Blissfully Grateful!

"Every good and PERFECT gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows".   James 1:17

This photo was taken last year in one of my favorite spots, the San Juan River in Pagosa Springs, CO.  I love the serenity of the river, the sunlight, and local coffee. I'm posting this photo because God creates all things to bring us joy so that we can enjoy life, nature, and of course, local coffee. :)

My last post talked about God's plan and how although I wanted to deliver naturally that may not be the best thing for our little boy, Isaac Blaine.  Well, God had different plans for delivery than he did for Asher and although we had a c-section scheduled for Wednesday, September 17th, Isaac decided to make his grand appearance early Sunday morning, September 14th, at 3:10am.

Isaac Blaine Martin, 7lbs 12oz, 20"long

We are so thankful that Isaac Blaine is healthy and we had a good, safe delivery.  Labor and childbirth is something so different and of course, PAINFUL! For us, it was a huge blessing to be able to try natural labor and delivery.  I'm not going to say it was easy but it definitely made me depend totally on God to get through 10hrs of strong contractions/back labor and what it means to have a supportive husband who, for 10hrs, did not leave my side.  I could not have done it without Andrew!!! No matter how a child is brought into this world, the feeling of holding that sweet, precious life that you carry for 9 months is indescribable! God is sooo good and never ceases to AMAZE me!!  

On a side note my brother, Blaine, is Isaac's namesake and I feel so blessed to be able to name a child after somebody that has always endured so much and perseveres daily.  Blaine was in the same hospital, 2 floors above us, for heart problems, etc. and had a sweet nurse bring him down to our room to meet Isaac Blaine.  It was a sweet, sweet moment and I can't wait to tell Isaac Blaine one day all about Blaine Gentry, my brother.

Proud Uncle Blaine with Isaac Blaine

Going home!

Sweet big brother love

Uncle Blaine and Isaac Blaine both home!!

Thank you for allowing me to share our story (and lots of pictures:)!!

May God bless you and have a great FALL day!!

Paige

Lovingkindness

Lovingkindness

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for HIS lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!!"

Psalms 107:15

May be crazy to start blogging again when I'm due with our second baby, but I had to share what God is teaching me this morning and what He is showing me through our circumstances!  He has blessed us beyond measure with Asher and our hearts are so full with the joy of having one child.  We, as well as many doctors/specialists, thought we wouldn't have biological children or would have to go through infertility treatment to get pregnant.  God showed us 16months ago that His plan is perfect and that his power rules over any scientific or medical explanation.

Our first miracle, Asher Andrew Martin

  

Now, fast forward, 16 months, and we're expecting our second little boy any time.  With both Asher and this little one, I have hoped and prayed to have a natural delivery.  I'm a person who does not take medication unless absolutely necessary and felt strongly that this is the path I was supposed to take with delivering a baby.  

God has shown Andrew and I that HIS PLAN PREVAILS no matter what we try and that HE KNOWS BEST.  Long story short, I had a c-section with Asher because he was breech and we found out during the c-section that I have an extremely rare uterine anomaly/deformity in which only half of my uterus formed.  If I would've tried to deliver Asher naturally/vaginally, we would not have found out about this and it probably would not have been safe for Asher or I.

With this little boy (announcing his sweet name at birth:), he has been "head down" and in perfect position for a natural delivery.  I learned today that I'm not progressing and it was recommended I schedule a c-section before my due date next week. This is not what I would've chosen and I've been trying all the natural ways to induce labor and still have hope that he may come on his own, but if not, I know the HIS lovingkindness is always there for those who trust in Him and that He knows what is best.

He hears our prayers, big and small, and in His timing they may, or may not, be answered but ultimately He knows the outcomes and what is best with every circumstance.  This morning, I'm so thankful that I can rest assured that God will protect this little boy and knows the best, safest way for him to entire the world.

We would greatly appreciate prayers for a safe delivery and healthy baby boy.

Much love and blessings,

Paige

In Awe of His timing and plan....

Wow, cannot believe it's been since September since I last posted!! I've got to get better at this, since we are EXPECTING in May!!
God is so faithful to those who trust in him.  We had a long period of waiting, although not near as long as some couples wait, which I'm so thankful for now.  It makes me realize how in those times of waiting and persevering that we should be praising our Lord for what is yet to come!! Although the journey is long, he can bless us with more than we could ever imagine possible.
Andrew and I found out August 8th that we were pregnant!! We were so excited, overwhelmed with joy, and scared since we had previously miscarried.  We prayed for a healthy baby and at 19 weeks found out that we are having a BOY!!:) We had many ultrasounds (almost 2 per week) since I'm considered "high risk" because of my age, family history of heart problems, and gestational diabetes.  The gestational diabetes is just one of my many responsibilities as a mom to start taking care of my little boy and putting him before myself.  We had a fetal echo at 22 weeks and were so excited to find out that our little boy has a 4-chamber heart and from what the echo could tell, no congenital heart malformations.  Praise God for his goodness and mercy!!
I have been blessed with a smooth pregnancy so far and being able to look down and see our baby grow is such a miracle.  We can't wait to meet him but I cherish every day I get to carry this special little boy.  My heart empathizes with those in the hard "waiting" period, but don't give up and continue to trust in God's plan and perfect timing because He does and will answer your hearts deepest desires although it may not happen as we imagine.
Oh, and we have a name that we both agreed on and LOVE the meaning.....ASHER ANDREW.  Asher means "blessed and happy".  We prayed about naming our little boy because it is such an important decision.  Asher was the 8th son of Jacob, the great grandson of Abraham, and one of the 12 tribes of Israel.
Thank you all for you prayers for this child!! We are blessed so much beyond what we deserve!!
"EVERY good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows" James 1:17

