There is something truly special about a fresh start, a new beginning, a clean slate. I love breaking open an unmarked calendar and dreaming of the possibilities in the year ahead of me. But before I am able to fully embrace a new year and move forward into the wide-open space of the blank pages, I like to reflect on the previous year. While I often recap each year chronologically by month, this time I am going to instead revisit some of our family's most defining experiences of 2018, where God's faithfulness was so incredibly apparent.
The Wreck.
The Pregnancy.
In late 2017, our then 3-year old daughter Charlotte had insisted that we would be "getting a baby." When she joyfully told me there was a baby in my belly, and then a pregnancy test confirmed her claim, we knew this was something really special. I had only just given birth to our second daughter one year ago and had not expected to be pregnant again so soon... I was overjoyed, yet overwhelmed to be adding another tiny person to our family. Charlotte continued to reference prayers she had prayed, asking for a baby, and she confidently stated it was a baby girl ("whose name is Lily"). In my first trimester, I had a health scare that made me think I was losing the baby, and then in the third trimester, I had an episode that mimicked preterm labor and sent me straight to the ER. Thankfully, neither health scare turned out to be significant, and I held onto the promises that God had already spoken over this child's life, through the confidence of our toddler. I went on to have a very uncomplicated, healthy pregnancy and peace of mind. In 2018, God was our Sustainer.
The House.
Sitting in a cafe one spring evening, I received a text message from J.J. with the link he had stumbled across to a house for sale. Our dream home! A perfect southern style farmhouse with a wrap around front porch that sat on 8 acres in a nearly perfect location... we decided on a whim to go see it the next day, despite the fact that we were not seriously looking to move with a baby on the way in only a few weeks! While on the property, we had such clear vision for this home to be a safe haven, a ministry to those who needed a place to rest. Though far bigger than our family needed, we could sense so much purpose for this place, and we left believing that God was planting these dreams in our hearts for a reason. When we discovered a website the owner had created for this home, I sent a message through the website on a whim and asking a crazy question - would the owner be willing to meet with me to share the story of this home? Much to my dismay, she responded. Yes, she would be willing to meet with me (a total stranger!), though she also admitted this was not something she normally would do. Then, through a series of emails, she suggested a place to meet - unknowingly, she selected the exact cafe where I had been sitting when J.J. had initially texted me about this house. And when we finally met at that cafe...the table she chose for us to sit at? The exact table I had been sitting at that night!!! This was only the beginning of the divine interventions that ensued...We talked for an hour and a half, sharing life stories and dreams for the future. She invited our entire family back to the house so she could give us a personal history, and we brought her dinner. We began an unexpected friendship with this fascinating woman that unfolded into a wonderful story, where God opened our hearts to some big dreams for the future (both for her and for us). This story may be another blog post on its own, (spoiler alert: we didn't end up with the house - though the eventual buyer fit perfectly into the vision God had given us!) but our lives - and this house - have become woven together in beautifully unexpected ways... In 2018, God was our perfect Author.
The Birth Week [and Birth].
My due date came and went, but it allowed me to have some much needed time with J.J. to reconnect before going into labor. We had 2 date nights that week, including a College of Pharmacy event where I was honored to accept the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. That night, however, while going to get a celebratory ice cream just up the street from our house, a truck backed into our parked SUV and shattered the back end... again. Thankfully, no one was harmed, though we were shaken by this while we anxiously waited for my pending labor to begin (only the second wreck in our entire married life and months after the first!). Less than 24 hours later, labor started, and Lillian Cole was born on the very last day of June! With a head full of bright blonde hair and the bluest eyes, she entered this world swiftly and naturally (see birth story here). Her birth was beautiful and memorable, and she instantly brought so much JOY to our family! After the overwhelming emotions of being pregnant again so soon, the 2 health scares along the way, and the eventful birth week, our baby girl had finally arrived - and she was [is] perfect!!! In 2018, God was our Redeemer.
The Homecoming.
