Happy Birthday Olive!

Olive celebrated her GOLDEN birthday this week, turning 5 on the 5th. I can still remember the day I found out I was pregnant with her.  Lots of cuss words happened, followed by a lot of crying and hysterically laughing because GOD IS SO FUNNY.  I was done having babies - didn't God get that memo?  In a matter of 2 weeks, Keith returned from Africa with Elsa, my mom was diagnosed with a terminal illness, and then I found out I was (surprise!) pregnant.  I am one of those rare few who get so sick (Princess Kate and I are one in the same) that I'm in the hospital, attached to an I.V. - trying to keep water down.  It's miserable - and I didn't want to do this for a fifth time.  But the Lord had other plans.  And her name was Olive.

And OH...can we just celebrate His plans?  Because they are so much better than our own - than anything we could ever dream up.  

Ollie Hazel, I am so thankful to be your mama.  You came into this world during a time that was really hard for me - and I immediately felt peace.  I was watching God give me something so glorious like you - and at the same time I was watching him slowly take my mom from this earth.  It was bittersweet - and I couldn't have done it without the gift of you.

Happy 5th birthday to our little chicken nugget!