I don't think I've ever blogged about when I was pregnant with Alison. At our 16 week ultrasound, the tech noticed that her head was considerable smaller than it should be. Apparently, this can be a sign of chromosomal abnormalities. We were sent to a specialist who did a more detailed ultrasound, plus an amniocentesis. We knew that no matter what, we were keeping the baby, but we wanted to know what we were dealing with. The ultrasound revealed that not only was the head size way too small, there was also a thickened portion at the base of the skull, which was another sign that this baby might have chromosomal problems.
We had to wait 2 weeks for the amnio results to come back. During this time, we shared our story with everyone and asked them to pray. I know we were surrounded by prayers because I wasn't hysterical with worry like I normally would have been. When the results came back, it showed that there were no chromosomal problems! We were over joyed, but the doctors were still concerned because there had to be a reason her head was so small.
I had ultrasounds every two weeks to monitor her growth and each test continued to show the head size was too small. At approximately 32 weeks, following another ultrasound, my doctor walked into the exam room with a strange look on her face. She said, "Judy, I don't know how to explain this, because I've never seen anything like this before. But, the baby's head size is normal now". I started to cry, but then I explained to her that I knew that God had healed the baby in utero. Our prayers had been answered!
We had been having a hard time deciding on a name for the baby. We had a few names we liked, but couldn't decided for sure on anything. Thornton and I had always wanted to name one of our children "Alison" after his sister who had committed suicide in 1987. But we just weren't sure if his parents would be OK with that. We didn't want any bad memories to come back to them. After we found out that the baby's head was normal sized, my father in law called me. I could tell that his voice was a bit choked back. He said to me, "Mom and I were wondering if you might consider naming this baby Alison". I started bawling. Of course, that's what we had to name her. Her middle name is "Grace", because she is a physical representation of God's grace in our lives.
8 years ago yesterday, Alison came into the world w/ a bang. I was scheduled for a C-section on Monday, June 28th. Friday night at 10:30, my water broke and my placenta had abrupted, so I was bleeding heavily. Thornton rushed me to the hospital and Alison was born by C-section at 11:58 p.m. She is Thornton's child through and through. She is *just* like him and she adores her Daddy like no other little girl has. We got her name right!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
16 years
Today is Thornton and my 16th anniversary. What's funny is about a month ago, we had a discussion because neither of us could remember how many years we'd been married. He thought it was 17, but I was pretty sure it was 16. I was right...LOL (as always!).
Thornton and I met at Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL. My freshmen year at school, he was sitting out a year (he'd ummm....been "asked" to leave by the administration for poor grades...LOL). Even though he wasn't enrolled in school, he came down to the campus from his home an hour away and sang w/ the choir. He went on the choir tour that Spring, too. I remember thinking, "hmmm....this is guy is a bit pompous", because he would come down and act like he owned the place during choir rehearsals.
Despite the fact that I didn't have a good impression of him, I was oddly excited when I realized that he was going to be returning to school the next year. We both sang in the choir and in Madrigals and got to know each other during my sophomore year (his "second" sophomore year!). By the end of 1st semester, I knew that he was someone I really liked. After Christmas break, I arranged for a friend to invite both him and I to her birthday party. She did...and after the party, we spent the night cuddling in his dorm's parlor. We started officially dating on January 25, 1988 and have been together ever since.
Being with Thornton has really allowed me to grow as a person. I used to be very shy and unsure of myself. He was what I referred to as "the golden boy" in college. Everyone knew and loved Thornton. I decided that I could either spend my life in his shadow, or I could become an interesting, outgoing person in my own right.
I love you, honey!
Thornton and I met at Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL. My freshmen year at school, he was sitting out a year (he'd ummm....been "asked" to leave by the administration for poor grades...LOL). Even though he wasn't enrolled in school, he came down to the campus from his home an hour away and sang w/ the choir. He went on the choir tour that Spring, too. I remember thinking, "hmmm....this is guy is a bit pompous", because he would come down and act like he owned the place during choir rehearsals.
Despite the fact that I didn't have a good impression of him, I was oddly excited when I realized that he was going to be returning to school the next year. We both sang in the choir and in Madrigals and got to know each other during my sophomore year (his "second" sophomore year!). By the end of 1st semester, I knew that he was someone I really liked. After Christmas break, I arranged for a friend to invite both him and I to her birthday party. She did...and after the party, we spent the night cuddling in his dorm's parlor. We started officially dating on January 25, 1988 and have been together ever since.
