Four summers ago Curtis and I were wrapping up our time in Northeast England. We had volunteered to spend five months there working with teenagers. On our last Sunday at Thornaby Baptist Church, our dear friend Maxine presented us with two gifts in front of the congregation of about forty saints. I was doing an ugly cry and was desperately in need of a Kleenex. I kept turning around to face the other way because I was so embarrassed. Then in a moment that brought a bit of comic relief, we opened up the gifts to find these:
I started giggling immediately because I was a bit confused and I knew everyone was going to wonder if I was pregnant. At that time in our marriage we didn’t have maternity insurance and we were not even talking about having a baby. Maxine realized that I was a little embarrassed and announced, “Amanda is not pregnant!” Actually, she called me “Amander” but I always loved that. There was a quick consensus that Curtis and I must be pregnant in the spiritual realm, meaning God had spiritual fruit and offspring that would come forth soon. I refused to believe that the father-son figurine was a prophecy of any kind. 😉
Later I realized that Maxine and I had been talking about Willow Tree figures one day and I had mentioned that I thought the one with the pregnant lady was beautiful. I had seen it at my friend Jennifer’s house. She remembered that conversation when she saw the figurine and wanted to bless me with it.
We took the figurines back to America with us, but we didn’t display them right away. I did not want any visitors to our house to think I was expecting. At some point during my pregnancy with Jackson I got them out and proudly displayed them at long last. It would be some time before Jackson was as old as the little boy in the second figurine, but he was a boy nonetheless.
Nowadays Jackson Jones is looking a lot more like the little boy in the picture. He’s definitely not a baby anymore. Around April I noticed that I had stopped identifying with moms I saw with babies in strollers. I wasn’t one of them anymore. It was such a strange feeling! We had graduated on to little-boyhood.
My heart is kind of pounding right now because I am so excited and blessed to be able to say that at this brief moment in time, both of those little Willow Tree figures are true of our family. A prophecy given to us four years ago has come to pass! We are expecting another Little Jones around February 12, 2009. Today I am 11 weeks along. We had an OB appointment this week and got to hear the little heartbeat. He or she seems to be doing well in there! I have so much to say, but it wouldn’t be that fun to stuff it all in one post. I will save some for later.
By the way, I went into Baby Gap for fun after my appointment and I was blown away by the cuteness of all the fall clothes for baby boys. Oh my word. Pregnant Girl almost cried over this. I am so ready to shop in the 0-24 month section again. I’ve missed it so!
Congratulations! Now, just get Melissa to do the same (I know, she just got married), but the cousins would have a great time with each other and their grandparents.
Wow! I am so happy for you! I admit it. I hope you have a girl. It’s fun to have both. I’m glad it’s not me, though. After having had 3, I don’t miss shopping in the 0-24 month section. I still get to for my sisters-in-law’s kids anyway. Congratulations!!!
First of All, congratulations Amanda! I cried as I read your news, how exciting!! I remember the birth of my second born, my my.. she is now 29 and the mother of three. Anyway…I’m so happy for you sweetie; you and your precious family are in my prayers as you prepare for the next Jones little one to bounce into your world.
Joyous blessings!
Brenda
Broken Arrow,OK
PS…Congrats to Granny Moore
I remember so well when your Mom shared the news of your first pregnancy and was even wondering the other day when we might hear some more exciting news from the Jones family!!!Amanda, we have all been blessed with praying little Jackson into this “big family” and watching him grow into a handsome little boy, now we have the privilege of doing the same for this little one!Congrats and praise Jesus!!!I know you are all over joyed, so are we!
We pray blessings over this pregnancy for you.
i know you feel the love and prayers of the siesta family!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! 🙂
CONGRATULATIONS!!! 🙂
Congratulations on the new baby and much love to ya’ll. I’m excited for ya’ll hope it’s a little girl this time. I loved buying all those little dresses.
Love ya’ll
Susan
I have four kids and I found I did fine with the first but the second baby threw me for a loop and yes she was my girl I was scared to death. But the next two kids were a breeze.Kids are a blessing from God! Congrats again !
