I'm Prego

Ok... I have not posted in quite some time due to this very important announcement. Any ounce of energy I have is prioritized and spent on the things I need to get done. (ie brush my teeth, get dressed, take care of my children and love my husband etc etc.) I can say that even the things I prioritize are not happening as perfectly as I would like them to.

I am 9 weeks pregnant today. This is a big deal in the Kline family. My sweet husband has dreamed of a family with four children for a very long time. We were pregnant last year at at 6 weeks had a miscarriage. It was a hard time for us as we did not have previous complications with pregnancies so we had lots of questions and frustrations. We prayed a lot and talked a lot about our next steps for this family. We discussed adoption because it is something that is huge on my heart. There are many kids who need a mom and a Dad and for whatever reason do not have one. As we prayed and talked, Bill really felt like we should keep trying to have one more baby.

Well praise the Lord... it happened. Please keep in mind that the Lord and I had many arguments over what happened last time, I was furious, sad, frustrated confused and a ton of emotions. I never realized how much I did not "feel" like I was done having children and that I could see Grace and Toby welcoming a new baby into our family. It was a dream that was on my heart that I wanted to see happen.

We are counting every day as precious in this pregnancy. We thank God for keeping this baby healthy. In the mean time my friends... I am sick as a dog. I can barely keep anything down and food is my enemy right now. (never in my life would I ever consider food an enemy... I LOVE FOOD!) I can handle watered down apple juice and cereal and after that... I am ok in the morning. Feel great right when I wake up. After that... it's touch and go and not fun at all. I ended up going to the emergency room last week because I was dehydrated... they gave me two bags of IV saline and some nausea medicine. It was awesome. I have an appt with my doctor on Thursday to figure out what's up. The coolest part was that in the emergency room the doc did an ultrasound of the baby to just check the heartrate. Sounded great. Looked good. He said all he could confirm at this point was that there was a good heartbeat.

We waited as long as possible to tell our children. Grace was upset that the last pregnancy never came to pass. She even questioned me as to whether or not this one would actually grown inside me long enough to become a baby. (my daughter is very wise). I had to be honest with her and tell her that life is delicate and it takes a long time for everything to happen inside Mommy's body and we would just pray that God keep the baby healthy. So we rejoice for this awesome news. We look forward to our new family and we pray that I can make it through each day hydrated, fed and nourished.

As we wait in anticipation of this awesome cool answer to prayer. We ask that you just pray that this baby remains healthy and we manage all the details well. Hormones, sickness, exhaustion in a Mom can take it's toll on me and my family. All prayers are welcome. love, jen

PEACE!

The Mom Song - Check this out... :)

Toby's latest singing performance

Living with Glory and Hope...

Last night, my awesome friend Meghan spoke at our women's ministry Christmas party. She spoke about how we have this glory and hope inside of us because of Jesus Christ. Because he died on the cross and because I live to seek a deeper relationship with him I have it. It is part of the deal when you begin your friendship and spiritual walk with the Lord. I have been moved by my friend and pastor Linn Saunders since I moved here three years ago. (see her blog at www.aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com) They are passionate and self proclaimed adoption addicts. :) What I love about this addiction they have is that they blow all preconceived notions about adoption and orphans out of the water. They tell you point blank... you will not regret helping children who in most cases have not known the love of a parent or family. Can you imagine? Family is so important and so vital so so much of life. These kids did not CHOSE to be orphans. They have no options, but to sit and wait and pray that their "Mom and Dad" come and get them. Dwight and Linn have adopted a lot of children and plan to adopt more. They are in their 50's and know the life they could give a child is more important than any trip they could take to Bora Bora, any bling they could throw around their necks, any fancy cars or whatever.

As I read their blog... I think about my life. I am approaching 40 years old. How am I going to spend the rest of my life? Am I going to spend it worrying about what I have to have and what I don't have? Am I going to spend it worrying about my wants and spend my money to get myself more and more "stuff?" And when I get to heaven and I stand before my Lord and Savior, what will I have to show for this awesome life he has given me? How did I give to others? Did I truly see people around me and their needs? Did I look into the eyes of a child with no Mom or Dad and say... "I'm sorry... I'm too busy or too broke or too worried about a life that looks "perfect?" I sure hope not.

I love kids, I love my own kids, I am one big kid. I see the pain in some kids eyes when they are only 6-12 years old. I've seen high school kids think they are worthless? Can I make a difference now? As I approach 40? Will I give generously and find needs and teach my kids about giving? I sure hope so. Because I think living with Hope and Glory means you are empowered... no matter what your circumstances or emotions tell you... to step out, take risks, see the need and go after it. I am praying that God just blast me off into the stratosphere with this next phase of my life. That I am living with HIS hope and glory. With which... I can do anything. :)

An Attitude of Gratitude - on Thankful Thursday

Many times I need to check my attitude. There are days where I walk around my cluttered home and huff and puff and think about how much work needs to be done and how there are not enough hours in the day and how hardworking I am and how my house should be cleaner and I am not organized enough or good enough with time management... blah blah blah.

