Now, for what you really want...

Nursery Photos...

Carrie, 9 months pregnant, morning of delivery!

Carrie was AMAZING!!!

Praise the Lord...

Carrie and I would like to Praise the Lord for the safe delivery of a very healthy and very vocal son! We are so blessed to be surrounded in love by our family and church family during this very special time!

My parents, Bruce and Darla Briggs, were with us from 5:00 AM until almost 3:00 PM yesterday and have been a tremendous source of support throughout this entire beginning of the process! My brother Karsten and his wife Kim have been awesome with phone calls and text messages of support and encouragement. Additionally, we have heard from members of both sides of the family and extended family, from my siblings to Carrie's cousins and Grandparents, throughout this entire process. Incidentally, this is the first Great-Grandchild for Grandma Ottis! :) I know that the Ireland family is thrilled about the safe delivery of Josiah, especially Louisa...I should know since she is getting regular "status checks" for me.

On the way to the hospital yesterday, I called Pastor Greg's house (7:30 AM) to let them know that we were in labor and on the way to the hospital. Laurie asked us to text message her phone if we had Josiah sometime during church so Pastor Greg could make an announcement. Well, she got the text immediately prior to him getting up to speak and from what we heard, our church family was extremely excited for us and Pastor Greg had to tell them to settle down since he wasn't done yet with the details. :) We have been so blessed by the phone calls, text messages and visits. Rodney, Stacy and Nathaniel Mitchell came by last night to visit and the new family photo was actually taken by Rodney on his "crackberry" (Nora's terminology). Many others called yesterday and were a tremendous source of encouragement and love! For that, we are extremely grateful!

Today, we were blessed by visits from Pastor Greg and Laurie, Stacy and Christina and the Lowery family. Incidentally, "little" Paul Lowery is a GIANT in comparison to Josiah.

For everything, visits to phone calls to text messages to your prayers (which we covet), we are so incredibly grateful to our families both immediate and church.

Josiah is doing so well...

Quick update:

Josiah is doing so well! He is nursing, sleeping and very alert! We love seeing him open his eyes and look at everything around him.

Carrie is also doing very well! She is recovering just as quickly as she delivered our little son!

Announcing the arrival...

Josiah Kenneth Briggs

November 16, 2008
10:35 AM
6 lbs 1 oz
18 inches long
Apgar score: 9 and 9

Carrie did a phenomenal job! Labored for only a little over 8 hours! We got to the hospital at 8:00 AM and she delivered at 10:35 AM.

We are so blessed to have a healthy son and a healthy delivery!

Working on finishing the baby's room...

Carrie and I are busy getting the baby's room all put together and the rest of the house in order prior to Josiah's arrival. I know that she will feel better once everything is organized and straightened so that she can relax and feel comfortable!

Please continue your prayers for a safe and healthy delivery for both Josiah and Carrie!

Will post pictures later of the room in progress!

Remembering a vivacious woman...

Carla and Joshua after 6 months of chemotherapy

Carla, Joshua and Carrie

Carrie and Carla

Over the last couple of days, I've been thinking about the people who have come into my life and the impact they each have in turn left.

Carla Wolfe was such a person! Carla and I hit it off right away after she joined Loudcloud in the spring of 2000. Carla was the definition of a vivacious Proverbs 31 woman. Through all of the hardships of life, her faith was grounded in the Lord. When the Lord took her home earlier this year, I know she ran into her Father's arms and is praising His name continually!

Carla would have been so happy to see little Josiah when he eventually makes his grand appearance!

Josiah's Baby Shower by Taylor Morrison...

Carrie's coworkers at Taylor Morrison hosted a Baby Shower for her the week prior to her leaving on maternity leave. Carrie and I have been greatly blessed by her employment at Taylor Morrison. She will miss everyone that she has grown so close to over the last 2+ years. We are still hoping that they will be able to convince Corporate to allow her to come back part time early next year...Janine and Elaine are hoping for this as well! :)

Carrie and Elaine

Janine showing someone the "ropes"

Country hoe-down...

Just wanted to share some pictures of my parents hosting their Bible Study's Fall Harvest Hoe-Down at their house. Very fun!

Joshua and Grandma....

Grandma Steinmetz who lives at O'Connor Woods near my parents loves having family stop by and visit with her. Although you definitely need to make an appointment since she is one very busy lady! Between chair exercise and gym classes, she keeps in top shape.

More Josiah Baby Shower pictures...

Paulette Marks

Animated Myko Mayer and Jennifer Groza

Kay Vallerga

Celia Sertich

Impressive cake made by my Mom, Darla Briggs

Stork cake and fountain cake made by my mom, Darla Briggs
Impressive cupcake tower made by Colette Bonar

Josiah's Baby Shower...

As I stated in the last blog entry, a HUGE thank you to my Mom, Darla Briggs, Paulette Marks, Sarah Kenney, Christina Duran, Stacy Mitchell, and Sharon Lowery for planning and organizing such an awesome Baby Shower. It was such a huge blessing to us and we feel so privileged to be a part of this amazing body of believers.

Here are some pictures from the shower...ENJOY!!!