The Anchor Holds

My dear friend Beth had a baby on May 10.  Six days later, the baby who was presumed to be healthy prior to this, was flown to Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville.  I really can't express what all my friend Beth has gone through in the last few weeks, as well as her husband and 3 year old.  In 5 weeks, the sweet baby has been put on life support, on a ventilator, had open heart surgery, a throat operation, and is now awaiting a trach.  She weighs a pound less now than she did at birth because her little body is working so hard to breath that she is burning all her calories and not thriving.  Their trial--the baby's fight for life--has impacted so many people in such a positive way.  I am one of those people.  I have been so moved-so touched-so reminded-of the blessings in my life and reminded that, really, our life is not our own.  We are NOT in control, ultimately (hard to admit for a control freak like me!)  I will say .... I truly am changed.  About a week ago, I wrote my friend a letter.  I enclosed the lyrics to "The Anchor Holds."  I am happy to say that the last couple days, the little one has rallied again and is doing better.  Although she is better, she needs prayers as she still has so very many issues such as feeding, an impending operation, etc.  God deserves our praise.  She is a miracle child and I firmly believe this has happened for a reason and that He is already glorified.  Also, I'm amazed at the outpouring of love and support my friends have experienced.  People have been so kind, loving, and faithful to believe...those parts have been refreshing.  My friend has sure changed through all of this...she knows the anchor, our Christ, HOLDS.  Amen!  See the clip below.

Ray Boltz - The Anchor Holds w/lyrics

7 years on June 7

Shawn and I were married seven years on June 7th.  Four years ago on this date, we found out we were expecting a baby girl.  And my due date for Noah John was technically June 7.  We like June.  And we like the 7th.  What we don't mutually like, though, is The Raven.  Two days before our anniversary, we went to Holiday World.  We were supposed to be chaperones but because it was our anniversary weekend, we didn't have to chaperone anyone and got to spend the day acting like kids!  (As it turns out, we needed a chaperone!)  I'm grinning from ear to ear!  We had such fun!  However, it started out rough!  The very first thing we did was get in line for The Raven, a wooden roller coaster.  The man infront of us said it wasn't bad.  I don't know what alien ship dropped him, but afterward, I wanted to find him, shake his shoulders and say, "It was bad!"  LOL  I checked the stats and the first drop was 85 feet.  I don't like falling 3 feet and I definitely don't like dropping 85 feet (followed shortly by 60 feet).  Laughing.  The mere THOUGHT of Shawn yelling during it makes me giggle!  I hadn't ridden anything aside from a merry-go-round in 20 years.  I think the last time I rode something so ridiculous, I was a 6th grader and on a church trip to Kings Island.  Anyway, despite Shawn's screaming, I didn't make a sound on The Raven.  I honestly don't think I could have squeezed out a sound if I had to.  I only opened my eyes once or twice.  When the ride jolted to a stop, I was both glad and confused.  Why would an intelligent person subject him/herself to that?  Both physically and mentally, it wasn't good.  My brain hurt until the next morning.  Suffice it to say, I don't plan to do that again!  But the things we do for love right?  It was our anniversary weekend and we were there sans kids...I had to do what I couldn't do with them there.  I told Shawn afterward, it's not that I'm too scared (I've had two children).  It's that I'm too smart.  I know that is not good for your body or brain.  Shawn told me the next day that he had fun with me (What!  Amidst my gasps when we go 'round curves in the van, he forgot I could live dangerously!?  How!? :)  Seriously, though, we had a great time, had a great meal at Biaggi's later, spent the night in Evansville  (slept nearly 12 hours), woke up refreshed (brainache gone) and came home to greet a cranky 3 1/2 year old and a sleeping 1 year old.  Mom and dad left within 30 minutes.  Haha.  You'd think they had just ridden a roller coaster or something.  My two blessings are a thrill a minute which is a nice way of saying high-maintenance.  Aha!  THAT is why I don't need to physically climb on board a roller coaster...I have two right here in my own house.  http://www.holidayworld.com/rides/raven  
The next time we go somewhere like that, look for me at the wave pool.  That will provide all the adrenaline rush I need.  There or the local spa.  Speaking of, I better go make my facial appointment.  Just a thought~wonder if Shawn might join me?  Fair's fair.

Noah John's FIRST Birthday

Happy First Birthday Baby Boy!