In August, my sister and her family of 5 returned to the U.S. after living abroad in Thailand for over 2 years! They had an incredible experience overseas, learning a foreign language, immersing into a new culture, and living out their calling to bring the love of Jesus to the nations in a very practical way. They made deep connections in their time in Thailand, and they got to be a part of some incredible visions that unfolded there, but God called them to return to the U.S. for this next season of life and so they packed up a few belongings and made the long journey home. Through this transition, we got to see firsthand the provisions God put into place for their family as they started over with transportation, housing, jobs, schools, and many other facets of re-integration to life in the U.S. They moved into the same neighborhood as our parents, and our kids all instantly reconnected. Although leaving the land they had grown to love and making another huge transition was very bittersweet for them, being reunited as a family has been such a gift for all of us! In 2018, God was our Restorer.
The Getaways.
J.J. and I have always loved traveling - 22 countries on 5 continents (and coast to coast U.S.) to date - planning trips and exploring new places together is one of our all time favorite activities! But life slowed down a bit in 2018 to savor our newborn love, so there was not much traveling on the agenda. Many of JJ's recent travels in 2018 were work-related and solo. So, when the opportunity arose for me to join him on a trip to Boston in the Fall, I jumped at the chance. Lillian was the perfect age (4 months) for being toted along and not requiring much besides her momma, and she tagged along like a pro. She rocked her flights and was so content to be worn all over Boston, and we savored our first post-baby #3 getaway (leaving the big girls in the great care of grandparents :) We explored as much of Boston possible in a long weekend, and the weather was perfectly Fall. The beauty of a new season, the thrill of a new city, and the freedom of exploring with my Love (and our littlest love) was an incredibly rejuvenating experience (during an otherwise sleep-deprived season).
On another fall weekend, we were invited to the most beautiful corner of our state to camp out with some longtime friends and celebrate some wonderful milestones with them! It would be a long drive and the first road trip for our family of 5, but we were excited to get out of town and visit our friends. So, we loaded up the crew and headed to Beavers Bend, OK; it was only there that we fully realized how refreshing and rejuvenating this time away as a family was. The fresh air, campfire, clear night sky, endless laughter, and time "unplugged" from the rest of the world made for one of our favorite 2018 weekends.
My mom, sister, and I had not traveled together since Thailand 2017. While that was an epic trip unlikely to be paralleled, I wanted to celebrate being reunited stateside with a fun little getaway for the three of us (plus a tiny one ; ) So, for Christmas, I surprised them with a little road trip to Waco, TX to spend some time exploring the Magnolia Silos and surrounding attractions. Even the windshield time was priceless for us (to be able to have uninterrupted conversation!) and the overnight stay was filled with laughter, pampering, and so much goodness. We explored, shopped, and filled our stomachs and hearts with some much needed nourishment. It was a quick trip that was packed with memories that I will cherish forever. In 2018, God was our Goodness.
The Family.
This year, our family didn't just grow by one tiny person... we grew in leaps and bounds as individuals, parents, and siblings. We experienced some of the highest highs as we welcomed our sweet baby Lillian and saw the most beautiful bonds form between sisters. At the same time, I personally experienced some of the lowest lows, adjusting to some major postpartum hormones and battling some anxiety with my [self-imposed] need to be everything to everyone. We had to lean deeply into our marriage, our extended family, and closest friends more than ever before. We had to ask for help a lot, and we had to overcome our pride on so many levels. Altogether, for me it was a year of major personal growth as an individual, as a wife, and as a mother, that I wouldn't trade. It was often messy and not nearly as graceful as I had hoped, with many challenges along the way, but I know for certain that our family (and especially yours truly) was refined in the process - and came out on the other side thriving more than ever! In 2018, God was our Refiner.
While 2018 was a year of being stretched and refined, we have a sense that 2019 will be a year of renewal for our family. We are changing up our childcare routines, setting new family rhythms, investing in our marriage in fresh ways, and renewing our dedication to personal health (both physical and mental). We are remembering God's faithfulness in 2018 and dreaming big for the seasons ahead. Even in our world today that often feels uncertain and weary, we have new vision, fresh motivation, and a thrill of hope for the year to come!
Happy New Year and Many Blessings from Team Peek!
J.J., Leigh, Charlotte (4), Adeline (2), and Lillian (6 months)
The Wreck.
