Christmas at our House

E and her Bitty Baby who got a new dress for Christmas!

She actually liked this hat!

E and Uncle Ry-Ry and Christmas night!

Christmas Night!

Me and Mom

Pray for baby Stellan

I am asking you to pray for baby stellan. I do not know this family personally but have followed their blog for a while now. Their youngest was diagnosed in utero with a fatal heart condition and was born healthy! Miracles do happen. He now has taken a very severe case of RSV and is in the PICU. Please pray for this family. They are believers and are asking for our prayers. You can link to their blog by clicking on MC miracle button on my sidebar. Thanks

Glad viruses are only 24 hours!

Whew! yesterday was one of those days you would rather just mark off the calendar. I woke up in the night on Fri. feeling very nauseous...I kept telling my self to go back to sleep...hopefully I was dreaming. Well. I woke up on sat. morning to realize it hadn't been a dream and in fact I had caught a dreaded stomach bug! I hate...I mean I detest...with everything in me... a stomach virus. I literally did not get out of bed all day except to...well you know and to try to take a shower in which i almost passed out. I am so thankful to have woken up today feeling 100% back to normal. (Now my dad and sis have it...sorry!) Aren't you glad these things aren't short...I mean literally I think if it had been any longer I'd just told kev to shoot me and put me out of my misery! Thankfully most trials in life are somewhat similar...they come...and they hit hard but thankfully with the Lord's strength we recover and regain our strength.

We had a great morning at church. Since I was feeling so so much better I was ready to get out of the house. Our Sunday school lesson was on 1 Samuel:1 which is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. I remember ready it...probably really reading it for myself..the summer of 2000 when I worked at a summer camp. I still have my thoughts that I jotted in my bible. This was pre-marriage/pre-kids but even then I was amazed at what Hannah did. I found it hard to believe that a mother who wanted a child so much....that her crying and anguish was thought to have been drunkenness would be willing to totally and completely consecrate her child back to God. I'm sure you all realize that this is one of the reasons we named our Samuel.....Samuel. I had no choice in giving him back to the Lord....but Hannah did. What faith and commitment to the Lord. If it would have been me I'd tried to forget that I'd promised to give the child back to the Lord or probably tried to delay the weaning until he was like....grown. But she was faithful and I wonder if in heaven every time a woman who is struggling through the loss of a child or through infertility reads her story she realizes the impact that her faithfulness God has had!



In closing...I love children's books! I love how simple they are...how they make you think! I read this one the other day and loved it. I'd thought you'd enjoy it too. I can't wait to read it to e as she grows. I can just hear the conversations we will one day have about heaven...when she is old enough to realize that she has a big brother who is already there. I hope you like it! The cover is at the top... as I can't figure out how to get it here!

God Gave Us Heaven
A children's book written by Lisa Tawn Bergren
"Papa, what's heav'n?""Why, heaven is God's home... the most amazing place we'll ever get to see.""More amazing than Glacier Bay?" Little Cub asked. "Glacier Bay is the best place ever.""Yes, Little Cub. Even better than Glacier Bay. God has great plans for you, Little Cub.""For me?""For you. Both here, and later, when we get to heaven. God loves us and never wants to be far from us. He's made a way for us to be with him forever, in heaven.""When do we get to see heaven, Papa?""When our life here is over.""When we die?""Yes, Little Cub, when we die.""Will I be old like Grandma when I go to heaven?""I hope so, Little Cub. I hope you get to live a long and full life before you see heaven. But some of us get to see it sooner than others.""They do? How come?""They get sick or something bad happens. But the good news is that no matter what bad things happen here, nothing bad happens in heaven!""Nothing bad at all?""No more tears, no more sadness, no more pain. Only good. Only smiles!"Little Cub thought on that for a while. "Will we eat in heaven?""Will be eat? Will we eat! We'll have more food than we need! It'll be the best of all polar bear feasts!""Every day?""Every single day.""What else will we do in heaven?""Worship God and explore the best place we've ever seen.""Will we get bored of that?""I doubt it. Heaven will be a million times better than even this!""Can we take our stuff to heaven?""No, we won't need our stuff there, Little Cub." He paused and lifted her backpack from her shoulders. "Feel how heavy that is? Doesn't it feel good to have it off of you?"Little Cub nodded."Sometimes we think we need stuff, but it's just more weight for us to carry. Our best stuff doesn't weigh anything at all- stuff like love, family, friends, and faith. That's where our real blessings are.""What will God look like, Papa?""Hmm... you know what Mama looks like? How she looks like love to us? God will be like that...""Cept a hundred times better!""Exactly!""Will we be angels?""No. Only angels are angels. God made us polar bears for a reason.""Shoot. I want to fly."Papa laughed. "Me too. But you never know what we'll get to do in heaven. I bet we'll think it's even better than flying.""Will I get to see you in heaven?""I think so, Little Cub. I think we'll see all our loved ones there. It will be like the best family reunion ever.""How do we get there, Papa? To heaven, I mean.""Hmm... Let's say this side of the canyon is life here, on earth. And that side over there- where we find the path home- is heaven. God knew that our bad choices might keep us from him forever. Might even wash us away! He didn't want that. He loves us too much. So he sent his very own Son, Jesus, to be our bridge. All we have to do is walk across it to head toward our forever home."Little Cub thought on that. "I like Jesus," she said."So do I, Little Cub. So do I.""Will I have a room in heaven?""Oh yes, there will be many rooms in heaven.""Will it be as cozy as mine?""The coziest ever, Little Cub.""Will I sleep in heaven?" she said with a yawn.It had been a very big day. Papa yawned too and they giggled together."Heaven will be full of all the things we love most," Papa said. "And right now, sleep sounds heavenly to me."Little Cub went to sleep and dreamed of seeing God and his angels, of singing and smiling all day long. Of her best friends and her whole family being with her forever. Of playing, of laughing, of everything good. And she was glad, so glad, that God had given them all heaven.

