raylee joy: choosing her name

I have wanted a baby, well, for forever. :) I was one of those girls who would have been thrilled to come home from her honeymoon and find out she was pregnant... however, Matt did not share my same enthusiasm for a baby so soon! Now, looking back on the last 4 years of our marriage, I am SO glad we had a chance to just be the two of us. We have had so much fun and have truly enjoyed one another. I know we will never get that time back and I am so glad I was able to wait patiently for a baby. As usual, the Lord knew what he was doing in having us wait for this precious little gift... I had a lot of growing to do and a lot to learn. 

Matt and I decided in 2011 that we would stop preventing getting pregnant... not necessarily "try" but just not, "not try." I had always heard my dad say that my mom got pregnant so easily and so quickly, so I just assumed the same would happen to me. A few of my friends had babies and some were starting on a second. When I didn't get pregnant right away, like after the first time we started "not trying" - I was not very patient!- I started to get so fearful that my life long dream of becoming a mommy would never happen. Fear had always been a stronghold in my life; I was always afraid of something... the dark, a stranger breaking into my house, and, now, not being able to have a baby. This fear kept growing as the months went by and we still had no baby.

In November of 2011 I received an email from my sister. She was at the International House of Prayer and felt the Holy Spirit urging her to tell me a few things. She told me that the Lord loved me so much and was proud of me, that I would never be able to comprehend His love and that he wanted me to no longer be fearful. She said the Lord wanted to drive out my fear and that sometimes He takes us through times of testing, but times of refreshing always come. He is a faithful God.  I needed to hear these words so much, but was sort of surprised that Andrea sent me this message because I hadn't really told her about how fearful I was I wouldn't get pregnant. She knew I had always wanted to be a mommy, but that was pretty much the extent of it. 

With in the same week, we had a pastor from Costa Rica and his daughter over for dinner. Drew was getting ready to spend the summer in Costa Rica doing mission work with this pastor and he happened to be in Texas. Despite our language barrier, the pastor spoke only spanish and his daughter translated for him, it was a sweet evening of fellowship. So awesome to share such a connection with someone based on your mutual love for Jesus Christ. It was awesome. 

Later that evening, the pastor shared with us his testimony and how his daughter was born. His wife had had a very difficult pregnancy and their daughter almost died after birth. As the pastor was telling us his story, he looked up at me and said, "I can tell you have much fear about child birth." I immediately lost it. He somehow knew exactly what I had been fearing. Right then he asked to pray over my womb. So, the pastor, his daughter, Drew, and Matt placed their hands on my stomach and prayed. The pastor prayed so many of the same things that Andrea had mentioned the Lord wanting me to know in her email. I couldn't believe it because I had not even shared the email with Matt yet. He said that the Lord wanted to drive out all my fear with his perfect love and that there is no fear in love. When he was done praying, he looked at Matt and I and gave us a prophecy. He said, "The Lord wants you to know His perfect love is going to drive out your fear and he is going to give you a baby girl that will bring you more joy than you can ever imagine." And that was it. Just like that he told us we would have a baby girl... again, he had no idea that I had always dreamed of having a girl. Of course, I would love to have boys too, but a girl is what I had dreamed of my whole life.   

Well, in March I found out I was pregnant! We were so excited!! By Matts request we decided to not find out the gender of baby. You would think it would be a no brainer and we would both just know that baby was a girl, but still I waivered. After the Lord had given such a convincing prophecy and had driven out my fear over the past months, you would think I would be convinced. Matt never waivered and believed baby was a girl the whole time, but I still doubted. 

November 15th, at 1:01 am, our precious baby GIRL was placed in my arms. 

I hate that I didn't trust the Lord's word spoken over me and that I doubted. But, I know that the Lord has used this pregnancy to grow me. He used sweet Raylee to drive out my fear and show me that I can trust his spoken word and his written word. He is my faithful God. He is worthy to be trusted, and to be believed. I ask the Lord to forgive me for not trusting his spoken word over me, but thank him that he still allowed me to be a part of something so great. That he allowed me to be Raylee's mommy and that he will continue to fulfill ALL of his promises. He does not disappoint and will always come through for me. Praise God for the truth in 2 Timothy 2:12, that even when we are faithless, that he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself!