January started off with a literal *bang* when JJ was turning into his work parking lot one freezing cold early morning and a car behind him slammed into the rear of our SUV going nearly 40 mph. Cue the protein shake in the driver's side cupholder flying out the shattered back window and the spare tire on the tailgate now nearly in the back seat. By the grace of God, J.J. escaped the accident unharmed, with only some expected soreness and bruises. Now faced with the sudden need to buy another vehicle, we prayerfully decided to dip deep into our savings and purchase one. (We had decided early on in our marriage that besides buying a home, we would never go into debt for any purchase if at all possible. Though we have an emergency savings, we were also hoping for some cash from the insurance company in this case...) We then learned that the driver of the other vehicle in the accident (who was at fault) was unable to be reached by his insurance, and the police report was somehow momentarily lost. Feeling discouraged but sure of our decision to purchase another SUV, we moved forward on a gently used vehicle that we bargained with cash for a reasonable price (you should take my husband with you next time you go car shopping... the man can work a deal ; ) Soon after, we received word from the insurance company that not only were they compensating us nearly twice the value we expected to receive from the totaled vehicle, but they were also compensating for the workdays that had passed since the accident, due to their major delay in processing!!! We were overjoyed and relieved by the financial burden that had been significantly lifted. Then, a couple months later, our tax return (which we had expected to nearly break even on) was significantly more than we expected. When we sat down and added these numbers together - the insurance compensation and tax return - we were blown away to find that it was within one hundred dollars from the price we had just paid for the new vehicle. In 2018, God was our Provider.
The Pregnancy.
In late 2017, our then 3-year old daughter Charlotte had insisted that we would be "getting a baby." When she joyfully told me there was a baby in my belly, and then a pregnancy test confirmed her claim, we knew this was something really special. I had only just given birth to our second daughter one year ago and had not expected to be pregnant again so soon... I was overjoyed, yet overwhelmed to be adding another tiny person to our family. Charlotte continued to reference prayers she had prayed, asking for a baby, and she confidently stated it was a baby girl ("whose name is Lily"). In my first trimester, I had a health scare that made me think I was losing the baby, and then in the third trimester, I had an episode that mimicked preterm labor and sent me straight to the ER. Thankfully, neither health scare turned out to be significant, and I held onto the promises that God had already spoken over this child's life, through the confidence of our toddler. I went on to have a very uncomplicated, healthy pregnancy and peace of mind. In 2018, God was our Sustainer.
The House.
Sitting in a cafe one spring evening, I received a text message from J.J. with the link he had stumbled across to a house for sale. Our dream home! A perfect southern style farmhouse with a wrap around front porch that sat on 8 acres in a nearly perfect location... we decided on a whim to go see it the next day, despite the fact that we were not seriously looking to move with a baby on the way in only a few weeks! While on the property, we had such clear vision for this home to be a safe haven, a ministry to those who needed a place to rest. Though far bigger than our family needed, we could sense so much purpose for this place, and we left believing that God was planting these dreams in our hearts for a reason. When we discovered a website the owner had created for this home, I sent a message through the website on a whim and asking a crazy question - would the owner be willing to meet with me to share the story of this home? Much to my dismay, she responded. Yes, she would be willing to meet with me (a total stranger!), though she also admitted this was not something she normally would do. Then, through a series of emails, she suggested a place to meet - unknowingly, she selected the exact cafe where I had been sitting when J.J. had initially texted me about this house. And when we finally met at that cafe...the table she chose for us to sit at? The exact table I had been sitting at that night!!! This was only the beginning of the divine interventions that ensued...We talked for an hour and a half, sharing life stories and dreams for the future. She invited our entire family back to the house so she could give us a personal history, and we brought her dinner. We began an unexpected friendship with this fascinating woman that unfolded into a wonderful story, where God opened our hearts to some big dreams for the future (both for her and for us). This story may be another blog post on its own, (spoiler alert: we didn't end up with the house - though the eventual buyer fit perfectly into the vision God had given us!) but our lives - and this house - have become woven together in beautifully unexpected ways... In 2018, God was our perfect Author.
The Birth Week [and Birth].
