"What's New With You?"

Well I don't know what's new with you all, but I haven't even introduced you to our newest addition to our life. Brecken Autumn Bycroft, our 3rd daughter, was born July 30, 2010 at 7:56 a.m. She weighed 6 lbs. 15 oz. and was 20" long. Brecken is such a joy to all of us! Big sisters Macayla and Rachel of course love her and are having fun watching her change and grow. She has beautiful blue eyes, the longest eyelashes, and a contagious smile.

Even though it has been 8 years since we've had a baby in the house, we cannot imagine our life without her. We prayed for years for God to allow us to have another child. I had struggled with some health issues, so we weren't sure if another pregnancy was going to happen or not. I remember one particular day...in the fall...sitting in my house alone watching a video about a family who had lost their little girl just hours after she was born. A question was asked..."If you could ask God to do ONE THING for you, just one thing, what would that be?" I remember sitting there on my couch crying my eyes and heart out, begging God to give us another baby. I just couldn't understand why after months and years of trying and praying, why He wasn't allowing that to happen. I asked God that day to please let that happen. I remember that day like it was yesterday. Just when Matt and I were about to give up on that prayer, (in fact, that very month where we said, "if it doesn't happen for us this month, we're going to give up on this"), God did what we thought was impossible. He surprised us with the news that I was pregnant! We couldn't believe it! What little faith that we had...He totally blew us away! What a blessing to carry this precious life within me. We couldn't wait to meet her! We love her so much, as we do our other two girls. Brecken has brought us all so much joy...we thank God for her. I am truly humbled to be the mom of 3 great kids!

I don't know why God seemed to make us "wait" longer on expanding our family. And though that waiting was very hard some days, Brecken was totally worth the wait. Our ways, plans, and timing are definitely not the Lord's ways, plans, and timing sometimes. I'm finding out more and more in life that He knows better. Now if I can just remember that lesson the next time I'm "waiting" on something... ;)