The biggest blessing of this past year was the birth of my son, Noah John Brumfield.  Noah John came into this world on June 2, 2009.  He weighed 8 lbs, 8 oz and was 20" long.  I'll never forget seeing him for the first time through tear-filled eyes, and telling him, "I'm so glad to finally meet you" when he was just a couple minutes old.  Noah John's birth story began on June 1st.  My water broke around 11pm at night.  We called the doctor and headed to the hospital.  I was so calm, considering that I knew I was going into labor!  At 11:27 a.m. the next day, my precious boy child arrived via c-section.  The newness of his life brought (both then and now) renewal in my life.

These are the things Noah John has enjoyed in the first year of his life:

cheerios, tomatoes, juice, balls, my mom and dad, his daddy, his sissy, music

Noah John has been the quintessential baby...chubby legs, round belly, chunky cheeks, and lots of jibber jabber.  This may be odd to point out, but because Grace talked so clearly so very early, I have really enjoyed this stage with Noah John.  He's been right on target developmentally...sat up, crawled, stood on target, and is now trying to walk.  He takes one step, then flops down to his bottom. 

I cannot believe the past year has gone by this fast.  I pray frequently that God will continue to bestow His blessings on Noah John.  I thank Him constantly too, for this sweet, sweet blessing He has entrusted to me.  He is my little star....

Happy Birthday Dear Noah John, Happy Birthday to YOOOOOU!

My *little* star!

Navarre Beach

Alas, this post is not poetic, or even journalistic...it's just a regular uninspired post.  Ignore the "alas" even...it's an effort at it but not much more.  It has taken me a week to punch this out...so here goes.  Shawn and I took the kids on vacation this month.  Five random things about this trip amazed me:  #1  We packed all of our stuff in one (albeit huge) suitcase.  Amazing huh!  I am still proud of it!  I wish it was my awesome packing skills, but the truth is, we just didn't take a lot of "stuff."  #2  The 11 hr drive to and from FL was an extension of the vacation.  So much so that I (quite literally) feel like I have a brand new vehicle.  I appreciate my van so, so much more now that I've been on a long road trip in it.  It is amazing.  As far as vehicles go, it is supposed to be nearly the best, but as with anything that comes my way, I had to be made a believer.   #3  I liked the small confines of the condo.  I liked the "close-ness" it forced on us.  #4  Having a large body of water nearby would have been excessively convenient during the last trimester of both my pregnancies (that's all I'll say about that) as well as during potty training Grace!  #5 The lull of the ocean waves put Noah John to sleep while the constant motion and sound was like visual and audio caffeine for our eldest tyke.  Speaking of her,  the morning we were supposed to leave, she woke up without a voice.  I joked to Shawn, "This could be one nice, quiet drive down to FL."  Grace is a screamer.  Apparently it runs in the family.   Yes, yes, it's safe to say it's genetic.  In case you don't understand, I'll continue.  After one particularly glass-shattering and ear-ringing shriek just a couple days before her voice went out, I told her about the time I screamed so loud at mom that I instantly got laryngitis (true story).  So she assumed she got laryngitis from screaming, when really, she just had a bad cold.  The story goes that I inherited my set of lungs from my aunt Becky.   

Eleven hours after leaving WKY, we pulled into the condo parking lot.  Divia (our gps...oh, yes, we name the inanimate) sent us an alternate route through backwoods AL which I would have normally loved, but not at night!  I was relieved to get to the condo!   Thankfully, both kids are pretty awesome travelers...as long as their bellies are full, their bottoms are dry and I climb between them to read to them every few hours, they are not too hard to please (oh, and as long as I kept the Tylenol in Grace!)  Did I mention we don't even have a dvd player in the van?!

Anyway, we slept well the first night, and when we awoke Saturday, we headed to the beach.  The kids were enamored, but in totally different ways, as mentioned above ;) .  Grace played and played in the sand.  She also ran and ran....to the water's edge, to the chairs, 'round in circles, to the water's edge...you get the drift.  Noah John tuckered out after a nice little rest on me.  I finally handed him to Shawn because I couldn't stop fidgeting.  (Which is where Grace gets it also).  Since Shawn can sit still so well hahahahaha he let Noah John nap on him.  He snoozed but would never admit it.  It was niiiiice.  I was so surprised to be able to relax!  I had envisioned a stressful vacation and had told Shawn multiple times I thought we were crazy for trying a go of it with an 11 month old and croupy 3 year old.  I'm happy to say I was wrong!  My kids surprised me!  The second day, we did more of the same...and again...niiiiiice.  It was a bit harder because we were all tired for some reason.... By the third day, it became abundantly clear that Miss Grace's eyes had gotten sunburned.  Per medical advice, we kept her out off the beach that day.  We drove to Destin, ate some yummy seafood, stopped in for some Dippin' Dots, and let Grace play at the playground and fountain park near the bay.

