Coming Up: Baby's First Vacation!

While we aren't there yet, we are getting terribly excited about leaving tomorrow (Lord-willing)!  For the two of us who already *love* road-trips, and having not been on one in about two years, we are just thrilled for the opportunity to get on the road again - this time, for a 5-hour journey.  Yay!

So.... be looking out for sun-tanned beach bums with a cooing baby in her sunglasses, hehe ;-D

Happy 1st Anniversary...

...to US!!!

What a whole lot the Lord has done in our lives and for us in just one year.  We are so grateful for ALL the ups and downs, the joys, the hardships... He has truly blessed us throughout.

Here is what I wrote last year in my journal:

"My Lord and Savior,

This is my wedding day... already! O Lord, how excellent Thou art in all the earth. How I praise Thee for Thy wonderful works to the children of men, for Thy mercy that fadeth not away.

This relationship that turned into an engagement, that is now about to become a beautiful marriage is *just* for YOUR GLORY. Stephen and I live and breathe to shine the Light to others that may be watching. Lord, we just want to honor and reverence You. In Jesus' Name.

Stephen and I applied and got the license yesterday in Madill [Oklahoma]. :-) I signed my name as Christina Rene' Grubb Knotts. :-) Thank You, Lord, for all that You have provided.
Last night, we sang and Stephen played banjo for "When We All Get to Heaven" and "I'll Fly Away." Everyone loved it! Then, as the invitation hymn, Pastor E. chose "Take My Life and Let It Be" - the very song I have chosen to walk down to! Stephen immediately looked at me and said, "That's not a coincidence, is it?!" My man is so in love with You, Lord. I heard him whisper prayers for wisdom and direction for him and I.

"Unto Thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if Thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto Thee, when I lift up my hands toward Thy holy oracle." (Psalm 28:1, 2)

Bless this THY day. Guide and direct us both, to Your glory."

She's hhhhheeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She's here!  She finally made her appearance!

Gabrielle Christiana

was born Monday, March 11th at 2:31a.m. via emergency c-section.  She weighed 8lbs 9oz and measured 20-3/4" long!  Mommy, baby and Daddy, too are doing well despite sleepless nights.

We are so thankful to the LORD for His goodness throughout labor (which lasted approximately 20 hours) and delivery.

Many thanks to all who have been praying for us.  We so appreciate your love and friendship!

A few days old...

4 weeks old!

Having a baby can be scary!!

"The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it."
Proverbs 10:22

We are about to enter our 7th month of pregnancy and are simply amazed at how the time has seemingly flown by... well, okay, that's not the only thing we're simply amazed at, lol!!

We found out a while back that we are expecting a little girl and are very excited!  Even though we were almost sure we were going to have a boy.... :-) 

It's hard to imagine that in about 14 weeks we will be holding our little baby for the first time, Lord willing.  This has brought on an onslaught of sudden responsibility in both of us.  I mean, we are actually going to be parents of a child?  To raise her in the way of the Lord, to teach her His statutes, to play with her and take care of her?  We just got married!  We're still learning the ropes of marriage, of running our own home... and now we're starting a family?!  It definitely has some fears attached to the idea, but I think that's where faith comes into play.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:25 & 26,
  "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"


What have we to fear?  Jesus Himself said that we are much better than the birds of the air, whom the Father feeds and takes care of.  All we must do is trust Him completely and He will do the rest!

Prayers are of course appreciated.  We ask that we are a blessing to others and that we give glory to our heavenly Father up above.

We're Having a Baby......!!

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."
Psalm 127:3

Yep, it's true!  The Lord has seen fit to bless us with a baby! :-)

It has been an experience of a life-time, we can both assure you, from nausea to vomiting to feeling icky, to wanting to just stay in bed all day.  (Although I can't complain all that much since my morning sickness is coming to a nice close... ;-) )


Our God is totally awesome when it comes to making a baby... wow!  I am continually in awe of how He knits together a little human being inside of me.  Praise Him!

Prayers are greatly appreciated as we endeavor to remain in our Lord's will for everything surrounding a pregnancy and baby (due in early March).

Blackberries and Overdue Thank You's

As I write this, I am seated at my kitchen dining table where I have "temporarily" stored piles of letters and cards we have received.  I say "temporarily" but they have been sitting there as a small reminder for over 2 weeks!  All this in hopes of one day writing some much-overdue thank you notes to the many people who blessed us.

Yes, life does seem a bit hasty and too fast for me.... but making memories -- sweet memories -- has never been so beautiful, so exciting.  I have learned that I don't have to get everything done all at once.  Yes, I agree these poor people have been waiting for several weeks (going on months now) but I pray that they are so busy making their own sweet memories, they won't very much miss a thank-you card from us.... at least, I hope so. :-)

It is during these times of worrying about getting those cards out that my dear husband will suggest we go on a walk.  At first, I'd rather not go for a walk, but once it is underway and we are enjoying the beautiful scenery and each others company, I find I really did want a walk after all. :-)

A few weeks ago, we went walking down an empty lot that had several blackberry bushes.  We ended up using them in several smoothies; even though we intended to make a Blackberry Buckle with them!

Life is short.  That is an understatement.  Let us enjoy it singing praises to our Lord above and basking in His promises!

Home Sweet Home & Tortellini "Pockets"

So I made some Tortellini "pockets" last night and they turned out well!  I used the Better Homes & Gardens recipe for home-made pasta and then made up my own filling of sour cream and parmesan cheese, since I didn't have all the yummy cheeses like Ricotta.  But they turned out good!

Here's our home at dusk.  Very beautiful area, I am so blessed!