Alathea's Big News

Surprise! We are as surprised as you are! We just found out that we are 9 weeks prego...which makes Alathea an official big sister. We go in a few weeks to hopefully hear a heart beat. So the reality is right now that we aren't out of the woods as far as miscarriage goes. But, we are still very excited! The estimated due date would be Feb 3, 2008. It's funny that Alathea's due date was Feb 5th (her b-day is the 10th). I never wanted to have two kids born at the same time of year so they didn't have to "share" birthdays- but obviously God knows best.



We are hoping when the bambino comes Alathea responds like this...





...instead of like this!

Any bets on if its a boy or girl??

Aunt Julie & Pop-Pop and Alathea's first boat ride

Two of Alathea's very favorite people were in town visiting her last week (that's right- visiting her, not me ;)
My Dad, "Pop-Pop", flew in only for the weekend, while Julie stayed the entire week. It's hard to describe how wonderful it is to see two of MY favorite people! Dad was here for Joe's birthday (16th) and Fathers Day (17th). We had a blast hanging out as a family, eating out (thanks to Dad's generosity) and going to the park in Alathea's new wagon (also thanks to Pop-Pop), which she just loves. It is now a new Lechner family ritual to go on a "wagon ride" every night after dinner- if we forget, Alathea is sure to remind us.

Julie stayed on the rest of the week and we had fun just the girls...going to the pool, playing mini-golf and even going out on Lake Norman for a day with Joe, Stretch & Zach. Alathea had her first tube ride and loved it!

How I love God's gift of family!!

Our Savannah Trip

So sorry for the delayed post! The day after we returned from Savannah, my wonderful Dad & Sister came in town for the weekend (which included Joe's b-day and Fathers Day). More to come on all that! Here's about our fabulous trip...

We had a romantic, fun-filled trip together...it was perfect! Three days gave us a good amount of time just the two of us. We spent the entire first day exploring the beautiful, historic city- Savannah. We took a carriage ride and then spent the rest of the day at the "Riverwalk", which was a 2-mile long stretch of adorable shops, restaraunts and an open air market along the river in Savannah.

The entire second day we spent at one of our favorite places- the beach! We went to Tybee Island, a short 10 minute drive from Savannah. There we explored an old light house, ate lunch on the beach and enjoyed the quaint island. That afternoon we explored "Fort Pulaski", an interesting historical sight. From the fort you could walk a mile or so in the marsh land to an old deserted light-house. Joe & I enjoy "exploring" new places together and this was the perfect day for another adventure. We made it to the light house and then proceeded to run back as we were literally attacked by misquito's!

Thursday, our last day in Savannah, we did our own "walking tour" which Joe mapped out. There are 30+ "squares" to see on top of Riverwalk and Market Street. Each square had a memorial, gardens, a fountain and some bit of history (one of them was the bus stop scene from "Forrest Gump"). The squares were surrounded by gorgeous, huge moss covered oak trees (which were everywhere in the city) and beautiful historic, southern houses. The historic section of the city is more than double that of Charleston- so we were quite tired when we were through.

Joe amazed me by how much he loved every bit of history he learned. He was excited even by small things such as drinking coffee in the same coffee shop that George Washington did. He also amazed me at how he did everything possible to make this trip so special. I can honestly say we are way more in love now than even on our wedding day almost 5 years ago. We have so much fun together and he cares for my heart so well.

The Lord was so kind and Alathea did great with out us. Steve & Lizzy did an amazing job of caring for her. While she was very excited to see Joe & I (she screamed so loud!!), she also cried when Steve & Lizzy left. We are so blessed with such wonderful friends who served us so well! And amazingly, I did really well with out her too. Joe & I enjoyed every second of our "honeymoon", yet were so happy to be with our little goose once we returned home.

Off to Savannah with my Love

Joe & I will be in Savannah, GA celebrating our 5 Year Anniversary!!! (Our actual anniversary is July 27th). We'll be leaving Tuesday morning and returning Thursday afternoon. We can't wait! This is our first time leaving Alathea...I'm praying that she will be OK (and that I'll be OK :). She'll be in great hands with Steve & Lizzy. Three whole days with the Love of my Life...could it get any better??!!

Happy 30th Anniversary Mom & Dad

Today would have been Mom & Dad's 30th Wedding Anniversary. They certainly have left quite the legacy of what a God-centered marriage should look like- certainly the best examply I know of. I know that Joe & I have learned so much from their example and will always look back on the things we have learned. Dad sent us kids an e-mail last night and today. He gave me permission to share them. I think they are an honest window into a broken man's heart and a beautiful picture of the love that they shared...Dad, I respect you SO MUCH!!!


