Tuesday, April 30, 2013

When we found out

Thank you all so incredibly much for your sweet and thoughtful words in my previous post. Your kindness has filled and encouraged our hearts, and we truly appreciate your coming alongside us in this miraculous journey. God continues to overwhelm us with His grace during this season, and I do hope you'll patiently indulge me as I step back in time to the day we found out:
positive
Sunday, February 3, 2013

My period had yet to visit by nearly two weeks now, and I was nervous that I could be, er, with child, but fearful that I could be wrong (we had been praying about having kids, and were open to the possibility). I almost didn't want to check. After taking a shower, I tore open the box of home pregnancy tests, and with shaking hands, prayed that I would rejoice in the Lord's will, no matter if I were pregnant or not. I read the directions twice (just to ensure I wouldn't mess up), awkwardly peed on the stick, clumsily snapped the cap back on, and watched the digital screen blink with an hourglass, as my heart thumped twice as fast as normal. Less than 20 seconds later, the word "PREGNANT" materialized, bold and unmistakable. My heart nearly stopped.

The husband was reading in the bedroom and obliviously waiting for me to finish getting ready so that we could head over to my mama-in-law's house to catch the latest episode of Downton Abbey (We don't have television, and since Downton is the only show we care to catch on real time, we customarily end up at my mama-in-law's for it on Sunday nights). It wasn't the right time to tell him when his mind was occupied with what Lord Grantham's next decisions could be, and I needed to process the news myself. After watching the Crawley family's latest shenanigans, we went home. We got ready for bed, did our devotionals, and talked a bit, before the husband started drifting off to sleep.

He falls asleep so hastily that I knew I had to tell him before he knocked out like a log. "My love?" I said, staring him in the eyes with a faint smile. "Hm?" he replied sleepily. "You're going to be a daddy." I said. His eyes widened. "What?" he gasped after a beat, as if trying to comprehend what I just said. "You're pregnant?" he asked slowly, in absolute wonder. I nodded, tears filling my eyes. "Jean Valjean Hong?" he uttered with amazement. And we burst out laughing (he had been saying that he would name our future son Jean Valjean ever since we watched Les Mis onstage). I started crying, and he said, "We have to pray. Let's pray for this little child and thank the Lord."

30 comments:

  1. Congratulations, sweetheart :) I wish you the best to you and your loved one!

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  2. LOVE this sweet story. It really is nerve wracking taking a pregnancy test...so glad yours said "pregnant". And yessss to baby Jean Valjean Hong :-)

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  3. nice blog

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  4. awh, just so wonderful! i am quite excited for both of you! this little story is so sweet.
    i also just read your about me, and i didn't know you were a teacher! that's so awesome, i am studying education and plan to be a teacher as well! well.. not high school though, elementary!

    lindsey louise

    hellomrrabbitblog.com

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  5. HA! Your hubs sounds awesome. So excited for you Helen and can't wait to see more bump pics in the future.

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  6. Awe. Thats a sweet story. My husband texted his whole family...pretty much immediately after it said positive.

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  7. AH this is so sweet! I am so glad you wrote about this as you will cherish this sweet story forever!

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  8. well that's a great name, and a great story. how sweet and how beautiful to pray for your child right then and there.

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  9. WOW!! Congratulations! That is amazing!! So happy for you. Here a few fun "Mommyish" blogs

    http://lovetaza.com/

    http://ohjoy.blogs.com/

    www.http://nicolehill.blogspot.com/

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  10. gosh this is such a great story! CONGRATULATIONS to the both of you!
    xo,
    nancy

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  11. So so sweet! And so very happy for you two!!!

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  12. What a beautiful story, Helen. It brought happy tears to my eyes. I was reluctant to do the pregnancy test myself too even though I was 3 weeks late and then was in shock (in a good way) when it came out positive. Can't believe you kept it all to yourself until bedtime! I had to tell Stu right away.

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  13. That's so sweet. Haha, Jean Valjean is such a cute and unique name. Congrats to you both. :)

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  14. oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh!


    that is so happy and exciting and wonderful!!!!!

    congratulations!!!!

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  15. Oh lord! Oh lord! I am so happy for you guys!! This is the best news I've had today :) Congratulations to you and your husband. May you enjoy every moment in the future :) xo Nikki

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  16. Okay now I totally love your husband! That is the best response, I guess it eased your nerves a bit huh? We'll see if the name sticks :)

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  17. Helen, I am just thrilled for you and your husband. Congratulations! I am excited to be now following along on this journey that the Lord has marked out for you. Thank you for your pure and beautiful words on this space!

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  19. congrats!! that is wonderful news! what a sweet moment.

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  20. Oh my goodness, what a sweet story! I'm neither of you could fall asleep after that :) So happy God has blessed you in this way. Praying these next few months go smoothly and surely for you all.

    grace & love,
    kristyn

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  21. Congrats! You're probably want to remember that Downton Abbey episode forever :)

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  22. Such a cute story! And I say go for the name ;) I love Jean Valjean ;) I wish you all the happiness in the world xx

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  23. Helen you are an absolute gem. First, I cannot believe you were able to keep it to yourself the whole evening. I can't believe it! Second, the husband's response is awesome. And that you thought to pray and give thanks says everything about you both. You are both such wonderful people, I thank God for sending children to people like you. Keeping you in my prayers. Love always,

    Shauna xo

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  24. loved this entry too. felt like i was there with you :)

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  25. Love, love, love, LOVE this. Love that you're documenting all of this too.

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  26. Congrats! Such a nice way of documenting it!
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  27. this story is SO SWEET! and we need to be friends because 1) you love Downton 2) you love Harry Potter 3) you love Les Mis and 4) you love Jesus! we are practically the same person!!!

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  28. this is so exciting!! congratulations!! :)

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  29. Oh my goodness what a sweet story.

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Thank you kindly for taking time to comment. We truly appreciate each and every one!