Updates from the Noland 4.5

Yes you read that right. If you haven't already heard we are expecting again!
To fill you in a bit...
After we lost Olivia in October, we ended up getting pregnant in late November and had a positive test in early December. Because of our recent miscarriages that seemed to come out of nowhere I was pretty consistent in taking a test each night to make sure I got on progesterone pills the second I saw that pink line. Well, it was DARK, then lighter, then lighter and the night before I was supposed to go in for a blood test it failed to show. I called my Dr and she agreed there was no need to come in and that my body just naturally would take care of it again. At first hearing those words didn't really phase me. I think I was still so numb to everything and didn't want to get my hopes up in the first place. Even David said that the night I showed him the positive pregnancy test. Poor David, he had too lost the joy that we once had seeing those lines appear. I was so saddened for him... for us. The next day my Dr called and said she wanted me to go meet with the top Doc of the practice since my situation now losing three pregnancies make things "complicated" She said obviously my problem wasn't conceiving... the progesterone cream had helped us there. But now, my body wasn't able to sustain these pregnancies and that was devastating. She mentioned the possibility of a tear or a hole in my uterus from my past trauma with Briella's delivery and offered a potential laproscopic procedure to go look and see how my uterus had healed. I got off the phone and cried. It was sounding more and more like a "no" from God instead of the "just wait" I had previously heard. The thought of losing any more babies crushed me and I was done. That night I asked David how many more are we going to suffer through before we head down the road to adoption. He had a hard time with that question but after talking through some fears we decided we would pursue adoption in the fall. Once he was finished with his CFP schooling. Until then we would stop trying and just enjoy the time with the girls (especially Christmas) and being present with one another and start over a New Year fresh! It had been the hardest year I personally and we as a married couple have ever gone through in the 8 years together and I was ready for a clean slate!

Fast forward to January 5th. I was realizing that I wasn't losing my "holiday pooch" and was feeling a bit off... to rule things out my sister encouraged me to take a test. I was still 10 days or so away from a cycle and knew nothing would show up... plus it was the late afternoon. But, to rule it out I took it and NO JOKE the line appeared immediately! At 2 in the afternoon!!! I was elated and speechless and excited then I was terrified and nervous and scared that I was further along that I thought and I hadn't been on progesterone this whole time and really started to spiral. I called my Dr and they got me in that day for a blood test. Sure enough I was 5 weeks along and my numbers (12 with Olivia) were showing 120 and my progesterone levels (1,5 with Olivia) were 20 I was shaking!!!! They said everything looked healthy but wanted me to come in a few more times every other day to continue monitoring baby's numbers. They also put me on a 600mg dose of progesterone (which was overkill and made me feel drunk and shaky and I couldn't even walk) The next few results were even better Hcg 340
pro 41

and again

Hcg 750
pro 43

This baby was going to make it! The progesterone truly helped save it and God of course spared this little one. We went in for an ultrasound and seeing the tiny life the size of an ant with a BEATING heart was the BEST moment ever for us! I still didn't want to get my hopes up but at the same time, I had no reason NOT to trust God at this point. Everything looked so great and healthy and it really seemed like this was it! The baby we had been praying for for more than 2 years! An answer to my deepest prayers!

After confirming baby was viable (I prefer healthy) they FINALLY transferred me over to high risk and I would be under the care of the best of the best. the hero of a Dr. that saved my life. This was happening! It was so surreal but it was happening. Then I went in for an 8 week U/S and got to see the sweetest little baby.

I still don't know why God chose to call home the other three and not this one or why the progesterone was so needed for survival with Olivia but this baby was able to sustain without it... But I do know that through all of this I have learned to trust, even blindly sometimes knowing that God knows exactly why these things happen and has the most perfect plan in store for our family.

I still miss Olivia. Her June arrival fit so perfectly into MY plan complete with the picture of three little girls all being best friends just like my sisters and me. Oh I can't wait to meet her one day. My heart still aches but my heart has also grown even bigger to love this new baby. I can't wait to see how THIS little miracle, this little fighter will impact our family come August.

Please continue to lift up this sweet baby with us. We are anticipating an amazing pregnancy and delivery. After all, I am in the best hands... His hands.

But we have this hope.

