WE HAVE MOVED

Thank you so much for being a part of our Blog. However, we have moved to Facebook.

We know it's a bit presumptuous to ask someone to become your fan. . .But we have ran out of room for our friends. . . even though we think it's weird to have a "Steve and Amy Fan Page" we have reached Facebook's limit of the amount of friends allowed. You can have as many fans as you want. So that we can include everyone in on the fun Steve and Amy have created a Brand New Steve and Amy Fan Page!! Come here to comment on topics of the day and get in on discussions going on!!

Help The Hewitt Family

You may remember hearing about the Hewitt Family. Crystal and her kids Parker and Haleey were in a car accident. Parker and Haley did not survive. Crystal was seriously injured and has been going through a long difficult recovery. She and her husband Craig have had major medical expenses to go along with their grief. Their friend Tim Porter has put an event together to help. You can find out about it by clicking here.

tick tock, tick tock

We’re still waiting! It’s my due date and here I am…looking the same (but Bigger)! I’m still holding out that today is going to be the day, so we’ll see! Right now, everything feels pretty much the same, just a few little crampy like pains now and then. I think I’m so desparate for something to happen that at a little stab of pain I will and grab my bag and be on my way!

It’s really weird to try to think about the belly going away. Or that one day very soon, I will be able to easily get up from the couch, or not be told by our five year old, Quinn, that I look like a penguin…yeah, that’ll be nice.

I have big feet (thanks mom:) One of Della's gifts were these cute teeny tiny newborn booties. Given that I have freakishly large feet, I’d be surprised if these little guys fit her once she’s born. The good news is that I can wear them as toe warmers if they don’t work out!

Know that saying, my cup runneth over?? Well, mine certainly has. I have felt so much support and love from each and every person around me. I just praise God daily for giving me such loving and supportive friends and family. I think that whole. . .it takes a villiage thing. . .begins at the beginning of pregnancy. My Aunt Linda has driven from Atlanta to spend some time with our family and to help out when Baby Della arives. She has been wonderful! From making dinner of Hot Dog Mashed Potato Delight to taking our son Quinn on adventure walks. . .its been great!! I wonder if she would like to stay . . . Perhaps we’ll hire her as a live in nanny?

I have decorated Baby Della's room with family pictures of all the girls in our family. . .SO CUTE!!

Until it’s time. . .I’ll be furiously walking (which in my nine months pregnant condition is more of a furious waddling involving alternating grunts and gasps for air)

Big Hugs, Amy

Our family is going to get BIGGER, but right now. . . it's just me!

WOW . . .38 weeks pregnant! My body is definitely stretching and warping and doing all sorts of crazy pregnant things that I won’t subject you to! It is pretty amazing how my body just knows what to do to provide for me and baby! For anyone who has ever for one moment doubted God. . .they should experience pregnancy:))) It's amazing that this little being is growing inside me!!

The baby kicks are much stronger and they make my belly a very unstable surface - it was nice there for awhile to use as an extra tray for snacks! Now you can feel where she is throughout the day because that part of my belly gets really hard…and usually after poking around she pokes back! It’s fun.

So, I’m 38 weeks yesterday! It was exciting to think that I have only 14 more days to go (assuming she’s “on time”)! According to BabyCenter, She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long! Her eyesight continues to develop but by the time she is born her vision will only be 20/400.

I have been having a crazy case of the “pregnant brain”. I had heard rumors of this pregnant brain and thought they were all false but every day I seem to become more and more absentminded and very clumsy! Brain often cuts me off when I’m talking because I’ll suddenly remember I have already said the same thing once before. I begin telling Lloyd a story that I will stop in the middle of realizing by his expression that I have already told him the same story earlier!

In the ‘How Your Life is Changing’ section, it said that things are getting more uncomfortable these days - confirmed! While I’d love to be a graceful and glowing pregnant woman, I am just not feeling it. I am ready for her to be out of my tummy and in my arms!

I have had several folks ask me about Della's room. . .I'll take some pictures tomorrow and post them up for you to see. We collected childhood pictures of all the girls in our family and put them in frames. . .so cute!!!

My next (and my last) doctors appointment is next Thursday! I sure do appreciate everyone’s encouraging words and messages. . .you don’t even know! I can hardly wait to introduce you to Baby Della!!! ~Amy

Watch This Video... And Happy Father's Day

Click here.

A VERY Honest Article About Prayer

I found myself saying "that's me" all through this article. What do you think? Click here to read it.

American Idol Kris Allen Sings "God Of This City"

Kris Allen sings at the dedication of a new building for his church. He doesn't appear until almost 8 minutes into the video. Click here

Baby Shower at 32 weeks!

