"It's all because of Jesus I'm alive"

Today I was sitting here reflecting on life. A song by Steve Fee (It's all because of Jesus I'm Alive) came to mind as I was pondering what to put for my facebook status for the next couple of days. It's so true...it's all because of Him that I'm here. I get so tired of Christmas more and more each year because of how commercialized and how much we've let Satan have a hay-day taking over what this celebration is really about. This year I have chosen to sit back and really think about the true meaning of Christmas and think about the traditions we would like to start with our family. I love to give gifts and it's been tough this year because we don't have any money to work with but that's ok. It's better this way. It's teaching me simplicity and teaching me to REMEMBER.
Between my family and Chris's family we have lost 3 loved ones in 2009. My cousin David, My Grandpa Love and Chris's Aunt Roseanne. The only possible 3 ways I've been able to get through these losses have been my hope in God, memories and our smiley, innocent bundle of joy, Nataleigh. So, this Christmas I choose to focus on Him, be simple and make memories.
"It's ALL because of Jesus I'm Alive!"

Merry Christmas! Love, The Rupps!

Merry Christmas!

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Today is Baby Loss/Miscarriage Awareness Day

Today is Baby Loss/Miscarriage Awareness Day. Please go to www.october15.com to see how you can participate!

I think all of you know that in April 2008 we had an early miscarriage. Since then I have met so many that have gone through and are going through this. My heart breaks but God restores and from losses teaches us so much!
This is a post I wrote at 35 weeks of pregnancy with Nataleigh...
Many people refer to the baby as a "bun in the oven." I was thinking yesterday how much I love to bake and was thinking about people referring to a baby in the womb as a "bun in the oven" and thought about how I constantly check whatever I have baking-just to make sure it's not going to burn, see if it's done...I get so impatient. I'm going to be honest, there have been many times I haven't been patient and trusting in this pregnancy and have wanted to check on my "bun in the oven" but really couldn't. There's only so much you see/hear at the doctor's and apparently that hasn't been enough for peace of mind. So once again I was reminded by our loving, graceful, compassionate Father that He's got it all under control, and I don't (and never will).
At the beginning of this pregnancy it was even more tough to give all control over to God because 5 months before we got pregnant with Nataleigh we had a miscarriage. There are probably a few readers out there that don't know this and that's because we didn't feel it necessary to tell the whole world at the time. But now that it's been just over a year ago since it's happened much growing and healing have taken place! I can't begin to tell you how much Chris and I have grown closer together through this loss and even better yet- how our journeys with God have taken huge strides. And for this we are blessed and thankful!
So, at the beginning of this pregnancy with Nataleigh it was VERY HARD to let go and let God fully take this precious life into His hands and do with it what He had planned all along. I will never forget the overwhelming peace that came to me the night before we went to our very first doctor's visit. We would get to see her via ultrasound and hear her heartbeat just at 6 weeks and a few days! We got to so early because of having a previous miscarriage. The doctor wanted to see me every 2 weeks during the first trimester to closely monitor her.
The peace that I had was from God speaking directly to me about our baby's life. He asked me if I believed she was His child and I said yes. He asked if I believed she was His child even before we knew she was in my womb and I said yes. He asked if I believed she was His child even before we let her go out on her own and leave our nest. I said, yes, she's always your child first, we just get the priviledge of raising her on earth with Your help. So, knowing the truths of our daughter, that she is a child of God first gives me the biggest peace, knowing that she is ours to love and raise on earth and God will take care of everything if we let Him. I don't know how He is forming her everyday in my body, I can read all the books about what she might look like right now and read about her developments but I don't know fully how He is forming her right now...that's His miracle, that's part of His mysterious self. I shouldn't have to question His greatness! He is great!
So, we give her to You, God and we pray that she sees You and desires, chooses to walk with you on earth when she's old enough to grasp and choose this for herself. Thank you for our miracle! We look forward to meeting her and loving on her! We give her to you now and always. Help us be everything to her that you desire us to be.

This pregnancy has been nothing but healthy! Her growth is right on and she's even head down right now (all ready for her arrival). Praising God for so much!
If you or someone else has had a miscarriage and needs some encouragement please tell me. I'm ready to be that encouragement, I know how much encouragement I got from others who had miscarriages at the time of our loss and I still hold on to those words. I couldn't have made it without all of that support and encouragement.

So, yesterday was a rough day with Nataleigh because we think she's beginning to teethe so after reading what I posted at 35 weeks reminded me of how grateful and thankful we are to be mommy and daddy to Nataleigh even through those rough days!....
Praying for those who's hearts are in mourning...please pray specifically today for my friend Tonya as she just found out she lost her baby at 10 weeks.

4 months!