I don't even know where to start. My mind is a mess my heart is broken I still have hope...it is...dwindling at the moment... but it is still there. I know God has a plan... I trust that completely... but I still question "why"
This blog may be all over the place but it is my heart... written out on paper... so bear with me. It is long... but it is me... being raw and transparent. In the end, it is for me. So I can look back at this time of sadness and pain and see how God carried me through it all. I am anticipating the beautiful future filled with God's blessings and finding joy once again. "Even if the healing doesn't come"

Rewind a few weeks. When we found out we were expecting we said we were going to celebrate this baby! For now matter how long we had with it, we wouldn't worry or fear the worst but enjoy each day and plan and get excited and I am so SO glad we did. The night we got the positive pregnancy test God spoke to me. He laid a name on my heart. A name for this baby that I wouldn't have necessarily chosen but it was so clear that I almost felt like I was being disobedient if I didn't name her what I felt was supposed to be her name. It may sound completely crazy but I truly truly feel God laid the name Olivia Hope on my heart for a reason. Her name meaning the olive branch just like in Noah's day after the horrendous storm when the dove returned with the olive branch telling him there was land and the flood was over. After a hard HARD year of trying to conceive (our flood) here was the baby... a rainbow baby ( a baby after a miscarriage) that was letting us know the storms were over and peace has come and hope is here! It was so fitting and so perfect but I knew David would never agree. After all, he had vetoed probably 50+ names when naming our girls. Well, I told him and much to my surprise he loved it! It was crazy. I knew... I just knew... it had to be a girl and this was her name. Once theblood  test confirmed i smiled knowing He had already prepared me to know her.

  David has dreamed of a boy his whole life. His parents tried for a brother but he ended up with four sisters no brothers (His brother would have been Joshua Thomas), and then he had two daughters, no sons (we have 7 nephews)so his desire has grown immensely for a son. Before we were married he told me his first son would be Joshua Royal. This is one of those closed discussions, I have no say ... like at all. I have even tried to add a second middle name but no... nothing fits so I have known for 8 years our first son would be Josh. I said as long as I can call him "J" or "BabyJ" I would be fine with it. After all our kids would be G, B and J!! David insisted on calling the baby "Olishua" and B called it "Joshy" but Gracelyn was with me and felt too that it was Olivia Hope.

When you have been trying for so long... you almost jump in head first as soon as you find out you are pregnant. We were picking up baby items (since we have gotten rid of everything) and hanging up my maternity clothes. We were already starting to transition the play room into the nursery and thinking of the next few months as the holidays (my favorite time of year) would soon be approaching. Before we got pregnant I had decided that I would be content over the next few months with not being pregnant and just enjoy the holidays with my sweet family and appreciate NOT being sick or tired and then we would go see a hormone specialist after the New Year and really try to figure out why we have been struggling to conceive. Now that we were expecting I was almost laughing at the fact that I would probably be my sickest right around Thanksgiving... but at least I wouldn't have to hide my full belly ha! Every statement in our conversations were "When the baby comes." or "before she comes." and I got a baby pooch almost immediately. Which I was SO in love with! I have always shown right away and I have loved it! Even if I just look fat I had dreamed of this moment for a year and now I had a small round bump that I would talk to and pray over.

Now fast forward to last Sunday. I was about 9 weeks along  I woke up and started spotting. A little worried I texted my family and friends and most of them encouraged me with "implantation bleeding" or many of the too experienced it with their babies. I have never experienced it with my girls so this was new and scary to me. I tried to pull myself together to get to church but each worship song and each comment on the baby made me cry harder. I was a mess. I was giving this baby girl to the Lord daily in prayer knowing God was in control but I was still trying to be so so hopeful that nothing was really wrong and that God would protect her if He chose to. Friends prayed over me and baby and so many hugs and encouraging words were exchanged. I still had hope.

By the time I got home I was bleeding a fair amount and was in a bit of pain. Cramping and sharp spasms it was a long afternoon and night. We got the girls together and all laid our hands on baby girl and prayed. This was our chance to teach our girls that it is not easy to trust God all the time and it was okay to be sad but that we had to put our trust in God and not allow Satan to scare us. Their sweet prayers were beautiful. "God please hope baby not to die so we can hold her" and "Dear Jesus please help baby to be healthy and not die" You could tell from their words that their hearts too wanted this. As I opened my eyes my sweet Gracelyn was smiling at me with tears welling up in her eyes. She was rubbing my shoulder and nodding her head as if saying it is okay Mommy I know this is hard. Her faith in God was inspiring. I will never forget that precious moment.I stayed in bed all evening and prayed, begged, cried myself to sleep in the arms of my love, who too was praying.

