Unexpected Blessings

On By AngeliaIn Angels among Us

When you find a penny face up…

When coffee is brewed before you arise…

When a stranger’s kind smile makes your day…

When someone thanks you, for doing a good job…

When someone hugs you, because you need it…

When someone rejoices with you, because your joy can’t be contained…

From all ends of the spectrum. Blessings are no joke. They sneak up on you and they make you realize how grateful you really are. Truly grateful for all the big and small things life throws your way.

When my very young (but grown) daughter told me she might be pregnant about two months ago…

…I was not angry, upset, or sad for her.

What I felt……..was joy.

I KNOW. Nothing is an accident. People make mistakes, but God doesn’t.

13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. -Psalms 139:13-16

News to share….
Countdown to parenthood a little over FOUR months. Get ready kids. 🙂

And here they are…two months after she told me.

Sydney’s belly is really growing fast at this point. We didn’t want to announce it all too soon. Of course, we told family right away, but not the general public/social media avenues.

Til now that is…

Which is why I can share my unexpected blessing with all of you. I am going to be a GRAMMA with a grandchild! OMG!

And honestly? I can’t wait.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” Jeremiah 1:5

Easter Weekend 18 Weeks.
Easter Weekend 18 Weeks.

It is just hard to believe my BABY is having a BABY. It took me several weeks to really process that. I am not ready for her to be all grown up and a mommy *cry!*.

But she is going to be…..no matter if I am ready or not.

© Angelia's Photography

We are doing weekly photos throughout her pregnancy. This one will be all hooked together like a movie watching her belly grow. I found that on Pinterest, because Pinterest is awesome like that.

Of course, I have BIG photo plans for the baby when he/she gets here. No, we don’t know what it is yet. And yes, we will find out. Apparently gender reveal parties are all the rage these days. Not to mention, Sydney and I went to Buy Buy Baby a few weeks ago, it was our first outing for baby and we had to buy something. As in – yes this is real and we are buying a baby thing – but there were very few non-gender things. We settled for a long-sleeve white onsie. Awh.

We told the little girls tonight. I had no idea how to do it. They are six and eight years old. Smart as little whips, but I think I will leave the birds and the bees talk to their mom. Heh.

I showed them a photo of Sydney at week 18 (above) and then I said, “Do you notice anything?” After a minute or two, one of them said, “Welllllll, her belly looks bigger.” I breathed a sigh of relief and then displayed on my phone the sonogram photo next to Sydney’s belly.

© Angelia's Photography
This was taken week 16 and the sonogram photo is at about 8 weeks.

I said, “Do you know what THAT is?”

Surprisingly the six-year old answered. “A BABY!?!”

Hands clapped over mouths in surprise, as they looked at each all wide-eyed. Then Bridget questioned aloud, “Is she married?” It made me smile because that is such a six-year old thing to say. So sweet and innocent, and no, they are not married yet and may not be for a few more years (I hope). I want Sydney to finish college and both of them to have jobs and a home, etc…etc.

Then I told them, “You two are gonna be AUNTS!” Except I pronounced it the North East way Aunt, not Ant like we say here. They have Aunts, we have Ants. I think Bridget declared she didn’t want to be an Aunt. Molly giggled some more, and proclaimed she would be a fourth grade Aunt standing up tall and holding her chest out. I think she will make a very fine Aunt.

But when I told them their Dad was going to be a GRANDPA???

It got REAL.

And they laughed, and laughed, and laughed. Molly had TEARS streaming down her face, because apparently, Daddy being a Grandpa is flippin’ hilarious.

I think we are all still smiling. I hope you are too.

Yes, it’s unexpected, but what a huge blessing.

61 thoughts on “Unexpected Blessings”

  3. The Psalm you quoted is beautiful. Congratulations Sydney and daddy! It’s so amazing, the questions little children will pop out of those innocent little mouths. Congrats, Angelia. 🙂

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    1. I know! Out of the mouths of babes. The six year old mentioned to her mom that all the dogs could hold the baby except for Anna. That cracked is all up. Poor Anna singled out as the troublesome pet. LOL!

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  4. Laura Bloomsbury

    I know all about that unexpected element of suprise – everyone in the family adapting to new roles!! Not easy Angelia but the joy is self-evident both in your narrative and these portraits. Jeremiah quote very memorable.

