Gale K. asked, “Will there be more children for your family?”
Lana:
I had always planned on having a large family. My dream was six kids, a minivan, and a house with a yard and a white picket fence.
Well, life doesn’t always (or often) go as planned and having children has proven to be a rocky road. We have three little babies in Heaven (due to miscarriage) and Carmen will join them someday soon.
I am so grateful for sweet Lauren and for the time we have with Carmen. I LOVE my girls!
One of my greatest struggles in the past few years has been contentment in this area of my life. When you want more children, it is a deep stab to the heart to struggle having children and/or to lose them. I have felt the pain of watching many of my friends easily have one child after another or adopt healthy children. If you’ve been there, you know how much that hurts.
We don’t know the whole picture of this beautiful canvas. Regardless of life’s circumstances, God reminds me often that “Faith is…thanking God when I am left with shattered plans, that He has better plans.” Pamela Reeve
Dave:
Whether we have more biological children, adopt several more, or a combination of the two, I’m fairly certain that more children are on the way. Or perhaps I should say that we’re on our way to more children. Can I explain why our plans haven’t worked out so far? No. Can I guarantee that we’re going to have more children? No. But we will find a way for there to be “more children for our family”, even if we have to move to Guatemala and work in an orphanage.
P.S. We are pregnant (We, being Lana!).
Congratulations!!!! That is wonderful news.
How cool is that!!! May God bless each day as this little one grows inside and outside you. May you have a real peace about his plans for this child.
congratulations. praying for everything to go smooth.
What exciting news to read! Congratulations!!!
Diane
That is wonderful news! I will keep your family in my prayers! Do you know yet the due date?
God is so GOOD!!!!!!!!!!! You know guys, Mick and struggled for 4 years before we finally got pregnant and we had really come to the end of ourselves. We had decided that maybe God had some other plan for us…and then we got Emma!!! We didn’t even dare to think that another child could even be thought of and five months later here we are.. awaiting another. OI love that Lana and I are prego together and I can’t wait to hear more. We shared a suite once and now we get to share this!!!!!!!!!!!I am so happy and excited for you guys!!!!!!!!!! We serve a GOOD GOD!! Sometimes I don’t understand what He is doing, but I know that He is good! Love you and boy am I praying.
I am so excited for you guys! I read your blog on a regular basis and I’m always so touched and inspired at how God is working in your lives.
I am so happy for you ALL. God is so good and His timing is just right. Take good care of yourself and rest when feel the same…… when I hear certain machines go on in the night I know what they are – my temporary bedroom is right next to Ryan’s. It makes it difficult for me to sleep. God knows your needs and will take care of all of it. When’s the due date? – Baby Ry is more sleepy now – all those seizures really do more damage. How is baby Carmen holding up. The girls are seeing a palliative care social worker now. Our very best to you all. xoxo
Congratulations! So happy for you and Lana
Congratulations! Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, you have a beautiful family!
Oh Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!!!! Pregnancy for you guys has been a prayer YHWH has given me to pray for a while. He is Soooooo Amazin’. I can see Lauren telling Carmen all about this…. those sisters! And remember, I’m still available for adoption if you want to add to your numbers. My white hair might clash with yours and I don’t swing too high anymore. But, I’m dancing for Jesus with you continually. Hallelujah and WaHOOOOOOOO…….
Congratulations!!
I didn’t even see that coming (the P.S. anyways). You guys are tricky! Anywho, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That is such exciting news. I will keep you in my prayers that all goes well. Take Care! Love & Hugs, Nicki (Angel Riley’s Mommy)
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/princessrileybear
Wow! You certainly know how to pull on our heartstrings, in a wonderful way!!! Congratulations and we’ll certainly be praying for YOU! How far along are you???
Congratulations! That’s beautiful news for all of you!
Congratulations, Lanna, Dave, Lauren and Carmen! What a wonderful blessing for your family. I will keep you in my prayers!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Praying for you all!
CONGRATULATIONS Lana and Dave!! What fantastically wonderful news!!
Congratulations! Praying God’s protection over that little one! Way to just throw the big news in there at the end…nice.
Wonderful news! Sending you loving prayers, happy vibes, good karma and warm thoughts for an easy pregnancy and a healthy baby!!!
Dave and Lana,
I am so very happy for you guys!! This is such wonderful news, CONGRATULATIONS!!! I will pray that everything goes great, I’m sure it will
Yeah! We are so excited for you. We will be keeping you in our prayers. Whatever happens, know it’s in God’s plans. I know we sometimes wonder why things happen the way they do but God has the whole picture in view. Struggles help us grow. Sometimes I want to tell God that I don’t want to grow so quickly. LOL! I am soooooo excited for you all.