I got in to the Dr. immediately Monday morning. The Dr. said things didn't look good but she wasn't going to confirm miscarriage until I had blood work done. I left scared but again feeling hopeful. I cried out to God on my drive to pick up the girls. Telling Him how much I LOVED this baby and that I trusted Him I did but that I was afraid to surrender this child that we had been waiting so long for. I
spent the day at my Mom's with my sisters and way too many sweet treats surrounded by my niece and nephews. It was just what I needed to cheer up. I stopped bleeding that night and was SO overjoyed! so much relief and praise that God was healing my body and saving my sweet baby's life. I got the results the next day. HCG was supposed to be in the hundreds or thousands and it was 29. I clarified with the Dr so 2900 or 29000 and she sadly said, "No honey just 29" I knew that was so so low. She also informed me that my progesterone was dangerously low as well. We had suspected that the reason why we weren't able to get pregnant was because of my hormone inconsistency so I went on a natural progesterone cream twice a day which worked because we got pregnant as soon as I started using it. However my levels were still super low that now we know it wasn't enough and I should have been on a stronger dose. I knew after those results that it was over. God was going to call our baby home any day and I was devastated. My body didn't have enough progesterone and it was beginning to shed the lining and start a menstrual cycle. There was nothing more heartbreaking than to hear that my body was ending this pregnancy in my head all I heard was you are killing you own baby. This baby could have been perfectly healthy and wonderful and here my body was hurting it. Whether this is the truth or not, that is how my Mommy heart felt.

Yes I had only been pregnant 9  weeks but we "knew" this baby for a year. Each month of prayers brought us closer and closer to this child and we had fallen in love long before the positive pregnancy test. This baby was already part of our family. We already prepared for it and dreamed of what she would look like. I was not ready... I don't know if I would ever be ready. But for some reason hearing that I would for sure miscarry this baby almost gave me a peace. I know it was from God because how could I have handled that news otherwise? I had peace knowing this was God's plan. I had peace knowing I wouldn't be fearful every day of this pregnancy. I had peace knowing the sweet girl had impacted so many and united us all through prayer. Peace knowing she had already touched so many lives and was so loved and so so prayed over. Peace that she would never feel the disappointment and pain and suffering of this world. Peace that when she opened her eyes she would see Jesus face to face. Peace that God knew how long her life here on earth would be before we even conceived her. Don't get me wrong I still cried... a lot. All day and all night but I knew that God loved this sweet baby more than I ever could and knowing she would be with him soon gave me enough peace to breathe.

October 19th we said a hard and very sad goodbye to our Rainbow baby...our precious answered prayer... our Olivia Hope and it was not easy. My final blood test revealed a number 8 bringing comfort that it was over and God had answered my prayers for an uncomplicated and short miscarriage. With hemorrhaging problems in my past deliveries we were prepared and ready to go to the hospital in case the situation got scary, but God had mercy on me and grace and it was never even close to a dangerous situation. This was just another beautiful reminder that God was in control and He had me in His hands protecting me. This also gave me hope that maybe my body COULD deliver our next (Lord willing He blesses us again) without any complications. I was so afraid He would be saying "No more" forever but instead I felt "Not now" and "Do you trust me?" and "My grace is sufficient for you"

I am still having a hard time as I pack up the baby stuff we ALL so anxiously got out and as I hear songs of trial or pain.
I still wonder why God chose to give us a baby and take it away in the same month... too soon... rather than letting me be content with not being pregnant for the remaining of the year and sparing us all the tears and heartache.
I still fear for the ability to not only get pregnant again but now for the ability to carry a baby and deliver.

For those of you who have been wondering why we have shared this experience with you I only have one reason. God uses everything for His plan. He works all things out for good.

Olivia Hope whether she was or wasn't to us made a huge impact on everyone around us. Our story has inspired and encouraged so many. I know just from her VERY VERY short life God used her in mighty ways! Although it has been a hard week we have this hope now, that among our suffering to conceive and wondering if my body could ever get pregnant... we know now I can. God has given us hope through this pregnancy with this child and reminded us He is in control. I have felt so close to God... I have prayed non stop, and I have grown so much in my walk with the Lord.

I now know why he laid the name Olivia Hope on my heart that night. It all makes so much sense now.

