Update

Mom is at home with me this week. Poor thing had 50 stitches placed in her leg after an ER visit. She fell at work. Selfishly I love the company, but please keep her in your prayers as well. The girls are really moving this week. I am sure they have been moving all of this time, but I can really feel it now. They wake me up some times around 3 a.m.. Mom thinks this is because they will be waking me up around that time nightly after they are born. :) I have an OB appointment this Thursday with a glucose tolerance test too and then next Friday we have another ultrasound with R.O.C.. Please keep us in your prayers. We are 22 weeks and one day today. I still so thankful, but am still nervous and probably will be until we are at least 28 weeks. Today I read a great bible verse and need to apply it more to my worrying.
Don't be afraid
"Be strong and of good courage;
do not be afraid, nor be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you
wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9
Love you all so much and thank you for your continued prayers!

Catie's boys

Did I tell you guys how cute my sister's kids were a couple of weeks ago? I was out in the wheelchair for my weekly outing. This time my Mom and Catie (with little Gentry and Sterling) took me to Baby Depot. We looked at baby clothes and cribs. Well Sterling and little Gentry made my day (obviously..I am still talking about it). They were on each side of the wheelchair and were picking out clothes like madmen! Their enthusiasm was incredible. "Will Cate wear this"... "After Ellie's bath, she can wear this" "I will change her into this" . They made me feel so good and their love already for our baby girls was awesome!!! It will be so much fun to watch them with the girls when they are here! I am so blessed to have such sweet nephews!

The Voice of Truth

There is a song by Casting Crowns that Jeff and I listened to over and over when we were going through IVF. I still tear up when I hear the song. I thought about it again today because I am watching "Facing the Giants" and it is one of the theme songs. When Jeff and I listened to the song it inspired us with our infertility battles that no matter what trials we faced...we would listen to the voice of truth or God.(We had never seen the movie) The crazy thing is that the movie is not only about the football team, but it is also about going through infertility and the blessing of having children!!! When you have the time you should listen to it. I will post the words below and a link on youtube. Love you all

The Voice of Truth
Oh,what I would do to havethe kind of faith it takes To climb out of this boat I'm in Onto the crashing wavesTo step out of my comfort zoneInto the realm of the unknown Where Jesus is, And he's holding out his handBut the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at meReminding me of all the times I've tried before and failedThe waves they keep on telling me time and time again"Boy, you'll never win, you'll never win."But the voice of truth tells me a different storythe voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"Out of all the voices calling out to meI will choose to listen and believe the voice of truthOh, what I would do to have the kind of strength it takesTo stand before a giant with just a sling and a stoneSurrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors shaking in their armorWishing they'd have had the strength to standBut the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at meReminding me of all the times I've tried before and failedThe giant keeps on telling me time and time again"Boy you'll never win, you'll never win."But the voice of truth tells me a different storythe voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"Out of all the voices calling out to meI will choose to listen and believe the voice of truthBut the stone was just the right sizeto put the giant on the groundand the waves they don't seem so highfrom on top of them looking downI will soar with the wings of eagleswhen I stop and listen to the sound of Jesussinging over meBut the voice of truth tells me a different story The voice of truth says do not be afraid And the voice of truth says this is for my glory Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truthI will listen and believeI will listen and believe the voice of truthI will listen and believe 'Cause Jesus you are the voice of truthAnd I will listen to you.. oh you are

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68q8y5nkdPo

From Today's word with Joel and Victoria

The Greatness of His Favor
Today's Scripture
"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us…raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus"(Ephesians 2:4-7, NKJ)
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Oftentimes, people set their focus on what God has done in the past—how He parted the Red Sea or stopped the sun for Joshua or fed thousands of people with just a little boy’s small lunch. Yes, God has performed many amazing miracles throughout history, and it’s important that we give Him praise and glory, but at the same time, we also have to look forward to what God wants to do in our lives today. In this verse, Paul says that "in the ages to come" God would do things that far supersede anything He’s ever done before. I believe that the “ages to come” that he’s talking about is this day and time we’re living in right now. God wants to outdo Himself in our generation! Remember, God is a God of increase. Where you are today is not where you are supposed to stay. He has greater levels of His favor and blessing in store for you. Dare to dream big! Dare to keep a God-sized vision in front of you! Dare to take hold of every blessing that the Lord has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. Today I open my heart and mind to You so that I can see the greatness of what You want to do in my life. Use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Philippians 1:4-5

Every morning I try to read a devotional called the Upper Room (I read Infinite Grace at night). This morning the scripture was perfect. Paul wrote, " Every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way which you have helped me in the work of the gospel". This made me rethink my prayers for our girls. I do pray so hard every day, but sometimes I do pray fearfully. While that is not bad, I am reminded that I need to start praying more with joy for these girls! They truly are a testimony to God's unconditional love...His strength, faith, miracles, and grace. Today I pray not only with joy for our girls, but I also pray this pregnancy has proved the works of the Lord. I also pray that we have inspired you to spread the word of the gospel. Love you all so much-

Back from the OB

We just got back form the OB. My dad drove me there and waited patiently in the waiting room and Jeff met me at the appointment (Dad was off early and Jeff had cases at Baptist). Last week the bleed was around 3 cm (at ROC) and today (at the regular OB's office) they could not find it!!! HUGE PRAISE!!! Dr. McIntyre said it may be too hard to find because the babies are bigger, but either way it is a huge miracle that it cannot be found. Our God is an awesome God. Not was but IS an awesome God and I know that He will continue to bless us and keep us safe and healthy. I am still on bed rest, but am again thankful to be on bed rest with these beautiful girls! Please continue to pray for us and please continue to give God all of the glory! We have another appointment in two weeks:) Love you all-

