Introducing Aliya Grace Crane

Here's a few shots of Aliya her first couple of days in this wonderful world. ;D

Due Day! :D

Today's the Due Date. And this is what I look like (though it was taken last weekend, good enough!) I can't believe how amazing the body is and how it works to make this miracle of a baby grow inside! I'm really excited to be able to bend over again and be able to put on my shoes! haha.

So I was able to go to the temple this morning and it was an amazing experience. I was going to do initiatory but it was going to be a 45 min wait, so I decided I would help with Sealings instead. I'm so glad I did. The spirit was so amazingly strong. I felt so humbled that I have had the opportunity to be sealed to my sweet husband and that our children were able to be born in the covenant. I felt an overwhelming gratitude for the atonement and how it heals us and our marriages and families, if we allow it to. I was able to spend time in the celestial room afterward and I just felt embraced by the love of the Savior and my Heavenly Father. I felt this sweet peace touch me as I thought about Aliya and our journey together. I felt humbled that I've been able to carry and nurture her this 9 months. I thought about the blessing that Jason gave me on Monday and how going through this experience again will bring me even closer to the Savior. I thought on the atonement and how it so aptly applies to helping both Aliya and I go through the delivery process. The Savior delivers me from sin. He delivers me from sorrow. He delivers me from pain; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. He loves me and I get the opportunity to teach that to Josh and Aliya and experience it with Jason as we ever grow closer together. I'm so grateful for the experiences the Lord gives me. I testify of His hand in my life. I testify of the strength that He gives and the Power and Influence He has on me. I am so blessed. I am really excited to have Aliya bless our home. I feel her spirit and she is very strong. I know she is a gift, which is why her middle name is Grace. Now we wait...for her grand entrance... :D