He's 6 Weeks!

 I can't believe Elijah is already six weeks old! Gosh, time has flown by so fast, and he's grown so much. Being parents has been so wonderful. Although most of everything you do centers around what he's doing, you wouldn't wish for it to be any different. It's funny how you learn to time things just right with taking a shower, eating, cleaning, etc. Doing things quickly is a must:) 

For me, Kristen, motherhood has been so wonderful! I praise God that He blessed Neal with a job that can support us without me having to work. I love staying home with my sweet boy. I spend a lot of time laughing and smiling at some of the precious things he does. He's making so many great faces now and noises. He smiles a lot more, especially when his belly and diaper are full:) He loves to stick his tongue out and give a half smile that shows his dimples...so cute! His hands always have to be involved in whatever he's doing. Although it's frustrating to him sometimes when he can't eat because he wants to sneak his finger in his mouth, it doesn't stop him from doing it. He gives me this look like, "I don't understand why this isn't working." I love his little brow when all the skin scrunches together to produce little wrinkles...he gets this from me except for the fact that mine isn't cute.  It's also so neat being the mom and being the one that can comfort him. I've always held babies and when they get   upset I've given then to the one they're crying for, which has never been me. But now, my  heart just soars when I'm the one he's crying for, and I'm the one who can comfort him. This will always hold a special place in my heart.
  

At night when I'm rocking him to sleep I'll sing him the song I wrote for him and then the song "The Old Rugged Cross". My mom sang that song to us at night when it was bedtime, and so it's very special to me. When I sing the song I sometimes can't help but cry. Holding my son and thinking about how God gave His son for us just makes me weep. It makes the reality of what God did by giving Jesus that much sweeter and it comes alive so much more. I told God the first time I sang it that I had such gratitude for what He did because I didn't think I could ever give my son for the world...what an amazing love He has for us. Honestly, I can say that I do "cherish the old rugged cross." What a beautiful sacrifice that I will never deserve. Thank you God!

  

Our Baby Boy has Arrived!

Elijah James - August 24th at 2:49 pm
8 pounds, 7 ounces
19 inches long


August 24th, 2011 was the big day that our baby boy arrived. The day was planned out in my mind (Kristen's) and I couldn't wait! I was so excited to see, hold, and kiss my baby. We'd been imagining what he would look like, how long he'd be, what he would weigh, would he have hair. All these questions would be answered on this day. 


God showed Himself that day that He had everything under control and planned out!


We went to the hospital Wednesday morning, the 24th, at 6 am. Gosh, we were both so excited and couldn't believe the long awaited for day had come! While in the room waiting for things to happen and him to start coming many family members came to see us to share in the excitement. We also had a friend come who'd just had her baby the day before. I'd been having some contractions, some stronger than others, but none strong enough to bring the baby. During some of the contractions we heard the baby's heart rate slow down, but instead of picking back up afterwards it continued to slow down. This alarmed us and the nurses, who come in to take me off of the medicine to get my contractions going and put me on oxygen to help the baby. This happened not just once but two times. My doctor came to see me and study the baby's heart pattern because the nurses told him what was happening. He explained to Neal and I that he was concerned because the baby wasn't handling labor well and it was really stressing him. He said that he thought there was a part of the cord wrapped around the baby somewhere which was the reason for his stress. He was afraid that when labor got a lot harder and the contractions stronger and closer together that we would be in an emergency situation because of how the baby was already acting. His suggestion was to go ahead and do a c-section to get the baby out before it's too much for him to handle. Once Neal and I heard that, we didn't think twice because we didn't want to do anything to harm Elijah. Within 30 minutes I was being wheeled back to the surgery room. 

After giving me the spinal they had Neal come in to be there for his birth. It was a very emotional time. I couldn't feel or see anything from my chest down, but I could hear what was going on. It seemed that my heart and breathing were so strange. The sweet nurse at my head would whisper in my ear that I was doing good and I was okay. She would also periodically wipe the tears streaming down my cheeks since I couldn't move my arms and hands. My tears were from thankfulness to the Lord for saving my boy from something terrible. As long as they got him here safe, as the mom you don't care what they do to you. They were all so sweet and a blessing to me in that room that day. Every nurse and doctor was patient and kind and I was so grateful! When I felt them pull him out and heard his cry for the first time my heart was so appreciative and my eyes could not keep from weeping - oh, the Lord is so good to us! I just loved the sound of my precious baby boy! Neal was so excited as well! He went over with them to weigh and measure him - 8 pounds, 7 ounces, and 19 inches long. Neal yelled over to me his weight and said, "Good job baby!" It was so precious! The doctor was right about the cord - wrapped around his legs two times.

Because of the c-section I couldn't hold Elijah for the first few hours. They brought him to my head all wrapped up in the blanket and let me look at his adorable face. Oh what an amazing moment! Joy and love flooded my heart and I just looked at him, kissed his face and told him how much I loved him and how beautiful he was. Then they wheeled him off with Neal to go get his bath and I stayed to be stitched back up and wait for the recovery room.