Merry Christmas

We have had a wonderful Christmas morning. I will write more about it later and post some pics. We have been given so much from our families and each other that I feel a bit overwhelmed. I even need to go back through it all to see what all we've gotten. I realize how extremely blessed we are and I am thankful....just feeling a little spoiled!

Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year and yet for many it can be a difficult time as well. As loved ones adjust to spending this special time of year without the ones they love. It is never far from my mind on Christmas day...what is going on in heaven! I wonder what my little almost 3 year old little boy is doing today! Oh I wish I could see! I know my mind cannot comprehend the grandeur of a Christmas in Heaven. I mean it has to way top even the best and most beautiful sights this world can think up! I also know it is way better than anything Kev or I could buy or put together. I found this poem the first Christmas after we lost Samuel and I've liked it since. Maybe it will be comforting for those who are dreaming of a Heavenly Christmas as I am today!

My First Christmas In Heaven
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars, reflecting on the snow
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart
But I am not so far away, We really aren't apart.
So be happy for me, dear ones, You know I hold you dear.
And be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.
I sent you each a memory of my undying love.
After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold.
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do.
For I can't count the blessing or love he has for each of you.
So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear
Remember, I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

Whew!

Well, it is only a little after noon and I have already seen the pediatrician and my OB/Gyn today. e has had a runny nose for a week, then a mild rash and then last night she threw up in her crib...around 2am. I sent Kev into check on her because she was crying. I was half asleep and all I remember was him yelling I need you up now! Needless to say she got to sleep with mommy and daddy for the rest of the night. I took her in first thing this morning...and the doc. thinks it is just viral and likely ending. I think she may have coughed some which made her get sick. At least I'm hoping! So far so good today. She is playing well and eating well! Praise the Lord!

So I got home and my cell phone rang and it was my ob. She said that the pathologist had called her this morning and something odd showed up in the pathology report. She said I needed to be checked asap and that most likely it was just a contamination in the report but that it could indicate a serious problem for me. Oh great! So off i flew to the doc. My dad babysat e and my mom went with me. I think my nerves and my mom's are about shot but luckily we were able to make ourselves laugh while we waited. Evidently the report could have signified that some of my bowels were sucked into my uterus during the procedure and if that were the case I would be well as she said...close to death at this point. I had told her on the phone that I had been feeling okay and did not feel near death but I think she just had to see me to believe it herself. So more lab work and an ultrasound and good news...looks like I am not dying after all. I tell you if it is rare... I mean like never happens to anyone else... chances are it'll happen to me. My Doc. just called back and said my labs look normal. Praise the Lord for another good report!

So maybe life can calm down just a little for me to wrap my head around the fact that tom. is Christmas Eve. I mean I don't want to be so flustered, busy and consumed with my own concerns that I miss it...

You know a year can make a big difference in one's life. I remember Dec. of 2006. We'd spent the entire year after losing Samuel trying to get pregnant. We even had our second IUI done at 10am on Christmas eve..not because that was our timing but because it was my body's timing. I was worn out yet hopeful. We didn't get pregnant that cycle either but you know what it was just around the corner. If only on December 24th 2006 I could have seen myself on December 24th 2007! I would have seen that God's timing was perfect...that I had the baby girl that I'd always prayed for...I would have seen the blessing! I keep reminding myself of that as I know that this Christmas may not look exactly like I had planned...I'd planned to be 12 weeks pregnant and glowing..but God knows what He has going on. I only wonder what we will be on December 24th, 2009! Don't loose faith.

