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Friday, July 3

The ultimate fresh start - 1 week old

Dear friends,

When I sat down at my computer to share Evelyn's little birth announcement post, I realized that I'd gone over a month since posting on my blog, and that's never happened in my few years of blogging. I literally had to blow the dust off my keyboard! I felt pretty depressed about letting this space go so long without any love, but I felt like blowing the dust off was kind of a metaphor for how I'm looking forward with life in general now that our little angel is finally here.
A few posts back I wrote about finally feeling like I could be consistent in my writing/posting again since Martin's diagnosis. That through all the adjusting of our new life that I still very much wanted and needed to keep up my posts here as much as possible, even if it did take me a little while to get back to my normal types of posts-the really fun and educational kind:)

I shared a few more random posts after that, written in the waiting rooms or very late at night, all while he and I were spending our time day-in and day-out at the hospital in Mexico for Martin's first series of treatments. I thought it could only get better from there.

Then we came home.

Life started collapsing in on me again and I felt like I was drowning.
- I was a good 38 weeks pregnant and had to be ready for our home-birth to happen any day, but had missed out on the last month of preparation (mentally, physically, etc) for her arrival.
- We suddenly had four little babies with us again that we'd missed desperately, but had almost forgotten how to parent after being without them for the last month.
- We bought our new car that would fit our whole family once Evie arrived, and than got in an accident less than 24 hours later (more on that soon - everyone was just fine thankfully).
- A bunch of baby packages got stolen,
- Martin's wallet got stolen,
- Emergency room scares, fences catching fire, flat tires, sickness, and on and on.
We just couldn't catch a break. It got so ridiculous that it was even pretty funny actually, but the main reason was that I hadn't been writing was that I was just too plain scared.

As we worked to bring back our routine, it became very easy to pretend like nothing had changed, and every time I'd sit down to blog, it had a way of making me face reality, which was just too hard. Every day I would look in the mirror and decide that I would be stronger than yesterday, and yet it seemed that every day things kept happening to test my strength more and more.

And then she came:)
Evie's birth brought with it the ultimate fresh start. In the last week since her arrival we've been wrapped up together in a bubble of pure elation. Time stands still as we soak up every minute of her, and our whole perspective has been renewed by her precious little soul. We may never be able to have our old life back, but I feel like we can move forward with more strength (literally and figuratively) in everything that we do.

So, if you're still reading at this point- thank you for letting me spill all that! I really feel like I just needed to get all that out before I could totally move forward here. I've been feeling so motivated and inspired since her birth, and now I can't wait to get back into the swing of things:)

Now please excuse me while I go and blow the rest of the dust off my camera.haha

40 comments:

  1. Sending you so much love, I can only imagine how difficult the last few months have been but you've handled it with such grace! Evie is absolutely beautiful and I'm so glad that she is bringing so much light and joy into your home :)

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  2. Yay! Glad the Lord has blessed you and praying that you continue to count the blessings, that life doesn't blind you to the goodness and grace that surrounds your everyday.

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  3. When it rains it pour sometimes I swear. SO glad you have all come out ok despite a series of truly unfortunate events. I hope you guys can have some peace and stability as you get to know this new member of your family and your husband continues his journey to wellness. Welcome back!
    www.shipwithnosails.com

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  4. Sending you so much love. I am so sorry things have been so rough with your family. We are thinking of you in the UK and am so thankful you got a wonderful blessing in the midst of all of this.

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  5. Evie is soo cute! I'm so glad to see that you're back to blogging. I know how difficult it can be when terrible things happen one after the other, and you wonder if it will ever end. But always remember that everything will work out in the end. All these trials just make us stronger and lead us to where we are meant to be. Best wishes, Emily!

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  6. What a sweet post! Best wishes to you and your family!

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  7. Well, bless your heart, you've really been through the wringer and when you least of all needed it. Not that any time is a good time, but geez it's like an avalanche buried you beneath. Huge Hugs to you and best wishes, thoughts, and prayers for you all through this. I love the name Evie. My best friend when I was in elementary school was named Evie and she is the only one I've ever known with that name. Now your little angel is Evie too! I love the third photo of her. Something about the way her chin is lifted and her little hands clasped together. So adorable. Congratulations!

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  8. Lots of love coming your way! What a beautiful little girl!

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  9. First of all, congratulations on this beautiful, little angel! Our kids are true gifts to us parents and only they have power to help us heal and see world differently. Everything that you've been through this year is absolutely crazy and scary, so don't feel bad about being scared, who wouldn't?! You're such a strong woman to endure all of this and still give a birth to the most perfect little human being.
    I'll keep you and your family in my prayers. I hope that from now - on, life will be much more brighter and less scary for all of you. :)

    http://lartoffashion.com

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  10. Babies bring joy and hope into the world. Congrats mommy on the new arrival.

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  11. Wonderful to read another post from you Emily, Wishing you, Martin and all the kiddos the best x

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  12. I cannot imagine what the past couple of months have been like for you. Sending you lots of love as you soak up your new precious bundle and find your new normal x

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  13. It's so nice to see you post again! You're still in my prayers, you and Martin and your whole family. My husband has cancer as well, and I SO know that feeling of life falling in on you. But God's there, even when we're on our faces.

    Your little baby is so precious. :) Continuing to pray for all of you.

