Finally...

It is with great pleasure, anticipation, joy and excitement that we can introduce Cohen Derick Pickle to the world.

Photo by Son Kissed Photography by Kristen Mackey

 This little boy is a long time coming! I can't wait to tell him some day how prayed over he was before he ever came into this crazy world. From the day I found out we were pregnant for the fifth time, I sent out prayer requests to those close to me asking for intercessory prayers on our behalf. I found out at 3 weeks and 5 days. And his big brother prayed for his arrival up until the night before he was born. Prior to this, we had prayed long and hard (Jake included), through all of our trials and losses. This pregnancy was our last try before "giving up". I mean that. It was very spontaneously decided on that we would even try. And it would be the last time I could endure the thought of going through the pain of another loss. Guys, I know I've said it a thousand times before... and everyone deals differently, but miscarriage and infertility is really hard. I was telling my mom recently that after my first loss, no big deal. Not really NO big deal, but one loss is still well within the norm. It's still a very normal statistic. The second loss was quite a blow and just as unexpected as the first, but still recoverable. After that third one... I was a changed person. All our losses have changed the core of my being. I choose, now, to believe it was for the good.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.

I would never in my life have chosen the path we took to get to this beautiful baby boy; but now that we are here, I am thankful beyond words for everything we have gone through. It's weird to be thankful for miscarriage and infertility, but I have gained so much from it all--life experience, to trust God, faith-when there is no other choice. I'm not gonna say I'm all rainbows and butterflies because of it, because that's far from the truth. When I say I'm a changed person, I mean that I am a major realist now. Probably the worst thing I got out of the deal was that there is likely not a person on Earth that sees a glass more half empty than me! Some people call it pessimism, I like to call it realism. ;)

I have held on to this hope for so long... and I could not WAIT for the day I could say it while holding my baby boy. 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.