To the boy I never carried in my womb, but will carry in my heart forever.  Joe, I pray that 2008 will be a year of change for you and that while the Lord convicts and calls you back, that you will respond in repentance and run back to the God who has been there for you... watching... and waiting for you to return... to be what He created you to be... which is so much more than what you have settled for.  Joe, if you could only see a glimpse of the future the Lord has for you.  There is so much more, and although it will not be easy, I speak from experience when I say that anything outside of the Lord's will is meaningless... that every trial is worth it when it's for the Lord.  Your life is to be a life that glorifies the Lord in your actions.  It's through your actions that people will see and believe.  It's not enough to know... you must act Joe... you must stand firm so others will see... I pray for you to stand firm in the coming year and every year after that.  It is only in fulfilling the Lord's purpose for your life that you will find true happiness.  Stop looking for something other than what you know you must do... stop running away... and run to the One who is waiting and will rejoice in your return.  I am praying fervently for you.  I love you more than you will ever know and see the wonderful promises He has for you Joe.  God has more for you Joe… more than you can imagine.  I pray for the woman He has planned for you.  She will walk beside you in your calling Joe… stop looking for her… she is being prepared… but you must make decisions BEFORE hand.  I pray that by the end of 2008, we will look back, overwhelmed by the Lord’s goodness in your life.  I love you Joseph.

To my first baby… and so many more “firsts”… you were the beginning of many more blessings to come… and the first of the continuation of the love between your father and me.  Nikolas, I had no idea how you would change my life, but it’s because of you that I nursed, stayed home, and homeschooled.  Because of the love I held for you, I became what the Lord desired of me, and I put aside the selfish desires to be with you… and watch you grow… and become.  I pray that you will become the leader the Lord has in mind.  You have been called to be victorious over the people, but as I’ve learned, the world does not always look the same as the spiritual realm.  My prayer for you is to always seek with the Lord’s eyes, for it is only then that you will truly see.  Stand strong, victorious one, and fight for the Lord in all you do.  He will give you the strength and wisdom you need when you need it.  Continue to prepare yourself for the things He will call you to do.  Do not give way to the things of this world, but grow in the things that will matter forever.  I pray that 2008 will mature you and reveal more of what the Lord desires for your future.  I love you Nikolas.

To my first “reality check”.  I remember when you were born not breathing.  In those moments that seemed like forever, I gave you to the Lord and begged for Him to let you stay.  When you took your first breath, my heart leaped and I smiled through tears of joy.  Your name “Izak” was only fitting, as my very heart smiles reflecting on those moments after you were okay in the delivery room when life became even more precious.  Izak, you have such a giving heart and you bring smiles to so many you come in contact with.  I’ve learned to be more giving through you.  I pray that your generosity will only continue to grow as you do, and that you will never base your giving on what you have for the moment, but what the Lord has promised to provide for you in faith.  Know that it is in giving, that you receive and what the Lord gives is worth more than anything you will ever find here on earth.  It’s my prayer that you never get caught up in the world.  I know the Lord has big plans for you.  You will be so hard to let go, because with you there is never any hesitancy and so I know the Lord has placed in you a desire to “go”… I only pray that I will be able to let you go the distance the Lord calls you.  You will have an exciting life Izak, and I pray for your continued appreciation of God’s creation and creatures.  May He use it to bring glory to Him always.  I pray that 2008 will be a year that you hear the Lord speak.  May you grow in your relationship with Him, knowing that He is always there and very real.  I love you Izak.

To my first girl.  When you were born, I realized the important role I played as a mother to a girl who would some day be a woman.  Before you, I had to be an example to your brothers as to what kind of woman they should look for… but with you, I needed to be an example of what you needed to BE and that scared me to death.  My role as a mother, wife, and woman of God took on an importance as never before and I began to grow as never before.  This time of change wasn’t easy as the Lord continued to chip away my “old ways of thinking and feeling” and replace them with things of eternal value.  I have so much to still learn, but because of you, I try each day to be a better woman… someone you will want to be like one day.   I pray that 2008 will be a year that makes your heart strong in the Lord. You have such a gentle heart, Gabrielle.  I pray that you grow in beauty as the Lord sees you.  Do not get caught up in the ways of the world for the Lord does not see as man sees… He looks at your heart.  May your heart grow in love for the Lord, and not for fleeting things.  May you always be selfless in your ways and may the Lord protect you from anyone who would seek to take advantage of your kindness.  He will make you strong... remember that for every trial you encounter.   He has such a fulfilling life to give you.  Never compare what you have with that of anyone else for the Lord has much to give you if you look through His eyes.  I love you Gabrielle.

