The Final Countdown and a prayer

I knew several months ago that I would be spending Miriam's last week as a "x-month old" by leaving town and heading to the tri-state region of KY, VA, and TN with the church's high school group on Mission Appalachia. This is a trip that I've been on 9 times total, since I was a freshman in high school and all throughout my interning years, and now employment years at the church. I normally go on the even years, but since I was so great with child (and in labor with child) last year, I was due a chance to be a part of the team this year. Jeremy had originally planned to travel with us, however his new employment has kept him at home this week. I am so very glad that we've been here this week because as we've been approaching the 1 year mark, my emotions have been running wild! I can't believe that the year has flown by!
   Now, Miriam, crawls, talks, blows kisses, shakes on command, waves without hesitation, smiles to EVERYONE she meets, and loves her food (like she always has!).  She is certainly growing up to be an adorable toddler with quite the personality. And I needed a week away to spend with her, and to keep my mind off all of the things that would soon be ending as she turned one.  Soon, we'll end our special times of mommy milk and she'll being drinking from a cup.  She won't desperately need me 3-4 times a day for nourishment. Instead, she'll want more food to fuel her energy and keep moving! I think I can honestly say I cherished every stage up to this point, but that still doesn't make it sad that we are moving on to a new stage of life.
We also had a prayer that by Miriam's 1st birthday we would be excitedly anticipating another addition to our family within a few short months.  However, the Lord has designed another plan for us to this point.  So we will continue to wait, as we did so patiently on the journey with Miriam, and we will shower all of the love we have on one another and on Miriam.  We certainly are enjoying our little "bug" and can't wait for her to develop a love for a baby brother/sister.  As we taught this week at VBS, God knows exactly what we need, and he is the one who gives ultimate blessings.
We are grateful for our ultimate blessing of sweet Baby M, and pray for a year of health and blessings to be upon her.
And the countdown begins...42 hours left until ULTIMATE DUCKY CELEBRATIONS!!