Cloudy

Today is a gloomy and cloudy day...and to be honest I am feeling quite gloomy and cloudy inside today. The nurses tried to prepare me that I would be having some major hormonal changes taking place as my body realizes that I am no longer pregnant...and I definitely feel that today. Today I feel disappointed and discouraged. I know these are normal feelings that I will have to work through. The thing that is the most frustrating today is that I am feeling disappointed with God. I feel as though my faith has also taken a nose dive today. I just don't see His plan or purpose in this and I feel confused. I am not asking for any deep theological advice...in fact I know the right responses to most of my thoughts and feelings...today I am just not feeling it. I hate even writing such a depressing blog but I want to be honest that life is hard and hurts are real...and Christians are not immune. The Bible says that we do have a comforter...and that is what I need. I need the peace that passes all understanding, I need joy unspeakable, I need my friend that sticketh closer than a brother, I need hope for the future, I need the Lord.

"When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you." Is. 43:2
"Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28
"Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name."Ps. 142:7
"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season." Ps. 1:3
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Ps. 147:3
"So do not fear, I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous hand." Is. 41:10
"And I heard a loud voice form the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. he will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Rev. 21:3-4
"But you, O Lord, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me." Ps. 22:19

Seek God in your darkness and He will be your light.
Seek God in your questions and He will be your answer.
Seek God in your anger and He will be your peace.
Seek God in your sorrow and He will be your comforter.
Seek God in your uncertainty and He will be your confidence.
Seek God in your sin and He will be your redeemer.
Seek God in you forgiveness and He will be your salvation.
Seek God in your salvation and He will be your eternity.
Kathe Wunnenberg

Wow...blogging is pretty therapeutic...I am feeling better already.

Recovery

Thanks so much for all the prayers and kind words of encouragement. I promise that soon my blog will be a happy and upbeat one!

Yesterday went as well as possible. We arrived at the hospital at 1:00 and the surgery was set for 3 pm. Well around 1:30 they took me back to my small little waiting room to prep me. Kev had to sit in the waiting room while they did that. I got changed into my lovely hospital attire and they told me to wait for my nurse. Well the river of tears began and the reality of the day hit. I cried and cried and when my nurse came in the first thing she said was, "Honey who did you bring with you today...I'll go get him." Once Kev got back there I felt better! What would I do without him. They got the IV going and put on some fancy leg warmers..they called it a leg massage (to prevent clotting) those things drive me crazy. So I was preparing for 3 o'clock. Well three came and went and finally around 3:45 the anesthesiologist came in and said the surgery was now set for 5! Whew....more waiting. The IV kept me busy..having to go the bathroom every 15 min....my poor nurse. My dad arrived and waited with us...my mom was busy chasing e all day. My dad has a very calming effect...I guess it is from years of hanging with people during difficult events! He prayed with us and chatted and stayed with kev until I was in recovery. Finally around five they came and got me. I was nervous...mainly just about being in the OR. I have a weird thing about hospitals...they freak me out a bit. I used to be terrified of needles...I mean I almost didn't go to college because I had to get 3 shots...no kidding. Well, the past 4 years have cured that fear for sure.
They wheeled me back and I remember my sweet doc. leaning over and telling me she was there. I love her. She has been there for me on the hardest days of my life. If you need a good OB/gyn in my area she is great! Then they gave me oxygen and off to dreamland I went. I think the procedure was about 30 min. and went well. I woke up very groggy in recovery and felt like I was dreaming. I got back to the room and got my favorite hospital treat...cold apple juice with crunchy ice cubes. I wasn't able to eat all day so I was hungry! The nurses dressed me...yes that was very weird...and wheeled me out! It was over my 10 week pregnancy was over.
I have to say that for someone who has such fear and anxiety about pregnancy...I love being pregnant. It is such an exciting and hopeful time as you begin to know that you family is growing. We need direction about what we need to do. We both want and long for a big family. We both always have. I am beginning to question if that is God's plan for us or just ours. I don't know why we have had such a hard time growing out family. It seems as though it is easy for so many...yet I know it has been very difficult for others as well.
I feel pretty good today. Just pretty sore but better than I expected. I am sad that once again we are back to square one...but hopeful as to what the future will hold as we try to remain faithful to the Lord. I love my dad's def. of faith. It is trusted in and holding to Jesus when people, situations, and circumstances say otherwise. And there is nothing that pleases the Lord like exercised faith. I pray we will be found faithful...even when we don't understand.
I'm gonna lay on the couch some more and find me a good Christmas movie to watch. Have a good night.