All in good time....

My baby girl is a year old today. She's a living timeline of the changes that have taken place in our lives over the past thirteen months. As my mother-in-law says, Scout is a little gift from God we unwrapped in the midst of economic chaos. She's been a ray of sunshine and a source of continued strength for us since she arrived.

I used to pray for God to somehow add a little girl to our group of cool little dudes. I honestly believed Jason and I would adopt one day when we were at a place in our lives where a fourth child wouldn't be overwhelming. I could only laugh when He revealed He had his own ideas for the timeline of our family's completion.

After dry-heaving my way through the majority of my pregnancy, I was scheduled for induction at 37 weeks because of complications, and I went in confident Scout would arrive the fastest of all my children. Thirty-three hours and two failed epidurals later, she debuted at a whopping 8 pounds, 12 ounces. Believe me, I was really thanking God for His time when he saved me from delivering a 10+ pound baby. (And women who labor naturally on purpose are insane.)  

When we moved here, Scout was only four months old, and I was heartbroken, homesick, and teetering on the edge of misery. Those of you who know me well understand I am probaby a little overly attached to my family, friends, and home town of Carrollton, Georgia. However, living with a tight ball of fear in the pit of my stomach for six months had left me exhausted and eager for a new beginning. I fully opened my heart to my faith for the first time in many years and gave God control of our situation. I really didn't know what was going to happen, but I believed He had a plan in store for us.

It took four months of loneliness and one killer tan (thank you, Tybee Island) to experience a breakthrough. I finally let my neighbor and new friend keep the kids so that Jason and I could go on a "Savannah date" and reconnect after so much change. I introduced myself to another mom as she walked around the neighborhood with her little man and made my second new friend. Then I attended my first MOPS meeting. The blessings I've experienced in doing so continue to astound me. I've made many incredible friends and met inspiring moms.

Over the past few months, I've gained the confidence to take on a new career and finally let go of the fear that held me back in embracing my beautiful, eclectic new community. Sometimes I still worry, and sometimes I still miss my grandma's cooking. But I know God will do great things with our family if I just allow Him to take His time with us.