Bethany Hamilton--who recently turned 25--has some exciting news to share with fans: she is expecting a baby boy with husband, Adam Dirks, whom she married in 2013.
"Adam and I found out 5 months ago we are expecting a child! I'm happy to share this wonderful time in our lives with you!," Hamilton wrote in a recent newsletter. "We are looking forward to becoming parents early this summer. I've always looked forward to one day being a mom and now that the time is coming; it is pretty nerve-racking. I pray that the Lord will lead Adam and I in this new step in life, that we may show the ways of the Lord to our child and future children. Like I said, as exciting as last year was, I think this year will be even more exciting and memorable!"
The soon-to-be-mom added that she has spent time surfing and spending time with family before her baby arrives on the scheduled due date in early June.
"Well I have been surfing as much as I can before lil Jr. takes over my belly, so this month I surfed a lot of fun waves; loving surfing just as much as ever! Also Adam's parent visited and we had a great time with them. I am so grateful for awesome in-law parents who love us and support us dearly," she writes.
Although the professional surfer only has one arm due to a shark attack, she says she isn't too worried: "I often forget that I have one arm, but when I think about it, and a squirming baby and changing a diaper..that could be challenging," she said. "But I think that how I live life now, just adjusting and adapting to things that normally take two arms with one arm...I'll just find my own way to take care of the baby."
"Of course I'll have Adam to help," she added, "But if he's out and about busy, I'll just to have to adjust to little things and figure it out and be creative."
Her husband also expressed excitement at the prospect of becoming a father: "I think it's a huge thing taking the father role on, especially during the early days of life...but as we start traveling more I'm gonna be there to support my wife and my family--even if it means being there to change my baby's diaper while Bethany is out there surfing some gnarly wave," he joked. "I'm all for that. I'm stoked to be a dad. We appreciate your prayers and support--we're jumping in this adventure together," he added.
Hamilton and her family also recently participated in Make a Wish Hawaii by hosting a Make a Wish Surf Camp, which was attended by ten young girls suffering from terminal illnesses.
"I had so much fun surfing with them and talking individually with them. It's a gift to be able to relate to pain and struggle but also to share hope and the ability to overcome with these young people facing so much! Huge Mahalo to everyone who came to help out," Hamilton explains.
The "Soul Surfer" star, who also recently participated in the show "The Amazing Race," has become a source of inspiration to millions through her story of determination, faith and hope. Although the tiger shark bit off her arm in 2004, she would not let that traumatic event get in the way of her rising surfing career.
"Miraculously, just one month after the attack, Bethany returned to the water and just over a year later won her first National title," the biography on her personal website states."In 2007, Bethany realized her dream of surfing professionally."
Hamilton also ended up winning first place at both the Surf N Sea Pipeline Pro in 2014 and the NSSA National Championships back in 2005. Her biography noted that she continues to touch and inspire lives around the world as "a professional surfer, wife, Christian, motivational speaker, and healthy lifestyle advocate."