Being with Thornton has really allowed me to grow as a person. I used to be very shy and unsure of myself. He was what I referred to as "the golden boy" in college. Everyone knew and loved Thornton. I decided that I could either spend my life in his shadow, or I could become an interesting, outgoing person in my own right.
I love you, honey!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
1 child, 1 hubby home
Alison and Thornton returned from camp today. They were at a church "first timer's camp". Thornton has been helping out as a counselor for the past 5 years or so, but this was Alison's first camp experience.
While she was gone, I completely redid her bedroom. Poor child was still sleeping in a room w/ BOY soccer player border all over the walls. It was so not a pretty little girls room. Now it is! I'll have to take pictures once the camera gets back from camp. 3 of the walls are a deep raspberry pink, the other wall is covered in 2 layers of batting, and covered w/ pale pink fabric. We had bought a bedding and curtain set from someone at church last year, and it has beautiful flowers all over it. Her bed is now surrounded w/ tulle netting. When she got home, she went to put her stuff in her room. She walked in and said, "MOM!!". Then the dog walked into her room and she said, "Mia is not allowed in my room anymore". I'll be honest, considering the hard work I've put in over the past 2 days (dark pink requires 3 coats of paint!), it wasn't exactly the huge reaction I was expecting or hoping for, but I know she appreciates it.
Poor Alison is exhausted. I wonder if she slept at all while she was away. I did hear that she was a bit too talkative the first night. I haven't really gotten too much information out of her about camp, but I'm thinking I will when she's less tired.
Thornton, of course, is exhausted. He said that although camp was only 3 days, it seemed much longer this year. Could be because the temps were in the 90's the whole time. Hot temperatures sure can sap your energy.
I just read that Ruth Graham is in a coma and nearing the end of her life. Ruth is Billy Graham's wife. I'm a huge Billy Graham fan. Last summer, I had the privilege of hearing their daughter, Ann Graham Lotz, speak at a conference in Montreat, N.C., where the Graham family home is. Ruth was ill at the time, but managed to come to one of the sessions. Billy has been having lots of health issues, too, so it makes me sad to think that he will go home to heaven likely soon too. Granted, there's no better place to be than heaven, so I shouldn't feel too bad!
While she was gone, I completely redid her bedroom. Poor child was still sleeping in a room w/ BOY soccer player border all over the walls. It was so not a pretty little girls room. Now it is! I'll have to take pictures once the camera gets back from camp. 3 of the walls are a deep raspberry pink, the other wall is covered in 2 layers of batting, and covered w/ pale pink fabric. We had bought a bedding and curtain set from someone at church last year, and it has beautiful flowers all over it. Her bed is now surrounded w/ tulle netting. When she got home, she went to put her stuff in her room. She walked in and said, "MOM!!". Then the dog walked into her room and she said, "Mia is not allowed in my room anymore". I'll be honest, considering the hard work I've put in over the past 2 days (dark pink requires 3 coats of paint!), it wasn't exactly the huge reaction I was expecting or hoping for, but I know she appreciates it.
Poor Alison is exhausted. I wonder if she slept at all while she was away. I did hear that she was a bit too talkative the first night. I haven't really gotten too much information out of her about camp, but I'm thinking I will when she's less tired.
Thornton, of course, is exhausted. He said that although camp was only 3 days, it seemed much longer this year. Could be because the temps were in the 90's the whole time. Hot temperatures sure can sap your energy.
I just read that Ruth Graham is in a coma and nearing the end of her life. Ruth is Billy Graham's wife. I'm a huge Billy Graham fan. Last summer, I had the privilege of hearing their daughter, Ann Graham Lotz, speak at a conference in Montreat, N.C., where the Graham family home is. Ruth was ill at the time, but managed to come to one of the sessions. Billy has been having lots of health issues, too, so it makes me sad to think that he will go home to heaven likely soon too. Granted, there's no better place to be than heaven, so I shouldn't feel too bad!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Wings
One of my favorite songs lately is by Mark Harris (Christian Artist) called "Find Your Wings". Here are the words:
It's only for a moment you are mine to hold.