Noah John was a trooper!  He fussed a time or two, but overall he just went w/ the flow.  He got lots of tactile stimulation from the sand...he even ate handful after handful of it.  Yuck.  The highlight was him standing for a long period of time (maybe 20 seconds?) and taking his very first step.

Shawn and I really enjoyed time away together.  The kids played well together and then separately when they tired out (*note:  which is what I think I love about their age diff of 2 yrs and 8 mos).  Grace and I pouted about leaving and begged Shawn not to make us go (double trouble when we gang up on him!) but as it always does, vacation came to an end.  We have been back in Nebo about a week now and just have the pictures and memories to cherish! 

Noah John, 11 months

(Mother's Day)

Noah John is 11 months old now.  I think I've put off posting about it subconsciously, because he's almost ONE.  The days go by slowly while the years go by fast.  He talks up a blue streak these days...I'll try to list all the words he says now:

Momma
Daddy
Hi!
Bye bye bye bye bye bye bye bye (it takes him a minute to get it going, but when he does, he repeats it)
Lex (our dog's name--he says it very clearly)
Moo ("What does a cow say, Noah John?"...NJ:  "Mmmmm")
Juice (this one is clear as a bell too)
Drink ("dink, dink")
Kit (for cat or kitten)
Poppa
Nonna
Done or down (we aren't quite sure which but he says it when he's full)

He stands when holding on to something.  He cruises on his John Deere toy tractor.  He hasn't taken a step on his own yet.  I suspect he'll walk about the same time as Grace at the rate he's going.  She walked well at 13 months.  My kids seem to be fast talkers, slow walkers.  ha!  He is our pride and joy, our precious boy!  I pray for him all the time!  I am so thankful for him.  Mother's Day 2010 was more special because he was born!!!

Kentucky Derby

This was supposed to be the the 3rd (or is it 4th) annual Derby party/playdate at our home.  The kids were going to race stickhorses, color pictures of horses, and just be kids...while the moms (and a handful of dads) chased and chowed (chased kids and chowed Derby pie!)  However, God had other plans.  It began raining in the middle of the night and hasn't really stopped, or not for long anyway.  Our yard retains water...this was to be an outdoor event.  We had expected the largest crowd ever.  But, God had other plans.  :)  When I went into G's room around 7:30 this morning, I could tell she had a bad eye infection before I turned the beside lamp on.  Her eye was obviously swollen....  Bless her heart!  She was so extremely irritable yesterday.  She and I just went in rounds and it was, well, awful.  I wouldn't have won any Mom awards if they gave them out, let's just say.  I decided last night that I'm going to have to read my Bible every single day.  Period.  That's that.  It is my only chance of making it out with at least a decent Wife, but especially Parent award, if they ever do give them out.  Well, anyway, I did read The Word today...chapter 1 of the book of Matthew.  I learned that Joseph's granddad's name was Matthan.  (Joseph the husband of Mary, the mother of our Christ).  I like that name.  I think I'll share bits of what I learn every so often.   Obviously my insight today is only skin deep (at best)...but at least I'm starting.  I believe if I just read the Bible daily, I'll be infused with God...even if all I can share here is about someone's name.  (Smiling).  Is a name really trivial though!?  I hadn't realized it until now, but for my last post, I posted a link to my favorite song, "He Knows My Name."  Cool.  That means God even knew Matthan's name!  I'm glad I read about him today.  Maybe he raised his son right...who then raised Joseph right...who then obeyed God and remained with Mary despite her becoming pregnant before they wed.  Remember:  only about 6 people even know I blog here!  This is more of a journal than anything.  And I hope and pray that one day when I print it in book form, I will find a progression of me as a bright-eyed, optimistic firsttime mom all the way through to a wise (or at least wisER) woman of God.  I can hope, can't I?  The Bible says without hope, NOTHING is possible.  But with God, ALL things are possible. (Philippians 4:13)  Thankfully that means there is hope for ME (insert:  my patience or lack thereof and my impulsivity or lack thereof...the list could go on).

I better go.  Noah John is screaming from his crib.  He is fighting sleep today.  I hope he isn't getting pink eye.  I told Grace he shouldn't get "pink" eye because he is a boy.  I guess we program them, huh?  (Girls like pink, most boys don't).  That's a whole other post.