Some thoughts about Miracles...

I've been thinking a lot about miracles...
...in part because I'm reading through the gospels and all of Jesus' miracles, but also because I'm still trying to comprehend the miracle (Mirakel) forming inside of me.

This morning I was reading (in Mark 6:30-52) about Jesus feeding the 5 thousand with just 5 loaves of bread and a couple of fish. And then He was walking on the raging water to the boat where his disciples were. In all of this the disciples hearts were "hardened" meaning that they JUST DIDN'T GET IT! They could not comprehend the miracles they were seeing before their very eyes... Jesus told them to "take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." But "...they were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened."

I'm just truly amazed that these men could witness SO much, be physically next to our Savior while he is driving out evil spirits, healing the lame, blind, sick, raising the dead and even be given the power to do some miracles themselves... and they still didn't get it! Unbelievable.

I guess I say all this in that... aren't we still like that today? How many miracles are occuring all around us and we don't see them? How many angels walk among us and we are so focused on our own troubles and concerns that we don't even notice the holiness that is within our presence? How many times do we take for granted that in each time a baby born, it is a true, un-humanly-explainable, God-knit miracle?

I'm guilty. I know that I fall into the I'm-always-oblivious category... But I think that the Lord is truly trying to change my "vision", open my eyes to His miracles... I really do. In an earlier post, I talked about how He wants us to lift our eyes above the dashboard and truly look out onto the horizon--to see the bigger picture. Well, this has been my prayer... I am intentionally asking Him to open my ignorant eyes to see His miracles unfolding, to see His works... I just marvel at those that can "see" better than me. I covet that Holy Vision!

Truly I can say that I'm grateful for Adalynn entering our lives... a new perspective on miracles has been given to our family through this pregnancy. When I think about all the unbelievable facts:

...we had a 0.7% chance following the Endometrial Ablation to get pregnant. (I mean, I signed a waiver saying I was okay in NOT having any more children!) And most of those that do get pregnant miscarry by 12 weeks! I haven't done any more research to see what the actually precentage is of someone successfully carrying and delivering a healthy baby following an ablation. I can't imagine that it would be very high. Adalynn is most definitely a God-thing (well, to be honest, aren't all babies?).

...the only other lady in Arkansas that the specialist worked with had a horrible pregnancy. She had blood transfusions and had to be airflighted to Little Rock several times. She had difficulties throughout. She ended up delivering at 32 weeks, but I believe the baby and mom are fine (thankfully). We, on the other hand, have had NO difficulties, NO bleeding, NO pain...Adalynn just keeps growing and growing! We are mystifying the doctors. Again, Adalynn is most definitely a miracle.

There are facts and there is faith. It's easy to see (but hard to understand) how the disciples had such a simple mindset in that their eyes truly did not see the Miracle in front of them and all the things He was doing for God's glory. But I wonder... maybe God didn't want to reveal it to the disciples at that time. Maybe He had a greater plan and purpose for their "revelation." And so with me... maybe Adalynn is my reminder and "revelation" that God is working miracles each and every day in spite of my human ignorance. Some day... we'll all have AHA moments. We will get to actually see ALL the mighty things that God did for us and for His glory.

But until then, I pray that, just as Elisha prayed for his servant as they faced an insurmountable battle... "O LORD, open (my) eyes so (I) may see." (2 Kings 6:17a) and "Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders." (Psalm 119:18)

Thank you, warriors, for continuing to "battle" for us and Adalynn! As the rest of the verse says in 2 Kings 6:17... "Then the LORD opened (Karen's) eyes, and (she) looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around..." Those horses and chariots are all of you! "Thank you" seems to be so simple and trite. (I type this part with tears in my eyes) I know that we are completely surrounded with horses and chariots, that our Noble Miracle is covered because of your prayers for her and on our behalf... We are eternally grateful! To God be the Glory!

She's a'growin'!

