Jeremiah Michael Lyons

Jeremiah Michael Lyons was born into our home on Monday, February 7, 2011 at 8pm.  He weighed in at 7lb. 10 oz. and was 20 3/4 inches long.  I was thrilled and overjoyed that he had little dark hairs- I just love little hair.  We are so thankful to the Lord for this special gift and for the Lord's grace throughout the process and for our amazing doctor who goes to our church Dr. Grim who was a huge encouragement! 

It was quite the labor and the Lord sustained me even though I admit at times I was quite discouraged.  I began having some contractions on Saturday though not much and then woke up at 3am on Sunday morning with contractions every 5 minutes or so that made it hard to sleep- we kept timing them and that morning called the doctor and decided to go to the hospital- but alas after checking me- they sent me home saying I was only 1 centimeter dilated and sent me home.  Well, even though I feel like I am a wimp with pain, they kept coming harder and I felt like I needed to go back that evening- they checked me and sent me home again.  We tried to sleep that night and then finally Monday morning I told Michael that I needed to go back- so we called the doctor and he saw us early at his office and said I had dilated to 3cm and sent me to be admitted- I was crying tears of joy- finally.  I thought I might have to go like this for a week.  I am very thankful though that the Lord allowed me to go into labor on my own- even on my due date though it seemed so long.  So finally we were admitted at 11am and the labor progressed very quickly- especially after the epidural and was able to push just for 30 minutes which was a blessing.  We are thrilled with this little gift from God.  We are both very tired and exhausted but overjoyed with the Lord's goodness.
Some pictures and a bit about his name.  Thanks all for your encouragement and prayers!!!

Jeremiah Michael Lyons…

Jeremiah-   Meaning “Yahweh exalts or lifts up”-  Jeremiah was a prophet in the Old Testament who prophesied to hardened Judah before the fall of Jerusalem.  He is often called the weeping prophet as he faithfully spoke the words of the LORD during a time in history where God was about to punish His people because they did not listen to the LORD.  God would bring on famine and destruction of Judah because they did not obey the voice of the Lord.   From the beginning of the book, God calls and ordains Jeremiah to preach faithfully His message even if the people hated him and turned against him, which they did. 

We take seriously the meaning of our son’s name that he might grow up to exalt Yahweh and that he might be faithful in the midst of suffering and persecution.  We know the world he is born into is not a kind world and hates the followers of Christ.  We pray that our son Jeremiah will faithfully obey and speak the words of God even amidst prison, beatings and persecution! 

Michael-  Meaning “Who is like God?”  We named his middle name after his daddy.  There is no other person I would want my son to follow and imitate as he follows Christ!  I pray that Jeremiah Michael grows up to love the Lord and the Word of God as much if not more than his dad!  We pray that he would be a faithful proclaimer and servant of the Lord in good days as well as when trials and suffering come! 

Lyons-  We have decorated his nursery with lions and jungle themes.  But we pray he would be constantly reminded of the Lion of Judah- the King of all Kings.  We pray that he would recognize that he has a rich family heritage but more importantly that his treasure would not lie in earthly things.  We pray He would lift and exalt the King above all Kings!

First Family Photo

Dr. Grim

Grandma Lyons

I think this was at 38 weeks

A New Season...

When we moved to Cincinnati, I was so thankful for the Lord providing two sisters that allowed me the privilege of watching their children.  I believe this season has been helpful for me as I prepare for my own children and was a change from secretarial work at Southern.  Working at Southern was great for the Seminary season with Michael in school but honestly there were many days when I longed for the day I could stay at home and be a mom.  When we moved to Cincinnati, I was thankful to get a job part time watching these children.  I am very thankful for the friendship of these two moms and their sweet babies and little girl that I will miss so much and hope to keep in touch!

I have been continuing to watch Olivia during the month of January and she has been so cute!  Her famous words are "Um" for yes when you ask her a question or "Olivia would you like to play with blocks?"  "Um, sure."  And she says "rock a rocka" which is so cute and I love that she calls me Ennie- kinda sounds like Ernie but without the "r".  I will definitely miss that little girl!

As I, Lord willing, soon enter a new season of motherhood and being at home- I pray the Lord will teach me greatly through this season and that I would learn to trust and rely on Him even more each day!

Olivia and her sweet mom, Erin



The triplets- Baby Clark



Baby Collin

Baby Ava

More Christmas...

