It's happening!

This Sunday is our last Sunday at The Gathering Church! We are incredibly excited but also very sad to be leaving all of our wonderful family and friends. These people have become very, very dear to us. This church is where the gospel was really introduced and formed in my life, this is where Adam and I met, dated, married and had our children. Our children were dedicated to The Lord here, we have laughed (a lot) and cried here, we have been encouraged and uplifted on a weekly basis and our hearts will ache because we will no longer be in community with these wonderful, wonderful people. But my goodness, we are excited! 

The idea of church revitalization became more of a reality to us in June/July of 2012. We were approached with the idea and pretty right off the bat, we were in. Throughout the next year and a half Adam had countless meetings, phone conversations, and mentor relationships that really began to cultivate a strong desire for church revitilzation. Looking back, we can see so clearly the Lord's working in our hearts and practically in our lives. We began to have a real desire to see God's church flourish and His people proclaim his name throughout the city of Portland. Several times we went down to the prospective church and just prayed for the people that were in attendance there, this really began to grow our love for the people at Sellwood Baptist Church. This past May we had the opportunity to move much closer to the church, but much farther from the one that we were currently at. Adam and I had a lot of reservations and fears in doing this. We were concerned that our community life at The Gathering would deplete and we weren't even positive that this revitalization was even going to happen. But we did it. We trusted that God would be faithful to us even in Milwaukie and he has been. So, so faithful. And now we live five minutes from our new church and our community life at The Gathering is coming to an end in a sweeter season than I ever could have imagined. In October we had our first visit at Sellwood Baptist Church. Adam and I left that day and we were certain. We knew that this is what God has been preparing for us and we were humbled and excited and calmed. After meeting the wonderful members at Sellwood Baptist there was no way we wouldn't go! So many wonderful people that have been walking with The Lord longer than Adam and I have been alive!

So, we will be taking a trip back to North Carolina next week to visit our family. When we come back in the beginning if January, we will start attending Sellwood Baptist Church. Please be praying for us. Pray that our hearts would be content and find joy in The Lord. Pray that our family would stand firm in the gospel.  Pray that the people of Sellwood baptist would be encouraged. Pray that this transition would go smoothly for everyone. Pray that this church would be a beacon of truth and hope in the community of Sellwood. Pray that the gospel would be proclaimed and people would come to know Jesus Christ! 

Life lately and a 2 month old baby.

November is almost half-way through. What? How did that happen?! Life is going so quickly these days. I think life with kids is like that. "The days are long but the years are short." I like that. Life with two has been a bit of a learning curve for me, but it is good. So good. I am tired and my hair isn't usually washed or done, but there is so much sweetness and beauty in this season.  These little boys teach me, humble me, and show me how real God's grace is. I am grateful. 

Adam is back at it.  Working full-time at Western, working part-time for our church and he started his last year (woohoo!) of Seminary this fall. I am so proud of that man. I cannot believe he is graduating this Spring (with his Masters of Divinity)! He has been a student our entire marriage, so I am so excited to begin this new phase of our lives.

Haddon is two months old today. I can't believe it. The last two months of my pregnancy were the longest two months of my life and these have gone by so quickly. Haddon is wonderful. We absolutely adore that little boy. He is sweet and tender and so content (most of the time). Elliot loves him so much... It's so sweet to see his love and concern for his baby brother so early on. 

Elliot is changing so much. I feel like everyday he says or does something new, and each time it melts my heart. He is funny and caring and so, so energetic ;). He is talking a lot and communicating pretty well. He is OBSESSED with cars. I mean, really. That's usually all he talks about and if he isn't, you can bet he will be soon. 

My good friend took some pictures of Haddon the other day when we went over there. They are so simple and sweet. I love them. 

Also, our family may possibly have the opportunity to do something so, so awesome this coming January. We are potentially (with the partnership of several other families and churches) going to join a team in revitalizing a church in our area! This has been something we have been praying through for over a year now and we are officially finding out in the next few weeks if it is something that is going to happen. If you think of it, please pray for this work that God is doing, pray for our family, and pray for those who are joining with us. We are excited and we are nervous, but we are trusting Jesus. 

oof. my heart.

My goodness. This man. This year has been more challenging than we had anticipated. My pregnancy was hard. A lot harder than the first time and certainly harder than we thought it would be. But this man was so faithful and loving to me. Holding me as I cried, picking up the slack around the house, taking on so much with Elliot when I was too big and tired to move, pushing me when I needed to be pushed, and really, very earnestly, pointing me to Jesus. And now, here we are, with two precious boys. And my heart grows and leaps for him even more. Seeing him holding, loving, playing with and rejoicing over our children... oof, my heart.

Adam, my dear, you are so much of my heart.