Refining Grace

I wanted to share a passage from "Infinite Grace" that I just read.
" Do not be conceited. God's grace is sufficient in times of trouble and affliction. The power of Christ rests upon you. Be content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for Christs's sake. Know that when you are weak, God is strong. Glorify God in all your ways.
Folks this is the kind of grace that cannot be measured. God's grace has no limits. His favor has no boundaries. His love has no borders. There is no compromise in God. God's grace is ours without asking for it. Everywhere we go, everything we do, every relationship, and every activity is covered by God's grace. When things go haywire in your life, it's grace that keeps you from losing your mind...it's God's immeasurable grace that keeps you from going under"

Peace be with you all. Much love-

A Picnic

Today was great. After watching Joel Osteen and First Baptist on t.v. , Theresa and Jade came over for an inside picnic lunch. Theresa made the best chicken salad wraps ever and she even brough a cute picnic basket. We had the picnic inside (of course) and had a make shift lunch by the couch. I even got to drink water out of a wine glass that Theresa brought:) Jade was so well behaved and ate with us. She is such a beautiful blessing. I am so thankful to have had such a good day with good friends:) Thank you Theresa and Jade!!! xo

P.S.

I forgot to mention that the bleed is a tiny bit smaller (huge praise) and there is no placenta previa (who0hoo!!!). Dr. Izquierdo still wants me to be on strict bed rest and I could not agree more. We are making progress and seeing these little ones grow makes it all worth it!

Level 2 Ultrasound Report

Huge praise news!!! Yesterday we had our level 2 ultrasound and after one hour of waiting and one our of scanning we reviewed our results with Dr. Izquierdo. Our girls are very healthy!!! It is amazing to see the works of God and the miracle of life in the womb at 19 weeks and four days. We saw everything from the brain development (including the cerebellum), heart function, vavlular function, kidneys, artery and venous blood flow, bone growth...you name it. Ellie had her legs crossed as if she was sitting in a chair on the beach and Cate had her legs literally on her forhead and her hands behind her head. They were too cute and funny with such different personalities. Watching them for an hour with Jeff made us realize even more the power of prayer and the grace of God and His miracles. Thank you all so very much for your continued prayers! We go for another ultrasound with our regular OB next week and meet again with R.O.C. in four weeks. Please keep the faith and keep praying! We love you all!

Thursday January 8, 2008

Today has been a good day. I am officially a fan of Netflix. You get three dvs's at a time and then get to send them back for more to come! I just finished watching the first series of Madmen. I would not really recommend this show to many, but it does make you appreciate how roles have evened out in time (this show's stage is set in the 1960's). Tomorrow we go for our level two ultrasound. Today again I heard some scary stories of second trimester pregnancy loss and it just makes me break out in a sweat. I just have to take a deep breath, pray, and know that whatver the outcome- it is God's plan. I just pray His plan is for us to have these two healthy girls. I have never more in my life appreciated the human life more than I do today. Please keep praying positive verses and prayers for these little ones. It is also the first time in my life ...it is not about me. It is about them... a mother's unconditional selfless love...that will only grow even stronger in time. I am so appreciative for my mother and my sister...and my family

A GREAT NEW WEBSITE FOR SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER

Here is a link to an awesome web site for prayer and scripture during pregnancy!

http://www.gatewaybirthservices.com/Home.html

Grace

My sister, Catie, brought me a book called "Infinite Grace". It is a book from the series of Women of Faith devotionals. I have been reading it daily (some days I slip, but for the most part daily) since I was about 12 weeks pregnant. Today I read a great scripture that filled my heart with such a sense of strength that can only come from God's grace.
2 Samueal 22:31-33
God's way is perfect. All of the ord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God is my strong fortress; He has made my way perfect.
I am so thankful for this awesome book. My sister is such a great witness and I am so blessed to have her as my best friend. I can't wait for Cate to meet Catie! Love you all and thank you for your prayers.

Monday January 5, 2008

Today was a good day. It was uneventful:) I have started to stay up late, so then I sleep in later and before I know it my family is back home again. I was asked a question today that I am so sorry I have not addressed. I often forget that not everyone is in the medical field and thank goodness for that... in saying that I was asked by two friends today if the bleeds have affected the babies. According to our OB and the high risk group (ROC), the bleeds have not affected the babies. I have had Rhogham twice to prevent blood typing incompatability- we are watching titers and so far so good ( we are making sure the babies do not become anemic). The only risk factor they are concerned with at this point is IUGR (intra-uterine growth restriction)- but that is a risk for twins in general. We do go for a levels two scan on Friday at ROC. They will check brain growth, heart and valvular function, bone growth etc They will also look for any abnorormalities or congenital anomalies. I am knid of nervous, but BOTTOM LINE IS THAT WE WILL AND DO LOVE THESE GIRLS AND ARE BLESSED WITH WHATEVER GOD GIVES US. No anatomical malformation or abnormality will change that love. These girls are a blesisng and all of the glory is God's. I will update you all sooon. Please keep praying that the bleeds resolve and that the placenta moves up (for my sanity sake:) xoxoxo
Joni

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! We are all looking forward to a healthy and happy 2009! May the Lord continue to bless you all and your families. xo
Joni and Jeff