Be still my heart....

Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to have another "freebie" ultrasound at a clinic I call on. People are so kind to pregnant women! Anyway, I was AMAZED at how much the baby has grown. You can scroll down the blog and compare the pictures to just seven weeks ago! The baby now has toes! Here are a few of my favorite shots!

Count 'em! Five little toes on that precious little foot.

This picture will make your heart melt. You can see the baby's little feet just sitting there, all nice and perfect! I'm probably going to frame this one!

And here's the big shot of the baby-- just chillin' in mommy's belly!

I just can't tell you how floored I am at the baby's development. You know this happens, but when its going on in your very own belly--- its just, well, a miracle!

Unbelievable story with much needed prayers!

Today, I got an email from a friend. She went to school with a couple whose family's story is probably the saddest I've ever heard. I'll post a brief version of their story, but I encourage you to check out their family blog. I warn you; its going to envoke tears, but this family needs your prayers and thoughts. So, I decided to post it. Surely, the more people praying for them the better, right?

Their first little girl, Madeline, was born in 2003. She was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer at 4 months of age. She fought the good fight, but died shortly after her first birthday. They then had a little boy, Grant, in 2006, who is doing well. In October 2008, they had another little girl, Annette. Unfortunately, just like her sister, at two months, she was diagnosed with malignant metastatic cancer. It is in her brain and in her spine. The doctors also feel that this is hereditary, so they are now going back to test their little boy. Annette has been given very poor odds of survival (about 10%) and Kirk and Natalie have already done this once. They are strong Christians and are depending on the Lord, but they need our prayers.

The family's blog is: http://www.maxeyweb.com/

Thank the Lord for your health and your family's health!

Why the duck club isn't for sissy dogs...

I decided to go to Marion this weekend to see my niece and nephew play basketball and do a little baby furniture shopping, or scouting as I like to call it. In the meantime, Greg was invited by a friend of his to duck hunt in Augusta at their duck club. He was thrilled to get to go, but had to either find "child care" for my dog, Roxy, or take her with him. You see, I normally would take Roxy to Marion with me-- as everyone in Marion likes her better than me anyway. But, I worked in Forrest City on Friday and decided to drive to Marion after work.

So, I got a phone call late Friday night from Greg saying Roxy was on her way to Augusta with him. I'll be truthful. I thought Greg was probably lying to me and just left her outside in Cabot. He and I don't share the same doggie care philosophy. He thinks our pet (ie first child) can stay outside all night by herself. "She's a dog," he says. I, on the otherhand, do not subscribe to that philosophy and bring her in to sleep at night. So, anyway, all Saturday long I thought she was really outside in Cabot. To my suprise though, I arrived home Saturday night to find my Roxy smelling worse than just about anything I've ever smelled. She apparently had taken a roll in the field and perhaps the pond. She smelled like DEAD FISH. My dog, a pris-pot, is not used to smelling like dead fish -- nor would I want her to be used to that.

So, we had to carry her inside and bathe her in the tub. It was just too cold to do the standup, waterhose spray down we usually do. AND, I think she'd need a little more scrubbing that than method allows. I've attached some photos of the scrub down.

Oh, and she wasn't the only muddy dog I wresteled with that evening. On the way home, I found our neighbor's golden roaming the streets. With my doggie soft spot and my affection for Golden's, I decided to throw her in my car and take her home. She was COVERED in mud...and now, so is my car! Oh, well...I'd hope they do the same for Roxy!

Doesn't Roxy look so sad to be so stinky???

Inspired

Blog posts are usually light-hearted and funny, and they are usually just little happenings in our lives that keep our friends and family updated on our day to day activities. But yesterday, someone inspired me and I wanted to share it with you.



Lately, I have been overwhelmed with the realization that Greg and I will be bringing home a newborn in a few short months. I've been doing so much reading on "pregnancy" and hardly any on the concept of parenting. So, in the past week or so, I've been reading about parenting ideas, techniques, theories, etc. Greg and I have been discussing what we think is a good plan and what might not work for us. Its been pretty exhausting (and the baby isn't even here yet!). If you search Amazon for "Parenting" books, you'll find thousands. There are literally all types of books on the subject. Needless to say, I'm not that fast of a reader.



So, obviously, the subject has been on my mind. Well, recently someone I know shared something with me that really opened my mind. It was truly one of those moments that I believe God was speaking to me through someone in my life. This person isn't a friend, just an acquaintance. He's a great guy and someone I've always thought was kind, sharing and friendly - and for the purposes of this blog will remain nameless (as I don't have his permission to share his story). He has three children, with the oldest being 11. He's married and works very hard at his job. Recently, he shared that he hadn't had much sleep lately. It seems, he's a foster parent too. On top of raising three wonderful kids, he also has been fostering kids from his community for the last three years! His most recent addition to his family is a set of 6 week old TWINS! Can you imagine? His life has been flipped upside down. He has reverted back to middle of the night feedings, changing diapers and rocking babies -TWO babies. He does all this work knowing that these babies can be taken back at anytime. He's working in this new role with his current job - father of three, husband and full-time worker. Most of us get frantic thinking about caring for one newborn, much less two.



As I said earlier, I'm overwhelmed with the idea that Greg and I will be responsible for parenting our own child. But can you imagine parenting another person's child too? This acquaintance of mine showed me yesterday that you don't need a parenting concept or theory. You just need to be SELFLESS. I've talked to new mothers who say, "you'll not even remember your life before the baby." Sometimes I would think.... are they just so exhausted they don't remember? Are they so sleep deprived they CAN'T remember? After hearing this story yesterday, I guess you just don't CARE to remember. This guy and his family are giving their time, their energy and their lives to care for two babies they just met. Not to mention, they are a living example to their three kids on how to serve your community and help others.



I'm sure some of you reading this can relate to this story in some way or another. I'm not writing this to be an advocate for foster care (I do think its wonderful though). And I'm not writing this to be moving or inspirational; I'm just writing my thoughts and "day to day activities" for you to read. Happy New Year!