Adalynn and I just got back from the doctor (and Mom was with me)... and she has grown so much! She is right on track where she needs to be. I will be 25 weeks tomorrow! Wow...has this pregnancy gone FAST! (Of course it helps when you find out at 16 weeks :))

The most wonderful news the doctor gave us was that if something would happen right now, the baby would be okay... that is, if we would happen to deliver early, Adalynn would be just fine! What a blessing! But the pregnancy is going really, really well. Thank you for all the prayers. Truly they are working! The doctor even said that she's almost treating me like a regular pregnancy now! Isn't it fun to overcome the "odds"? (Thank you God for this miracle)

Also, the sugar junk test went just fine! It really HAS gotten better over the last 10 years (you were right Shannon and Michelle!) and it was like I was drinking an Orange Crush (although very, very concentrated). I only gagged once while drinking it! I still do feel like I have a sock on my tongue (coating of sugar). But I drowned it out with a wonderful lunch at Crumpet! Thanks Mom! Also, my good friend, Beth, advised me to indulge in some Bunny Tracks ice cream (Heaven on earth--truly) and have a scoop each night to prep me for the sugar overload. It worked! And I assure you, Tom is thrilled to suffer through the extra helpings of Bunny Tracks alongside me!

Thank you for all the prayers and comments. I feel like this is a journey that we truly could not make without all of you... really. Thank you for everything. We are eternally grateful! (Philippians 1:3 - I thank my God every time I remember you.)

Here is a picture, that came in my email, of how big Adalynn is! Truly amazing that our little girl--our Noble Miracle--is this far along!




Next appt.: May 6th
Next ultrasound (Level 2): May 19th
MRI: second week of June

Sweet Moment

There was a very sweet moment last night as we were preparing for bedtime...

Ty looked up at me with his big, brown eyes and his forehead wrinkled--he had a look of genuine concern. He asked, "What if Adalynn is not a Christian when she's born? How do we help her come to know Him? Does baptism help with that when babies are born?"

What a great picture of a heart of a child with genuine concern for another's well-being...for another's salvation! I love the pure and sincere thoughts, and I love seeing Him through the eyes of a child. Isn't that how God called us to be? Like a child?

(Jesus was asked by his disciples) "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He (Jesus) called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." Matthew 18:1-5

Ty, Tom and I talked for awhile about his questions and took on the challenge of knowing that Adalynn is being placed in our care--we (our whole family) are to help lead her to Him. We are to "welcome this little child." We are to love her as the Lord would want us to, and encourage her to follow Him for the rest of her life.

...And I silently thanked God for Ty who loves his sister so much already that he's concerned for her "entering the kingdom of heaven." What an awesome picture of his faith!

(Thank you Lord for helping me see You through the eyes of my child! I pray for Adalynn and her growth in and out of the womb--physically and spiritually. I pray for her to know You with all of her heart! And I pray for her relationship with her brothers. That they mentor, love, cherish and protect her with Your guidance. This family is such a blessing...thank You!)

He Loves to Laugh

What do you think God's laugh sounds like?

When I was in college, I had a ton of papers to write (I was in the College of Arts at UofA which seemed to STRETCH my creativity in writing). One random paper I wrote was about all the different ways that people laughed... My inspiration came from Mary Poppins and the song "I Love to Laugh"--you know, where they are having tea on the ceiling? So I'm curious...what do you think God's laugh sounds like?

Lately I have been pondering this as I thought of all the now-seemingly-crazy-and-naive statements that I have made throughout the last ten years...

Karen: "God TOTALLY knew what He was doing when He gave me all boys...I wouldn't know WHAT to do with a girl!"
God: [chuckle chuckle] "Just you wait..."

Karen: "Good thing God didn't give me any girls, I have a hair-fixing-disability... what do you do with all that hair?"
God: [...more chuckles...] "I guess you'd better 'brush' up!"

Karen: "If I had a girl, I'm sure she would be a cheerleader, and God wouldn't want me to be a Cheer Mom...I'm sure of that! I'd be the one with glitter on her face, fake hair extensions and doing the entire routine along with the cheer squad...yikes!"
God: [...snicker...] "Isn't that what you do already on the sidelines for the boys--all four of them?"

Karen: "Girls scare me... how do you deal with the drama, pettiness, insecurities and all the self-image issues?"
God: [...sigh...and a slight smile] "And what do I do to help YOU with those same problems?"