My due date came and went, but it allowed me to have some much needed time with J.J. to reconnect before going into labor. We had 2 date nights that week, including a College of Pharmacy event where I was honored to accept the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. That night, however, while going to get a celebratory ice cream just up the street from our house, a truck backed into our parked SUV and shattered the back end... again. Thankfully, no one was harmed, though we were shaken by this while we anxiously waited for my pending labor to begin (only the second wreck in our entire married life and months after the first!). Less than 24 hours later, labor started, and Lillian Cole was born on the very last day of June! With a head full of bright blonde hair and the bluest eyes, she entered this world swiftly and naturally (see birth story here). Her birth was beautiful and memorable, and she instantly brought so much JOY to our family! After the overwhelming emotions of being pregnant again so soon, the 2 health scares along the way, and the eventful birth week, our baby girl had finally arrived - and she was [is] perfect!!! In 2018, God was our Redeemer.
The Homecoming.
In August, my sister and her family of 5 returned to the U.S. after living abroad in Thailand for over 2 years! They had an incredible experience overseas, learning a foreign language, immersing into a new culture, and living out their calling to bring the love of Jesus to the nations in a very practical way. They made deep connections in their time in Thailand, and they got to be a part of some incredible visions that unfolded there, but God called them to return to the U.S. for this next season of life and so they packed up a few belongings and made the long journey home. Through this transition, we got to see firsthand the provisions God put into place for their family as they started over with transportation, housing, jobs, schools, and many other facets of re-integration to life in the U.S. They moved into the same neighborhood as our parents, and our kids all instantly reconnected. Although leaving the land they had grown to love and making another huge transition was very bittersweet for them, being reunited as a family has been such a gift for all of us! In 2018, God was our Restorer.
J.J. and I have always loved traveling - 22 countries on 5 continents (and coast to coast U.S.) to date - planning trips and exploring new places together is one of our all time favorite activities! But life slowed down a bit in 2018 to savor our newborn love, so there was not much traveling on the agenda. Many of JJ's recent travels in 2018 were work-related and solo. So, when the opportunity arose for me to join him on a trip to Boston in the Fall, I jumped at the chance. Lillian was the perfect age (4 months) for being toted along and not requiring much besides her momma, and she tagged along like a pro. She rocked her flights and was so content to be worn all over Boston, and we savored our first post-baby #3 getaway (leaving the big girls in the great care of grandparents :) We explored as much of Boston possible in a long weekend, and the weather was perfectly Fall. The beauty of a new season, the thrill of a new city, and the freedom of exploring with my Love (and our littlest love) was an incredibly rejuvenating experience (during an otherwise sleep-deprived season).
On another fall weekend, we were invited to the most beautiful corner of our state to camp out with some longtime friends and celebrate some wonderful milestones with them! It would be a long drive and the first road trip for our family of 5, but we were excited to get out of town and visit our friends. So, we loaded up the crew and headed to Beavers Bend, OK; it was only there that we fully realized how refreshing and rejuvenating this time away as a family was. The fresh air, campfire, clear night sky, endless laughter, and time "unplugged" from the rest of the world made for one of our favorite 2018 weekends.
The Family.
This year, our family didn't just grow by one tiny person... we grew in leaps and bounds as individuals, parents, and siblings. We experienced some of the highest highs as we welcomed our sweet baby Lillian and saw the most beautiful bonds form between sisters. At the same time, I personally experienced some of the lowest lows, adjusting to some major postpartum hormones and battling some anxiety with my [self-imposed] need to be everything to everyone. We had to lean deeply into our marriage, our extended family, and closest friends more than ever before. We had to ask for help a lot, and we had to overcome our pride on so many levels. Altogether, for me it was a year of major personal growth as an individual, as a wife, and as a mother, that I wouldn't trade. It was often messy and not nearly as graceful as I had hoped, with many challenges along the way, but I know for certain that our family (and especially yours truly) was refined in the process - and came out on the other side thriving more than ever! In 2018, God was our Refiner.
Happy New Year and Many Blessings from Team Peek!
J.J., Leigh, Charlotte (4), Adeline (2), and Lillian (6 months)
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