A year ago today we were filling out paperwork for the imminent arrival of our little girl. There were questions the whole family had already discussed: "Who may we have permission to release information to while you are in Labor and Delivery Recovery and your child is in NICU?" The grandparents and aunts and uncles were prepared for Charlie care and coming to see Emma.
But there was a section of this paperwork I never filled out:
Who would you like to be permitted to enter the room should it become clear that your child will not survive?
Would you like a nurse present at the time of passing?
Do you have a name chosen for your child? May we use it after death?
It'd like to say that because of my deep faith I just knew that God would take care of Emma and we wouldn't need to have answered those questions. Yes, I had prayed, and yes, I was filled with God's peace about the situation, but let's not over-spiritualize the fear related to this paperwork.
It was Tuesday, we were going to be induced on Friday, and I just couldn't bring myself to answer those questions.
A year ago today I had a high-level ultrasound on my little unborn daughter. They determined that she was not thriving; she had stopped growing due to an issue with our umbilical cord and would be born weighing approximately 3.5 lbs. We were prepared for two different heart surgeries for multiple heart defects and a surgery to correct a diaphragmatic hernia, not to mention a very long NICU stay. An ENT would be on call in case her small jaw caused breathing problems. Our neonatal consult left words ringing in our ears; should she make it through "a rocky start," "her cognitive future is ... murky"
That was Monday, they would induce on Friday. I was 35 weeks pregnant.
The world needs a hero ... I AM THAT HERO! They call me ... LARRY BOY! Grandma and Papa came down from Duluth and a wonderful time was had by all at our church's Pumpkin Patch Carnival.
Charlie was Larry Boy, Emma was an adorable pumpkin princess ... and Mommy ... well, Mommy was ...
Emma!
And Daddy has a sense of humor as well :)
The carnival was lots of fun. Lots of silly games to be played and candy to be won.
Even Emma got in on the "pick a pumpkin" game.
"Oooh, what's in there?"
"Wait! Why are you taking me away from the shiny, plastic, clearly chew-able pumpkins???"
This was fun; there was a booth where kids made ink thumbprints and one of the high schoolers volunteering at the carnival (I use the word "volunteer" lightly, they were paid handsomely in candy!) drew pictures arount the thumbprints.
The flower is Emma's. I heard the girl bragging later that she got to do Emma's thumbprint. I LOVE how much Emma is loved at our church!!
And what carnival is complete without giant inflatable bouncy things? There was the traditional bouncing castle, of course, but more interesting is this caterpillar. I couldn't get the whole thing in the camera; it take up most of the gym. You enter the caterpillar at his mouth and climb through slides and climbing walls and such, and then you exit ... at the ... um ... end of the caterpillar. Am I the only one immature enough to giggle at that?
Charlie enjoyed it the second, third, fourth, and fifth times he went through ...
The first time, however, he was a little unsure about going into this big thing by himself. Mommy, of course, was brave enough to join him.
The inside was, indeed, fun.
But I had a little trouble exiting the caterpilar ...
I had to try more than once because I almost lost my pants.
And then I couldn't stop laughing long enough to muster the strength to stand up!
The things we do for our kids, amen? :)
Hope you all had a happy Halloween!
Friday, October 30, 2009
I've thought about not publishing this post several times for fear that all it would be is me bragging again (not that I'm going to stop bragging any time soon:)), but I really do want to encourage my fellow moms about Bible verse memorization.
The Bible is very important in our household and I want Charlie to know that.
I grew up with a Mom who did the same and I have seen it bear fruit in my life.
Not that a two-year-old really gets the level of dependence that an adult will understand by knowing that we can "Cast all your cares upon Him who cares for you." or that "As for God, His way is perfect." But I didn't get it fully when I was a kid, either. It was a seed that was planted for future use.
And if you've read my blog for any amount of time, you know how much I lean on the Word during this season of my life.
So here's what we have done with Charlie. Not bragging, just hoping to inspire.
He's not 3 yet and he knows the following verses. We use them throughout the day (Ep 6:1 is easy with a two-year-old ...) and he knows what they all mean ("Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus" ... repent means to say you're sorry, "Keep your tongue from evil" means to use nice words with a nice voice)
God is Love. I John 4:8
Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Ep 6:1
Be strong and courageous for the Lord your God is with you. Joshua 1:9
Keep your tonuge from evil. Ps 34:13
Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus. Acts 2:38
Nothing can ever seperate us from God's love. Romans 8:38
Praise ye the Lord. Ps 137:1
As for God, His way is perfect. 2 Sam 22:31a
I can do all things through Christ. Phil 4:13
and right now we're working on ...
How great is the Father's love he has lavished on us that we might be called children of God ... ummm, I forget where that is ... that's a Veggie Tales one ... that's one of the tricks with this! YOU have to know them, too! :)
I love the part in this video where he says, "I did it!" He's very proud when he learns a verse and wants to share it with everyone ... which is awkward when he leans over to his friend Eli during a playdate lunch and says "Keep your tongue from EVIL!" (not that Eli was in need of correcting and not that Charlie was correcting, he was just proud ... it was, um, funny)
What verses do you have planted in your heart? Not really sure which one I'm going to teach Charlie next and I'd love to hear suggestions of your or your kids' favorite verses!
God has blessed us so much! We are a Christ-following, fun-loving, family sharing in the joys and struggles of this life. Charlie is our first-born, a sweet lovable 2-year-old with more than his fair share to say on just about any topic. Emma is our little miracle baby, born with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome and more than her fair share of answered prayers! God continues to show His faithfulness to us and we love to blog about our lives in hopes that somehow Christ will be glorified!