James 1:2-4
Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you endure various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

A Joyous Reveal!

When we first started trying to get pregnant, we agreed that we would wait until the ultrasound showing a healthy baby before we would announce it! Well, when you have been trying for a YEAR and you get a positive pregnancy test... you just want to SHOUT IT FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOPS... and so we did!

I was 9 days late and finally decided I would take another dreaded test. I had probably taken... 30-40 tests by now... those darn little dip sticks in bulk... you take so many more when you know you have plenty! Well last month before we found out we lost the baby I had purchased a 3 pack of digital tests and still had one left. I hated the thought of seeing another negative and I hated even more wasting the test when they aren't super cheap to buy. For some reason I ended up convincing myself to take it. It was again blank... so I washed my hands and reached to toss it away when I noticed a LINE! It was getting darker and darker and after a few minutes it was CLEAR AS DAY positive!! I couldn't breathe. I was laughing and crying I just couldn't believe the day was finally here!!!

 Unfortunately David had JUST left to run some errands and I texted him immediately asking if he was done yet... he said he would still be a little while ugh! I just wanted to tell him. So I decided to work on a little project while he was gone and surprise him when he returned. I took our 5 pennant chalkboard banner and drew our new family on it... complete with Baby #3 (#4 in my heart) I hung it back up and waited so impatiently for his car to pull in the driveway. I must have looked out the window 20 times before I heard the garage door go up. His hands were full and he was clearly busy but I asked him to come inside and see something. I could tell he just wanted to finish what he was doing first but he so lovingly obliged and followed me into the family room. I asked him what he thought of the new decor. He read it and smiled (he thought I was just being hopeful and was preparing a place for our next baby) then he looked at me and I showed him the test... I swear I have never seen his eyes get that big! This was our first test that both of us were BEYOND excited. (Gracie was a HUGE surprise 5 months in as newlyweds, and B was a miscarriage that when going in to confirm for a D&C we found a sweet little heartbeat) Needless to say this was the first reaction that was just the best and greatest blessing! He hugged me and I cried and we couldn't stop smiling! It was truly one of my favorite moments in our 8 years together!

We both ran upstairs to tell the girls. We have chosen to be VERY open with our girls this entire journey. We wanted them to feel they were a part of choosing to grow our family. It took Gracelyn a long time to get on board.  At first she was afraid I would die in childbirth, then she didn't want a baby unless it was a girl and unless she could name her Princess Celestia. Then her heart slowly changed and she started to get excited and finally said "I will be so happy with whatever sibling I get!" What a transformation! We loved having the opportunity to teach them to pray each night for the right timing for another baby. We chose to tell them about the chemical pregnancy last month because we wanted them to see that God always hears our prayers even if He doesn't answer them the way we want. We wanted them to know that God is the giver of life but also can take a life and He is still good. We wanted them to see how their parents react to hard times (when Mommy cries) and how we always try to give the glory to God in times of rejoicing. So since last month they have been praying each night and meal for another healthy baby.



So we showed them the test. They had no idea what it was but I asked Gracelyn to sound it out "Pr-eg-ent" She looked at us confused and said "You're pregnant?" we both said YES! Her eyes too got HUGE and Briella was giggling and jumping up and down. Gracelyn immediately said "That is what I wanted for my birthday!" These girls were over the moon! Briella said "So we get to hold the baby in 17 days?" haha silly girl... we explained that Mommy's tummy had to get big first and after Baby Ty's birthday their sibling would come. We also told them that we would know if it was a boy or girl by Christmas! The were constantly kissing and hugging and talking to baby. Then we called each family member and told them the news! Sent texts and made a video to announce. So much for our waiting to make sure baby is okay. God answered our many many prayers and we were expecting and we decided then and there we were going to celebrate this baby for however long we have it!

So our sweet little Rainbow baby is due in the spring!

Love,
The Noland 4.5

Our pregnancy journey.

Many of you have asked... so we figured it was about time we filled you all in on our journey lately!

