Spring 2015

We have decided that while we are stateside studying Japanese language at NC State, we will not be updating on our blog. We will keep sending out our newsletter updates. If you read the blog for updates and do not receive our email updates please let us know by emailing us at dcook@fim.org. We would love to add you to our mailing list. We will also keep posting updates and pictures to our Facebook profiles. 

We still want to keep everyone up to date with our language study, ministry opportunities stateside and our family, but will do so through the newsletter emails and Facebook. Please understand this is for the privacy of our family while we are in America. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support as we pursue God's will for our lives.

Samuel is Two!!

On Saturday, February 7th, Samuel turned two!! We can't believe how much he has changed and grown in the past two years. I can't believe how much our lives have changed since having him. We were so happy to celebrate him and so thankful for the blessing he is in our lives. We can't imagine what life would be like without him. His smile is contagious and we love him dearly. We tried to do things that we knew he liked or would enjoy. I prepared snacks and food that I know he likes and made cupcakes for him. At his two year old check up, he was 34 lbs and 37 1/2 inches tall. We praise the Lord for a healthy boy. Below are some pictures of his second birthday!!

Banana for breakfast!!

Farm Show fun with Daddy and Papaw.

naptime

After he woke up, we put all of the balloons in his bed, he loved it.

We got him a swing because he likes the one at the park!!

fun card

Opening his John Deere tractor he picked out at the farm show the day before!!

Singing and cupcake time!!

Just the three of us.

Our family of four :)

Happy 2nd Birthday Samuel!!

A 'Quick' Delivery

We are once again overwhelmed by God's grace to bless us with another healthy child. On Saturday morning, December 27th at 6:01am, Amelia Kay was born. We had been cared for in Greensboro by a doctor's office that worked with women desiring to attempt a regular birth after a c-section. Since Samuel was an emergency c-section in Japan, and I had no post-operatoin reports, they have been wonderful to work with us. Throughout the pregnancy the doctors monitored various things and said that we should be good to go to attempt a regular birth again. David and I tried to prepare better this time also. We left for Japan at 15 weeks pregnant with Samuel and were unable to take a birthing/child care class. The hospital offered these so we spent six weeks preparing for an all natural birth. 

On Saturday morning, December 27th at about 1am I had my first contraction with her. Then another and another every 10 minutes. I had similar ones with Samuel in the evenings for three days leading up to his birth and my water broke with him before the real contractions started, so I honestly didn't think this was the real thing. They wouldn't stop so I tried resting in between contractions, walking, various positions and a bath. I woke David up around 3:30am and he looked at my chart and said these are 3-4 minutes apart, we need to go to the hospital now!! David's mom came over to be with Samuel and we left for the Greensboro women's hospital which is about a 40 minute drive. We got checked in a little after 5am, I was at 9cm and they rushed me to a delivery room. After only 30-40 minutes of pushing, she was born at 6:01am. She actually came out waving with her hand on the side of her head.

We are truly thankful for the Lords hand of protection on us as we labored through and were successful at having an all natural birth after a c-section. Amelia was 7 lbs13 oz and 21 inches long. She was slightly smaller than Samuel which I'm very thankful for. This birth experience was so different than Samuel's. It was amazing to be able to see her, hear her, and hold her instantly. I didn't see Samuel until he was 3 days old, and then it was only for a couple of hours each afternoon during visiting hours in the NICU, until he came home at a week old. We are enjoying the experience of having Amelia from day one!! 

My recovery has been a drastic change, like day and night. I feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally. This birth experience has been a dream come true for me, and something I've wondered about since the birth of Samuel. The Lord took care of us. We both were released on Monday, December 29 after lunch and were thrilled to be reunited wih Samuel. He doesn't seem to know what to make of her. The other night I sat on the couch next to him and tried to show her to him. He looked at her and scooted to the other end of the couch. But he's so sweet when she starts to cry in the swing. He will sit down in front of her and sort of 'talk' to her. He even 'kissed' her good night once.

We are truly thankful as 2014 comes to end. God has blessed and provided for our family.We are looking forward to 2015 as we continue to raise support for Japan and prepare for language school. We don't know what 2015 holds for us but we know who does and He will take care of us.

Please enjoy some pictures:

A few hours after delivery

Snuggles with Dad

Going Home

A few days old

At home!!

Psalms 127:3 - "Children are heritage from The Lord, offspring a reward from Him"