Happy 2nd Anniversary, and The News.

July 21 was our 2nd anniversary.  Praise the Lord!  

I love this man so much…so happy to spend the rest of my life with him.  

We had a small cake made by the company who made our wedding cake…same icing, same cake, same design on the sides as our wedding cake topper (although the top had a huge bow on it for our wedding cake…but now our monogram)…it was DELICIOUS!  

We then headed out for a week at the beach!  We "laugh" about our last name always being mistaken for having an "R" in it…(it doesn't).  However, no matter where we go, we are called the "Morton's".  

I handed the guy our beach reservation ticket which has "Moton" written on it, tell him "Moton", and he still writes "Morton".  And there you go :) 

(We have made hotel reservations under Moton, and when we've gotten there, they can't find "Moton", but when asked to look under "Morton"…well, there it is :) )

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh…..much needed respite.

Below is the view from our little bungaloo…we actually crossed that long pier everyday to make it over to the beach..but we'd get to wake up every morning to watch the ducks swimming in the lake :) 

It was beautiful! 

This sweet man of mine…I get to spend the rest of my life with him, Lord willing.  How blessed a woman am I!  Isn't he so handsome? :)

Our dogs were less than amused for yet another photo shoot :)  These are actually looks of terror in their eyes…they hated being placed on top of a swing.  Baylor (left) didn't mind so much when I was swinging with her…but on top alone…you can see she's pleading for mercy :) Dot's (right) just asking, "why?"  Pwecious.

So, we had dinner at Pompano Joe's (yum!) and The Red Bar (good - but wait TOO long!) - but the third night, we went to McGuire's Irish Pub - AWESOME!!

We had the most fun here. There was an irish man playing/singing on guitar in our area for entertainment, we had the best food, and only had to wait 15 minutes for our table…no more waiting for hours just to get seated!  It was FANTABULOUS.

Our last night, Matt cooked and we stayed in…Paella.  YUM.  It's a spanish dish of saffron rice, shrimp, sausage, prosciutto, peas, and pure yumminess.  Paired with a glass of wine, and we were set :)

We also had leftovers for a week!

On the way home…the dogs got plenty of rest.  Have I mentioned that we will likely NEVER take them on a vacation again?  :)  Their internal clocks are in FULL FORCE.  6am…time to get up, mommy.  There's no sleeping in with these puppies :)

So.  For the news. Now we get down to it.  I went in for a blood pregnancy test this past Tuesday after we got back from the beach.  I received the phone call at work late that same afternoon - negative. 

It's so hard receiving a phone call like that while you're at work.  You can't cry. You can't show emotion - professionalism must be maintained at all times.  

But for the ride home, it's ok to let loose.  

And when I arrived home, my sweet husband had these waiting for me, along with arms to fall in to. 

I was just so sad (and am still a little), but God's mercies renew in the morning.  He has been so faithful to bring comfort through His Word and prayer.  I can not stay feeling sorrowful when I am reminded of His great love for me.  He has purposes for my life beyond what I can imagine, and although the tapestry looks messy from the back to me right now, one day I'll see the beautiful masterpiece that God has been weaving on the front. 

He is faithful and good. 

We studied the following hymn two nights ago in our small group from church:

God Moves In A Mysterious Way 

by William Cowper

It was written by a man who suffered from depression almost his whole life, lost his mother as a young child, was sexually abused, attempted suicide many times, was in and out of insane asylums throughout his life…and came to know the Lord one afternoon after finding a Bible while in an insane asylum and reading the book of John and some other scripture.  It is written that although he never felt like he was a beneficiary of many of God's blessings this side of heaven, he believed in God's purposes and faithfulness and pursued God all the days of his life after coming to know Him.  John Newton befriended this man and would go on long walks with him knowing he needed a friend, and encouraged him in his faith and to put his sufferings and experience with God's grace into words.

Out of that was born this hymn…

 God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the sea

And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines

Of never failing skill

He treasures up His bright designs

And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy and shall break

In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust Him for His grace;

Behind a frowning providence

He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err

And scan His work in vain;

God is His own interpreter,

And He will make it plain.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future".  Jeremiah 29:11

Lord, we will wait on You.