my soul!!!!!!!!!!

"For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him."
I Samuel 1:27