So many people came to see us in the hospital. It was such a blessing. It was so neat watching our family and friends hold him and just awe over what God had knit together in my womb. He of course slept a lot, but there were times when he was wide awake and very alert. Every time Neal would go get him from the nursery he would be looking around the room and moving his arms (if they were free from his blanket). 






I thank the Lord so much for having everything under His control. He knew that Elijah needed to come on the 24th because he wouldn't be able to handle hard labor. Thank you God for your wisdom and direction in order to bring our healthy little boy into this world. Help us to raise him to know and love you!

Baptism and Lordship

Today was a special day. I have been following Christ for almost 12 years. I prayed to receive Jesus as savior and was baptized like many people at  a young age, I was around 9 years old. Wait that doesn't add up to 26 years does it? From there I fell into a lot of trouble from middle school all the way into the beginning of high school (just ask my parents). I was living for me and trying to impress others with my sin. Anytime I did follow the wrong crowd I always realized in my heart that it was wrong. I could even feel the Spirit swaying me to stay out of trouble and resist the temptation to sin. I even read the Bible often at this age, but I was just so easily influenced by others instead of strong. But as far as I knew, there was no alternative and it seemed to feel good momentarily. Then a friend invited me to Asbury and through the youth ministry I began to see others that were serious about their faith and were my age.Next I was mentored by men who showed me how to walk with God more closely and I experienced worship in a new way. But after all this time, I have always harbored doubts of my earlier commitment to Christ...

I doubted my faith many times in my life, because I did not walk with God closely after I was saved. I wanted Jesus to save me, but it took a few years to see what it was that He saved me for: Lordship. So many times I would hear pastors say that baptism is our response to the gospel and I would cringe because there was such uncertainty in my life after I prayed to receive Jesus. It had a lot to do with my lack of good fruit. But today I know that I follow Christ and that left me always wondering if I needed to be baptized once more. I know that baptism doesn't save you, but I wanted to know that my life with Jesus reflected true discipleship and obedience. So that is what I heard God asking of me today when I decided to go through with water baptism... obedience.

I told Kristen after the service that I wanted to be baptized to declare my obedience to the Lordship of Christ and to doing God's will. She said that it seemed that God must have wanted it from me and so we went out to the river baptism for the church. It was kind of impromptu and many might not understand this, but it was not for anyone else to understand, it was just for me to declare that I am following Jesus. I have felt God tugging me to do this for years now, and this was an act of obedience. If you have gotten to know me over the years, you would know that I am somewhat of a procrastinator and I really try to think things through before I make a decision. Well I have waited too long with this and I feel that it is necessary for me as I follow Christ. As we approached the river I saw a snake slither across the ground, and I remembered us talking about spiritual warfare today in Sunday School and I felt like this was part of me resisting the devil and his temptation to reject the Spirit of God. I also felt this was part of my act of declaring that I do not care what men think (although I am constantly tempted to), I must follow Christ above all else. As Christians, as followers of Jesus, we should never reject when the Spirit leads, but follow our Lord with true obedience no matter what the cost.

Cothran Family Vacation and Kristen's Birthday

The Cothran family vacation had to take place earlier this year because of Elijah's possible birthday. We aren't sure the exact day he will arrive, although August 27th is predicted, but I sure didn't want to be away from my doctor and hospital any time close to that date. So, my parents booked the condo in July.

We always get a family picture made on the beach with white shirts and khaki shorts.

However, I don't have any khaki shorts that fit correctly, so I'm wearing my white pants:)

 
I love this picture of Neal and I. My brother rented one of those round white things that the flash reflects off of in order to get good lighting, and that's what he used with this picture. It made a difference. The picture on the right is all the boys - Cothran's + Bond. All the little boys belong to my brother Daniel (the guy on the left).


Since we went to the beach in July the only week we could get the rooms were over the July 4th holiday, which is of course my, Kristen's, birthday.


I requested that we continue the usual tradition of grilling out, eating chocolate trifle (which has been the desert of choice the last few years), and strawberry ice cream. We also got some mint chocolate chip ice cream because it's one of my favorites as well.

We got to see an awesome firework show from the balcony of the condo. It was really long and one of the best I've seen, although the show my brothers usually put on at my parents house sure rivals the one at the beach. This picture shows the end of the show.

  I love this picture with my nephew Jonas (3 years old). He always wants to help everyone - cute!

The morning of my birthday there was a sandcastle competition. There were four different categories that they were judging on in order to win - 1) Best in show, which is the best of all, 2) Most patriotic, 3) Best sandcastle, and 4) Most unique. My sister Lauren loves these kind of competitions so she registered us. We decided to do Mount Rushmore and most everyone pitched in to help. 

Although my brothers could get the mount, observatory, and mote built they weren't so good at the actual details for the faces. We aren't as artistic as Neal's side of the family. So, we sent for Neal. My brother Joel is holding the picture up on his iPhone while Neal looks at it and carves the faces with the stick of the American flag.

Here is Neal beside the final product of the faces on the mountain. I think he did a great job!

Baby Showers!

We have had so many wonderful baby showers! God has blessed us tremendously!

