Well I stink. 3 months and no blogs. I'm terrible about sticking to this. Truth be told, without some form of accountability I'm about as reliable as a sundial at midnight. But here I am again. Three months have passed and so many little things have happened. And with all apologies to the people, the places, the events, there was one trip and one very big thing that gets the highlight here.
For months we had planned it. Rental car booked months in advance. My dad passed along timeshare so that we could stay free (kudos Dad!). I had map quested, google mapped, bought a globe, bought a De Lorme, and brought in a cartographer (okay maybe not). But we were ready for the insanity that is Walt Disney World. E deserved it. That kid is amazing; believe me when I tell you that I am the luckiest step dad in the history of ever. And Sara and I had decided that he was fully deserving of a trip to see Mickey and Minnie before starting Kindergarten.
And so we went. If we didn't think he deserved this trip before, the 12 hour drive without incident proved it to us that E is the best and easiest kid. And yes parents that are currently prying your children off of a chandelier you should be jealous (and possibly hate me a little bit). But I digress.
The amazing Star Island resort was a great place to stay, the weather cooperated rather magnificently, and as soon as we entered, the 5-year old was overwhelmed and the grown ups that he brought along became 5 years old themselves. There was a show with all the Disney characters at the Magic Kingdom castle, there were rides, the Swiss Family Robinson house, a train, a haunted house, you name it. And thank God for grandparents or any one of us would have expired trying to attack that place alone. And after the long and amazing day (approximately 7 pm when our faces started to read "I've had enough") we returned to the resort to relax.
And then it happened.
"Jonathan?" Her voice was almost unbelievably questioning in tone.
And there she held in her hand what had changed our lives. There was a line.....a dark, clear, perfect, wonderful line.
I honestly can't remember what I said; I probably didn't speak English for a minute. For the next 24 hours I couldn't stop smiling. And to be truthful, I've really been smiling ever since.
Amongst all the apprehension and uncertainty we patiently waited, nearly 3 months from the time. Without a picture or the sound of a heartbeat, we didn't want to get too excited. Then the ultrasound flickered, the heart thumping so rhythmically and so beautifully. Freckles, as E has affectionately decided to name our little miracle, was even practicing for the 100m freestyle on camera. I teared up a bit and was proud to do so.
And it has changed me. It has changed how I view the blessing of helping with our children' ministry. It has changed how hard I work, how much more I love her, how much more I appreciate and love that amazing step kid of mine.
Jonathan Bowers: child of God through His mercy, husband through His grace, father through His and our little miracle. I can't wait to meet you, Freckles. And my God how I love you already.
