They're His.

I have been doing this awesome bible study on being parents. And the one that I read today really spoke to my heart so I thought I'd share my thoughts. 

Today's was about giving our children back to God. I know this is something that is so important and Matthew and I are strong believers in allowing our children to become what God has called them to be. We even gave them names that we knew the Lord would use them to fulfill. Malachi means "messenger of God." From the day we found out that Malachi was a little boy to this day still we pray over his life that he will be God's messenger. We aren't sure how God is going to use Malachi. But we know that however He will, He is going to use him to do big things. And then Elianna means "My God has answered me" and Myra means "to flow from". We are believing in the name of Jesus that God sent us Elianna not only to answer our prayers for a little girl but also to be an answer to other's prayers. And as for her middle name we are believing that in the name of Jesus that His love will flow from her just as her name means. Matthew and I take naming our children very seriously and it's something that we don't take lightly. We actually already have our next boy name picked out for whenever God wants to bless us with another baby boy. 

So what does it mean to give your child back to God? To me it means that I have to trust that God is in control of their lives. Yes, I am their momma. And that will never change. But I'm only here to do whatever God leads me to do as their mom. As much as I'd like for them to do what I want I know that it's ultimately up to the Lord. And Matthew and I will do our very best to allow them to become all that God has created them to be. This gives me so much peace to know that their lives are in His hands. I love that in the devotion it talks about Jeremiah 29:11. I think it's so important as a parent to remember those words. And to place our children's names in the blanks. 

"For I know the plans that I have for Malachi," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper him and not to harm him. Plans to give him a hope and a future."

And the same for Elianna. "For I know the plans that I have for Elianna," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper her and not harm her. Plans to give her a hope and a future." 

How awesome is it that the King of heaven and earth makes a promise to give our children a prosperous and harm free future? He is such a mighty God and  I trust that He has mighty plans for my children and my future children. 

Psalm 127:3-5

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

I love this passage from Psalms. I love how it says that children are a reward! Even though some days I don't always feel that way, God always does. Being a parent isn't easy. But God promises that He will be there every step of the way. So even if you're feeling drained from the every day stresses of being a mom or a dad, just know that God has rewarded you and He never creates a life that isn't valuable or worth living!! 

As you go on to read this passage, it says that a man that has many children should be happy! Children are not a burden and I really hate how society has put this label on how many children you should have. When Matthew and I tell people that we want 8 kids they look at us like we are crazy! But why? Right here in the greatest book of all it says that a man with many children should be happy! They are blessings and rewards. We always hear from other people things like "Once you have two you'll want less." Or "You'll change your mind once you see how expensive they are." But guess what? Matthew and I have yet to change our minds about how many children we feel that God wants to bless us with. Even with two that are sixteen months apart. Others make it out to be a bad thing that we had our children so close together. But it happened just as God planned it to be and I'm okay with that! And if He wants to give us another one tomorrow or ten years from now I'm okay with that too. Needless to say, God is in control so there's no reason to fear or worry about my children or their future.  As long as Matthew and I are chasing after God, there is nothing left to fear. I'd rather have a house full of children than a nice car and house and material things or a 3 pension job. 

I needed to read this today. It was a stressful day with two very cranky babies. Malachi had to go see a doctor all the way out in Woodbridge which is an hour from here. He had no nap and Elianna didn't nap very much either. Once I got them both to bed I was feeling so stressed out. But God spoke to my heart and told me to read my devotion. So I did even though I really just wanted to turn on the tv and drown out all of the thoughts and noise of the day. But I'm glad I did because He gave me exactly what I needed to hear. Isn't that who He is? Thank you, Lord for melting away my stress and filling me up with your hope, love, peace, and joy. And thank you for my children and my husband! 

Pictures of our beautiful blessings

Here's some recent pictures of Malachi and Elianna! Enjoy:) 

This was Elianna's first time wearing a bow:) such a pretty girl!

Matthew tried to get a good picture of us!! 

Kisses for my sweet boy! 

Malachi got his first hair cut!

Elianna visited her friend next door who is a week older! So sweet :D

Malachi wanted to share his toy:)

Bath time!

Daddy loves his baby girl!

Mommy and Malachi:)

She's a happy girl!

Pretty princess:)

Malachi held her the other day:) 

These are just a few of the pictures I have! Hope you enjoyed them:)

He answered!

I should be sleeping but I have so much on my mind. I'm not really one who likes to miss out on sleep. But lately I've been finding it hard to get sleep! Malachi has been waking between 3-4 am and Elianna still wakes at least once if not more to nurse at night time. 

Matthew and I have been having some really divine things happening in our life. 

