I Told You!

I told you we missed that face!  Here's a cute video, but first a few disclaimers:
*the video does this moment NOOOO... justice
*pay close attention to Emrick's face...that smile didn't leave (expect when I tried to hold him while Jonathan got his luggage...he was stuck to his daddy)
*you can't hear it, but as soon as Jonathan lifted Emrick up, he said, "my daddy," and I can hear it replay in my head over and over...absolutely the sweetest words I've heard him say!
*after the video, we were walking toward baggage, and Emrick kept saying, "mama, mama" and tapping Jonathan...it was almost like he was trying to say, "Mama, look, look, its daddy...I found him, its daddy!"

Oh, my gosh, how I love these two (and a half) boys.  They make me smile!

Missing This Face...

The daddy face that is....

We are missing our daddy for sure, but know that he is doing some awesome work in Nicaragua this week!  He brings so much to our family, so we know that he is bringing so much to his team, and the people they will serve this week.  Please join us in praying for their team, the people in Nicaragua that they are ministering to, and the families (there are lots of teens and pre-teens missing their moms and/or dads this week) that are waiting patiently for them to return.  We are so proud to call this face...daddy!

And this one, too...



Her birthday was today...I won't tell you how old, but we should celebrate her greatness anyway!  We love and miss you Mimi!

Oh, and this one....

Her birthday is tomorrow!  We love and miss you Grammy Sue...Happiest to you!

One Blue Cake!

We were seeing blue this afternoon at our "What will it 'BEE'?" shower!  Looks like Emrick will be having a little brother join him in July!  We had such a fun, sweet time finding out with some of our friends and family!  We missed you if you couldn't join us, but enjoy this video of the reveal, and several other photos too!!!

The bakery did a great job!

My two amazing hosts and I (and yes, we all matched the theme)!  They really thought of everything!

Cake Table

My Mom and I

Favors

Snack Table

Such a fun time!  Thanks to everyone that came and made it special...and thanks to Libby and Carrie for putting so much thought into the day for us!  Now, onto figuring out a name for this precious little boy!

It's a ...

post with lots of different baby pictures.  We recently went to our twenty week ultrasound.  The tech said that baby cooperated and she could tell what the baby is...we didn't look or find out that day, because we're having a revealing shower this Saturday!  I am really excited about everyone being able to find out at the same time.  BUT, let me tell you it was tough, tough, not looking when she did.  So, there is one person that actually knows what we are having, and it isn't us!  The good news is that everything looked good, and baby let us take some good pictures of it.  See:

Also, most people that know us well, think that Emrick favors daddy, as do I!  There are so many times a day when I think, holy cow, you look just like your daddy.  However, there are seldom moments that do see me in him.  So, what do you think.  Here is a picture of all three of us...



























































Love to you all, and we hope to see many of you on Saturday!

Just a Little Update

We have been pretty busy lately, and while its been fun, it makes me tired!  HA!  The first of February Jonathan took Emrick to his 18 month check-up.  He's getting so big so fast.  He weighed about 24 lbs which puts him in the 20 something-th percentile (I'm going off of memory because I'm "resting," and can't go get the paper).  I don't remember how tall he was, but he was in the 70 something-th percentile (but the doctor said the measurement could be slightly off)!  Either way, the boy is tall and skinny!  He's getting really fun, and I find myself laughing at him all the time.  He's learning so many new words, and continues to be super sweet, and such a ham.  Everyday when we leave daycare, he has to tell the whole building "bye" especially the baby room and the director.

We (and by we I mean, his grammy and poppy) recently got him a toddler bed, and got the baby a mini-crib so that they could have more space in their room.  I really thought that there would be a week or so of transition time, but so far Emrick has done awesome.  He hasn't had one night in the last six that its been hard to get him in bed.  I sure hope that this continues!

We got a sweet package in the mail from my aunt, Jeanne.  She sent us a Valentine, and included was a precious love bug blanket for Emrick...he loves it!

I put it on his bed, and tried to film him...I was trying to get him to say "thank you" and then just share some of his new words for everyone.  Except, he was way more interested in playing.  Its not really that interesting of a video, but if you are family, you'll love seeing how grown up he is.  So full of  life and fun!

In other news, we go on Monday for our twenty week ultrasound.  Emrick will go to daycare, and Jonathan has the day off, so I am excited about spending some one on one time with Jonathan.  I, however, get anxious before the twenty week ultrasound because it is so much more than finding out the gender...they do lots of measuring and assessing, and that always brings a new level of anxiety for me.  Please be praying that I will fully trust the Lord, and find a peace in Him!  We could find out the gender on Monday, but we aren't...we are having the tech write it down, and we will find out with many friends and family on March 5....I'm not sure that I will be able to contain myself those few days!  So excited!

And, we are still raising prayer support and funds for Jonathan's trip to Nicaragua in March.  Thanks to everyone that has committed to pray for Jonathan and to those that have given financially.  If you want more info about his trip, please click here to read his post about it!

