God's gift of "Grace"

October 13, 2013

Our family is growing!!! =)

We are so excited and thrilled to announce that we have another baby on the way!! Yes, we are adding a new pumpkin to the Ross pumpkin patch. =)

I am currently 12 weeks along and the baby is due next spring on April the 27th.

How I told Rick. =)

This has most definitely been the hardest secret to keep out of all of them!! Baby number 5 seems to be popping out much quicker than the rest.. but it's totally worth it. I'm so happy. =)

God has truly been so good to our family. His grace and mercy is always abundantly showing in our lives. We feel so very honored for the opportunity for our family to be growing with one more child! Our boys are over the moon excited and can't wait for the baby to get here.

The pregnancy is going great so far other than me being extremely sick with this one. It's definitely the sickest I've been in a pregnancy but I'm taking it one day at a time and remaining thankful.

We will be finding out the sex of the baby in about 6 weeks and we can not wait... I'm so anxious to see if we will be able to raise a daughter, or another son. I have so many stories and blessings to share about this little one on the way. God has been showing me some really neat things.. similar to Jonah's pregnancy. He/She has already blessed my heart so much. God truly is so good.

Other than our pregnancy, we have been busy! We are now almost all moved into the farmhouse and we just returned from a wonderful family vacation/cruise to the Bahamas.. I hope to update some pictures from this past summer and of the new house as soon as I'm feeling a little better.

Thank you for following our story. I'm so grateful that our precious Maddie Grace is ever present here in our lives even though it's been almost 3 years since the Lord called her home. I can't help but look at little Jonah and think of this little baby and smile... for they would not have been here. God truly does have a plan. We may not understand it at the time, but over time, He will reveal it to us little by little. And one day when we reach Heaven, we will truly understand.

Maddie's ministry is growing and going so strong and I'm so excited that her little life continues to touch others. We continue to look forward to the ways God will use her story to impact this world for Heaven. It's so special.

Please pray for us and our new little one. We believe God has great things planned, and we can't wait to find out!!!!

Thank you for rejoicing with us!

Much Love,
Natalie

August 20, 2013

Eli goes to Kindergarten...

Well today was a big day for us.. We sent our "little boy in the middle" off to school!

Elijah Braden (my big 5 1/2 year old) started Kindergarten today. I really can't believe it to be honest.

It still feels like yesterday I was in the hospital having him, and now he's school age! As the saying goes, "don't blink, it goes by fast," I now realize, I am in total agreement with that.

I wonder if this little boy knows how much he has helped heal my heart?

When Maddie Grace passed away, Eli was my little encourager at home. Noah was in Kindergarten at the time and I just don't know what I would have done without having my little Eli around.

He gave me so much purpose during the day when all I wanted to do was crawl up in my bed and cry. He would jump in my lap, tell me he loves me and would ask me to read him a book. Those moments with him will always hold a special place in my heart. My little boys have truly helped me through missing my little girl. When it ached so much and I wanted was to hold her; I would hold them.

Making Eli's little lunches and watching his face light up in excitement over simple every day things, gave me peace. God knew I needed my my Eli Bear to help me through the quiet moments of thought, because if you know him you know there is nothing quiet about him. =) I loved his distractions.

So, as I packed his lunch yesterday, I thought to myself, it has come.

This moment where I let go of his hand and send him off to someone else, has come.

I watched him this morning with a joy filled face as he skipped up the stairs to discover his new classroom.

I watched as he hung his little book bag up on the hook marked with his name.

I watched as he chatted among the other students and I thought to myself "I did it." "We did it"...

One more of our little birdies has lifted off safely from the nest.

After 5 and a half years by his Mama's side... He's ready to take flight.

It may only be a short flight today... like until noon. =) But it's still a big one for us.

I saw so many things in his happy little face this morning. But mostly, I saw contentment.

There comes a point in every Mama's life where we have to find contentment in right where we are.

I am so very sad that Eli won't be by my side all day long anymore, but at the same time; I'm thrilled!

We made it to Kindergarten.

He's happy and so... that makes me happy.

I can't even imagine the joy that lies ahead for our little Elijah Braden.

The new experiences, the knowledge he will gain in his elementary years; It tickles my heart.

I'm just so grateful that for the last five years of his life, he's been all mine.

I'm truly grateful for that.

With each big milestone of my boys, I'm always reminded that we will not experience those with Madeline. But, through her tiny little life, I'm reminded not to take for granted the ones I have with my beautiful boys. She gave me a greater appreciation for life and for my children.

As I watched Eli stand by his teacher today, (who also happens to be his Aunt :)... I beamed with pride! I sure am proud of this little boy.

What a joy he is to us!

Happy new school year Elijah Braden!

We are praying for great things as you start your new adventure!!!

We love you,
Mommy and Daddy =)

Noah is also having a really big week!!!

Yesterday he turned eight!! Yes, eight! Man that makes me feel old...

And he just entered into the 3rd grade today. He is so happy!

I am throwing his birthday party this weekend and we can't wait. He has requested a "cowboys and indian" themed party... so fun!

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd, next week we will be starting to move!! We have so much going on in our lives right now so stay tuned! =) I'm hoping once we get settled at the farm I can catch you all up on of our fun from this summer! I'm also looking forward to spending some great one on one time with little Jonah Asher! We are so blessed!!!

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Much Love,
Natalie

Here are a few fun pictures of Eli as a baby and from today! Enjoy =)

Newborn Baby Eli

Toddler Eli

Kindergartener Eli!!!!

Of course Jonah needed a rocket back pack too. =) lol

Love my little boys!!!!

July 28, 2013

Team Ross... Play ball!!!

What's more cute than 3 little boys???

Why three little boys in ball shirts covered in mud of course! =)

Here are all the shots from the boys "play ball" photo-shoot. I never thought I would a Momma of boys, but I sure am loving it!

Go team Ross!!!

Pictures were taken by Leah Sandlin of Precious Photography..