Out of my box

Last Sunday I stepped out of my box and did something I was a little apprehensive about. I lead the Children's Moment at church. When I was first asked to do it, I said no problem, glad to help. As the time approached, I asked myself just what was I thinking! Get up in front of our church (luckily it was the 9:00 service) and give a brief summary of the sermon - ha! I looked at reference material, I asked for people's input and finally came up with something. I have to admit the minute I sat down in front of those sweet children, my apprenhension went away and I was in the moment! I just simply told them what was in my heart. Then yesterday in church, the children's moment was about friends and the value of friendship. I thought to myself, man I wish I had the children's moment today because I could speak volumes on friendship and the importance of having a friend.

In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 it states "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up." That scripture sums it up in a nutshell! Two are better than one. Lately it has been my friends who have held me up, who have prayed with me and for me, and who have prayed for me when I couldn't find the words. Friends like that are priceless.

Just this evening, my "buddies" and I went to dinner to celebrate a birthday. This group of ladies know each other so well that we literally could order food for each other, finish sentences that are started and offer hope and encouragement to each other at all times. We hold hands and pray together and the electricity that is felt at those moments is beyond words. I try to convey to them how much I value each one of them and just in case any of them are reading this.....Thank you ever so much for all you do to brighten my day! Thank you for the love and laughter we share and thank you for loving me the way you do!

And by the way, what happens at Chestnut Grill stays at Chestnut Grill :)

The Pain of a Parent

In my last post I talked about a hope filled 2010 however the year has started off with many struggles and today is only January 17! I know if we are breathing we should praise the Lord but sometimes it is just hard to deal with life. And I think one of the hardest things for a parent is to see their child struggle...whether it be emotionally, physically or spiritually. Lately I have witnessed my childen struggling and it is not an easy sight, in fact it is down right painful. I can't find the words for this post much less the words that will bring comfort to the different situations that are taking place in their lives. It's hard for me to be an encourager, an optimist, or a good example of having faith when I struggle myself at times.

I just cling to the fact that the same God who blessed us with the miraculous birth of Morgan Kate is the same God who will walk with us as we face these challenges. May I have faith the size of a mustard seed.

Happy and Hope-Filled

As I read my devotion those two phrases really struck me. Both words can describe our attitudes or our feelings. As we come to the close of another year, I reflected on this year and realized my attitude has not always been happy or hope-filled. At times it has been one of frustration, disappointment, and down right anger. However as I face a new year, I know I can ask God and hope that He will find it His will to help me be happy and hope-filled. I already know of many reasons why I look forward in anticipation to 2010. It is a year that has several milestones....my mom will turn 80, my baby boy, Kyle, will turn 21, my oldest, Heather, will turn 30, my other son Owens is getting settled into his new home, and we look forward to our family growing. Good new stuff on the horizon :)

God has always been in the business of doing new things and I hope each of you enjoys a year of new things and God's blessings! Happy New Year.

Christmas

This past weekend Heather, Trav and MK came for a visit. It was her first time seeing our Christmas tree and boy was it fun! I remember being excited about putting up the tree when our children were young but I think I was so in the moment that I really didn't take the time to step back and take it all in. When MK was here I did step back, I watched her every move, watched her eyes literally sparkle at the lights and I listened as she tried to express her approval of what she saw. She immediately wanted to touch and feel the tree, the ornaments and oh boy, she even got into the gifts. Christmas with a small child is such an amazing thing.....I wish I had taken more time to appreciate the moments when our children were younger. As parents, I think we get so busy that we don't stop and enjoy the holidays like we should. I'm trying this year to do better...to stop and observe and watch the joy of Christmas unfold in the eyes of a child. I can't wait to introduce her to the "traditions" set by our family. Some of our traditions include the annual candlelight service at our church followed by dinner at my mother in law's house for my husband's side of the family. On Christmas morning, we all go in at the same time to see what Santa has brought, then we enjoy a breakfast casserole and coffee ring, we open gifts, enjoy fellowship with one another and then close out Christmas Day with a supper for my side of the family. This year we will introduce having a birthday cake for Jesus so that Morgan Kate can blow out the candle and start her traditions. What are some of your family traditions....please share. Merry Christmas everyone! May we all remember the reason for the season.