Karen: "If I had a girl, she would be just like ME probably--she'd give me tons of attitude and we'd butt heads all the time!"
God: [...belly laughter...] "Uhhhh...weren't you like that with YOUR OWN mother? And now isn't she one of your best friends?"

Karen: "I'm just not a huge pink fan... I couldn't have a girl!"
God: [...sympathy laughter...] "I did make other colors, too, you know..." (I'm sure Razorback Red is one of His favorites!)

Karen [while signing the waiver that she wouldn't have any more children]: "I'm totally fine with having just three boys... I don't think God intended for me to have a little girl anyway!"
God: [slap-His-knee laughter] "Let's see how you feel in just 13 months from now!"

I believe that God has an amazing sense of humor. I think of all these statements--along with the many others--and just know He was sitting on His throne chuckling to himself. He knew even before I was born that we were going to have a little princess "grace" our home some day. I guess He knows what's best, right?

My hope and prayer... that she loves it all--playing sports and dressing up, getting dirty and twirling, playing an instrument plus calling the Hogs, yelling at refs :) and then cuddling with her family, Bugs Bunny cartoons and messed up hair, Razorback Red, Green Bay Packer Green and Heritage Orange, Cherry Diet Cokes from Sonic as well as hot cups of coffee with her momma... But most of all, I pray that she learns to know the Lord better than I do and that she impacts the world with her testimony and love for the Word. I pray this "Mirakel" is an authentic and life-giving miracle!

"God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." Genesis 21:6
"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." Job 8:21
"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." Psalm 126:2

Amen!

With this ring...

With all my pregnancies, I have a tendency to swell. My feet, legs and especially hands. Around the 5 month mark, I have to take off my wedding ring because it's just too tight! But I do get the privilege of replacing it with a very special ring--my grandmommy Adaline's engagement ring.

This is very significant to me... My grandmommy was truly an amazing lady. I didn't get to know her near as well as I would have liked--she lived in Little Rock and I was in Missouri most of the time. But we did get to be with her at least two to three times a year around holidays. She was a very hard-working woman with the biggest heart of anyone I knew! (And her two daughters are JUST like her! I'm privileged to be a part of a wonderful legacy with my mother, Aunt Pat and my grandmother) She worked full time for Winthrop Rockefeller as his personal administrative assistant, but ALWAYS had time for her family. She displayed loyalty unlike any other. I think she spent her entire wages on buying gifts for her family and all of her grandchildren. Grandmommy was definitely generous and self-sacrificing.

The ring that my grandfather gave grandmommy is absolutely beautiful and unique. It is an exact (but smaller) replica of my grandfather's Naval Academy graduation ring. I guess that was a Naval Academy tradition because my mother's engagement ring was just like that--a miniature replica of my dad's Academy graduation ring. Grandmommy's ring (Adalynn's namesake) has her name inscribed on the inside--very, very cool.

I'll never forget when my grandmother had her first stroke... it was while I was trying out for Razorback cheerleader. I was devastated and was ready to leave to go with my mom to Little Rock. But Mom talked me out of it saying, "You know that Grandmommy would rather you stay and finish tryouts...that would mean more to her!" She's right... Grandmommy ALWAYS put everyone before herself. I think I worked even harder with this kind of incentive. I did end up making cheerleader and I got to share that news with her over the phone. It was a very meaningful time.

Grandmommy ending up living for another 8 years in a nursing home in Little Rock. As a result of the stroke, she had limited speech and abilities. I remember her always wanting to know how we were doing… She would wave her one good hand in a circle and say “…and?” She just wanted to hear us talk about ourselves.

To her dying day she put everyone else’s needs before her own. She had plenty to complain or grumble about, but she chose to focus on everyone else. Her optimism was (and still is) inspiring. She passed away in '98 with her family surrounding her—just like she would have wanted it.

So with this ring, I get a reminder of a very special lady. I get a reminder of an amazing legacy that I long to leave for future generations… And with this ring, I get to share this story with Adaline’s namesake—Adalynn. I can’t wait to give this to her some day. What a meaningful symbol for such an amazing legacy and incredible woman.


For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:5

She's still tracking!