Congratulations! I will be praying, praying, praying for this precious little baby – that God will allow you to carry this baby to term & that you will have an easy pregnancy & a healthy baby. God has richly blessed you with Lauren & Carmen & He has more blessings in store!
WHAT??
OH MY GOODNESS!! I’m jumping for joy for you guys.
Thank you so much for letting us know. I will add your pregnanacy and your baby to my prayer list.
Oh, this is such great news, I am so happy for you and your family. Can’t wait to hear more.
Debbie
Yeah! Congratulations. Making us read the whole entry to find out was very sneaky on your part.
I am praying all goes smoothly.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Yippee! When are you due? Does Lauren know yet? How exciting! I’m already looking forward to updates!
Lauren was so excited to share the happy news with me yesterday. Congratulations.
While we were ‘crafting’ she said to me she hopes for a sister so she will have one to play with & one to take care of. She is such an amazing child. Thank you for sharing her with me.
love, hugs & prayers,
monica : )
WOW!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I will continue to keep you in my prayers and will be praying for a healthy mom & baby! Thank you for sharing your life and family with us! WOW, SUCH GREAT NEWS!!!
AHHHHH!!! This is beautiful news!!
Danielle
How exciting! How far along is Lana? I am 14.5 weeks and just learned we are having identical twins!!
Just thought you’d sneak that in? Congrats. When?
Yay! This is great news! We are so happy for you!!! We also heard that Lauren will be visiting us with Grandma and Grandpa for Nathan’s birthday. We’re excited about that too. Hope to see you this summer too!
Congratulaions!!! Keeping you in my prayers!!
That is great news! I hope we get to see you guys this summer. Tate talks about all of you guys and wants to jump in the car to see you. He does not quite get that you live far away. I think he believes you all live with Aunt Grace and Uncle Doug! We will be praying for all of you!
Hi there, Well, well, well, what do you know? I hope you both are blessed with as many children as you want because I don’t know of two better parents, maybe some just as good but none better. OK Dave now it is your turn to cater to Lana. Midnight banna split runs HAHA!! My wife just told me I always had to go to Popeyes for red beans and rice. God bless. In Christ, Joe
SO wonderful, and we will keep you guys in prayer for sure. God’s ways are not our ways but Im thankful HIS ways are best. Ask for bread and he doesnt give a stone, but blessings in abundance! Congratulations
I jumped out of my chair with joy when I read your “P.S.”! And it’s a good thing that my kids didn’t interupt me and get me away from the computer before I got to the end! What a Dave thing to do!!!
I am THRILLED for your family and I will be praying for God to keep your baby healthy and grow him/her to full term. I also pray that God will give you a peace that passes understanding each day of your pregnancy as I assume that your past losses may cause you to be fearful. Wow – I am just SO excited!
Congratulations!
Love, Christina
Wow! You certainly know how to get all of us lurkers to come out of hiding! Congrats to you all. I’m so excited for you! Sarah
Well, I’m noticing that your/our family reunion has just grown greatly. And, it was YHWH who brought Carmen to unify us. So miraculous….. Just like God to do this, eh?????
OMG I’m so happy for you guys!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!
I wish you all the best!
Love,
Ju
Such fabulous news! Congratulations to you all!
CONGRATULATIONS LANA & DAVE!!!! This is wonderful news. How far along are you Lana??? Take care of yourself, and thanks for sharing this great news!
Congratulations! Praying for God’s protection around this little one!
Congratulations xxx
Oh My Gosh! Congrats guys! I am soooo happy for all of you.
CONGRATULAIONS1 I had to read the P.S 2 xs. WOW PRAISE GOD!!! We are praying and will continue to pray for all 5 of you.
I literally gasped when I got to the end of your post. Congratulations to you both and HANG IN THERE little one!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
God is good! No, God is great! Indescribably great.
Lauren is ecstatic and has been telling everyone!
I have read your site for some time and I am truely amazed at your strength (in God and each other) even though I am sure somedays it doesn’t seem like that. I wanted to congradulate you both on your upcoming pregnancy. I will pray for your family nightly.
I almost missed the PS through tears and shaking my head at your wisdom….Congratulations!!
Congratulations!!! I love the wisdom of your thoughts and broke into tears at the happy announcement at the end. Much love and blessings to you all!!!
Congratulations! I am so happy for ALL of you!
Big Happy Hugs,
Becky