Giving Thanks

I've been thinking alot lately about all the things I have to be thankful for. Each time I sit and think something new comes to mind....in other words, I feel like I am a truly blessed woman. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of days when I have a good ole pity party for myself wondering why other's lives seem so perfect and mine seems to be full of struggles. But then I flash back to reality and I'm reminded of just how wonderful life is.

First of all, I have a husband who knows everything about me and still loves me. Alot to be thankful for. Last year this time, our first grandchild was fighting for her life in the NICU at Baptist and this year our grandchild will be celebrating Thanksgiving in our home! Alot to be thankful for. Our daughter has had the opportunity to stay home with her child another year ....alot to be thankful for. Our son in law is our third son and the awesome daddy to Morgan Kate. Alot to be thankful for. Our oldest son has just recently purchased his first home....alot to be thankful for. Our youngest son will be getting married in two weeks and has a new job.....alot to be thankful for. I already know 2010 will be bringing alot of big events to our family....alot to be thankful for.

I can't count my blessings without thanking God for the wonderful friends in my life. Some so special they are like sisters and brothers to me. Some so close that they can actually finish my sentences before I do and can pray for me when the words won't come. Is that awesome or what!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Think about what you are thankful for and if you will, share it with me. I'd love to hear from you.

Prematurity

Do you believe in miracles? I not only believe I have witnessed one first hand and continue to marvel at that precious miracle each time I am around her. November is Prematurity Awareness Month and Morgan Kate could be the poster child for a true sucess story. The facts are staggering and absolutely take my breath away each time I read them. Heather, my daughter, is stating facts each day during the month about Prematurity on her blog. As I read these facts each day, I reflect back to the time we were experiencing the circumstances when Morgan Kate was in the NICU. At the time I think I was too much in shock and too ignorant on prematurity to know just how fragile Morgan Kate's life really was.

Now adays I love being able to tell people who are meeting Morgan Kate for the first time a little about her journey. Everyone seems to be in awe of knowing that she weighed a mere 1 lb. 12 ozs at birth and today is growing in leaps and bounds. All grandmothers love showing off all of their grandchildren but each time I have the opportunity to introduce her to folks I honestly swell with tears of pride in knowing how hard she has fought this first year of her life.

In closing I want to share a funny story about MK! Her mom has purchased a few bows for her to wear in her hair because she has been known to be mistaken for a boy! Of course, I don't see how anyone could think that as pretty as she is (ahem) but oh well they have. Well guess what, she does not like them and takes them out immediately. Does she remind you of the same little girl I blogged about one time that would hide her bonnets in the seat to avoid having to wear them. I guess it's true....what goes around comes around and boy do I have fun laughin.

Until you walk in those shoes

Life is full of experiences...some good, some bad and some in between. I'd like to think in all my life experiences I have learned something through each event. One experience near and dear to my heart is prematurity. Until my granddaughter was born, I never thought about prematurity, never knew much about it, never knew the staggering statistics, never knew the harsh reality of what all is involved, and certainly never knew we would be walking in those shoes. First let me say, that I still wouldn't be as familiar as I am with prematurity except for the fact that my daughter and son in law allowed me to walk this journey with them very intimately. I was involved from the moment we got a positive on the pregnancy test. They have been wonderful about allowing us as grandparents to "partner" with them in the birth and life of Morgan Kate. Morgan Kate is our premature miracle baby, born 15 weeks early!

Since her birth, I have learned that 8-10% of all pregnancies in the US are premature births. A premature birth is one born before 37 weeks gestation. Extremely premature infants are defined as those born between 22 and 28 weeks of gestation. This is the category Morgan Kate falls in. Being born at 25 weeks, the survival rate according to some statistics is 50-80%! Think about it....as low as 50%!!!! I have never been one to see the glass half empty, always half full so for me...statistics meant nothing. But in the world of betting 50-50 is not good odds.

The month of November is Prematurity Awareness Month. If you are like I was rather oblivious to this, please take the time to read up on it and see what premature babies are up against. Not everyone has a survival story. We do however and it is with a grateful, overflowing heart that I thank God each and every day, several times a day for the miracle of Morgan Kate! She is not only a survivor, but a thriver. May I never take for granted a full term healthy baby again and may we all think of the families who are affected by premature births.