Monday, March 31, 2008

March for Babies

View this montage created at One True Media
If you do nothing, who will?


~Fear waits on every doorstep. It wears many masks. For families enduring any battle it is powerful enough to destroy marriages or whittle one's will down to nothing. It can drive decisions and encroach upon even the strongest of faiths. It is an impossibility to live freely without it. I can speak of many an occassion when fear has done all it could to direct my steps, especially with my children. With fear prematurity is a situation in which one of the biggest blessings becomes incredibly overshadowed. It is what makes a mother cry before surgery, what sits in silence with a waiting husband. It is why a parent can't come to the NICU or a mother gives up nursing and a father refuses to change a diaper. It is the reason tears are found on the cheeks of desperate adults, not newborns. Why a familiar "beep" can send chills down a mother's spine. Why a mom wipes down every inch of restaurant tables or is mocked for staying indoors during an entire winter and why a couple can become paralyzed over the decision to try again. The March of Dimes is an organization that walks hand in hand with every family struggling to overcome this fear. The research that they have helped fund has been pivotal in the advancements today. For instance, without it there wouldn't be resuscitation plans specifically defined for preemies, which enable staff to see the decision to resuscitate as more than a choice but a need, as less of a medical issue, and more a baby. It helps bring babies home. More than that, it helped bring my babies home. The gratitude I have far outweighs the fear I had to overcome. My girls are living proof that the March of Dimes works, that every penny given goes a long way. I am painfully aware that for many families life isn't always the outcome, I am so fortunate and it is because of this that I will do all I can to help fight this battle.

The March of Dimes can beat Prematurity, but not without you. Together we can overcome this, together we can see beyond the fear.

Please consider helping in our fight against this silent epidemic. Click this link www.marchforbabies.org/onfaith to find out how you can contribute.

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.~

Saturday, March 22, 2008

I've been tagged....

by Jen at Against all odds and Sarah at Two Princesses, a Queen and an old frog.

Thanks so much guys!

The rules:
1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules.
3) Share six non-important things / habits / quirks about yourself.
4) Tag at least three people.
5) Be sure the people you tagged KNOW you tagged them by commenting what you did.

Not a clue where to start, so bear with me....
6 non-important things/quirks about me.......

1--I start out every day with a diet dr. pepper. A new obsession over the past 8 or so months. Have to have it, don't know why, just do. No other diet soda or drink covers that early morning craving. It is a must, just the one can and I'm good. Hoping I can learn to eliminate the need soon....I absolutely hate being "controlled" by a drink.

2--Baby wipes - we go through a ton every week. And not for the normal "baby" reasons, but because of my innate obsession with any unsightly spot or mark. I use them to wipe down the counters, several times a day, the tables, the walls, the doors, the floors, our shoes, door knobs, toys, etc....you name it, if it can be cleaned it meets a baby wipe nearly daily. I can not let a mark go, it will irritate the fire in me and I will not be able to concentrate on anything else until it has been removed!!!

3--My stress release - music. I will blast the stereo or TV music as loud as I can and clean or dance with the girls. It is an escape for me. Even when the girls have gone to bed I'll turn the radio on or music on the computer and just stretch or do Pilate's, anything....it is grounding for me.

4--silly rhymes - I find myself throughout the day, in just conversation with the girls, speaking to them in rhyming ways with a tune....for instance, the most recent one; "chickie poo chickie poo, I love you, yes I do." - totally annoying I know, but I can not stop, it just comes out. Bella's thrilled, let me tell ya.

5--I've always wanted to learn to play the piano. As far back as I can remember. I am still hoping that one day I will have the opportunity, I am convinced there is this phenomenal composer in my soul....I mean come on, don't you agree - what with things like "chickie poo chickie poo", seriously! ;-)

6--I can not wear shoes that don't have some sort of heel on them. True flats, they just don't work for me. I have them, but something about the extra inch, two or occasionally more, from a heel that make me feel awesome! Can't describe it. I am not a shoe-a-holic by any means....but I am extremely picky and yet still very simple........not a true girly girl, I can get down and dirty with the best of them, but undoubtedly, I'd being doing it in some sort of heel!

Ok, so not sure who I am tagging, as most I know have already been tagged.....I gotta figure that one out.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Rain

My goodness will it never end? Sophie has added another fear to the growing list lately.....rain! Just viewing it from the windows she is in a quiet panic and asks throughout each day, "Mommy, what's that?" - I guess hoping I will say something else. I've spoken to her about what comes after the rain; rainbows and flowers and new life - but she is yet to be moved. It makes me think to circumstances in my life. And as I tell her of rainbows and flowers, I am reminding myself that they WILL come, no doubt and that the fear will become a calm! So until then, I will stand in this place with the umbrella and my arms open!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Through the years

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Fair

Fair is a word I hear alot. Whether it is from the mouth of my 10 year old or others I know or meet. It is a word that I've been careful to use as I've gotten older. I know that things happen, whether we understand them or not, they just do. Today is Palm Sunday, the day termed as "The Triumphal Entry". When Christ rode on a donkey into Jerusalem. It is the start of a very long week. A week when He would be tested beyond belief, whether it was in questions He was asked by the Pharisees, things that took place in the Temple or even the awareness that one individual, closest and trusted, would turn on Him.

This is a day that blows me a way. To think that there was someone who was perfect, someone who committed no crime, no act of sin, someone who was completely innocent and He knew that going to Jerusalem would mean death and yet He went anyway!

Could you imagine going to a city you knew you wouldn't leave alive. Knowing that people you cared for, that you loved would turn their backs on you. Would you be able to do this? Physically think about it for a minute. Ask yourself that question? Would I?

Imagine the strength it took to enter that city with such Grace and Peace. Never claiming that it was unfair or unjust. He knew the abuse He would receive and the pain He would endure. Do you know anyone that would choose this? Willingly give themselves?

In our world these days, we complain all too often about what is unfair. How we should have more money, more love, a larger home, a better car ~ we envy our neighbors and pitty ourselves for what we physically lack or the ailments we suffer. I know it is natural to go there on occassion, but I am going to make a choice; forward I will do all I can, when I feel that push, to stop and remember the image of Christ on that donkey riding into a "fruitless fig". Whatever troubles I face or uncertainties that lie in front of me are nothing in comparison, my fears are unjust. Though life may not be the way I planned or dreamt it, my trials will end! And not with my body on a cross!

Friday, March 14, 2008

Sophie's Trike Ride


Sophie learned to use her feet yesterday!!! Still some work to go, but we are getting there!!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

The Easter Bunny


This year Sophie actually gets the idea of all the holiday characters. She has been asking for about a month to see the Easter Bunny. Every week at some point she would ask, "See Easter bunny on Friday?". Now mind you, Friday doesn't represent any one specific day to her, just any day that something fabulous occurs on, something to look forward to. So today we went. As excited as Bella was, 'cause she is waining on the edge of belief....I believe with the thought "If I don't believe, I may not receive" - sounds reasonable when looking at the big picture - anyway - I think she was more excited about Soph's reaction to it all. Soph did not hesitate, Bella lifted her into the Bunny's lap and they sat for their picture. As they were walking away, I noticed Soph stopped, turned and put her hand up to say Good-Bye....kind of uncertain about what had just happened, but thrilled, none the less. Throughout today she has continued to ask "one more time Mama?". Looking at Bella, it's hard to believe that Soph will be there in no time. It wasn't so long ago, Bella believed with so much conviction!!!


Thursday, March 6, 2008

Devouring Dessert!

Bella has a new easy bake oven and has become a baking nut!

She loves it, and needless to say, by the photos below,

Soph is enjoying it too!