Jeanie, Rocky and Julie,

From my diary entry today:

Dad xxoo

06/11/2007 11:05AM by Ken Bowers - HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SWEETIE!! I remember 30 years ago today (this very hour... 11:00 am) you were walking down the isle to marry me!!! That was one of the happiest days of my life (the only thing that came close to that joy was the birth of our kids). Amazing that today is one of the saddest days of my life. 30 years ago I was so happy and full of joy. Today I am so sad and full of tears. The pain of missing you is unbearable at times. But by Gods grace I will be OK. I wish you were here so I could hold you again and tell you how much I love you (I guess that I need to wait until I see you again). Thanks for the great memories and for 34 years of unbelievable joy and happiness. I am so glad for the cross and because of that I will see you again.




And here is Dad's e-mail from last night:



Rocky, Jeanie and Julie,

It is now Sunday night, June 10, 2007 and tomorrow, as you know, would have been mom's and my 30 year wedding anniversary. I thought you might be interested in what I wrote in my journal last June 11, 2006. It was written from a man who was and still is desperately in love with your mother.It was written by a man who was and still is in much pain. I hope that this writing might encourage you to fall in love with your spouses every day, as we never know when the last day will be.

I also want to once again honor your mother. She was the godliest woman I have ever known and I miss her so much. There is not a week that goes by that I cant wait to see her again in heaven. Being married to her was the happiest I have ever been in my life. I dont know if I will ever find that happiness again.

I also want to thank all 3 of you for your prayers and support of me. Thanks for calling me every day to make sure that the "ole man" is OK. I still dont know if my heart will ever be whole again. It has been broken now for many years. I guess that I just need to let go and let God do His healing in His time. In the meantime I just want to glorify Him. I want to please God so bad. I want Him to be pleased with me when I stand before Him.

I love you kids so much and I thank God for you daily. I do not deserve you children.

Dad xxoo

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06/11/2006 09:58AM by Ken Bowers - Happy Anniversary Sweetie!! I have already had my cry for the morning realizing that this Will be our last anniversary together (It just is not fair!! It hurts so much!!). God will have to sustain me through this trial as I am to weak to even think!! Have mercy on me Lord!! We will attempt to go to church this morning but Kathy is still very weak. I have been her best friend for 33 years now (4 dating and 29 years of marriage). She has been the perfect wife and mother and I am desperately in love with her. My heart will propably never be healed again and I am bleeding internally over the pain of separation. It is the hardest thing I have ever faced in losing my best friend. I look forward to seeing her again soon. Lord, may Kathy be cheered into heaven by a great crowd of saints. May I be faithful to finish the race as well as her.

Praying for Micah

I've wanted to pass along this prayer request for a while...many of you have heard about the Davis family that goes to Covenant Life in MD. Their three year-old son, Micah, has a brain tumor and was given 1-2 weeks to live. That was over two weeks ago. While I do not know this family personally (my sister and many friends at home do), I have never carried a family I do not know so heavy on my heart. I have been able to read updates and prayer requests on their blog (www.lukecinda.blogspot.com) which makes me feel like I know them. I have prayed and prayed for them, and cried and cried. Gods ways are mysterious- but we can take comfort that they are perfect, wise & good ALWAYS- even when we do not understand. The family's faith is amazing. Reading updates every few days helps me see how this little guy's slow dying process of cancer is so similar to my momma's and brings back a FLOOD of emotions...the gratefulness when they are awake, the treasuring of each moment, the agony of "waiting", the wondering if God will heal, the intense pain at each setback, the saddness as they slip into sleep and you wonder if they will wake ever again, and, of couse the comfort the Lord brings in his perfect timing. Please pray for this little guy, his siblings, parents and entire family. I know they are being carried by the prayers of fellow believers, many whom they have never met. I know the same was true for our family...thanks for your prayers...

Summer is finally here...

So we broke out the 'ol baby pool


Alathea is happy!


She's Very Happy!


She's REALLY happy!! (This pic makes me laugh!!)


She's posing until I take her picture here...we've got some vanity issue's to work on :)

Happy Birthday Andrew

We celebrating cousin Andrew's big 1st birthday yesterday at the pool. He is such a cutie...I am proud to be his "Aunt Jeanie". Alathea is so blessed to have a cousin just three months younger than her. It was also Alathea's first time in the pool this summer...hurray!! She is a little fish and just loves being in the water. The picture above is the three kiddo's...the b-day boy, Alathea & Natalie Cagle.