So, Raylee Joy Hunter was named after her daddy, Matthew Ray. Matt always wanted to name a child using Ray, his dads middle name and grandpas first name. And Joy comes from the prophecy... our little girl that will bring us more joy than we could ever imagine! She has already brought us so much joy in her short little life :) We are praising Jesus for his faithfulness and for sweet Raylee Joy!

Newborn pictures by our friend Rachel Camp... check out Rachel Camp Photography on facebook!!

Raylee Joy: Birth Story

November 13th, 2012 

Matt and I had been waiting for sweet baby to arrive, and I was getting pretty impatient. I was so worried my family was going to get here to celebrate Thanksgiving and we would all be interrupted by a trip to the hospital :) So, we decided to have a relaxing night... we went to Pei Wei with our sweet friends, the Bergerons. I ordered a spicy dish and then added the spicy sauce they serve... my attempt to induce labor :) Afterwards, Matt and I went to see a movie to try and get our minds off of baby. 

November 14th, 2012 

6 am: My water breaks in bed... I quickly run to the bathroom, not totally sure of what just happened. After waiting a few minutes I decided that my water had actually broken and decide to wake up Matt. After taking a shower, we plan our next move. We called our doula, Ashleigh, and she told us to call the midwives, but to be prepared for them to tell us to come into the hospital right away. We had planned for an unmedicated birth and really wanted to stay home as long as possible before heading to the hospital.  We called the midwives to tell them my water had broke and we waited for a call back. 

8 am: I ate some breakfast and Matt and I decide to go on a walk around the neighborhood. It was a cool morning and we enjoyed the last moments together just the two of us. I was walking with one foot on the curb and one of the ground, in an attempt to get baby to move further down the birth canal... and probably looking a bit crazy to our neighbors ;) At this point I was having regular contractions that were between 4 and 7 minutes apart, but nothing too serious. 

9 am: We decide to watch a little Everybody Loves Raymond and try to rest a bit. We ended up watching a few episodes and taking a nap. I am SO glad we rested and were able to stay home for this time... I don't know if we would have made it until Raylee was born if we wouldn't have rested. 

12 pm: I was so hungry and really wanted a turkey sandwich... we drove to Subway and then ate lunch at home. Again, so glad that I was able to eat because I needed the energy later... even though eating before giving birth is a big hospital "no-no" :) After lunch my contractions were coming about every 4 minutes and lasting about 45 seconds. I was ready to head to the hospital and see if we couldn't move things along. 

1 pm: We meet our doula at the hospital and head to maternal observation to be checked-in.  All of the rooms were full and the nurse, who was not too happy that I had waited all this time to come into the hospital, told me I would have to wait in the waiting room! While in the waiting room I was doing squats and moving around to try to get baby to move lower and to extend the length of my contractions.... again, probably looking crazy! ha. 

Since there were no rooms in maternal observation, they moved me straight up to labor and delivery. This was a total answer to prayer because I was able to avoid getting an IV (this is hospital protocol incase the laboring mom would need drugs later on).  Once in L&D we found out I was 3 cm dilated and 90% effaced! I hadn't been checked up at all up until this time so we were excited to hear that baby was on the way!! 

5 pm: Hard labor had officially begun and I decided to get into the tub.  The water is called the "midwives epidural" and it felt SO good to be in the water. The warm water was so relaxing.  I labored in the tub for about 3 hours... Matt was so great and sprayed water on my back and pushed my hips together during contractions. I couldn't have done it without him! I had some crazy urges to push, but I wasn't dilated enough so I just had to keep laboring and moving around to get baby into position. 