Part 1:
As soon as Briella was born we were continually asked if we were done having children biologically. After going through such a traumatic delivery the first time with Gracelyn and then an even more dangerous situation and almost not surviving with Briella, both David and I were 100% done. Of course I was...I mean I had just survived a near death experience and here I was holding my precious newborn... even though everything was perfect I couldn't help but cry when I thought of this as my last pregnancy, my last delivery, my last hospital stay (yes I really love them) my last time to breastfeed. All of these things were still so desired. But all I had to do was myself in David's shoes and imagine what he and the rest of my friends and family had to go through and the desire was quickly replaced with gratefulness. When I told David and I didn't think we were done, he would just say then we will adopt. I should have been elated! I have wanted to adopt my whole life and when I found out that David heart was for biological children (as long as we could conceive) then I began to pray for God to change me heart or his to align with His plan and purpose for our life.
More and more he would talk about adoption and I began to want it less and less. By this time I figured we were just going to be a family of four forever! We were so content with our two girls I guess the desire for more kids just dwindled away. We considered a hysterectomy to rule out any unexpected pregnancies and decided in the end on having my tubes tied. Everything was set and then the morning of my surgery I changed my mind! I had no peace anymore and then fear set in. I couldn't do it! David supported my decision for at the time just because it was in fact so permanent... but we were still set on NOT growing our family. This was July of 2008. Then around the time Briella turned one... we started to want another kiddo. For about three years we would go back and forth he would want to adopt, I didn't want to and vice versa...  we were never on the same page... ever! So we decided that we were done. We gave away everything! Every last baby toy, girl clothes, maternity clothes, all our gear, all we kept was a highchair and pack n play for our nephews and of course our stroller could go from double to single so we just stored that away in case we needed it for babysitting or family. But honestly I had no sadness I was happy to gift everything to my friends that were expecting! Ready to move on!

 Since a baby was in no way on our radar we decided to finally meet with the specialist (as were were advised to do after the birth of B) We were encouraged to go talk with her and see what exactly went wrong landing me in ICU. We figured that our minds would be more clear listening to the Dr without the pull of "making it work" for another kiddo. Without the desire to try again we would be in the best place to really understand the dangers and risks. She was amazing! She answered all of our questions. Explained how the morphine and terbutaline had caused the "perfect storm" and how not having blood on hand to transfuse really was the downfall of the whole situation. You see, by the time they got the blood to the OR I had already lost so much that my body couldn't clot and therefore just continued to bleed out the transfused blood... pretty much leaving my body without any. My Dr waited too long to call in the high risk Dr because she was confidant that she could get it to stop. Well she made a poor call and almost cost me my life. The high risk Dr came in rolled my ututrus up like a sleeping bag and sewed the entire thing closed... one nurse said it looked like a Christmas ham (pretty crazy right?!) Because of the severe blood loss 10 units total I ended up in ICU. When I awoke my hands were tied down and a breathing tube was down my throat! Not a great way to wake up! Oh! and my baby and hubby were NOWHERE in sight! Panic mode!!! Anyway, back to the meeting. The Dr. agreed that my body would most likely pull the same stunt A THIRD time but they would be ready for it. They would be able to do a lot of preventative care and have two hish risk Dr's doing the surgery. She mentioned iron supplements to boost my blood and even the possibility of storing my own blood in case a transfusion was needed. (I have already had 15 total) this would be to make sure my body doesn't reject another transfusion. She seemed to confidant and encouraging. She assured us that she sees the "worst" all the time and she would be ahead of the game! David and I left that office with so much peace... that the words out of David's mouth were "Let's have four kids!" We talked about maybe trying for another in a year or so! We wanted a good 3 years spaced between Briella and our future child.

We waited and prayed. During this time we went through David's cancer scare and having another baby knowing that something could possibly take the life of my husband at any time just wasn't an option. Again, we agreed our girls were enough and we were complete.Since I had to mentally prepare myself to be a single mom if the worst case scenario happened...I was overjoyed hearing the amazing news that no other tumors were in his body and he wasn't going to need chemo or radiation or anything! We felt like we got a second chance and we were going to live life to the fullest and enjoy our girls and do the things we had always wanted to do! Living in the moment and not dwelling on our future.