Just got back from the doctor for another check up and follow up to the ultrasound we had last week. Adalynn is just doing WONDERFUL! The magic words we like to hear is "she's tracking for that August 5th due date"... that means she hasn't slowed in her growth--that she's healthy as a horse. We love when they say that! Again, there was an expectation that she would eventually slow down in her growth rate because of the not-so-optimal environment within the uterus. That is why they continue to see us every two weeks and have frequent ultrasounds.

Her heart rate is at 140 (which is very good) and she measured my belly which, again, is "tracking for the August 5th due date." Even the doctor said that she is just amazed at how things are progressing. She is one healthy (and God-fed) baby girl! PRAISE!!! No doubt God has "hemmed her in"! YEAH!!

I head back to the doctor in two weeks. I do have a prayer request... this is the glucose testing appointment where they make you drink NASTY sugar juice/water. I have always struggled with this testing. Each time I have to drink the juice, I just gag the entire time on the verge of throwing up. I don't eat or drink very much sugar. And when I do, I feel like it's just coating my tongue. And this drink feels like straight sugar in sugar syrup and topped with sugar! I just have a hard time mentally and physically with this test! My doctor assured my that it is "much better" than when I took it 10 years ago. I'm counting on that! I do selfishly ask for prayer for my stomach during that time--crazy, I know, but it is just SO uncomfortable!

Thank you to all for praying for Adalynn (our Noble Miracle). OBVIOUSLY the prayers are being answered--she is just thriving! And she continues to "mystify" the doctors...what a complete miracle (Mirakel) and blessing! I absolutely love being a part of this story unfolding... (thank you, God)

Next appt.: April 21st - glucose testing and checkup
Next Level 2 ultrasound: May 19th
MRI appt.: second week in June (approx.)

Am I a Slug or a Sloth?

Reality has hit!
...I'm 39 now
...I'm a mostly frantic mother of three (soon to be four)
...I'm a wife of a very devoted but busy husband/basketball coach
...I stay up too late
...I wake up too early
...I have sporadic sleep cycles
...I have a BIG TIME slow down ...uh...crash... at 1pm to 2pm each day
...My back hurts (groans, complains, yells at me) frequently
...I miss my Cherry Diet Cokes from Sonic desperately
...I fall asleep in the middle of praying OR
...My mind gets distracted and my prayers are frequently interrupted with "tasking" thoughts

Let's compare the definitions:

slug -n.
1. Any of various small, snaillike, chiefly terrestrial gastropod mollusks of the genus Limax and related genera, having a slow-moving elongated body with no shell or only a flat rudimentary shell on or under the skin.
2. The smooth soft larva of certain insects, such as the sawfly.
3. A slimy mass of aggregated amoeboid cells from which the sporophore of a cellular slime mold develops.
4. Informal A sluggard. (We're on to something here)

sloth - n.
1. Aversion to work or exertion; laziness; indolence. (this is sporadic)
2. Any of various slow-moving, arboreal, edentate mammals of the family Bradypodidae of South and Central America, having long hooklike claws by which they hang upside down from tree branches and feeding on leaves, buds, and fruits. (oh yeah... salad with fruit! yum!)
3. A company of bears. (I'm a Packer fan and have a dislike of bears)

Well... based on findings:
I'm like a slug in that I definitely have a "slow moving elongated body"--although it is strangely being disfigured out of that elongated state with this basketball shaped (and wonderful) lump that has suddenly appeared in my mid-section. And I most definitely feel like a sluggard around 1 to 2pm each day.
I'm certainly sloth-like because of the laziness trap I fall into, but I wouldn't say have a problem with indolence (inactivity resulting from a dislike of work)--I LOVE my work! All of it! But I have a strange desire for the wonderful salads at Mimi's and O'Charley's, which would explain my sloth-like eating habits. Although, I don't THINK I like to eat the salad hanging upside down from a tree--I don't mind trying though. Sounds intriguing...

I think I'm a slothful slug with an aversion to bears that could possibly develop a cellular slime mold in my wake... hmmmm. Reality has most definitely hit--but I'm accepting it with vengence and facing it with force! Bring it on!

By view of this blog, does it sound like I get enough sleep?