Vacation in NY

Yay! Literally on vacation in NY right now! Weather is beautiful and the drive both days was a piece of cake. The girls were awesome!! Anyway, more to come when we are back on Saturday, the 2nd.

Expecting God's Miracles

So life doesn't always turn out the way we plan. I can admit that on many levels. But as I had the privilage to lead a women's crisis group in church on Thursday I was reminded of one of the most simple ways to see change ~ Expect it.

One of the women wants change greatly in her life. There are specifics for her and she asks to receive them daily, but adds that she is by no means ready to receive them yet. I paused and thought about what to say. I explained to her that by saying that she is telling God, "I want the great things that you have in store for me, just not yet." We get so egotistical and selfish that we forget who is ultimately in control and who knows best. I told her that she needs to prepare herself to receive miracles. That instead of saying I have to work on the house, or get in shape or touch this or that up, we must proceed with action. God can only meet us as far as our hearts will let Him. She seemed to receive what I had to say well and in conversation with her briefly this weekend I can see that she is attempting. I can't wait to hear what continues to happen for her.

So I decided to put this to test in my life. I live by this creed daily, but there are areas that can always use a little adjustment, one being our current living arrangements. I kept saying, I know God will provide what I need, I just need to do my part and ready the house and yard and list the house, in other words, "I'll get to it tomorrow". Well, I decided to list the house anyway. Less than 24 hours later and with lots to do, there are many families interested.

My point is, God provides, miracles happen - we just have to do our part!!!

Psalm 37:4 ~ Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Pikeville

Soph and I are off to visit my sister in Pikeville today. We are looking forward to it. We haven't seen them in about 4 months I think. She has three beautiful and crazy girls, one is Soph's age, in fact, she was born when Soph should have been! Sophie will have so much fun with them, which is good timing....she is really starting to miss Bella - - we are counting down the days til she comes home.....6! Well tata for now we'll be back on Tuesday or Wednesday!!

The Bar Method

Oh my goodness! It's perfect, sheer perfection! I have always loved pilates! Done them in some form since I was in high school.....however since Soph I haven't been "on board" in the way I normally would and in the last 10 months have totally fallen off the wagon. Well I recently discovered this fairly new program....it combines traditional pilates with an elevated level of exercises that focuses on even more core muscles!! Unfortunately there are not any studios in this area and the closest one is in Chicago....but I am hopeful. Looking forward to the DVD's, but in the meantime have figured out many of the focused exercises on my own......can not wait to be back on track. I have noticed a difference just in the last few days....crossing my fingers that I can keep up the momentum and be back to myself in no time!!! Just had to share!! Yay!

The Bar Method

Welcome Home Sophie Grace

3 years today Sophie Grace came home from the hospital! Even as time passes I remember this day with great clarity. It was like any other day; Bella woke and got ready to go to camp, Marty and I were moving around the house getting dressed for the day, I cleaned, and we were out the door. Mart took Bella and I was off to see Soph. I had been told, just the day before, on the 4th of July that we would be able to take her home on the 5th. BUT a day before that, we were told they were not certain which would be the day. In fact, on the night of the 3rd I got to sleep in a parent suite at the hospital with Soph so that I could experience a night with her and care for her with the aid of the nurses when I needed it. What I had hoped would be uneventful proved to be just the opposite, she dsatted the entire night. I left that morning in tears. So as excited as I was about bringing her home I was reserved at the possibility. There was already so much in her short life that didn't go the way we expected so I just thought it wise to prepare myself for the potential of bad news. I was optimistic that she would come home eventually, but just wanted to be at peace with when. I walked into the NICU, washed my hands, walked down the hall and rounded the corner to her station. Her nurses greeted me immediately with huge smiles. "So today is the day, are you ready?" one of them asked, "is it really? I mean REALLY?" I asked very uncertainly. Waiting for the answer with baited breath she grabbed my arm and responded, "Yep, you can take your baby home!" I can't tell you the emotion that began to wash over me as I walked to her bedside, put my bag down, and looked at my little girl in a way I hadn't been able to before. She was okay and she was going to be sleeping in my home that night, I would get to feed her and bath her and hold her. I didn't have to ask for permission or cry each time I left her side. I would no longer have to wonder what I would be missing while I wasn't with her. She was going to be right beside me.