I am very excited for you. I am due February 24. Go February babies!
you wonder how your heart will ever love another as much as the first…amazing the capacity of the heart to include as much for another as the first and yet…in a completely unique way. how cool to watch another of the wonders of God at work…my own three are precious…always a work of art from the master creator. congratulations. praying for a wonder-filled pregnancy
I’ve already commented, but have since come up with my own blog…. complete with picture. I feel very technically savvy now, so I had to try it out!
Congrats again!! It will be fun to have 2 little ones running around the LPM offices!
Yeah, I know you and Curt are soooo excited & Granny to needless to say.
May the Lord bless you during this pregnancy.
Hugs,Naomi W.
Congratulations, Amanda! That is very exciting. I love Willow Tree figuines…it is neat how they capture the exact moments you want to remember!
Oh my, what wonderful news! A very big congratulations to you guys! My two boys are 7 yrs and 10 yrs old.
Our new stage that is hitting me hard in the boyhood stage right now is that my oldest is starting middle school in Sept. I look at him and even though he is 5 ft tall and grown in all ways I still see my little man with his toddler face.
Feb. is a very busy month! I can’t wait to hug your pregnant self in San Antonio.
Congratulations, Amanda!!!! That is wonderful news!
Amanda– congratulations. I am soo excited for you guys. I have to share with you the funniest thing. I read this blog entry right before going to bed, so I dreamed about it. In my dream I was having coffee with you and your mom and I was so excited.. so excited just to be hanging out with you guys like old friends. I told you I’m so excited for your news, and you said how did you know, and I said your mom posted on the blog.. and you got so upset with her and me because you wanted to tell the news and not your mom posting .. and well it ws a family fiasco.. i woke up laughing because I realized that it was just funny to dream about you guys! Congrats!!
Praise the Lord–congratulations, Mama and rest of the family! 🙂
May the Lord bless, protect, and nurture the little one inside you. His/her days are numbered and ordained by Him. What a comfort to know God already knows your child!
Blessings and congratulations,
Nancy
Congratulations sweet Amanda, Curtis and Jackson. I am so excited for you all! This makes my day!
Can’t wait to hear the stories to come.. Love, Tina B.
I haven’t been able to get on my computer for a week- Good grief! Congratulations my friend! Oh, your mom must be out of her mind! Can we hold an on-line baby shower for you? Honestly, I would love to do that! I’m thinking up a way, I must call my Communications friend-…I love all you –
Lisa in Kirkland, WA
Congratulations! Me too! I’m due February 18th, 2009. Very excited for you and Grannie Beth.
Blessed member of Water’s Edge Class,
Amy P.
Congratulations, Amanda! God be with you and hope you don’t have morning sickness 🙂
xqmkCONGRATS!!!
How exciting!!! I just found out that i’m due with #3 Feb 15th! Now I get to watch one more person be pregnant along with me!
I have to share this with you, Amanda. I have not checked the blog in a few days and before I logged off for the night, I was drawn to give it a peek. I thought to myself “I bet Amanda’s announced she’s pregnant”. If my kids weren’t asleep, I would have shouted “Praise the Lord!”! God’s blessings to your family.
Amanda,
If the little boys section brings tears to your eyes, I can’t imagine what the girls section could do to ya!
Blessings. I am rejoicing with you over this new little one.
Am so excited to hear your good news. My baby boy just turned 17 this year and I can’t believe he was Jackson’s age YESTERDAY. It has been a blast watching him grow into a precious young man. I know you are thrilled as is your dear mom. Will keep you in my thoughts in the months to come. Love you.
Such HAPPY news! What a blessing!
Thanks for sharing with us so quickly, and VERY clever. I was interrupted after the second paragraph, still having no clue, then it dawned on me where you might be going and I RAN BACK to the computer to see if I was right. Whoohoo!!
God bless all four of you!
xo Chris
Amanda,
How exciting! I know you’re entire family is full of laughter and tears! You’ve got me full of laughter and tears and I ain’t even pregnant! (and, yes, I can say that with confidence! I am not pregnant!)
Congratulations!
Love,
Bridgette
Congratulations!!!