Haddon Shepherd.

Haddon Shepherd Triplett was born on Thursday, September 12th at 2:40pm. 9lbs 2oz & 20.5 inches. We are all over the moon for this sweet baby boy. 

Summer, according to my phone...

Summer2013. from Adam & Megan Triplett on Vimeo.

It was a good one.
Aaaaand I am officially ready for Fall. And for our little guy to make his appearance (we'll be 40 weeks on Sunday!!).

Life, lately

1. We had a great date night. One of the things that I love about Portland are the awesome restaurants. 2. We went to the Sellwood pool with some good friends of ours. It was nice to cool off from the heat and feel weightless for a while ;). 3. Adam turned 26! 4. Elliot had his first juice box. 5. We went to the Clark County Fair and saw the Avett Brothers! It was such a nice time and a last "hoorah" of sorts before baby #2 arrives. 6. We've been doing a lot of sink baths lately; this mama can't bend down these days. 7. I've really been trying to soak up these last days with just one little boy. We've been having a lot of lunch dates. 8. Elliot was a little sick and so snugly. He just kept plopping his head on my belly. 9. I had such a lovely time getting pedicures and lunch with my sweet sisters-in-law, their lovely mama and all of my nieces. 

Now we're just waiting things out! Getting ready to have another little boy around this house. We're so anxious for you, little guy! 

Lavender farm.

We went to a u-pick lavender farm today. It was such a fun time with my sweet sisters-in-law and all of Elliot's little cousin-friends! It was pretty hot out but there was a little breeze which made it perfect. Now my house smells wonderful and I have all kinds of lavender treats in mind :).  I love summer in Portland! 

our new little home.

We moved a few weeks ago and I feel like things are starting to come together! One of my favorite things to do is create warm and comfortable spaces for my family and our friends to spend time in. I have had so much fun decorating our new home. There are a lot of things that don't have a home yet and the bedrooms need some serious attention, but here are some photos of the downstairs area so far. 

TWO.

Oh my goodness. Two years. There is this part of me that feels like it should be more than that, but this other part that cannot believe that sweet, brisk, July day, was already two years ago. We were so young. We are still so young. As I reflect on the past two years I am grateful and humbled. So, so humbled that I get to live THIS life, with you. THIS is our life, babe! OH, what a good one it is. If someone would have told us we'd be here today... we would have laughed. Two sweet babies, two moves, two semesters of seminary left, countless fights with countless makeups, two years of real, deep, sweet, growth. My dear, I cannot imagine this life without you and I am blessed to be your wife.

2 Year Anniversary from Adam & Megan Triplett on Vimeo.

A video of our second year.

Camping.

We went on a little camp trip for the 4th. Even though things didn't go as planned and we ended up coming home early, we still managed to have a good time and laugh (and maybe cry, a little) through it. We saw so much beauty that we otherwise wouldn't have seen if things wouldn't have gone so haywire. I'm thankful that I get to make these memories with my two guys. 

Baby boy #2 update!

I am 30 weeks (and 3 days ;))! I cannot believe how quickly this pregnancy is going by! In two short months we will meet our sweet baby boy; I am so beyond thrilled. I am feeling good... a little tired, but good. I don't know if my pregnancy is considerably easier or if I knew more what to expect this time around. Regardless, I am really loving being pregnant.


How far along? 30 weeks.
Total weight gain? I'm not sure. I am trying not to let that consume me this time around. Maybe 20 lbs? 25?
Maternity clothes? Oh, yes.
Sleep? Really good, actually.
Best moment this week? This boy is moving so much! It's so fun for his daddy to be able to see his little kicks!
Miss Anything? I'm starting to get bigbig... you know, where even some of my maternity clothes don't fit right. I am missing my normal clothes this week.
Movement? Yes. This sweet boy is a mover.
Food cravings? Not really. I want sweets sometimes, but I don't think that's unique to my pregnancy.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Things with high acidity or really sweet things are giving me crazy acid reflux.
Gender? boy :)
Symptoms? I am feeling sleepy lately.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy
Looking forward to? Summer flying by. Because then I get to hold my baby.

Mother's day thoughts.

I had a really simple and sweet mother's day. Exactly what I wanted. Adam made pancakes and bacon before church and we went out to lunch with family. We took a nap and watched a movie. It was very relaxing and I felt loved.