I love the sign Lydia (Neal's sister) made with Elijah's name on it. I know it's hard to read in the picture but underneath his name it has

 1st Kings 18:36.

  

                                                               

                                                      

This was the only shower Neal got 

to attend because it was for guys and girls. To the left is a picture with Michael (Tori's boyfriend), Neal, and Ross (brother-in-law). No one told them what to wear and they all chose blue.







The little outfit for Elijah says "Dog Gone Adorable". It's hard to believe that the baby inside of me will be able to wear that outfit. I'm not sure how he can fit in such a tight area. So neat how God made a woman's body to bear children!

      The Bond Family

They all helped to do the baby shower.

 Baby Shower at the Cothran House (Kristen's family)

 The picture on the left shows the table with some of the food. The little white squares were little cakes with blue booties on top - so sweet! I loved the flowers! My mom did a great job decorating!
As you can see in the picture on the right, we were overwhelmed with so many gifts for our precious boy.

This picture is one of the most precious pictures to me because it shows my mom and mother-in-law laying hands on me to pray for Neal, Elijah, and myself. 

What a wonderful gift - the best!

From left to right is my mom, Jessica (sister-in-law), me, Lauren (sister), and Dana (friend). These were to ladies who put together and gave me to baby shower. I'm very appreciative! It was a special day.

This is everyone who came to the shower. It was really neat having so many friends there from different times in my life - families from FBC who have known me since I will little, dear friends from childhood, work, in-laws, in-laws families, and friends from college. What a great group!

Wow He's Grown, and He has a Name!

Baby Bond has grown so much, and so has mama! My stomach is now the size of a basketball and it seems to get bigger everyday. Our sweet boy is very active these days, and very strong. Hopefully he will one day we as strong as his daddy - physically and in the Lord.

We decided on his name!

ELIJAH JAMES

Elijah - My God is Jehovah

James - Supplanter

We want our son to be a spiritual warrior! Our desire is for him to go into the kingdoms of the enemy, Satan, and supplant them with his God Jehovah. That has been one of our many prayers for him.

Many of the students I teach (they are all four and five year olds) are fascinated with the baby and my belly. They always want to see him and wonder when he is coming out. I even had an offer from one little boy to have the baby on his birthday, and then come to his party so that he could see us both. I've also been asked many different questions, such as "why can't daddy's have the babies too" and "how does the baby actually come out?" It makes me laugh so much because they are just so cute. 

Here's Neal swimming with 3 of my nephews
(There's a random boy in the back)

Neal and I have been very blessed being here in Alabama for these past few months. We have gotten to see many of our old friends and hope to see many more. We've gotten to visit our home churches, and also joined a church close to where we live, which has been a blessing to us and it has brought new friends. However, the most precious part of being here has been the time with our family. We've always lived 10 hours from family, and therefore we didn't get to be a part of birthday parties, cookouts, hangouts, going to eat together, etc. It has been really nice getting to see more of all of them. I'm thankful that my nephews will at least know who I am before I move to the other side of the world. 

We recently got to go on a brief, but wonderful, family vacation with Neal's family. We went to Guntersville Lake and God blessed us with excellent weather. One of the days they rented two jet skies for everyone to go out on, which they all loved. While they rode I stayed on the pier and watched and talked with whoever was waiting for a turn. It was so peaceful, restful, and a great time with his family, which is just what we needed!  Close to the end of the time with the jet skies Neal convinced me to get on with him and he would take Elijah and I around the lake very slowly. So, that's just what we did and Elijah seemed to love doing it!

Please continue to pray for us as we meet with people.  Pray that He will continue to grow Elijah and help him (and me) to be healthy. Pray that God will prepare Neal and I to be parents after His own heart.

IT'S A...

We found out April 11th that we're have a sweet little...

 

 It was so amazing lying their watching the screen as the doctor did the ultrasound! I loved seeing my sweet baby! Neal and I both thought we were having a boy...not that we actually knew. We were so excited. It was always neat for me to have older brothers, so I'm glad my other children will have the same. He's grown so much, which you can tell by the size of my stomach. The doctor said according to the length of his femur bone he is probably measuring eight inches by now. He was moving around trying to get away from where my stomach was being pushed on. I don't blame him because it's already a tight spot:) I was thankful to see him move so much because I don't feel him too often. Every once in a while I can feel him pressing against my side, or a little punch or kick. We both think he's pretty chill like his daddy...or maybe he's building up his strength. He already looks like he has his daddy's feet. In comparison to the rest of his body his feet look long, and I'm not surprised.

This morning I was reading in Acts 3 - 5 where Luke talks about Peter and John being placed in jail for the healing that took place of the crippled beggar, and their continual persecution because of the message of Christ. I love the boldness Peter had before the Sanhedrin and rulers when he was filled with the Holy Spirit! I also love Gamaliel's words, "For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." The very last paragraph of chapter five says this: "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ." 

Lord, our prayer is that we will never stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. Help us Lord to be bold in sharing. Thank you for the amazing example of Jesus and His apostles. We love you Lord!