Before January ends, I wanted to post a few more pictures from our Christmas in York, PA.  My mom and sister threw Baby Lyons a precious shower!  They worked so hard and it was so fun to see a lot of sweet people from York and Church of the Open Door!  It was so fun to reconnect with many of these ladies and we felt truly showered by their love and support!!!  We then came back and spent time with Michael's family for New Year's Eve!  It was a blessing to see my sweet friend Melissa Wagner & Sarah Brown on New Year's Day.  It was fun to reconnect and see these friends from college! 

On another note- we are about a week from my due date on Sunday, February 6th- though I know that this is an estimated due date.  I know the Lord will be stretching me in the area of waiting on the Lord for our little guy's arrival.  It is amazing to me that no one truly knows what starts labor and so I just keep thinking that it is truly the Lord's plan and timing when it does happen!  And so I have a feeling in the next week or two- He will be teaching me alot about waiting and trusting His perfect timing in all things- and of course being content in the waiting.  But then, I keep thinking, we are always waiting for something so that we may trust and rely and depend on the Lord!

Christmas 2010

Though this post is a little late- we were thankful to be able to go home to York, PA for Christmas.  We drove the 8 hour trip which was definately more challenging as I was feeling more uncomfortable.  We were able to see and spend time with my sister Rachel Santoro and her new husband Mike.  They did a great job hosting us and having dinner for us and a game night in their new apartment!!!  They are a cute couple! 
We also were blessed to spend time with a frew friends in York!  Josh & Amy & Becca Jensen were in York for a few days visiting Amy's family- so we jumped at the chance to visit with them!  I also got to see Laura LaQuay and have lunch with her- she is due with her second child a few weeks after me!  I also got to visit with my Grandma Delp who I don't get to see too much.  I also enjoyed sweet time with my sweet friend Sara Fillmann and see her two little ones and Rob too!  One of my favorite parts about being in York for Christmas is trying to get together with these friends that I hardly see now that we live farther away! 

Mike & Rachel Santoro!



Amy and sweet Becca Jensen



Dear Bubby- aka Laura LaQuay

My Grandma!

"The Dears"- Sara Fillmann

I Love My Bride!

Every once and a while, I--Michael--take over Erin's blog account.  The time has come that I must do that again. :) I just want to say Happy Courting Anniversary to my bride, Erin!!

On January 24th, 2004, I asked Erin for permission to pursue her and see if God was leading us together for marriage.  So Happy 7th anniversary, my dear bride! I am ever grateful that she and her family allowed me to pursue her and ultimately marry this beautiful woman. 

The sweetness of marriage grows each day with you, Erin, the delight of your friendship is overwhelming.  May God grow our delight in the gospel and grow us towards a deeper love for each other. 

Thank you for taking the courageous step, 7 years ago, to say "yes" to me--even in the midst of tears and fears.  How faithful our God is, isn't he?!

Winter Getaway

This past Saturday and Sunday we were blessed to be able to get away for a quick trip just the two of us before we become a family of three!  Because I was so close to my due date, we decided to stick close to home and drove the long 20 minutes up north to West Chester- an area north of Cincinnati, also known for having Ikea.  :)  Michael had given me this trip as a Christmas present!  We enjoyed browsing through Ikea on Saturday and found a few things- the best part was running into good friends Justin & Bonnie Myers from Louisville!!!  I thought we might see someone from Louisville but did not think it would be dear Bonnie!!! 
So that was so fun!  We then headed out to dinner and relaxed in our hotel that night! 

On Sunday, we were able to rest and relax at the hotel- I especially collected the free cookies and fruit since they were Free and of course all the shampoos and complimentary stuff!  The highlight of Sunday for Michael was finding out Uno's Chicago Grill has GLUTEN FREE PIZZA- yes, you guessed it!  He was super excited about this find!!!  And we went there for lunch and it was better than he even imagined!  :)  This has been his first pizza that he hasn't had to make himself in 3 years!!!!  We also browsed through some outlets and then tried to find a Half Price bookstore.  It was fun to see a new area and spend time together before a baby and busy semester start.  Michael started classes on Tuesday and thankfully today, he had a snow day so he could be home with me.  I spent my snow day trying to bake some meals and goodies to freeze to use after the baby comes. 