I spent some of the day reflecting on motherhood and where it has taken me over the past year. I felt some conviction and a tremendous amount of hopefulness. I am so grateful to be a mommy and a lot of the time, I don't act or even feel that way. To be honest, having a 14 month old and being twenty-four weeks pregnant isn't always easy for me. There are days when things are a breeze and there are days when we're lucky if I brush my hair. It is challenging and my heart is not joyful. Even in the chaos of my sweet, crazy, little boy and my aching back, there is so much joy to be found in these precious days. My body is growing and changing because The Lord has so graciously blessed us with another little boy; I am sweeping up the kitchen floor for the 3rd time today, because my family has food and has never gone hungry. What immense and sweet provision from God. Remembering that He is caring for me and very, actually, really, providing for me, brings such joy to my heart.

My heart's cry and prayer is that I would count it all joy (james 1:2). That I would rejoice in this season and I would offer my life with thanksgiving.

camping.

A few weeks ago we very spontaneously (at least for me) decided to go camping. We saw that the weather was going to be nice and Adam asked to work a half-day on Friday, and we were off. It was such a wonderful, beautiful little trip. That was the first time that had ever been camping just our little family, and it was a sweet time. Cherished memories were definitely made.



When through the woods

And forest glades I wander

I hear the birds

Sing sweetly in the trees;

When I look down

From lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook

And feel the gentle breeze;


Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

How great Thou art!

21 weeks.

Just a little update on baby #2 thus far... ;)

How far along? 21 weeks.
Total weight gain? At our last appointment it was 7 lbs.. but I had a little bit of a binge week... so we'll see.
Maternity clothes? Yes.
Sleep? So good.
Best moment this week? Seeing our little boy at our ultrasound appointment.
Miss Anything? Adam ordered a beer yesterday. I was a little jealous. I'll be honest.
Movement? Some bigger kicks.
Food cravings? Not really. Maybe just food, in general.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Not really. Sometimes I feel sick at night, still.
Gender? boy :)
Symptoms? Those darn round ligament pains have begun. Throughout my pregnancies I have become acutely aware of my low pain tolerance.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? I have been feeling a little more emotional and depressed lately. I'm not sure if it's directly related to my raging hormones, or not. I seem to have bouts like this every few months. The Lord is my strength and my stronghold and I am thankful for that.
Looking forward to? Obviously, meeting this sweet baby boy! I "nest" for about 20 weeks... so I have already begun sorting through his teeny little clothes ;).

boy, oh boy.

We found out that we are having another boy! Oh my goodness. We are thrilled-- a brother & best friend for Elliot. We have so many dreams and hopes for these two; we are beyond blessed!

one.

Our sweet boy turned one on March 28. Here are some pictures from his birthday and his birthday party that we had a few days after. Life with this one-year-old is wonderful-- each day is better than the one before.

one year.

Our sweet boy is one year old today! Everyone always says "it goes by so quickly!" but I had no idea it would be this fast. I cannot believe that our teeny (well, kind of... 9.1 lbs) baby is now a little boy! I am so grateful to God for the blessing of Elliot Finn-- I am so grateful that God chose for me to be his mommy! What a gift!

Ellie boy, you are the joy of my heart.

Elliot's Birth from Adam & Megan Triplett on Vimeo.

lately...

1. Elliot learned to scoot backwards! He has since mastered it on his butt and get all over the place. 2. We got our first ultra sound of our sweet little baby a few weeks ago! 3. We went on the annual Elder/Deacon retreat to the beach. It was such a sweet and refreshing time. Elliot came with and was great. 4. Our sweet niece Brooklyn Ruby was born! We haven't had a little niece born in over five years, so we're pretty excited. 5. Elliot turned 11 months old. 6. And learned to use a spoon (semi) by himself. 7. Elliot and his cousin Levi have developed this really sweet and funny relationship. They already love each other so much. It's so funny to see such little guys hug on each other (they're 4 months apart). 8. Our church's annual Women's Retreat is this weekend. I had the privilege of making some of the decorations and it was so much fun. I really, really, love making things and love an excuse to do it. 9. This sweet little boy will be a year old in one week from today. I can hardly believe it. 10. 16 weeks! I love that I am showing already. That awkward "do I look pregnant or like I ate too much?" stage didn't last too long this time around :).





How far along? 16 weeks.
Total weight gain? I think like 5 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Yes. Completely.
Sleep? Really good. I legitimately think I could sleep all of the time.
Best moment this week? Narrowing down our sweet baby's name. Feeling teeny little baby flutters.
Miss Anything? Nope.
Movement? YES. Teeny little baby flutters after I lay down at night or when I hold Elliot a certain way.
Food cravings? Not really.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Doing the dishes. That might be psychological.
Gender? We don't know yet. SOON.
Symptoms? This week has been good. My morning sickness has begun to subside. I am still really tired at the end of the day. Pregnancy brain is in full swing.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy! I am super emotional this pregnancy, though. Like, a joyful emotional. I cry all of the time.
Looking forward to? Finding out our sweet baby's gender. :)