Applejack Pumpkin Patch

Today, we headed to the Applejack Pumpkin Patch for the third year in a row.  The weather was beautiful, although a little hot for October at close to 90 degrees!  Because of that, we didn’t stay for too long, but long enough to make some fun memories and take some cute pictures!

Our little pumpkin

We ran into Olivia’s former Rainbows teacher, Sanda, and her daughter Emersyn.

Almost 3 feet!

Showing off the pumpkins she chose!  We didn’t even tell her to pick out a pumpkin for Logan. . .she just automatically chose two.

Friday, October 15, 2010 - Update

We’ve had a great day today.  This morning, Olivia and I went to my friend, Tamar’s house to see her two youngest children. . .Sophia (2 years) and Ana (2 months.)  Of course, halfway there I realized that I left my camera at home.  My iPhone pictures didn’t turn out very clear.  We had a great time.  Tamar and I (and her twin sister, Tiffany) have been friends since before I was Olivia’s age.  We’ve lost touch over the years which is such a shame. . .especially when she only lives across town.  It was a great visit and hopefully we’ll have another play date soon. 

Afterwards, we met daddy for lunch and did a little shopping before heading home.  We were so excited for Izzy and Shelley to come over this afternoon.  Shelley helped me put together Olivia’s BIG surprise from “Aunt” Pam.  Pam is my former boss and I’ve been friends with her family for almost 20 years.  It’s her Dora desk!!  Olivia was so excited about it and has wanted to sit and color in it all day.  Thank you so much for such a generous and thoughtful gift!  We love it! 

My Miracle

 

Somedays. . .I am still in awe of my little miracle.  Born at 23 weeks, 1 day. . .1 lb 1.5 oz. . .11.5 inches long.  We had to beg the doctors to resuscitate her because they don’t automatically until 24 weeks.  She was given a 90% chance of a major disability and a 30% survival rate.  We knew the odds were against us.  Did God spare her life because He took our sweet Logan?  In my despair, I’ve never forgotten what a miracle Olivia is.  I don’t know why I’ve chosen to write about this tonight.  I just often find myself amazed.  She has never had a breathing treatment since leaving the hospital when she was 105 days old.  She hasn’t needed supplemental oxygen since Dec 2007.  She hasn’t needed a feeding tube since they took her NG tube out in the hospital.  She did not have any brain bleeds. . .no brain bleeds for a 23 weeker is almost unheard of.  I’m 100% convinced that God healed her body. . .that He intervened and saved my baby girl.  It’s hard sometimes to believe that if He can do that. . .why is there suffering in the world?   Why couldn’t He have done the same for Logan and for all of the other innocent babies in the world. . .for other people suffering with illness and cancer and turmoil in their lives?  We prayed the same prayer for both of our children. . .why was one saved and not the other?  Some things I don’t believe we are meant to understand or rationalize and by trying to do so. . .we are pretending to know what God’s plan is.  And, we don’t know.  We won’t know until that day when we meet Him face to face.  The only thing we can hope for is peace and faith that God’s plan is sovereign over everything else.  I don’t know why I am writing these words tonight. . .maybe someone needs to hear them?  I was fully intending to write about Olivia’s day at school and how much better it’s going.  But, I went in a totally different direction.  It’s important to step back every once in awhile and realize the miracles we have in our lives.  They are all around us.   May God bless all of my family, friends and faithful readers.   I love you all!

More Pics

I finally managed to get my pictures off my camera.  Here are a few of Amanda’s boys:

Benjamin

Nathan

As you can tell in this picture. . .things are the same in Ohio as they are in Kansas.  They look just like my nephews!  I hope Amanda didn’t want to kill me when I let Jake play my DS.  Afterwards, he kept talking about how he now wants a DS.  :)

Now, I gotta go pick this little girl up from school.  Hopefully, it’s another successful day at school! 