It’s Wednesday and I’m at home for the day resting from what was a crazy busy but WONDERFUL weekend and last few days. Even though I’m exhausted today, I look back at the festivities and would start the weekend over again in a heartbeat! I am so blessed to have family and friends who are so unbelievable, gracious, and generous. The support that I felt from this weekend was a great pregnancy boost now that things are getting harder by the day!

The shower itself was so great! An intimate group of good friends, tasty food, CAKE, and very generous gifts! I am so blessed! My only regret is that there wasn’t enough time to spend with each person! Special thanks to Aunt Linda, Uncle Fred and Katie for throwing a great party! Now, I'm left with great memories from the weekend:))

Today was a warm and sunny day. I slowly started to unpack some of the gifts and start some laundry baskets for baby laundry! Now all of the items and super cute clothes are strewn about the nursery waiting for the magic pre-baby fairy who has all the energy in the world to come and organize everything… I wonder when she will show up?

I love this picture taken of my brother and me at my shower. This is my 32 week pregnant belly. . .can you guess how far along my brother is??!!

The days keep ticking away, only 48 more to go!

God Is REALLY Big

Check out these pictures of the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Hubble Telescope in front of the sun. His creation compared to ours. Click here.

It's Friday But Sunday's Comin' Video

See it here.

Our family is going to get BIGGER, but right now. . . it's three.

She is kicking really hard right now. I wonder what she's doing in there? Is she comfy? Am I eating all the right things that will help her be healthy? How will July 8th change our family?

I have so many questions as this week I'm 27 weeks pregnant. What an amazing gift. God has entrusted us with our soon-to-be 5 year old son and soon a little girl. Quinn will be five this week. I sometimes write letters to our son who can't even read yet. Hopefully, he'll enjoy them when he's older, Just tonight I ran across a letter I wrote and saved for him when he was 2.

January 13, 2007
Dearest Quinn,
It’s late and I’m thinking of you. You woke me up tonight crying in your sleep. Oh, to know what you dream. . . Tonight is the first night I realized your getting older. I laugh when I think of you dressed in your warrior costume running around the house like a brave little man with his sword in hand. Tonight, while I watched you sleep, you looked to be three or four years older, not two years old. Looking at your closed eyes I could imagine what it would be like talking over dinner about your science project that’s due soon. . .Or the camp you want to go to this summer with your friends. . .Or the girlfriend you want to bring home for dinner tomorrow night.

Never mind your earlier temper tantrums that had, you hollering because it was time for bed. Nor the kicking and screaming when book time was over. Now you lay near and complacent snuggled up by my side.

Your little hand wrapped around my index finger so perfectly and so sweetly it brought me to tears. I love you so. It humbles me to think that God chose your father and me to be a part of your life and us in yours. I feel completely unworthy. God has big plans for you my Mighty Quinn. I’m so excited to be a part. I love you forever and always. . .unconditionally. Mommy

1 Corinthians 13:4-8“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

At DJJ With Bill Glass Ministries

Having had a little time to digest a packed weekend with Bill Glass Prision Ministries...I'd like to share a few things. Over 400 volunteers went to correctional facilities all over South Carolina to share the Gospel. My group went to the Department of Juvenille Justice.

I had the chance to talk with some of the kids individually and in smaller groups. It was interesting to me how many of them already had knowledge of the gospel. They had grown up in or around the church. Yet they still ended up at DJJ. They answered the questions the "right" way and many had said the sinner's prayer more than once before. I think this may have played into the fact that I did not lead anyone into one of those dramatic conversion experiences you hear about.

And yet...sometimes we're not there to havest. There's no question in my mind that what I was able to do was plant seeds. When I look back at my own experience in becoming a follower of Christ, I remember countless conversations over a number of years that in hindsight I can see planted seeds and tilled the ground. I dont' know anything about farming so I hope that metaphor made sense! :) Honestly what seemed to be the most powerful thing to do was listen to the kids -- and pray with them. Some of them are already in Bible studies. It was a great chance to affirm that they were spending their time well.

We went in on two separate days. There was one kid I talked to on both days. On the second day he shared with me that he had struggled with anger and had had an incident just that morning. He knew he was wrong - actually realized while the altercation was going on. And he regretted it. Another guy - who had kind of a tough exterior - came to me and showed the the autographs he had gotten of two of the guest speakers. He had a huge smile on his face as he showed me what they had written. Underneath it all there was still a childlikness. I could see that God is at work at DJJ through these kids.