November 15th, 2012 

12 am: I was finally ready to push!! Our midwife, Candace, was awesome! I truly believe that if it had not been for her, I would have had to have a C-section. I was stuck at a 9 for a LONG time and I really believe that any other OB would have given up on me.  But, I knew that the Lord had created my body to give birth and I was determined to do it. Matt was such a huge encouragement during the whole process. While I was in transition, I kept saying that I couldn't do it any longer and I didn't want to do this any longer, but Matt kept encouraging me and reminding me of our conviction that the Lord had created my body to do this. He prayed over me and quoted scripture... really, could not have done it without him. I know he was just as exhausted as I was after this 19 hour labor. :)

1:01 am: Our sweet baby GIRL was placed on my chest!! Matt and I were so overwhelmed that we totally forgot to check to see if baby was a boy or a girl until the midwife said, "well, dad, is it a boy or a girl?" Matt turned her over and said, "its a girl, Lauren, its Raylee!!"  We both were overjoyed and totally in love!! Our sweet Raylee Joy had arrived!!   

Looking back on all that happened, Matt and I have been overwhelmed by the Lord's faithfulness and goodness. He ordained our every step and answered all of our prayers, big and small. I had prayed that my water would brake and that it would happen early in the morning so we were well rested for labor, we were able to avoid maternal observation and therefore avoid all of the hospital protocol which made it easier for us to have an unmedicated birth, we had the best day and night nurses - both loved Jesus and were so sweet to us, our labor and delivery nurse was also a believer and so great in assisting us during labor.  We praise the Lord for a smooth delivery and his continual provision! He is so good to us!! 

before going on a walk... and the last picture with just 2!

After my water broke at home... 40 weeks and 3 days pregnant 

sweet girl right after she was born - 9.1 lbs

Bena, our night nurse 

Regina, our daytime nurse

daddy loving on his girl!

first bath at home :) 

1 week old

Rae's first thanksgiving!

we were so blessed to have family here after Raylee was born! 

Next time... why we chose to name our baby girl Raylee Joy :) 

tomorrow...

Tomorrow, November 12th, is the day I have been anticipating for 10 months now... dreaming about holding a sweet little baby in my arms.  So excited to meet this little one - and find out who has been growing inside of me this whole time :) 

But, I have to admit that I have been very impatient... which is so silly because a due date really tells you nothing. Babies come early, babies come late, and not too many babies actually come on their due date... but regardless I have been impatient and ready to no longer be pregnant. Mainly my impatience is because of the huge amount of excitement that I can barely contain about meeting this baby, but it is also partly totally selfish. 

Came across this sweet letter on another blog and I think this woman puts everything in great perspective.  If Baby Hunter is not here by tomorrow I don't want to be disappointed, but will choose to cherish every last minute with him/her safely inside of me :) 

Forgive me sweet baby for willing you to come before you are ready. We are so excited to meet you whenever it is you choose to come!! 

39 weeks pregnant! 

Dear Sister,

I could tell as I trailed you through the halls of the YMCA that you are expecting--and soon. Your ankles have that slightly puffy, overburdened look, your back that deep, uncomfortable sway that suggests a woman unused to carrying such weight. Seeing the full bloom of your belly only confirmed what I already knew.


You looked, to me, radiant.


But then your cell phone rang. Flustered, you shuffled through your very cute, very pink workout bag until you found the offending device. Your exasperated answer echoed through the locker room. I'll never know who was on the other end of the line, but clearly, it was someone with whom you share an intimacy. In the confines of the locker room, it was impossible not to eavesdrop, not to feel as if I was an invested member of the give and take that took place.


"Yes, I am still pregnant," you told the other party, and my gut began to squirm. See, I knew what was coming. And yet, I could not walk away.


I know that your aches and pains are real. I know that you are uncomfortable, that you're not sleeping well, that you pee all the time, that you can barely fit behind the steering wheel of your car. You have every reason to be done with the season you find yourself in.


But I hate that you hate it.


For twenty minutes, I listened to you lay out your litany of ills. Maternity clothes that barely fit. Indigestion that keeps you away from your favorite Mexican restaurant. Toenails that you can't reach to paint the lovely shade of pink that you like to see peeking up at you from your flip flops in the summer months.


