Country artist Granger Smith and his wife Amber have announced that they are expecting a baby – just under two years after tragically losing their three-year-old son River.
Granger, 41, and Amber, 39, accessed their respective Instagram accounts to announce they are having another child on Thursday.
The news comes 21 months after the couple’s son River died in a devastating drowning accident at his home in June 2019.
The announcement came with a candid video where they reunited with their children, daughter London, nine, and son Lincoln, seven, where they shared ultrasound images of their new addition.
Waiting: just 21 months after country music artist Granger Smith and his wife Amber lost their three-year-old son River in a tragic drowning accident, they are adding another child to the family
Baby belly: the announcement came with a heartfelt video in which they reunited with their children, daughter London, 9, and son Lincoln, 7, where they shared ultrasound images of their new addition
The video shows the family gathered in a sunny field, while everyone narrates a message to River.
‘Dear River, because of the life you have lived, we know a lot of joy,’ Granger started in the video message.
Lincoln added: ‘Dear River, because of the life you lived, we laugh a lot’, while London added, ‘and because of the life you lived, we cry a lot too’.
When the whole family got together, Granger added, ‘Dear River, because of the life you lived, you brought us closer to God,’ as Amber added.
Family: the video shows the family gathered in a sunny field, while everyone narrates a message to River
Dear River: ‘Dear River, because of the life you lived, we know a lot of joy’, Granger started in the video message
London and Lincoln: Lincoln added, ‘Dear River, because of the life you lived, we laugh a lot’, while London added, ‘and because of the life you lived, we cry a lot too.’
‘And God gave us a miracle. Sweet Riv, because of the life you lived, you are going to have a little brother.
The family shared photos of the children, along with River, as well as ultrasound photos of the new addition.
Granger added in his Instagram caption, ‘We are pregnant. I don’t have a lot of words for this video. Life is not perfect. Sometimes it is beaten and broken, but it is NEVER useless. God promises that. ‘
“Our story is not over yet, and neither is yours! Through our suffering and joy, God’s glory radiates through all of this! A new Smith boy should be born in August, ‘he concluded.
Amber shared the same video, adding a long caption about her family’s journey, including several Bible verses.
Family: When the whole family got together, Granger added: ‘Dear River, because of the life you lived, you brought us closer to God’, as Amber added, ‘And God gave us a miracle. Sweet Riv, for the life you’ve lived, you’re going to have a little brother.
Pregnant: Granger added in his Instagram caption, ‘We are pregnant. I don’t have many words for this video. Life is not perfect. Sometimes it is beaten and broken, but it is NEVER useless. God promises it ‘
‘Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs up, don’t you see? I will make my way in the desert and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 ‘, it began.
‘God created a path that we never thought possible. If I have learned anything in the past 2 years, it is that I do not have as much control as I think I do, “she added, along with another Bible verse:” The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord sets his steps. Proverbs 16: 9. ‘
‘I never thought that at 39 I would be blessed with another boy’s pregnancy. The past few years have been difficult, but they have also been filled with joy, hope, healing, growth and grace from God, ”she added.
‘Lord, I pray that our story can speak life to someone who may be suffering to never lose hope. To deliver your burdens to you. To trust yourself when it hurts, ‘she continued.
Not finished: ‘Our story is not over yet, and neither is yours! Through our suffering and joy, God’s glory radiates through all of this! A new Smith boy is due in August, “he concluded.
‘Sweet Riv, because of the beautiful life you have lived, we are changed forever and we will continue to honor your small and great legacy until we return home to you,’ she said.
“To God, we give all the glory and we can’t wait to meet our new little boy in August 2021,” she added, as she said to her fans, “Look at my stories and see the Smiths tonight.”
‘We talked a little about the trip. You will know everything that we went through in the last 14 months in the next episode. We are very excited to finally share this with you, ‘concluded Amber.
Shortly after their son’s tragic death in June 2019, Granger and Amber appeared in a heartbreaking YouTube video titled Finding Light In Our Darkest Time.
The singer recalled thinking about how important it was to spend every possible second with his family just minutes before the accident happened.
Speak life: ‘Lord, I pray that our story may speak life to someone who may be suffering to never lose hope. To deliver your burdens to you. To trust yourself when it hurts, ‘she continued
‘Enjoy this moment because it won’t last,’ he said, thinking to himself, before going on to tell details about the terrible accident that took his son’s life.
‘Between 30 seconds and three minutes, we don’t know, Amber and I are inside the pool gate doing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on our son,’ he shared.
Smith started the video by thanking fans, friends and family for keeping him and his family in their thoughts.
He explained in the video caption, as well as in an Instagram post, that it was’ dark on social media ‘, but that he felt’ obliged on certain levels to include [his followers] at the [his] current journey. ‘
He then explained in detail his final moments with River, remembering how he was watching his daughter London do gymnastics in the backyard.
The Backroad Song hitmaker’s thinking was no different than many parents … children grow up, these moments must be valued.
But he couldn’t wait for what was going to happen. The river fell into the pool and drowned.
He was rushed to a hospital, but doctors were unable to save him. He died two days later.
The If the Boot Fits singer shared a post on Facebook after River’s death saying that he and Amber ‘made the decision to say our last goodbye and donate their organs so that other children have a second chance in life’.
He wrote: ‘Our family is devastated and heartbroken, but we take comfort in knowing that he is with his Heavenly Father.
“Riv was special. Everyone who knew him knew this immediately. The joy he has brought into our lives cannot be expressed and his light will remain forever in our hearts.
If there are words to say more, I can’t find them right now. Love those close to you. There has never been a more difficult time for us than this. ‘
Travel: ‘We talked a little about travel. You will know everything that we went through in the last 14 months in the next episode. We are very excited to finally share this with you, ‘Amber concluded.