Crazy scary weekend

I'll post more details later on -- here's a letter I just sent out to catch anyone up who may not know about our weekend.

To all our dear family and friends,

Just a quick rundown for anyone who may not have been aware of what has gone on in the last few days - The gist of it is, we've been in the hospital since Sunday (Sept 30) dealing with preterm labor at 25 weeks. It's not exactly as bad as it sounds, but still pretty scary, nonetheless. God is Mighty and the drs were able to get the contractions stopped. (call me if you want the long version. lol) The baby is doing GREAT, there was never a question of that, just the part about wanting him to stay put!! Yes, I said HIM! We found out during all of this that we are definitely having another little boy. Chandler is very excited. Taylor was expecting this and is dealing with it well. :)

Now I am home and resting. (How wonderful to be back in my own home, I missed my family so much!) I am on complete bedrest until further notice, possibly the rest of my pregnancy. We are praying that is not the case. I will see my Dr. on Thursday to repeat a test that will determine whether or not I have to stay completely down or if I can be on modified bedrest. My mom will be here this weekend to help me (Thanks Mom!). I feel so relived knowing she'll be here. The kids are pretty excited about an extended visit with Grammy! Tom is being a phenomenal support - loving and caring for me while I was at the hospital, while also managing things at home, even keeping the house clean AND doing school in the evenings after work! He's doing such a great job.

We have been very humbled and overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and serving from our friends!! It is an awesome thing to see the body of Christ at work, quite literally being God's hands and feet as He cares for my family during this time that I physically cannot. We are truly blessed to have such dear friends and family. Thank you all so much for all the cards, visits, calls and prayers. Knowing that we had an army of prayer warriors behind us this weekend kept our spirits strong.

A special thanks to anyone helping out with our children until my mom gets here while Tom has to work!! And anyone providing meals. The list goes on and on. Stephanie Forringer is setting up childcare and meals for us, she also kept the kids all day Sunday when we didn't know what was going on (a very scary day) PLUS she cleaned my house and did my laundry!! What a great friend. Thanks, Steff. You're so good at seeing needs and meeting them without being asked. I love you!

God is just showing Himself so sufficient and merciful during this time-- He stopped the contractions, kept the baby very healthy and IN my womb!, and He has provided for all of our needs through help from our friends and family. As hard as bedrest was for me to hear, I know this is happening for a reason. I've told many friends that perhaps God just wanted to kick me on my butt for awhile to force me to slow down enough to commune with Him in a way that I had been too busy for previously. And also to PROVE to me that it is only through HIS power and strength, not my own, that my home and family are cared for. That is something a dear friend has been trying to get through my thick skull for weeks as I'd be overwhelmed by my lack of performance in caring for my family. I think God just took over for her and decided to teach me the hard way. :) He has a plan and a purpose. We will trust Him!

Again, thank you all from the bottom of my heart. We love you all.

Tom, Adriana and family
adrianareagh@yahoo.com
tomreagh@gmail. com