I heard it all, and I sympathized.


But you know what I didn't hear?


The miracle of feeling your baby writhe, confined so tight in your womb that he or she could barely wriggle. The beauty of sitting on the cusp of an expanded family. The glorious knowledge that God has used you to bring about one of His most awesome gifts. The anxious, gleeful anticipation of waiting to meet someone whose lungs have yet to even draw breath.


I didn't hear any of that, and it pains me.


As a woman who longed for so many years to walk in those stretched out, swollen shoes of pregnancy, I am keenly aware of the blessing wrapped in a burden that is late pregnancy. The physical signs of impending birth are, to me, so poignant that I admit, I find very little to complain about. Knowing as I do the emptiness of arms unfilled, I sometimes have to step away from women who curse their own blessed state so that I don't shake them. It's true.

There is much to be burdened by, yes. But sister, there is even more to be blessed by.


As I sat on the opposite end of the locker room bench, listening to you describe your body as "massive" and "disgusting," listening to you announce how you couldn't "wait for this to be over," my mind went back years and years, to an experience I've all but forgotten. An experience with another expectant mother who had no idea that she was just hours away from meeting her baby. We had lunch, both of us pregnant, both of us nearing the end of the race. While we ate, my friend listed off the things she couldn't wait to do without a baby growing inside of her. Drink a beer. Be intimate with her husband. Ride her bike. Ditch the maternity panties. Wear her favorite jeans.


Three hours later, at a routine check-up, she learned that her baby had died. She delivered a still little girl that night, and went home to a place where all of those things--the beer, the bike, the jeans-- seemed empty and useless.


She would have given anything to have that baby back, safe, inside of her. She told me later--and I admit, I still didn't get it for years--that she would do anything, anything to be that uncomfortable and full again.


Of course, I learned that lesson on my own, the hard way. The pain, the inconvenience, the struggle, the discomfort, the agony, even ... It is not something to be wished away. It is something to be cherished. Truthfully.


I know you probably won't understand this. You probably think I am overly sentimental, a worshiper of birth, a woman who has lost her inner compass thanks to her years waiting without hope. And you know, I guess I hope that you can stay that way. I hope that you never look back on these moments have regret. I hope that you can move forward without missing a beat, can think on your pregnancy as a mere blip on the road to your new little one.


But just in case you can't, please--do yourself one small favor. Take a picture. Write something down. Anything. Make some small memory of the beautiful season you are currently living in. Hold onto it. Be blessed by it. Because truly, it is a gift that not everyone is handed. Of that, I am certain.


Blessings,
Mary Grace

summer weddings

This was the summer of weddings for us, well for Matt. :) He was a groomsman in 3 weddings and officiated his very first wedding too!! It was fun to see all the different ideas and decor each bride and groom had, and so fun to see my hubby all fancy for each wedding. My favorite was probably the suspenders ;) 

Mac & Liseth's wedding... check out those cute suspenders! 

This was the wedding Matt officiated... we didn't get a picture with the bride and groom, but Matt did such a great job! I was so proud of him for speaking the truth over the new couple! 

Jordan and Erica's Wedding was in OKC in a beautiful vineyard. We shared a room with our best friends from St. Louis, the Scharrs! So many fun friends to celebrate with at this wedding... Most everyone graduated from Matt's high school all at different times, so it made for a really fun weekend!

 

LOVE her!!

Loved the fun summer memories before our sweet baby gets here!! :) 

20 days...

I went to St. Louis to visit my family, for 20 days. It was a long time to be away from my man, but a really sweet time with my family :) Matt was there at the beginning for hot summer nights at ZOE, and then again in the middle for a wedding - but still too long to be away! :) 

It was a great time... moved Andrea to Murray for her last year!, spend lots of time with Deedee, got to meet Dustin, and had two wonderful baby showers!! We have been so blessed :) 

the pictures are kind of mixed up, but here goes... 

20 days in STL...