The Rocking Chair

The dark brown rocking chair that we moved from our room to the baby's room used to belong to my parents. I love this chair!  I took it with me to college and was in our little dorm room and then took it when I got married!  Not only is this chair comfy but has many fond memories.  My mom rocked us kids in that chair and I just remember that chair sitting in our living room and many times being rocked or rocking in the chair!!  So I am hoping to use it to do lots of rocking with the children the Lord may give to us.

Baby's Room

After many frustrating weeks of careful searching, we finally found a crib and dresser/changing table for the Baby Lyons' room.  It seems that the price of furniture is outrageous these days and we were so thankful to find this discontinued model at Burlington and that it was a great price too!  So now we are feeling a little more ready for Baby Lyons' arrival though the doctor things it will probably still be a few weeks- but who knows! 

We were thankful to find the lions/jungle bedding at a store called Once Upon A Child near us that has great used furniture and kids clothing!!!

Yes, Michael is sharing a room with the baby- they will be study buddies today.  He may even try to teach him Hebrew at a young age and is already contemplating when he can start teaching the little guy.  :)  We are so thankful for the cradle the Wojnickis let us and we have put that in our room in the corner. 

A shower of many blessings!

This past Saturday, my mother and father-in-law masterfully organized and planned a sweet baby shower!  I was so blessed from many women from our church (women I don't even know that well yet)!  My mentor from college, Meredith Irving, even drove down from Cedarville with her two girls.  We had a great time!!!

Grandma Renner knitted a small blanket for baby and a big blanket for me!  They were beautiful!  We feel so blessed by all the provisions God has given for Baby Lyons.  Even today we received in the mail another blessing which was a reminder to us of God's provision!  Through these past few months we have seen the Lord provide, be our strength in weakness and provide our "daily bread."  Truly!!!  We have been blessed by the saints near and far who have given of themselves and their resources to bless us!

This past Sunday, Michael also taught Sunday School and did an excellent job at explaining the background of the Beatitudes- "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  Michael challenged us that only when we are truly broken before God with no resources to give- only then can we truly depend and treasure Christ and focus on the Kingdom of heaven and not of this earth!  One gentleman in the class asked how can we truly live these Beatitudes- when are we totally dependent on Christ?  Michael challenged us that only by focusing on Christ are we changed!  We change by beholding Him!  At the end of the class, I was in tears thinking about Christ and what it means to be solely dependent on Him!  I am always amazed at how much God teaches me through my husband!!!

This weekend- we are headed for a little getaway to where else- our own city- mainly because we can't stray too far from the hospital but we are looking forward to getting away from the business and even baby things and focusing on Christ and spending some good quality "us" time before Baby Lyons comes.  I sure hope he doesn't want to come this weekend.  We are grateful for this gift of time together!

Some pics from the shower!!!

An Update- January 2011

It has been awhile since we have sent you all an update from our end here in Cincinnati.  We are thankful to the Lord for this new year and all that the Lord will do and how He will grow and stretch us in this coming year!  We are about a month away from welcoming Baby Lyons to our family and we are praying the Lord continues to prepare us for this transition and grows and strengthens us as we welcome this little one to our home. 

We praise God for how He has provided for us in such tangible ways throughout the Christmas season and the many sweet baby gifts we have received.  We know and are confident that God graciously provides through His people!  We praise God that the Lord has provided a job for Michael beginning in January at the Hebrew Union Library!  We think this will be a great fit for him as it is VERY flexible and he can work up to 20 hours if he needs to.  We are also still waiting to hear from a Retirement home that would hire Michael to drive the residents to different doctor appointments.  He could also work some Security for them as well.  Erin is hoping to continue to nanny up until the end of January.  We praise God the baby is growing well and that she is still able to work and watch these kids.  We know the Lord is still intricately weaving together our son in her womb and we are confident in His perfect timing for his arrival. 

Another big praise was that Michael received and earlier appointment (from Feb. 7 to Jan. 5) to see an osteoporosis bone specialist in Cincy.  His appointment on Wednesday went well and they are currently doing blood work to determine why his lower back has not been absorbing calcium and why it appears to be a 75 year old back.  The doctor told him things he should avoid and he will need to be careful lifting the baby with the car seat.  We praise God that He used a kidney stone and a wise family doc to find this in his lower back.  He will be taking calcium supplements and walking to try to build the bone back while they determine what is causing this problem, then they can treat it more systematically.  Thanks for your prayers in this area for him! 

Rejoicing in a new year to trust in Him more!