Today Nataleigh is 4 months old! She also had her 4 month appt. and she weighs 13 lbs and is 24 inches long! Our growin girl! :) She's so much fun! She's almost rolling over from her back to her tummy, making lots of noises (jabbering to herself or to who knows who in her crib), laughing, grabbing our faces, holding toys and putting them in her mouth and recognizing us and her grandparents.
We are enjoying fall! It's so beautiful here in Ohio! Love the cool, crisp air! :) There is that "white stuff" in the forecast this week! :) ahhhhhh Enjoy a video on facebook of Nataleigh and her daddy. :)
Here are some pics of our bundle of joy!

17 weeks and learning new things everyday!

She's so fun! This week she conquered reaching up and grabbing her toy in the bouncy seat. It makes music when you pull it and she had a fun time pulling it!
We're not sure but she's showing a lot of signs of teething...in that regard it hasn't been a fun week as she's not been her normal, fun self.
We had 5 baptisms this week at Velocity!!!!!!!! We are SO thankful to be part of this as we continue to see God do AMAZING things!
Here are some pics! :)

16 weeks old!

Things are going great here in the Rupprecht household! We are finally adjusting to having our new little addition and what a joy she is! I seriously don't know what we would do without her!
Lately she's been grabbing/reaching for little toys, holding her head up more, grabbing our faces, grabbing her feet and cooing more and more! She's been an angel in church-she sat with Grandpa and Grandma Rupps this past Sunday and fell asleep on Grandma. I sing every other week so it's a blessing to have Grandpa and Grandma to help with her!
Her next appt. is October 8! It will be her 4 month appt! WOW! Time surely has flown!
Here are the most recent pics! Enjoy :)

3 months old!

I can't believe I'm typing that she is 3 months old! Time has flown by! We are taking in every moment, though! Some new things that she is doing...rolling over from her back to her tummy with our help, holding her head up really well during tummy time, holding her head up while we hold her, sleeping through the night in her crib, laughing and smiling all the time, cooing, has found her mouth (sticks her tounge out, etc) not crying so much anymore :)
We have had LOTS of visitors ever since she was born and are so glad so many people have gotten to meet her! We just had our friends from IL come visit over Labor Day. He is the youth minister at the church we were previously at. It was a very nice visit!
We are looking forward to fall-football, nice weather, pumpkins, etc.
Love from the Rupprecht home!

2 months old!

Our little "peanut" as Grandma Rupps calls her is 2 months old! Can you believe it? We can't! Time surely has flown but we are trying to savor each moment! I think I take pictures every day :) You wouldn't know that because I rarely have time to post. :)
At Nataleigh's 2 month appt. she weighed 10lbs 1oz and was 23 inches long! She's a healthy, growing girl! :)
She's sleeping through the night in her crib. She is very alert, she smiles, laughs and coos. She loves baths. She loves to take car rides and stroller rides.
Here are some pics of her!

7 weeks and growing like a weed :)

sleepy time

Nataleigh and Amy (my friend from high school)

Nataleigh and her oldest cousin, Bryan

Wow!! I can't believe she's 7 weeks old today! Nataleigh is growing so much and every day continues to amaze us with what she is learning! She is now laughing, smiling and cooing! I think we finally have a routine down and things are going great! Nataleigh and I (Jessica) spent the week last week in Angola for Missions week while daddy went to Camp Illiana. It was going to be too long of a trip and more crazy to take a newborn there than it was to go see family and enjoy Missions week! It was a wonderful week and it was so much fun because everyone that used to hold me as a baby got to hold Nataleigh! It was truly amazing! Nataleigh's cousins think she's pretty special! I think Bryan had a hard time saying goodbye! They had some good bonding time! It's so special when your oldest nephew that you have loved and nurtured now in turn does that with your own daughter. It was so special!
Things at Velocity are wonderful, we are so blessed to be here! God has been teaching us many lessons and we continue to grow in our Faith. Please continue to pray for us-
1. our finances
2. our relationships to continue to build and grow
3. our neighborhood-specifically that I (Jessica) could get to know some of the women on our street-there are a few new moms on our street
4. My grandpa is very ill and he and our family need prayer

All our love!!! Please come visit us!!!!
Jessica :)

5 weeks!

Time has flown by!! We have had LOTS of visitors over the past 5 weeks which has made this time fly by so fast! Nataleigh is doing great and growing like a weed as you can see! :) We are enjoying every moment...it seems like we blink and she's changed again. Next week Chris is headed to Camp Illiana and I will be going to my parent's for the week. This will be very weird being apart for the first time as a family! Didn't want to try camp 6 hrs. away with a newborn. But I will get to be at camp with mom and dad and get to stay at their house-so not as much craziness. :) Will miss everyone, though while you are at Illiana! Remember to do some "Bible study" for me! :) aka Wii!! Ahhh, fond memories!

Nakey time :)

Daddy daughter time! :)

1st time to the pool! :) I slept and let mommy bask in the sun! :)

all ready for the pool!