Last week Matthew and I were praying together. I told him I felt as though maybe the plumbing job he had wasn't where God wanted him. I had never seen him so unhappy. Sure, the pay was great and it showed promise in a career. But it just didn't seem to suit him very well. So we prayed that if it isn't where God wants him to be then he would show us. Boy, was God quick to answer that prayer! Matthew got to work Wednesday morning and needless to say, he was laid off. When he first told me I immediately started to tear up. But then I heard God speak. "I answered" the voice said and I immediately felt peace. I know it sounds crazy but I was overcome with peace. We began to pray for a new job and by Friday God had provided one! The Lord blessed him with a job in landscaping. This is something Matthew enjoys a lot because he gets to be outside. He really loves to be outside. So praise God for that!! 

I am so encouraged by God answering our prayer! 

April is...

Such a neat month for me! It is my birthday month and Cesearean Section Awareness Month! As many of you know, I've had two c sections.
Both were unplanned and very unexpected. With Malachi I went in for an induction and I stopped contracting and progressing at 3cm. We could have gone longer but I chose to have a C-section. This second time I labored for 4 days with Elianna. I had contractions coming every two minutes for 4 days. I couldn't sleep or eat or drink. My body was exhausted. I went to see my doctor on the 4th day and I had dropped 4 pounds. So I said I wanted another c-section. For awhile I really struggled with not being able to have a vaginal birth. But now I'm proud to say that I have moved passed that and I'm so happy that I birthed my babies the way that I did. And I'm not any less of a mom because I didn't give birth vaginally. I'm strong and still a mom! That's what God says to me.
Here's a picture of my scar and my two beautiful babies who helped put it there:D

My scar

Malachi Wayne's birthday- 10/02/2013

Elianna Myra's birthday- 02/09/2015

Elianna Myra Reilly

Well, she's here! And she is already a week old! I can't believe its already been a week. How awesome! We are so in love and happy even with the lack of sleep. She's nursing so well and when she does want to sleep she sleeps for about 4 hours. Woot woot! Here are a few pictures:

He's Perfect

God has been doing a lot in my life lately. And even though it hasn't been easy I am thankful for His provision. 
I have been doing a bible study on growing patience and this morning it was about waiting on the Lord. It gave me such peace. 
*The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it.* Psalm 145:15
When things are going right in my life I tend to forget where those blessings come from sometimes. It gave me such a new peace to be reminded that everything comes in the Lord's timing. He gives us what we need exactly when we need it. This weekend he provided us with a second car. For free. What an awesome God Matthew and I serve. We are beyond blessed as we have been praying about this for quite some time. And its perfect timing since baby Elli will be here any day now! 
As I approach my due date I am a bit anxious. I don't know what is going to happen. Whether I will have the vaginal delivery that I so desire to have or if I will have to have another cesearean section. But what I do know is that God is in control and whatever does happen it will be okay. His timing is never wrong. 
Matthew and I have gotten A LOT of grief from many people about having another baby so soon. We even had some tell us that this is the "wrong" time. But if there's one thing I know for sure its that God's timing is never wrong. Elianna is not a mistake nor is she coming at the wrong time. It gives me such peace to know that God knew her before there was time. He had her life already planned out.

*You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.* Psalm 139:13 

This verse holds a whole new meaning to me as I am approaching the birth of this child. She is special and she is blessed. And God created her for a reason. For most of my pregnancy I've been stuck in this mind set that Matthew and I should have been more careful in spacing our children out. But not anymore. His timing is perfect no matter what anyone else says or thinks. 

Exhausted

Here I am at 35 weeks pregnant and I'm exhausted. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I feel so drained. I feel like I'm suffocating. Malachi and I were sick with the flu a few weeks ago and now we are both sick again with a nasty cough and fever and such. That means that little man is not sleeping very well which means I'm not either.

It seems as though this season of trial is never ending. I know God promises He will bring good out of every situation for those who love Him and I know that He is there. But knowing something and truly believing something in your heart is two different things. It could also be hormones making me feel this way but whatever it is, I hate it. And I'm praying that I can just choose joy because we do have a choice. Whenever I begin to feel frustrated or sad I just try to remember all of the things that we do have that God has given us and I try to remain thankful to the Lord for His provision. It's awesome because the other day I was praying and I prayed that God would provide us with some dog food since we really don't have much right now to spend on dog food for our dog. And He did. He used dog food to encourage me and show me that He cares, even about little things like that. 

I have 5 more weeks left before my due date and 6 more before Elianna is here for sure. We have finally decided on her full name and it will be Elianna Claire Reilly. Elianna means "God has answered me". And Claire is Matthew's mother's middle name. We are so excited to meet the little miracle growing inside of me. She is already so loved.