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  14. Congratulations on your bundle of joy. Been thinking about you and your beautiful family over the last few months. <3

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  15. The grandmother I never met was named Evelyn (I look like her) and then my husband's sister named my second niece Evelyn without even knowing that, and gave her my other grandmother's name as her middle name . We call her Evie also. <3 I can't begin to imagine what life has been like for you these past months, but I send you all the love and prayers, and strength. May God continue to hold you all close to His heart, and may you find strength in each other as you move forward with your journey. Enjoy that sweet little angel.

    Beth

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  16. Congratulations on your gorgeous girl! Enjoy all the time with your newly expanded family, we'll be here whenever you're ready

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  17. I'm sorry you've had such a rough time. It's nice to see you back again and I hope that things start to pick up again for you. Your little girl's beautiful and a wonderful addition to your amazing family.

    Nicky | Zeeb Likes It

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  18. Congratulations on your sweet girl! I'm glad that you're starting to feel like you can get yourself back into the swing of things. I can't imagine how stressful things have been for you lately. (And I'm a big fan of Evie's name ;) )

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  19. My heart goes out to you for all you have been going through. I'm so glad you have a new start with a healthy, beautiful baby girl!

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  20. WOW, that was quite a list. But you all are doing well, and we're so glad to hear it. And we'll be glad to see more of you all, warts and all, you know? ;)

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  21. This whole post sounded so intense, and I felt like crying by the end...especially in the context of being a wife and mother and going through all of that with all those babies needing you. Thankful for you with the new little life, though!

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  22. Evie is beautiful! So awful to hear of the streak of bad things that have happened. Sending you and your little angel so much love and happiness <3

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    http://www.abigailalicex.com

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  23. So happy that your little lady made it to you safe and sound and brought with her a new sense of hope for you. Sending sweet thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

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  24. Congratulations, she's so precious! I love the name Evelyn, probably my second favorite girl name ever. :) I'm so sorry things have been so downhill for you. I kept checking to see if you'd post and would always be concerned when you didn't. I'm sorry. I hope things will stay positive, at least mostly, and that little Evie will bring lots of light and joy into the difficult times. Hope all will be well! <3

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  25. I can only imagine how overwhelmed you were. I missed your posts, but I know you guys are going through a lot and I truly didn't expect you to post for a while. Don't worry... We still love you!

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  26. Congratulations on the precious new addition! Hang in there!! You're family is in my prayers. Cheers!

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  27. Thinking of you and your lovely family, Emily. Hoping things only get better from here. Now that your new bundle of joy is here, I hope you all enjoy this beautiful time together as this new family of seven. Many blessings. :)

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  28. Aww, look at that precious face! Baby Evie is so beautiful.
    You and your family have been on my mind and in my prayers.
    God bless!

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  29. I am thinking of you and your wonderful family -- it sounds like you have been going through some very trying times and have a lot going on. Your beautiful baby girl is just perfect, congratulations! I am crossing my fingers that things start going more smoothly for you!

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  30. Much love to you and your family. I will keep you in my prayers. She's a beautiful baby congrats!! 😊

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  31. I hope you know that you have so much support behind you and your family! You've had so many big life changes that no one can blame you for taking a break here on the blog! I hope you've been able to enjoy some much deserved family time!

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  32. Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Kisses from Greeece to all ur wonderful family!

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  33. 2010 was bad for us and I was so grateful for the birth of our son that year as the only bright spot. I'm grateful for your little bright spot too. She is beautiful. Prayers for you and your family.

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  34. Hi Emily,
    I've been following you on Instagram from a long time ago now so I knew what was going on with Martin. I just ended up on your blog and read some of your latest posts, and I'm so glad you gave birth to such a beautiful baby girl and that she's giving you and your husband strength. I can't even imagine what you are going through, but reading you I realise that everything is going to be okay because you and your husband are so strong!
    Lots of love to you and your family from Spain <3
    Elena

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  35. Thank you so much for sharing. You're are an amazing person. It's so refreshing that you're so "real" what I mean is, it's so hard to find blogs that are relatable. I feel like everyone puts on this persona of endless funds, traveling the world with their $3000 shoes, and making it look like life is absolutely perfect for them. Although I love the pictures, it gets discouraging sometimes, and I just want to find a good uplifting blog like yours to read. So THANKs, and sorry for the soap box spill haha.
    thejoifullife.com

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  36. I've just started following your blog not long ago. She is sooooooo beautiful! Your family is very much in our prayers. God bless y'all!

    -Alice Wright
    www.thewrightfamilyfarm.blogspot.com
    www.whatsoever-lovely.blogspot.com

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  37. This is such a great post - seeing that you are feeling positive and things are finally going right is such wonderful news. Congratulations on your beautiful new arrival and the new beginning that you all deserve xx

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  38. This is so lovely, Emily. xx I can't believe the manic time you have just shared with us. I'm so glad you're feeling a bit better. You're all in my thoughts and prayers, and I can't wait to catch up with your blog xx Wishing you the best!

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  39. Oh my goodness, congratulations, she is precious and I am so glad she was able to bring such light to your family!

    xx Kelly
    Sparkles and Shoes

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  40. I wouldn't know what to do if ALL of that happened to our family. Its hard to hear that you have went through so much on top of an already very difficult situation. Evelyn is beautiful and I am so glad she has got to you and your family the much needed happiness in your home.

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