The plans that heaven has for you
Will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I'll pray
For all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to know You're walking in the truth
And If I never told you
I want you to know
As I watch you grow
Chorus:I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings
May passion be the wind
That leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong
Guide you on your way
May there be many moments
That make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories
Chorus:
It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly
This song has been running a constant cycle through my head the past few weeks. Rachel went on vacation w/ my in-laws for 11 days. She went w/ them first to Princeton, NJ for my FIL's 50th college reunion, then into NYC for 4 days. She got to experience so much, including her first 2 Broadway shows (The Fantasticks and Wicked), the Statue of Liberty, many museums, Times Square and so on. She's 11 and she soaked up every minute of her time. My MIL said that she was so impressed with Rach in the museums, because she wanted to see it all...and practically did. As her mom, I reveled in the fact that she was getting to experience something that we couldn't necessarily offer her....'cause we just can't afford trips like that. But, it was hard to have her gone so long.
She came home Friday night, and she and I immediately headed down to St. Louis to meet up with Thornton, Alison and Patrick for Patrick's baseball tournament. We were all together on Saturday in St. L and then all of us but Patrick had to come back for Church today. Patrick's baseball team played 3 more games today before losing in the semi-finals. In the 2nd game, Patrick was pitching and got hit in the ankle w/ a ball. He called saying that he had to be pulled from the game and that he had trouble putting weight on it. I wanted to scoop him up in my arms and let him know that it'd be OK...but I couldn't. First of all....he wasn't w/ me. Second of all...he's 14 and 5'11. He's on his way home now, and I know he's OK, but somehow the feelings of the day are making me dread him leaving home in 4 short years for college. How can I let him go?
Which leads me to my real point: Tomorrow, all 3 of our kids leave for camp. Rachel and Patrick will be gone through Saturday. Alison will be gone only until Wednesday afternoon....and Thornton is going to be one of her camp counselors. I actually calculated this day out when Patrick first left for camp when he was how old Alison is now. I knew that the year he had finished 8th grade, Alison would be old enough to first go to camp. I looked forward to having no kids at home....and now....I don't want it to happen! Somehow, we've managed to raise confident, adventure hungry kids who have no problem leaving us for short periods of time. I know that's a good thing....we've given them wings...and now they are going to fly. And, Saturday night, when I have them all back under my roof again, I will rejoice!
It's only for a moment you are mine to hold.
The plans that heaven has for you
Will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I'll pray
For all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to know You're walking in the truth
And If I never told you
I want you to know
As I watch you grow
Chorus:I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings
May passion be the wind
That leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong
Guide you on your way
May there be many moments
That make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories
Chorus:
It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly
This song has been running a constant cycle through my head the past few weeks. Rachel went on vacation w/ my in-laws for 11 days. She went w/ them first to Princeton, NJ for my FIL's 50th college reunion, then into NYC for 4 days. She got to experience so much, including her first 2 Broadway shows (The Fantasticks and Wicked), the Statue of Liberty, many museums, Times Square and so on. She's 11 and she soaked up every minute of her time. My MIL said that she was so impressed with Rach in the museums, because she wanted to see it all...and practically did. As her mom, I reveled in the fact that she was getting to experience something that we couldn't necessarily offer her....'cause we just can't afford trips like that. But, it was hard to have her gone so long.
She came home Friday night, and she and I immediately headed down to St. Louis to meet up with Thornton, Alison and Patrick for Patrick's baseball tournament. We were all together on Saturday in St. L and then all of us but Patrick had to come back for Church today. Patrick's baseball team played 3 more games today before losing in the semi-finals. In the 2nd game, Patrick was pitching and got hit in the ankle w/ a ball. He called saying that he had to be pulled from the game and that he had trouble putting weight on it. I wanted to scoop him up in my arms and let him know that it'd be OK...but I couldn't. First of all....he wasn't w/ me. Second of all...he's 14 and 5'11. He's on his way home now, and I know he's OK, but somehow the feelings of the day are making me dread him leaving home in 4 short years for college. How can I let him go?
Which leads me to my real point: Tomorrow, all 3 of our kids leave for camp. Rachel and Patrick will be gone through Saturday. Alison will be gone only until Wednesday afternoon....and Thornton is going to be one of her camp counselors. I actually calculated this day out when Patrick first left for camp when he was how old Alison is now. I knew that the year he had finished 8th grade, Alison would be old enough to first go to camp. I looked forward to having no kids at home....and now....I don't want it to happen! Somehow, we've managed to raise confident, adventure hungry kids who have no problem leaving us for short periods of time. I know that's a good thing....we've given them wings...and now they are going to fly. And, Saturday night, when I have them all back under my roof again, I will rejoice!
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