Under His Wings

December 29, 1999, will be a day I will never forget. It was the day I gave birth to my second child, Gabrielle Renee. It was a beautiful, but scary day. We had known since August that she had a fatal condition called Anencephaly. My dr. wanted me to end the pregnancy. He saw no need to carry the baby when she had no chance of surviving. Her brain and skull did not form. There was no surgery or procedures which could save her. Tim and I stressed to him that we felt we had no right to end her life. What if the doctors were wrong? What if God chose to heal her? As it turned out, God didn't chose to heal her, but He did give us 14 1/2 special hours with her. Her neonatalogist thought she may only life an hour. She surprised us all. She was able to be fed 3 times. She was alert, but quiet. The only time she made a sound is when the nurse was giving her a bath. We all laughed about that. My parents were there to share in the special time too. That meant the world to me! I got to thinkin...

Picture this...3 excited children waiting patiently for Daddy to show up with the movie camera. Soon the bright lights appear blinding those 3 anxious children as they dash down the stairs to their awaiting mom, grandparents and most years great grandma. Later in the day, the smell of ham permiates throughout the house. The family gathers around the kitchen table that has been moved to the living room. Pistachio salad, olives and pickes and soda are among the Christmas menu favorites. Fast forward 30 years.... those parents along with the 3 children now adults in their mid 30's to 40 with 3 grandchildren gathered around a now smaller table in the living room. Some of the same favorites are on the table along with some new ones. The gifts are opened now in the early afternoon instead of early morning. The conversations are now focused on childhood memories and thoughts of the future. It was so wonderful having my parents, brothers and I together today for Christmas. It is...

I went on a Christmas shopping adventure today. I'm honestly not much of a Christmas shopper. I leave most of it to my wonderful husband! I did find some neat treasures for my family and friends. I found a crock pot plus a recipe book (at a different store) for about the same amount of money I would have spent on just the crock pot itself. I'm looking forward to hearing about the neat concoctions my friend will come up with. She loves trying new recipes and her crock pot she has been using has a broken knob. I thought it would be a perfect gift for her. I bought my other friend a nice blouse. I found it at a store she likes to shop and doesn't get to very often. I know this will look pretty on her. At the same store I found my husband a pair of gloves he wanted which was selling about half the retail price. I did mess up a little bit though. In picking up a gift card for my dad, I looked at the picture and not the greeting. "Happy Birthday" it said....

4 years ago I joined my local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. I spent 4 years as a "MOPS mom" and this year I am a "MOPPETS" worker. I have been watching the babies. It's been so much fun. Although last time I was alone and I had 6 babies screaming at the same time. That was stressful. Through this group, I have met many wonderful friends. I haven't really had the opportunity to visit with them too much the past few months, so I was glad to get an invitation from the MOPS coordinator, Carrie to go Christmas caroling in our friend Laura's neighborhood and a party at Carrie's house. I took my 2 younger children with me. I wasn't sure how they would like caroling. Other than a few incidents of Nate hiding his face in my coat and Anna's feet getting cold. It went well. It was nice hearing some really great harmony as our small group sang. Nate requested to sing Jingle Bells at least 3 times. We only sang it twice though, At the...