This Thanksgiving, we are beyond thrilled, humbled, and grateful to announce that our family is growing by one! That is right friends, we are expecting a baby in the spring of 2015!

This year we have seen God’s love and kindness in our lives as we bought a house, transitioned Jennifer from Verizon to Derk’s Works, and most excitedly as we prepare to add a baby. We are also blessed to have the most amazing family and friends to love and support us as we enter this new and exciting phase of our lives.

I can’t wait to hold our baby, to love them and understand love in a brand new way. I can’t wait to introduce them to the world, my family, baseball, and cameras. I can’t wait for them to know their mother’s love and kindness, to be cared for and encouraged the way I feel by her. I can’t wait to understand God’s love for me more fully as I understand what it’s like to love my child. I can’t wait to know them and see what makes them laugh, cry, feel loved, and causes them to dream. So, yeah, I guess I’m a little excited.

-B

I love thinking about what it will be like to hold this new life, to snuggle, love, talk and pray with our baby or the amount of joy I will feel when I see Benjj as a daddy! These thoughts fill my heart and mind with such amazing happiness and joy. Now, the thought of which strollers or car seats, maternity, weight gain and diapers on the other hand can leave me feeling a bit overwhelmed and tired. (all you baby mommas out there please feel free to share your thoughts, advice or recommendations along the way)  But overall I know, without of doubt, that God is my provider, my strength and my courage as we enter this new phase of our life. And I know that we are blessed, we are excited and yes, we are expecting a BABY!

-J

I already feel like the baby has more stuffed animals than they need… but I promise to always protect them and bark at people walking down the street. I’m excited. And nervous.

-Juno

(you may remember this photo from a while ago, this call was to make our first Dr. appointment)

(naps are non-optional)

We wish and pray for this little one to know love, courage, joy, grace, kindness, faith and peace, to be healthy and safe and to know the depth of the love that God and our family and friends have for them.