There are not enough days in the weekend!

I thought when I was younger that once I got married I would not wish for the weekends however as I have gotten older, I long for the weekends even more. It seems like there are just not enough days in the weekend and this past weekend was a good indication of that.

On Friday I felt like our home was a distribution center...people were coming and going. They were all there for one reason. They needed to pick up their "Team Morgan Kate" tshirts for the big walk. We had some dear family in town to help us get ready for the event and to just hang out and enjoy fellowship. One thing that our family prides itself on is the closeness that exists and has always existed. When one family member is in need of support, everyone steps up. My sister, niece, and a friend (Charlotte) came on Friday, had dinner with us, and was there for the weekend events. On Saturday, other family and friends joined us to kick off the walk for the March of Dimes. I was almost breathless as I looked out over the crowd of supporters, almost 70 in number, sporting a tshirt designed by Heather in honor of Morgan Kate! We not only walked for Morgan Kate, but for our other grandchild, Hunter, who was born at 35 weeks and we walked in hope that "Baby Lee" my niece, Kelly's little one who is due in October and Becca (Amanda and JP's) little one due in two weeks and Nolan (Raven and Koto's) little boy will be born healthy and full term. You see we really walked for all babies - because all babies deserve to be born healthy!

A walk is using one's feet to advance or to accompany someone and I was honored and proud to use my feet on Saturday to accompany all of those people who sacrified their Saturday morning to walk for babies! I hesitate to mention all the names for fear of overlooking someone but you know who you are and I will never forget you doing this!

The weekend was capped off by a baby shower on Sunday for a very special mommy to be. Raven was honored by her friends (Heather, Liz, Melissa and Rita) at a baby shower - everything was perfect down to every little detail. Special detail for a very special mommy!

Wow - what a weekend! I honestly had to go back to work to rest :)

William Hunter Hardison

On Wednesday, March 10, at 8:20 pm, our first grandson was born! William Hunter Hardison weighed 7 lbs 4 ozs and was 20 3/4" long.

When Morgan Kate was born, I sent Heather a poem I had come across about becoming a grandmother. I found it online and loved what it said. I edited it, of course, for Morgan Kate's situation. Yesterday, I pulled the poem out again and revised it for our first grandson.

It was taken from a Chicken Soup for the Soul devotion. This is how is goes....

A Grandmother Is Born

It’s the time I’ve been waiting for, yet when it comes, it’s still a shock.

This is it, Kyle, my baby is having his baby!

And so the adventure begins. This pregnancy was a roller coaster ride and we held our breath and prayed earnestly that this baby would not be born too early. We prayed that this baby would be born healthy and that this baby would heal hearts, and bring two families together in a special way.

You called on Wednesday morning and said Mom, come…he is on his way! This time I could reach your dad on the phone…unlike when Morgan Kate was born. We arrived and began our day of anticipation. I did a little pacing and a lot of praying! I sat and watched your excitement build, Kyle. I sat and thought a million thoughts, and said short sentence prayers throughout the day.

Today, I knew that I would be somebody’s grandmother again!

After an afternoon of waiting, Kyle, you burst through the hallway doors and words escaped you. You stood there and in that moment I knew your world had forever been changed. I knew that a grown man had been brought to his knees by a tiny little baby.

I meet that bundle moments later and fall madly, desperately, hopelessly in love. Of course, I wept and laughed and thanked God for allowing me this moment, this gift, this day.

Later, his new uncles and aunts greet Hunter, laugh joyously at his perfection, and it dawns on us that Heather is an aunt for the first time.

This being, after all, the age of technology, the moments are dutifully recorded on video camera and pictures are flashing everywhere. Someday, we will watch—and laugh at our foolishness. But for this day, it is totally acceptable to act this way and to marvel at the new life.

A baby is born. The universal family of man—and our family—grows once again. It is as old as time and as new as tomorrow’s dawn. The dance of life goes on. The circle grows. And a dazed, overwhelmed grandmother tiptoes out of a room where a miracle has happened, wondering how she ever got to be so lucky! Thank you God for the blessing of grandchildren.

I love you Hunter Hardison! Welcome to our family.

The Weather and my mood

What was your weekend like? I don't know about you but I thought the weather in South Carolina was just about perfect this past weekend. The only thing that would have made it better was if my hubby had not had to work and could have been awake to enjoy all the sunshine! I did however wake him up early enough on Saturday to enjoy a trip to the farm and 4wheeling! We absolutely love getting outside and riding together. Although we had a short trip, it was just nice to feel the sunshine on our faces. I realized on the way back home, that my mood lately has been alot like the weather - gloomy! However the sunshine seemed to really perk me up .....so much so that I got outside and walked instead of walking on the treadmill. The scenery actually changed and I was even willing to pick up one trillion pine cones in our front yard.


I am ready for spring and warm weather. How about you?

CHD/MOD and Miracles

Two sets of initials (CHD and MOD)! Two terms that have become all too familiar and two terms that I am learning more and more about. First, CHD. It stands for Congenital Heart Disease or Defect. I'll never forget the phone call I got from a dear friend who was in tears trying to attempt to tell me that her precious grandson had been born with a heart problem. I was stunned. I had no words to console her other than I'm sorry and I'm praying. Here they were new parents, their first born, and he was being whisked away to a hospital out of town for heart surgery. Can't imagine, don't like to imagine the fear and anxiousness of those moments! By the grace of God and amazing doctors, that little fellow will turn 2 this month. How ironic he celebrates his birthday in the same month known as "heart month". We heart you Luke Jervey and wish you a Happy Birthday!


MOD - March of Dimes. A cause I am learning more about and becoming very passionate about. So passionate that I am trying to raise money for the cause and trust me I am not a salesman. However if I can raise money and raise awareness for the March of Dimes, I will step out of my box and try! You can make an online contribution for "Team Morgan Kate" as well as sign up to walk with us on April 10. We would love for you to do both. You can also contact folks yourself and raise money on behalf of our team. If you have any questions, post them and I'll try and answer them or get you answers.


Thanks so much for considering a donation. GO TEAM MORGAN KATE!

Amazing

In Philipians 4:13 (a verse near and dear to my heart) it says "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me". Isn't that a comforting thought. God fulfilled this promise this morning and I witnessed it first hand. After a very challenging and sad week for Heather, she got up in front of a group of people and found the strength to deliver a message about prematurity. She spoke from experience and with true conviction. God promised her strength and He delivered. It was amazing and she is amazing! I'm so proud of you Heather!

On a side note, the Orangeburg March of Dimes Walk is Saturday, April 10....please join us as we walk and any contribution you could make would be awesome. More details coming.

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.