Answered Prayer!!

God's faithfulness as been so evident in my life.  As some of you may have recently read on FB, Andrew and I requested prayer for my brother, Blaine.  He was born with a heart condition, Truncus Arteriosus, and has had a total of 5+ major open heart surgeries and numerous cardiac procedures.

Last week he was complaining of being tired and his heart racing.  He had an EKG and was in atrial fibrillation which can be very scary.  He and my mom flew emergently to Dallas, met my dad, and he was admitted to the hospital.  The cardiac physiologists told my parents that they would try a new medication, but if that didn't regulate his heart rhythms then he would have to have a risky procedure on  Monday.  

We are SOOO thankful for our friends and faithful prayer warriors who have prayed for Blaine so many times over the past years.  God has answered our prayers once again and Blaine's heart responded to the medication!! The cardiologist told my mom that they rarely see the medicine take affect in just a few doses.  Blaine is a MIRACLE and God definitely displays his love in miracles just as He did in the Bible.   

"God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!!" Psalm 66:19-20

Blaine and Piper hanging out in Pagosa Springs, CO in June

"Waiting and Hoping"

Wow! It's been a few months since I last blogged!! We have been busy with our normal routines with work, church, social activities, and our new addition, PIPER! We rescued a Newfoundland puppy 2 months ago and she has brought so much joy (and a little stress:) to our lives!
She is definitely teaching us patience and may be giving us a little taste of what it's like to be new parents!!:) She is a great 95lb puppy, but loves the daily activities of digging, barking, chewing, and clanging her water bowl on the concrete until we give her attention!

God has definitely been working on my heart lately.  The "waiting" stage of life can be so hard at times.  I would be dishonest if I said I have not felt anger, bitterness, envy, and disappointment when it seems like everyone in our paths is pregnant.  We have been trying now for over a year and although the waiting does not get easier, I know that God has planted a desire deep in my heart to be a mom (to many kids hopefully;) and that one day it will happen!!

Andrew has started the job search and it will also be a waiting and faithfully praying stage as there are only a few pediatric hematology/oncology jobs in the nation.
I never realized how deep my Southern roots are until now! I would love more than anything to end up back in the South.  I know that wherever God sends us next will be an adventure and should be more thankful and praise Him that I have Andrew to do life with every day.

Even though the future is not clear, it is so awesome to know that I can give ALL control to God.  I can rest in the fact that nothing is too difficult for Him.  One of my favorite scriptures that has helped me over the last few months:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"  Phillipians 4:6-7

LOVE and blessings,

Paige

What a Week!!

Andrew and I had to say goodbye to Andrew's dog, Huey, on Tuesday. Even though, it was tough and we miss him, we saw God's hand through it. I, as well as my good friend Jessie, were at home and Andrew was able to get off work early to spend time with Huey. Andrew was also "on call" Tuesday night which was a blessing in disguise because it helped to keep his mind off things. I can't imagine the love that parents have for their kids because we LOVE our dogs and I know that doesn't compare to the love for a child or especially the love that Christ has for us. Please pray for our other dog, Skylar, as he really misses his best buddy. I never get sick and have the worst strep throat I've ever had, so please pray I can get over this so I can see my kiddos at work and have energy to walk Skylar. Much love, Paige

"Unconditional Love and Obedience"

Andrew and I have 2 dogs, "Huey"-who is Andrew's husky mix, and "Skylar"-who is my golden retriever.  I've had Skylar for 13 years and I used jokingly say, "if I could find a guy who loved me as much as Skylar, then I would be set":).  Andrew and I have talked about our dogs unconditional love for us and related it to Christ's love.  I think about how Skylar looks at me with those big, droopy eyes and loves me no matter what the circumstance.  That is exactly Christ's unconditional love for us.  No matter how many times we've made mistakes or become distant from Him, His love and mercy never fails.
Dogs are so loving and obedient and it's a good reminder of not only Christ's love, but how we should love our husbands.

Both of our sweet dogs were diagnosed with cancer within 1 month of each other.  We are trying to spend as much time with them as we can!! It's crazy how attached you can become to a dog, but they are really family.  They were both given 2-3 months to live, but are still with us and it's been almost 4 months.  We're praying for as much time as we can have as long as they're comfortable!!