We are so blessed!  I hope we always remember that, and try to take nothing for granted!

Exciting Opportunity

Hi all, Jonathan here.....what has it been? Almost two years since my last post (?)....guess I am a man of few words!

I have an exciting opportunity coming up this year.  In March of 2011 I will be with a group from Grace Church heading down to Nicaragua for 8 days.  I believe we will be in Rivas working with the local churches and Christ for the City International on a medical/construction mission trip.  I love the way that CFCI works with Grace and the local churches, we go down to provide skills (medical or muscle) and this brings the local community to where we are.....everyone that comes through the clinic gets to sit down and hear the Gospel message from a person from the local church.  You might ask why this is a big deal.....well it is because the local church will be there long after we are gone to love on and support their community.  For those that decide to give their life to Christ in those 8 days, there is support there for them......for those that are still lost, there has been contact made by the church that they can follow up on.  We as a church in Greenville can love and pray for these people, but the truth is we wont be there for them in their time of need.....the local church will be.  If we can strengthen  (through Grace teaching trips) and support/give credibility (through construction/medical trips) to the local church, they can use that to impact their community and change lives......what Grace is all about.

Many of you know the powerful story of Bailey and I's first trip to Nicaragua and unfortunately only I will be making this trip.  I am excited to see Gods hand in this trip and am really excited to be going with some men that I respect and that have an amazing passion for the people of Nicaragua.  I will need your help in a couple of ways though:

1)  Most importantly I need you to pray for our preparation, our team and the locals we will come in contact with......pray that God will open our eyes as well as theirs and prepare each of our hearts to worship and be open to his will.  There are alot of things that go into making this trip happen successfully....pray that it all comes together.  Pray for Bailey and Emrick and the little one yet to be identified for their safety and an easy week of being a single mom.  And mostly pray that Gods will is done and that he is glorified in all things we do!

2) For those of you that can and feel led to, I will need financial support to make all this happen.  The total cost for the trip is $1600 with most of that being transportation related.  We would like to have this fully raised by the end of January.....but as long as we can get it by March...that is good too!  Any amount will help and I would just ask that you would pray about it and do as you feel led.....

If all you can offer is prayer.....I would love it if you could pray diligently that everyone that is on or comes in contact with this trip is moved and their lives are changed.  Thank you guys for loving our family and thank you for every once in awhile checking this blog to see what is up with the Edmonds family......until next time....

Jonathan

If you would like to contribute financially please send a check to either address below with Edmonds-Nicaragua written in the memo line

Edmonds directly - Jonathan Edmonds, 10 Southcreek Dr, Travelers Rest SC  29690

Church directly - Grace Church, 2801 Pelham Rd, Greenville SC 29615

Bailey and I in Villa el Carmen............

My Battle with Excitement!

Ever since we had a miscarriage in 2008, I sometimes feel guilty for being excited about things like being pregnant, or being excited about things that Emrick is doing. I was always the one that struggled so with not being pregnant when others were; I was always happy for them, but so sad that it couldn't be our "status" as well. When others would complain about being sick, or being tired, or complained about anything related to pregnancy, it really angered me (even after I found out I was pregnant with Emrick). I tried really hard to be excited about the baby growing inside of me, but to not overly talk about it or complain about it. I never wanted to cause anyone the pain that I felt after our miscarriage. Even then, I had to tell myself and my pregnant friends that it was my battle, and something that I needed to deal with, and they couldn't possibly feel responsible for every little thing that they said and worry about whether I was going to struggle in some way because of it.

Since Emrick, I have learned of so many friends that have struggled way harder and longer than we ever did. And truly, they inspire me. Each of these friends has impressed me with their unwavering faith and comments like "We just keep trusting" and "God is doing something." But I still struggle to share....

That we are expecting again in July 2011! I'm twelve weeks today, and things seem to look good!

I struggle because I am so excited, but I hurt for some of my closest friends that can't feel this joy. I worry that they will be sad, not jealous, just sad. I've been there...and, its pretty uncontrollable when you want something, but it seems out of reach. I don't want to throw it in anyone's face, and I feel like this is harder now than it was when I was pregnant the first time.

I hope that in all this, my friends can find hope. Maybe they can see that we struggled, but that God remained faithful. Maybe my friends don't struggle the way I did. Maybe their desire for the Lord, is stronger than their desire to be a parent (unlike mine, before Emrick). I know that they will be happy for us, and I don't know why this is such a hang up for me, but its just one of those things I guess.

Please know, all my dear, sweet, and faithful friends: We are praying for and with you! I love each of you dearly. Thank you for being such an encouragement to me, even after we had Emrick; you're unfailing faith has strengthened me!

PS - In this holiday season, our family prays that you feel the blessing of all that this season really means. May you spend great time with family and friends, and truly experience that God, became flesh for us, and that is what we really celebrate. And, that He did this to eventually go to death for us. Take that in completely, and celebrate all that He continues to do for us!