But here's the challenge. There are some amazing people who work with kids behind bars. But not enough of them. One of the greatest tragedies is when a kid gets out of DJJ and goes home to a dysfunctional family, bad influences in the neighborhood, and no support system. Even though its tough at DJJ, the kids are actually nurtured in a way. They are learning artwork, writing and craftmanship. And some of them are very talented. Take a tour sometime and see their work! They are getting a high school education and having their values challenged. Some of them are even learning God's Word. But when they get out, all of that disappears. The DJJ folks tell me one of the things the kids need most is mentors. Someone to build a long term relationship with a kid. To encourage, challenge, and build up. I'm just taking a shot in the dark here - but if you think God may be leading you to be a mentor, I just happen to have a link for you right here.

Brandon Heath Video

We talked about Brandon's amazing video for his song Give Me Your Eyes. Click here to see it.

Mercy Me/Casting Crowns Weight Loss Challenge

A lot of us think about our weight this time of year. Being a music star doesn't make you immune. I thought you'd enjoy this video featuring Bart Millard from MercyMe and Mark Hall from Casting Crowns. Click here.

I'm Watching You Dad

I thought you might like this video I found on God Tube. Just imagine your own son or daughter talking to you. When you listen, just don't be anywhere you wouldn't mind people seeing you cry! Hugs. ~Amy

Hug Your Kids A Little Tighter

I can't imagine what it must of felt like at the time. Check this video out. I can't imagine the relief. What a great reminder to be thankful for every moment God has given us with those we love!

Family Man

If you were touched by Andrew Peterson's song Family Man on our morning show -- check out this video to go with it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIOczph6nQE

We're ALL Home!!

Thanks for all the prayers and notes of encouragement as my family and I have gone through our journey to bring Meyer our adopted son home from Haiti. We got back earlier this week and there is so much to tell you about I don't even know how to unpack it all. So I will at least get started with this post and then try to follow up with others later on. Meyer has done very well. The director of the orphanage described him as an "even keel kind of guy." That's really turned out to be true. Not much has phased him -- except when he first met our pets. He was terrified for the first day. We literally had to carry him around the house. But by the next morning he was feeling much better about it - and now he loves our dog and cats. One of my projects right now is to help him learn to ride a bike. He has seen a bike before - he knew what it was - but I don't know if he'd ever been on one before. He wasn't sure which way to pedal and he had no idea how to steer. The steering thing was a problem for me. At six years old once he gets the hang of pedaling he is capable of going fast enough to do some damage! So I've been working with him on steering and yesterday he started getting the hang of it!

Meyer and Camille have really bonded. She was the first name he said and she was the first of us to make him laugh. One of my favorite memories from our trip was on the first day we had him, Gaye and I were walking behind the two kids. And Camille reached over and took his hand. It was very sweet. (Not that it affected me emotionally or anything like that!) ;)

Adoption Update: FINALLY!!!!!!

My head is spinning right now. My wife Gaye just called and asked if I was doing anything next Wednesday. I said I think I'm going to be at the WMHK booth at the SC State Fair. She nonchalantly said "oh well I was just wondering...." and then what she said after that was completely incoherent. A lot of screaming. Screams of joy. The only word I was able to make out was Haiti. When she calmed down she told me that Meyer's visa had come in. We'll be going to get him most likely on Wednesday. It's real. I've been walking around a little dazed since then. When I can get my act together and express myself better I will write another post. After three years of working, waiting, and praying. Our son is coming home.

What Me Worry?

I don't know if I've ever quoted Alfred E. Newman before! Remember the gap-toothed guy on the cover of Mad Magazine? He was famous for saying "what, me worry?" With everything that's been going on in the financial world

it seems like we're being encouraged to worry like never before. People are going on TV and saying there's NO HOPE! Wow.

Here's the bad news. I have no financial advice for anybody. I took one economics class in college. On the first day the professor came in and said "this is the first time I've ever taught undergrads, so this should be interesting." That was it. I was done! I squeaked by with a C with a lot of help from friends who were business majors!

Here's the good news: I know something about worry. I could be a professional worrier. I worry about things that might possibly someday happen no matter how far-fetched they are. But I've learned something funny along the way. At some of the times I've had the most need to worry I've worried least. I once had a job I worried a lot about losing. I lost it. But what followed was not disaster, but peace! If you look at logically I should have come apart at the seems. But it never happened. That was God. Not only did He provide, but He rode the storm out with me.

Here's more good news: God is BIGGER than our financial crisis. He spoke the universe into existence -- including what eventually became Wall Street! I don't know what will happen to our economy. But I do know what Jesus said:

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

Jesus didn't die for the birds or the lilies. He died for YOU. Someone who speaks the universe into existence and then willingly dies to pay for everything you and I have ever done wrong - just so He can spend forever with us - someone like that is someone who is not going to abandon us simply because some investment banks are going out of business.

Now back to my worrying...did I say this in a way that is helpful? ;^)