Ohio Part II

Here I am with Nathan and  Jacob.  I stole this pic from Amanda’s blog.   I absolutely adored her boys.  All three of Amanda’s boys were super sweet.  I took a few pictures of them with my old camera (that has turned into “Olivia’s camera) and I couldn’t get the pictures off my camera.  It said file was corrupted or bad or something.  I’m pretty bummed about it and actually glad that I didn’t take more pictures.  While I was there, I was able to go to Jacob’s soccer game.  His team won their first game and Jacob scored his first goal!  Yay!  I seriously miss Amanda and her family!  We’re planning to someday meet in St. Louis (it’s halfway) and get both of our families together.  Olivia would have so much fun with her boys.  Amanda continually teaches me ways to become a better mother and Christian.  I am forever grateful for that.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - Update

Guess who had a great day at school today?  Not only was she excited to go to school, she didn’t even cry!  She loves P.E. and talks about it nonstop when she gets home.  I feel like this is a true answer to prayer.  And, I don’t feel my heart literally breaking every time I drop her off. 

While I Was Away

While I was away, Olivia kept pretty busy.  She was very well taken care of by daddy, grandma and grandpa, Aunt Kimmy and her cousins.  I think she probably handled my absence better than my cats did. ;)  Olivia got her nails painted, hair braided, went shopping, spent the night at grandma and grandpa’s, went to a parade, etc.  But, her welcome home hug told me that even though she had a great couple of days. . .she missed her mommy.  And, I missed her like crazy too.  Here are a few pictures of her at her very first parade!!

My Trip To Ohio

I don’t know where to begin to tell the story of my trip to Ohio.  I’m trying to mentally organize it into blog posts.  I think I’ll just start with an overview.  Like I mentioned before, Amanda’s mom called me a few weeks ago and asked if I would fly out to Ohio to surprise Amanda for her birthday.  Never before have I had such a great friend that I’ve never met in person.  Amanda has one of the biggest hearts in the world.  She has provided so much support to me over the past few years.  I had to take the opportunity to meet her and her beautiful family.

So, I took off Friday morning and was extremely nervous about flying.  I had never flown anywhere by myself before.  But, the most amazing thing happened.  God placed me in a seat next to a wonderful man named Warren.  Not only did he understand what it was like to have children in the NICU, but he was the father of boy/girl twins.  It was an emotional meeting because, as he said. . .he knows what I am missing out on by not being able to raise my twins together.  He also calmed my fears about flying, made sure I got my second boarding pass and directed me to my correct gate.  What a blessing.  It started my trip off on the right foot. 

Amanda’s mom and husband picked me up at the airport and I went back to Amanda’s parents’ house to await the surprise.  From the video, you can see that Amanda was very much surprised.  I had an amazing time and quite an adventure getting home.  I thought I would share a few pictures from last Friday.  A BIG thank you to Amanda and her family for making me feel so welcome.  You are all amazing!

Amanda and Me

Amanda with husband Rodney, Jake, Nate and Ben.  And, she is expecting her fourth in May. 

Me, Amanda’s mom, Becky, and Amanda. 

We had a hot dog roast on Friday night.  I hadn’t done that in a long time. 

I have to say that I’m very thankful to be home.  Like I said, I was supposed to come home Sunday night, but my flight got cancelled and all other flights out were booked.  So, Delta had to put me up in a hotel room last night and fly me out at 6 am this morning.  As stressful as it was, it was almost worth it because Olivia got to come with Ryan to pick me up this morning.  There is nothing like your child yelling, “Mommy!” and running into your arms.  She gave me the biggest, best hug. . .I didn’t ever want to put her down.  I missed her so much.  I wish I would have been able to take Olivia with me, but after the hassles of  air travel. . .I’m so thankful she wasn’t with me.  I have to say that I miss Amanda and her family as well.  It’s sad not knowing when I’ll get to see them all again.  What an amazing trip and one that I’ll always remember! 

The video

So, here’s the video of me and Amanda.  It’s hilarious!  I’m finally home.  I was supposed to be home last night, but didn’t get home til this morning.  That will be a long blog post in itself.  More to come later.  I want to spend some time with my family!