To my second girl… you remind me of myself in so many ways.  You are so emotional… there is never any need to guess what you’re feeling at any given moment.  You are the very meaning of “drama” and you’re either ON or OFF… there’s just no middle ground.  Izabella, I pray that in 2008 your passion will continue to grow for the Lord and that you will become more devoted and submissive to Him.  You are more sensitive to His calling than you even realize now.  I pray that the Lord will help me to lead you into what it is that He has planned.  You are a unique creation Izabella, and I pray for you to put more importance on your heart than anything else, for that is the offering you bring to the Lord.  May your fire be ignited by the Lord that you will be a spark that spreads into the lives of those you come in contact with.  I know the Lord has something special for you and as long as you remain devoted to Him, He will use you in a mighty way.  I love you Izabella.

To my little man.  There was a time that I was unsure if I’d ever meet you as I was hospitalized with abdominal pains for almost a week at 7 months pregnant.  The thought of loosing you was so scary.  As I look at your picture as I write this, I can’t help but smile at your “mischeveous” grin.  You have continued to “put me on the edge of my seat” as you’ve grown, and I have a feeling that you will continue to do so!  The Lord knows your future Jediah… He knows everything you will do and I pray that 2008 will grow your understanding of the Lord.  You’re so tough.  We’ve been amazed at how you’ve been hurt without stopping, or had shots without a tear, and I know that the Lord has placed in you a tolerance unlike the “norm”.  While your strength will be used for God, I pray that you would be gentle in spirit as well and that you would be sensitive to those you come in contact with.  May you be steadfast for the Lord and seek Him in everything you do my sweet son.  I love you Jediah.

To my baby… for now.  Daddy jokes that you’re the reason we got pregant again… you’re just so cute.  You warm our hearts with everything you do… even when you get into trouble with your brother, Jediah.  Your eyes dance and make us smile.  I pray that 2008 will bring you health as you’ve been sick so many times in your short little life.  I pray that as you learn about your Creator, you will grow to praise His name all the days of your life.  You were named after Judah who was a man that had made some really bad choices… but in a moment that determined the future… he choose the better.  Your father has made bad choices as well during his life, but when it’s come down to it, he has always shone in the “defining moment” and your father has proven himself time and time again to be a man after God’s own heart.  I pray for you to be the same, sweet Judah.  May you know that the Lord is always good, always worthy of praise, and always ready to bring about blessings beyond our wildest comprehension.  Be ready my little one… for you will be a man with important decisions to make.  Always seek the Lord and know that your heart defines who you are.  I love you Judah.

To the child that hears my very heartbeat.  I am so excited to see your face and hold you in my arms.  I anticipate the moments of quiet with you and I alone in the middle of that first night in the hospital.  I pray for your safety and health (jaundice-free) in 2008 as you enter the world sometime in March.  May you grow to know the Lord and desire to serve only Him all the days of your life.  The Lord has proven Himself over and over again through this pregnancy.  He promised me years ago that He would provide, and I know that you are another way He’s proven that, and will continue to do so.  I love you as you move inside me, and I long for the day I can look into your eyes, bring you home to sleep in the cradle all of your siblings have slept in (including your daddy) , and add your picture to the wall of many blessings in our living room.  Your daddy and I are continually in awe of our blessings when we look at all of your brothers and sisters’ pictures that hang there.  We’re all waiting for your arrival.  I love you.

And lastly... to my Beloved.  I have been blessed over and over again by your very presence in my life.  You have given me more than I could ever have wished for and through you, the Lord has taught me so much about love.  I am so proud of the man of God you are, and continue to strive to be.  A woman could not want for more, for I know I have a man who loves me only second to the One who created All things.  Michael, I pray for strength for you in 2008... strength of mind, body and soul so you will be able to stand strong in the Lord in all circumstances.  I pray that you will find joy throughout whatever lies ahead and that you will grow to be ALL the Lord has planned for you to be.  You are great... but the Lord has so much more planned... so much more for you to fulfill... so much more for you to be.  I promise to be there every step of the way, and I will continue to fervently pray for you and the ministry the Lord is calling us into.  I love you Michael... only you and God know how much. 

All my love to all of you... I am so thankful for each of your lives in mine.  I pray that I would be the "Smamma", mother, and wife that the Lord desires, and that while I fall short on a regular basis, I pray that each of you would know how much I adore you and thank God for you.  You are the reason I go on each day... I love you.  May we grow together in the Lord in 2008 and continue to see the Lord's goodness and provision each day.