After I spent time with her I stepped out to call Marty and let him know. We made arrangements to meet back home so that we could pick her up together and leave together.

When we walked in to get her, she was ready - the nurses placed her in her going home outfit, all of her items and tags were in a bag and her medical records in an envelope. I very carefully picked Soph up, put her in her carseat and walked out with her. I remember leaving and turning to look at the nurses, when we got to the large metal doors I stopped and looked back. The stations were beeping, the lights were lowered, the large picture windows that covered the entire back walls were swept with sunlight. I half expected someone to come to us and say, "wait a second, you can't go yet." - but no one came. I remember my heart skipped a bit when I walked through those doors. I was happy to be taking my tiny baby home, but was also sad to leave a place that had become home to us for awhile. The nurses and doctors took such phenominal care of our gift that I could never possibly thank them enough.

She has grown alot in 3 years! She is bold and sometimes abrasive, she giggles and cries, she sings and dances, she walks and runs, she is sweet and loving. Looking at Sophie I am always reminded just how precious life is, just how important it is to value our families, our children and the people that support us. And most importantly how pivotal it is to turn it all over and thank the good Lord each day for blessing me with the whole experience.....without Him Sophie woudn't be, without Him, my family wouldn't be, without Him, nothing would be. So to end on a Sophie note, in conversation with her earlier regarding this day I reminded her that she came home to us three years ago and with a gigantic grin on her face and her arms up she simply replied ~ "I am all better now!"~

~Luke 2:40~ ...And the child grew and became strong, he was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him...

Yesterday

Just have to post a little note. Yesterday was my 14th wedding anniversary and I celebrate! Not because of where I have been or what I have been through, but because of where I am going and what the good Lord is going to do with it!

This relationship has produced in me a faith that I am quite sure would not exist without it. I am thankful, I am strong and I am joy-filled, looking forward to what is to come.

"Mom, it's me....."

So Bella is gone. At this moment she is in Kalamazoo, Michigan, but will be leaving there today for Charlotte, North Carolina where she will be spending a couple of weeks with her all time best friend. She was so excited last week in preperation for it. Everyday, "Mom don't forget to do my laundry", "Mom, I don't think I have enough underwear for two weeks", "Mom, do you think I'll be swimming alot?" - - it was excessive, but I was so happy for her. She hasn't spent a week away from home in a few summers because of our moving, so she was so totally ready for this.

Knowing that she would be away from home, I wanted her to be able to call anytime she wanted. Her father and I agreed that she could get a cell phone. It also made sense because my contract had been up and after doing alot of research I found an amazing deal on two phones. We did not tell her, we wanted it to be a surprise. When it came and I told her one was hers - her scream could be heard for miles. In fact I wish I would have had the forethought to record it. For three days prior to her leaving she played with it and figured out parts of it, I didn't know it had, including the ring tones. She recorded her voice on my phone saying, "Mom, it's me, pick up the phone..." - and then set this to be the tone that would ring whenever she would call me. I have to say, it makes me smile the minute I hear it AND when there is so much going on and I would normally NOT hear my phone, as a mom, hearing my child's voice however small it is, is something that I can always achieve, so this alone nearly ensures that I'll answer everytime.

She has called several times a day and the first night was a bit rocky, but since, she is just checking in - - - when I spoke with her friend's mom, Kim, she mentioned that they could bring her back to Louisville around the 19th!!! Almost 3 weeks!! I am blown away that Kim would be that daring - someone else's child for 3 weeks!!! I had planned on driving down to get her around the 8th or 9th, but as it turns out, we are just going to play it by ear. Right now, I am shooting for around the 13th because we have a trip to New York later in the month and things to do in the in between...including a side trip to Winston-Salem to see some of my best friends. I can't wait....although, once I get there, I know I will not want to come home. And on our way back from there, we are stopping in Pikeville, KY to see my sister and nieces...so we are looking forward to it. Keep your fingers crossed that Soph still does as well as typical in the car.

On that note, the Soph note - while she misses Bella - I know this has been great for her. She is really enjoying just being 3!!!! And I am really enjoying watching it. Well I must close - but can't wait to hear from Bella again today and have to say to you all just how very proud I am of her. She is such a good girl!!!!