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  5. Detta

    Every baby is a blessing no matter how God chooses their entry. Love that everyone is positive and your joy is contagious. My daughter brought us a surprise blessing 9 years ago, also while she was still in college. I can’t imagine our lives without that sweet boy in it. He is my heart.

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  9. “I think we are all still smiling. I hope you are too.

    Yes, it’s unexpected, but what a huge blessing.”

    Yes, not only am I smiling, but teary-eyed as well!

    Angelia, I am soooooooooooooooooooooooo happy for your daughter, for you, and your family!!!!!

    There is nothing, and I mean nothing more beautiful to me than seeing a ‘woman with child.’ And then, seeing the baby right after it is born.

    Beautiful photos! Especially that last one with the sonogram photo.

    Congrats, Angelia! What awesome news! Looking forward to reading more in your updates.

    X

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  10. Sue Kelcey

    I am excited! I have never been a great grandma before! I can almost imagine holding that sweet little one! You know we will all want to hold the baby at the same time. The little girls are so very special, they will be so excited!

    Date: Fri, 5 Apr 2013 05:05:52 +0000 To: suelrussell@hotmail.com

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  11. Congratulations! That was really beautiful! I am very happy for you and your family. Being a grandparent is one of the greatest blessings in life!
    I heard this so much before I became one, and thought, yes…I’m sure it is. Boy! Was I in for a surprise! It REALLY IS one of the greatest blessings in life! There is nothing in this world that compares to it! 🙂
    From one Grandma to another….I know you’re going to LOVE IT!

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    1. Yay! I know I am in for it and I know it won’t compare to what everyone has said. I really want to be present for Sydney, Brandon, and baby. I hope to be the best grandma I can be. 🙂

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  12. For obvious reasons, I LOVE THIS POST. 🙂
    May your family grow together during this joyful time of wait and may you all be blessed with happiness and joy. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

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  13. pattisj

    I remember getting that same news under the same circumstances quite a few years ago. And yes, JOY, was my reaction, I was going to be a grandma! Congratulations! What a huge blessing to be a photographer.

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  15. Sydney

    The scripture got me to tear up! Especially the part before where people make mistakes, but God doesn’t. Then hearing the full story of both of you telling the girls as funny and cute all at the same time. Love my future aunts:)

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  17. Literally Oh My God, Angelia! Yet another parallel for us : ) How amazing. There truly is a reason for all things and unexpected blessings are blessings all the same. She looks beautiful. I’m sharing in all the feelings you are and we were going to try to keep it quiet for awhile too but I was about to pop and was given permission to let it out : ) Now if I could just get me husband to stop calling me Granny…; ) Congratulations Gramma!!
    P.S. I had Aunts in my dads family and ants in my moms…still confuses me : )

    P.S.

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    1. The first time we told Bridget about our A(u)nt. She said she didn’t like ants. We busted up laughing. Our blog journey has been pretty incredible. Seems so long ago when we met on the MBC in the moms of teenagers thread. HA. I am SO happy for you and the family!

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  22. Amanda Saenz

    Oh my goodness this is so very exciting! I am very happy for you Sydney! I have so many tips and tricks to tell you if you ever want any advice!

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    1. I might have to send her your way for advice. So far, she has breezed through the first 19 weeks. No morning sickness and barely any weight gain. Her worst complaint is her sciatic nerve bothering her.

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      1. Amanda Saenz

        Lucky girl! Parker used to hang out there with me as well! I would have to stretch out as long as I could and try to move him myself. He was a big baby, so it got harder as I got farther along. I’m glad her pregnancy is so easy this far. Seriously though, anything and I’m here for you guys. I got super lucky since I have a pediatric nurse for a grandmother, so I asked a lot of questions and she gave me so many amazing tips.

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  26. I love the scripture – and the reminder of God’s timing in all things. I can’t WAIT to hear all the stories you are going to have and see all the pictures you are going to take. Many blessings Gamma.

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  30. I must have missed this! Congrats! Can wait to see the pictures of your Baby Grand daughter. I’m sure she’ll be a beauty – like her mom and grandmom :):):)

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