Cindy
Congratulations! I can really relate. I have a 2 1/2 yr. old daughter and miss shopping the 0-24 mo., but praise God! we welcome our second little gift this December.
Congrats,
Julie Anna
Wooo Hooo heartfelt congrats. What a joy and we are honored that you are sharing with siestaville.
Blessings,
Maddy in Ca.
What wonderful news. Let the nursery planning, name selecting, and praying begin!
Congrats from
Kim in Apex, NC
Congratulations to you and your family! Missing the 0-24mon size clothing never goes away even when your children become young adults. But then you get to go back to that section when one of your children has children of her/his own! WHOO HOO!!
Cherish every minute!! Here’s a new favorite quote: “A baby fills a special place within your heart, you never knew was empty.”
Oh Amanda… I am so happy for ALL of you! Another little one to add to your wonderful family! Yes, I can hear your mom say: “another to Praise Dance w/ Granny”
It’s been some time since I have been able to be in blogland. I truly have missed it. I must say not being able to check in everyday to the LPM blog finds me a bit overwhelmed. How will I ever catch up? Well, today the Lord caught me up… brought me to the post I was to read and here I am.
Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow. Praying for a healthy pregnancy. I am looking forward to hearing all about your journey – a sibling for Jackson!
congratulations to both of you.
Cindi
Congratulations, Sweet Amanda! I’m so thrilled for you! I was thinking about this recently for you when I was reading an old post you had written. I’ve been praying for God’s direction about baby #4 and remembering that we were pregnant at the same time when I had my daughter. Hope that things are going great for you! Can’t wait to get the news when this sweet little baby arrives! All the best!
Congratulations! What a marvelous story!
Congrats! Our second grandbaby is due Feb. 10, 2009! Our first wonderchild is a boy and is 13 months old! God is good. We got a photo of their ultrasound today. Truly amazing that you can love such a tiny precious little bit so much.
Blessings to you all!
Kim
Congratulations!!! It has to be the most wonderful gift that God gives to us.
Sherrie
CONGRATULATIONS from a new grandmother!! May you be blessed with health, energy and the joy of becoming a mother again!! Can’t wait to hear more updates from you and your Mom!! Kathy
Congratulations Amanda and Curt! How exciting for you. A new baby is a miracle to give praise for, for sure. I’m sure you will treasure every moment!
Congratulations, Amanda and Curtis! I’m sure Jackson will make a wonderful big brother – how fun!!
Blessings,
Michele
Oh Amanda, I’m so excited for you as I have just delivered my third baby. A boy, and a big one…10 lb. 8 oz. 21 inches long. He came 9 days early too! My other little guy was also 10 lb. 8 oz, but 24 inches long. And yes, they were V, not a C-section. : ) Kissing this little sweetheart’s cheeks has brought me straight into the throneroom of Heaven. Nothing in this world is as wonderful. Bless you as you begin this journey again. Sarah in Missouri
Congratulations! How awesome!
Mary
Yeah! Congratulations! I know your mom is beside herself!
Wonderful! I might add Feb 12 is a great day, in 2009 I will be 45 on that day. LOL.
I am so thrilled to hear your wonderful news and a couple of things I have to share. One is that I’m the one who has mentioned before that Jackson looks almost identical to my oldest son, Justin. However, Justin is now almost 22 and is still very handsome. Secondly, my second son was born almost 3 years to the day that my first was born. Then, our third child, a girl, was born 3 years later. I love the 3 year gap as it gives the baby its full time with mom and is old enough to realize that it has a new sibling. Oh and I guess there is one more thing. The figurines are very special to me too. There is one that depicts each of my children and the special parenting bond with them. I just love them. I will pray for you over these next several months. How exciting! May God bless you and Curtis abundantly.
Congratulations! What a gift of love to you all and a blessing for this new little one to be in your family!
I unfortunately haven’t been able to keep up with Siestaville most of the summer, but am finally catching back up…
I was so thrilled to hear your fabulous news! Congratulations to you and your sweet little family. You will most definately be in my prayers as you prepare to be a family of 4. It can be a challenge at times, but is double the blessing in motherhood.
Yay!