 Part 2:
Then last July we went out to dinner and randomly at the same exact moment... a baby was laid on our hearts. I asked him what he thought about it and he was completely in agreement. We couldn't believe it! So many years of trying to get on the same page and here we were! Nervous, excited, shocked... did I mention nervous!? We liked what we had going with our girls. They were almost 3 and 5 and past all the baby/toddler days. Were we really ready to start again? We stopped protecting and knew that it would just happen when the time was right. After all, Gracelyn was a HUGE surprise 5 months into marriage and Briella was on the first try! Well a few months went by so we started to chart, and try for a baby. Another few months went by and then the fear set in. I had constantly prayed that if it wasn't meant to be and wasn't safe for me that God would remove the desire from my heart or not allow us to get pregnant. Here we were 6 months had gone by and I was devastated. Was God trying to tell us "No more" or was He simply asking us to wait? Each month went by and each month I cried and cried. Then I would move on and plan to try again next month. But it just wasn't happening. By this time it was so very clear that we really wanted another baby and now that it wasn't happening, things were starting to feel hopeless. David was a rock. So amazing. so understanding, so supportive.I am so grateful I had him to remind me to trust God and rest in His perfect timing.
Now we are coming up on about a year of trying. I never imagined we would be here. I have always been told "You are so young so you won't have any trouble" I watched friends go through this and couldn't imagine their sadness. Until now, even though I have two and I am extremely grateful for them I can't help but listen to my Mama heart which has so much more love to give!
 Last month we really started to open up and finally share our silent struggle with more people asking for prayer, for encouragement. It is so easy to hide and struggle through a trial quietly but we knew we would have many praying for us and if we got pregnant then we would have many rejoicing and praising God with us and if we lost the baby then we would many loving on us and supporting us and helping us through it. Our decision was all in God's timing because it came at the perfect time. It was the perfect time because two weeks ago we found out we had miscarried. I had crazy pregnancy symptoms, and knew in my heart I was pregnant... I couldn't explain it....but I was petrified of another negative test and another month of what felt like failure. I took a few different tests and all of them came back negative. I was pretty late and the symptoms continued so I was certain each time I would finally see a positive. The last test I took was a suuuuper faint line.... so I took my temp... elevated... David and I were so excited. We decided to wait another few days and take another because now we were certain we were and this way we would for sure have a positive test! I went out and bought a few tests on Thursday and couldn't wait until Saturday to take them with David. However, I never got to. That night we went to lifegroup and just as I was telling a friend I really thought I was pregnant... I felt a rush. I ran to the bathroom as sure enough I was bleeding. My heart sank and I texted David from the bathroom to come meet me. As soon as he came in I lost it. My heart was so so broken. Had I not been so sure I wouldn't have been this devastated but I knew i was pregnant... The next day I called the Dr. and they encouraged me to go to the ER. I didn't want to deal with that, I knew what this was.. the pain... the clots I knew I was miscarrying. So i just hung out on the couch for the weekend. Sure enough the Dr got me in last minute and confirmed with an exam and blood test it was a very early miscarriage. It all made so much sense. The tests not showing up, the symptoms... from the start the pregnancy never took... my pregnancy hormone levels were never where they should have been (which is why the tests didn't show dark) They called it a chemical pregnancy one where the egg never implants properly and therefore eventually terminates. The Dr was amazing and encouraged me that is was indeed a pregnancy (not just my body thinking it was) and that it is okay to grieve the loss. She assured me that I didn't do anything wrong and sometimes these things just happen.

So here we are moving on from a very hard past few weeks with a lot of tears and worries and feelings of hopelessness ...and ready to try again. Trusting that the Lord knows the perfect timing of our future pregnancy and has it all worked out perfectly in His mighty plan! Believing he will give us the desires of our hearts or He will change our hearts to  line up with His. My arms are aching for a sweet baby and sometimes I feel I will never have another one... but I am holding onto His promises and anticipating His goodness towards our family because we KNOW He loves us! We don't know if this is related to all the trauma my body went through and we don't know if I can conceive safely and carry to term let alone deliver safely but we don't feel God calling us to give up just yet. So we are going to continue on this journey though it may be hard, because we KNOW God has great things in store for us.

These are the truths I am holding onto! 

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

" Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

"May the God of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with love by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

"The Lord is my STRENGTH and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for JOY and with my song I praise Him." Pslam 28:7

Thanks for reading. I know it was a long post.
With love and joy,
 Mandi

Camping! WITH PICTURES!

*** Yes, you read correctly! My amazing hubby bought me a new camera base for our Anniversary and I am couldn't be happier!!!!

Okay moving onto the post! We had the pleasure of going camping with our church! It was so much fun! Catching bugs, archery, horseshoes, worship and amazing fellowship! I am so grateful we found the perfect church for our family and can't wait to see how the Lord will use us as he grows Heritage Church.

