I know we are almost to Christmas & Thanksgiving seesm like a distant memory, but I really wanted to share what is a special memory for our family….

Every year Candace and I travel to Lakeland, Florida, to celebrate Thanksgiving with about 40 to 50 members from her side of our family. Specifically, it is my mother-in-law’s side of the family. We made the decision to go there before we were married in an effort to see Candace’s great-gradmother, otherwise know as Mimaw, as many times as we could before she passes away. At the time, the majority of the family was certain she had maybe two years left to live….BOY were they wrong!

It is now six years (and six Thanksgivings) later….and Mimaw is still with us! I know I have only been around for six years, but I walked away from this Thanksgiving feeling like it was one of the most special the family has ever experienced together. I thought it would be pretty hard to top the first year I was part of their Thanksgiving….the ones I experienced growing up were very different. However, this year had a special feel to it.

You could feel something was different this year right as it started out. We were all beginning to gather together in the living room for the traditional singing of hymns mixed with worhsip songs, a devotional, and prayer as a family. (On a side note, this can be a torturous 20-30 minutes because the food is visible in the kithen THE WHOLE TIME!) Before the signing started Johnny (not me) was filming the family with his video camera. He zoomed in on Mimaw and said hello…then told her all of us getting together was “her fault.” That struck me! He’s right….we are all there because of her! This Thanksgiving is her 101st, she has been alive over 100 years; and has been the foundation for the sense of love and kinship the family shows today. While her ability to help cook and prepare has diminished, it is more evident than ever her influence on the family and the love we share has only increased as the years have passed.

The family’s unconditional love for each other is an inspiration for the coming generations. All of us see it, respect it, and deeply cherish it. No matter what the fmaily or its members are going through….we all find the time to come together. In my opnion, it’s the perfect model to follow as our family grows….

Enjoy the Holidays, no matter what is happening this year….you never know how much longer you have with those you love most.

Even though she will never read it, I still want to say it…..Thank you, Mimaw, for being the cornerstone of love for the family.

Many of you have already heard, but I figured I would try to keep the blog updated….

After careful prayer and consideration, Candace and I chose the name:

Christina Joy Bendever

We chose this name based on its meaning.  According to ParentsConnect.com, “Christina” means “Follower of Christ” and ThinkBabyNames.com states the name “Christina” means “Annointed.”  Both are extremely important to us and something we already pray over our little lady.  I do have to admit, though, the name was not originally our idea.  Caroline Marshal (Pastor Buck & Rhea Marshall’s daughter) told her parents we were having a little girl and her name was going to be Christina….and she did all this before we ever found out the sex of the baby.  Once we found out the meaning(s) of the name….we were hooked.

The middle name was my idea.  I love how Candace’s name flows with Joy as her middle name.  It has obvious meaning, and seems to have an accurate description of Candace….she is always full of joy and life….one of my favorite traits about her.  I think it accents her first and last names very and, and  am already praying it is an accurate description of her life. So if you read her name by the meanings, it will read:

Annointed, Follower of Christ Full of Joy Bendever

I LOVE it!!!!  What do you guys think?

Show some love and leave comments below!  Thank you again for all you love, support, and prayers!

Well, Ultrasound #4 actually happened about six weeks ago….but I really havent had the chance to get this worked on until now.  So, I apologize for the delay.  I think you will see it is worth the wait!

This ultrasound was by far the most breath-taking.  I was absolutely amazed at the detail of what we saw….the equipment at the hospital was so much more advanced than that of the OBGYN’s office.  As I watched the nurse check bone organ sizes…..it was simply amazing to see the detail and the life!!!  At one point, the nurse change modes on the machine, and we could actually see the blood flowing on the screen….AWESOME.

I think the funnest part was the nurse making Candace move all around to try to get the baby to move into a position so we could find out the sex.  She had to lay on each side, on her back, and cough really hard…..which all happened in between the nurse prodding Candace’s stomach.  FINALLY, though, the nurse was able to get a still shot and she determined….

It’s a GIRL!!!

We are SO excited….and you all know Candace is just elated.  As I mentioned in the post for Ultrasound #3, she wants a girl and had already bought some dresses for her.  We have also decided on a name, but I am not sharing that until tomorrow….