Previa, Previa, Previa {sigh}

After dealing with placenta previa diagnosed around 13 weeks, they have now detected vasa previa at 29 weeks. Last week, I was instructed by my specialist that if I bleed it could likely be the baby so to get to the hospital right way. In addition, because of such a high risk of the baby bleeding they were planning to admit me into the hospital at 32 weeks and plan an early delivery. That was on Thursday, July 1 and on Monday, July 5th I started bleeding. So, the whole family promptly jumped in the car and rushed to the hospital. Baby Garrett and I were both stable from the moment we got here...Praise God. The bleeding subsided but we were continually monitored for 12 hours. I was also having some fairly serious contractions so we are not sure if the contractions set off the bleeding or if I just physically overdid it this weekend. Regardless of why, I had a bleed so now I am at the hospital. Since they were planning to admit me at 32 weeks and I am 30 weeks now, it is sounding more and more like they are just planning on keeping me in case it does turn into an emergency situation then I will already be here. When I saw the specialist again today he said they will look on ultrasound in two weeks to see if the fetal blood vessels have migrated to a safer place. If they have there is a good chance I can go home. If not, they will keep me until delivery of the baby between 34-36 weeks. All that to say I could be here for anywhere from 2-6 weeks. I am so thankful that they are taking this so seriously and watching us so close to have the best chances in an emergency situation.

The long and short of all of this? God is in control and I am at total peace that He will work on me and baby Garrett and has all of His plans already laid out for our family. He will not foresake us during our time of need for support, encouragement, comfort and guidance. I love the saying that is a chapter title in the book A Mother's Heart that says, "God Is Your Only Circumstance!" An awesome reminder that no matter what the situation is God and glorifying Him deserves my total focus and not to be distracted by things that are so much smaller than God!

The practical issues:
Having daddy and kids at home without mama is weighing on my heart pretty heavily. I am praying for God to lead me in affirming and supporting my dear sweet husband in all he is stepping up to take care of now. I am praying for God to direct me in maintaining bonds with my children even though I am not going to be with them full-time for a number of weeks. I am praying thanks for everyone who has already helped us out and prayed for us. I am so eternally grateful for the sweet prayers that have been prayed holding my hand in the hospital room, over the telephone, and the distant prayers. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful God and He has blessed us so richly with wonderful family, church family, and friends.

Picnic and Creek Wading

Our Sunday school class had a picnic at a local park last week. After enjoying some pizza, popsicles, and ice cream we went creek wading.


After that we visited the playground for a while. Kaley almost fell off of the merry-go-round so when we took her off of it and would not allow her back on this is what she looked like.

Poor thing. You can tell it is getting late in the day...her pig tails are even drooping.
On the other hand, Braedon was holding onto the merry-go-round and having a blast.

We completely forgot our camera. Photography kudos go to Chris...thank you for the pictures!

Love Hard

Great family friends of ours are in the process of adopting a 14 year old girl through foster care. They are calling her Anne because since the adoption is not final there are some legal ramifications of posting her real name or photographs. We had the pleasure of meeting Anne last week and I wanted to give her something special to make her feel welcome. So, I made her a card and gave her a journal. Inside the front cover of her journal I taped in this picture. Her soon to be mother writes so beautifully about "Love Hard" and it is my prayer that it might provide for some intimate conversation time between mama and new daughter.

Brock's Balloons

We had the honor of supporting a dear family in our Sunday School class, The Meadows, as they celebrated what would have been their son's fourth birthday on 3-3-09. He went home to heaven last year. They asked for balloons to be released in his memory and to take pictures. Nita put together a slideshow of the pictures and so beautifully shares how they were blessed by them. The Lord has used the support of many who released balloons that day to comfort them in such a great way. I thank God so much for The Meadows and that glorifying our Lord Jesus Christ continues to be their priority, even in the midst of their tragic loss. They inspire me to make the most of every second here on this earth because their story is a reminder of how quickly life can change...completely unexpectedly. Most importantly though, their story inspires me to seek to glorify Jesus Christ in ALL things.