6 Months of Review!

You know the drill folks. Here is a very choppy run down of the last 6 months of the Noland Shenanigans!! Enjoy! 

January: 
The girls and I rang in the New Year in Utah while David was home updating the house and enjoying the quiet! I started my Doula/birth coach certification, Briella started ballet class at our local community center and David started his softball season.We celebrated Alyssa's third baby shower and my Dad's birthday Oh, and decided we were ready to grow our family again! We ventured out behind our neighborhood and found a great hiking trail and underground bike path! SO fun!

February: 
We Celebrated Ashlee's second baby BOY with a great shower, hosted a super fun kiddos valentines play date with our friends and had a great family Valentine's Day dinner at my sister's house!! Briella started gymnastics and the family I nannied for had their sweet baby girl! We had Briella tested for skin allergies and discovered she was serverly allergic to all forms of milk and cheese. This discovery started a whole new eating lifestyle for our whole family! We took the girls bunk beds down and Gracelyn loves being able to snuggle with us again since we rearely climbed to the top bunk for snuggles! 

March:
My little sister had sweet Connor and it was my first birth as a doula that I got to attended and observe! We celebrated St. Patrick's Day with green yogurt and chocolate gold coins. The movie FROZEN came out on Blu ray and we hosted a small gathreing with the girls and their friends to watch it...One of the highlight's of their month I am sure! We adventured to the Children's Museum, the Civic Center library and the Airport for a tailgating night with the whole family. We purchased season passes for Wet N Wild waterpark just a few miles down from our house and went the day we signed up even though the water was frigid! I crossed hiking Camelback Mountain off my bucket list and David and I had a great day date accomplishing that! We camped out in the family room and my sweet brother and his girlfriend babysat the girls so David and I could finish off the month with a date to YC's and window shop for camping gear! 

April:
We decorated for Easter, camped out in our backyard and busted out the water table since it was nearly warm enough for swimsuits. My newest nephew Titus was born to my older sister and I was her doula as well. This was my first VBAC as a doula and she labored beautifully and was able to avoid a repeat C! WOOHOO! I left my amazing job as a nanny to focus on being home with the girls more and put more efforts into building my doula business. We adventured to the Idea Museum in Mesa and it did NOT disppoint! We enjoyed many play dates, wet n wild visits and of course date nights with my man! 

May: 
We kicked off the month with our Annual "Dos de Mayo" party and had my family over to celebrate! We did a version of the Whole30 ate only fruits veggies and quinoa for a whole week and then slowly added in some eggs and other grains. We are still on no dairy and no processed foods. David and I both lost a lot of weight and realized how amazing we felt. This was the REAL beginning to our Clean eating lifestyle change. We hosted more play dates and hung out at wet N wild every weekend as the temps continued to rise! My little brother and his adorable girlfriend graduated and the girls came to the ceremony to honor them! Graceyn graduated preK and earned her first real Bible. 

June:
We traveled to San Diego to visit David's family. We went to the Beach, Legoland and the Sea life Aquarium with his Aunt and sister! Then we drove up to LA and met his Mom, nephew and other sister for a day of Knotts Berry Farm fun! We drove to Downtown Disney just the four of us and enjoyed a quiet morning of walking around shopping. Back home for more Wet N wild to stay cool and the girls officially learned how to swim! I started harvest our hybrid cucumbers from our first garden and learned how to make a fort! We adventured out on our first real camping trip with the kids and it was the best thing ever! I stepped down as lead deisgner for an online boutique and re-launched my orginial kid and baby boutique Jolie Fille Bowtique! Our sweet nephew Connor (4m) got to stay the weekend with us and it only confirmed that I have extreme baby fever... actually all four of us do! 

Well there you have it another update of our lives! Sorry there are no pictures... hang with us, I am really trying to get something up and running soon!!

Thank you everyone for following us and loving on our family! We are so blessed to have such devoted readers!! 

Love and Joy, 
Mandi

I am back!

I am so sorry it has taken me so long to post! I so enjoy keeping you all up to date with our little fam bam but have the hardest time posting and updating without posting pictures. As you all know right after our fab camera broke... my laptop died. Though I was able to bring it back to life it never started back up the same way and isn't able to hold or upload any pictures. I am still trying to figure out how to put my phone pictures onto this blog... but hang in there I promise I am getting close!

Looking forward to updating you all again soon!!

Love and Joy,
 Mandi