Last night, as I took care of my sick daughter and put my son to bed, I kept walking past this barbie dress that had been sitting on our stairs for about 3 days. My daughter took it out and my son had probably flung it around the room and my husband had stepped on it about 5 trillion times on our way upstairs... and there it sat. Each time I walked by it I kept wondering I wonder who is going to recognize that thing needs to be put away. No one did. :) As I picked it up last night to bring it into Grace's room where normally I would huff and puff and grumble I thought to myself... I am so thankful my daughter has a dress for her Barbie and that I have a daughter who loves to play with her Barbies. I am thankful she only has the flu and I am thankful that I have a beautiful son and a husband who works hard. I have to tell you that I've heard other people say these kinds of things and had never experienced that feeling myself... God is working in my heart and my soul. He is showing me what it means to check myself, my attitude and appreciate the unbelievable goodness in my life.

Here is what I am thankful for this Thursday...

1. My awesome husband. Who is hardworking, loving, supportive and super duper cute.
2. The view I have of the mountains and the stars at night.
3. God's totally specific love for me and the numerous ways he shows me love.
4. My friends and my family. This community of people I have that support and love this family of mine.
5. Good recipes and girls who share them. Many Mom's and Dad's... over years and years have perfected meals to serve to their families to show love.
6. Date nights and Game nights... that fuel my relationships
7. My computer so I can blog and email. :)
8. Good friends and family back in Minnesota and Iowa and the midwest in general. They are the reason we keep going back.
9. My bro in New York. Who loves my kids and is inspired by them.
10. My Bible. It inspires me and gives me a glimpse into how much I have to learn.. and how much I am loved.

PEACE FRIENDS!
lv, jen

Lose my soul?

I think people scratch their head at my faith. I had a friend ask me the other day... have you always been this "religious?" It is hard for me because to me "religious" has this kind of negative connotation. And everything I am learning building and experiencing in my faith is about my heart and my life and my God.

It is easy to comprehend that someone wants to strengthen their physical muscles, or going to therapy to get emotionally stronger... but what about your spiritual health? All I am doing is pursuing what I believe to be the truth. I have believed in Jesus my whole life, what does that mean? What is that about? It's awesome that I believe in Jesus, but when I get to heaven at the end of this life, have I pursued my spiritual relationship with him? Will I know him before I get there? That's what I'm doing. Getting to know the one who created me before I meet him in heaven. Allowing him into my life and heart and pursuiing all he had planned for this life. Doing good things. Loving people, being imperfect and seeking God in it all.

I found this song today and I really like it. Thought I'd share it with my blog friends. Peace to all of you today.

Way too fast...

Our family took a trip to the rec Center on Saturday and we had a blast. We haven't done a fun "family" thing in a while since our trip to Telluride, but it was much needed. I find that when my kids are fighting, nagging, needy and whining constantly, I try to think back to the last time I had some real quality time with them. Fun times. Fun things we were able to do together. Time when I can look them in the eye and tell them how much they mean to me. Being busy is totally a great way the enemy just slips into my life and disturbs this family's peace. This Saturday was great. Billy and I did not "feel" like going to the Rec Center, but it was a necessity. It was totally worth it. We took Toby down the slide and took Grace on the lazy river. We taught Grace some swimming techniques as she is still learning. We hugged, laughed and played. We even had a nice ten minute break in the hot tub... which is Mommy's favorite part. :)

We also took Grace over to the climbing wall. This was a big day for her. She has checked out this wall since we moved here 3 years ago. She has always wanted to climb it and for the last three years we had to tell her she was not big enough. But today she was big enough (sigh). It was bitter sweet. My baby girl is growing up and by UP I mean tall. She's becoming one of the coolest chicks I know. Her heart is soft and loving, she loves to learn and read, she understands God's love at a very young age, loves to sing worship songs and is good to her brother (most of the time). Grace's birth was when I first began to understand the love of God. It was the first time I felt God telling me in the quiet of my heart that he loved me so much he gave me this terrific gift of a baby. The day she was born I felt two things... unbelievable love and at the same time I wondered... was I worthy of such an amazing cool thing. God spoke to my heart telling me I was worthy of it and he trusted me with this awesome little girl. I know he has big plans for my little girl and I can't wait for her to walk in them. My prayer is that she be excited and look forward to what God has for her every day. As I watched her climb this Saturday, grabbing for each new gripping point, I was proud. I was proud she was brave to take each step, I was proud that she kept going and I was proud that she stopped when it felt "too scary." Know your limits my sweet beautiful girl, but keep climbing. Keep climbing.