It's been awhile....

I haven't blogged in awhile, because it sometimes feels narcissistic. But my original purpose to blog, was for me to keep a few of our life events on file. With that being said, one major thing that happened to us was two fridays ago. Patrick and I had driven separately to the monument store for domino night. We came back to our house after 10pm to find our back garage door and our door to get into our house WIDE open. I sat in the driveway for minute wondering if maybe the wind had blown them open. I looked around and realized that it wasn't windy though. I called Pat right away and told him that the doors were wide open. He pulled in, got out, and sat in my car with me. We have 3 cops that live right around us, so we thought that we would call our neighbor George to come over and check things out with us. He was working, so Patrick just decided to call 911. They told us to stay in our car until the police arrived. A Vassar cop came within a few minutes. A neighbor, who lives at the end of the cul-de-sac, pulled up beside the cop to tell him that her front door was wide open, but she thought that the person walked in and walked out because her daughter was in her bedroom. The cop told us that someone on Margery Ct. (which is the sub right behind ours) had a B&E around 7pm earlier that night. Pat and the officer went inside the house to check things out. I stayed in my car and called my parents. They came right away and my mom sat in with me, while my dad went in with the guys. After taking pictures and checking our house in and out, Pat came out to tell me that yes we had been broken into. The person was after jewelry and cash. He ended up looking through all of our closets, dressers drawers, bathroom vanity, etc. He took Patrick's computer bag, dumped it out on the floor and put all of our jewelry box things into that. Most of my jewelry was not touched because he did not find it...PTL! But, I had just inherited some family jewelry and that was on my dresser in my box and taken. One item my grandma had given to me at Christmas, it was a piece that was given to her by her grandmother. I am pretty bummed about that. Overall, he did not take many things, surprisingly. We just feel pretty violated. We now know to keep lights on to make it seem like someone is always home. Thankfully, we are starting to feel more secure again in our own home. We pray that this person will get caught soon, so that he does not do this to anyone else!

This experience has reminded me of how fast an event like this can happen. We were so unaware and unprepared for this to happen. But, God brought to my attention that this is how the Lord will come back:

Matthew 24:42-44
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Maybe this was a wake-up call for us to really keep our priorities straight in life! Hmmm...just a little lesson for me I guess :)




And lastly, another comforting reminder of why we face trials in this life. This last year has been full of trials for us, but I am so humbled that God is growing Patrick and I in our faith!!!

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Remembering babies worldwide

Poem

I found this poem on Nicol Sponberg's website. She lost her son to SIDS. Well said.

Please Be Gentle
By Jill B. Englar

Please be gentle with me for I am grieving.
The sea I swim in is a lonely one
and the shore seems miles away.
Waves of despair numb my soul
as I struggle through each day.
My heart is heavy with sorrow.
I want to shout and scream
and repeatedly ask 'why?'
At times, my grief overwhelms me
and I weep bitterly,
so great is my loss.
Please don’t turn away
or tell me to move on with my life.
I must embrace my pain
before I can begin to heal.
Companion me through tears
and sit with me in loving silence.
Honor where I am in my journey,
not where you think I should be.
Listen patiently to my story,
I may need to tell it over and over again.
It’s how I begin to grasp the enormity of my loss.
Nurture me through the weeks and months ahead.
Forgive me when I seem distant and inconsolable.
A small flame still burns within my heart,
and shared memories may trigger
both laughter and tears.
I need your support and understanding.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve.
I must find my own path.
Please, will you walk beside me?

Liam Charles 7-23-09

I plan on writing a more in-depth post of Liam's story later and posting some pictures. For now though, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has been there for us through this experience. We know so many people have prayed for so many weeks with us. The Lord has decided that Liam was needed with Him in glory. We had a beautiful funeral service for him on Monday. Please pray for us as our hearts heal. I can't believe how much I miss him already. My heart will forever have a place for our precious son. I can't wait to hold him in heaven.

Precious Nataleigh Grace

In the midst of our pain and sorrow, God certainly knew what we needed yesterday. Thursday at 9:37 p.m., Nathan and Emileigh welcomed Nataleigh Grace into this world. Yesterday morning, Patrick and I decided that we needed to meet our very first niece. After having such a sorrow-filled day, I wasn't sure on how I would do emotionally with this situation. But we both fell in love with Nataleigh, and I praise the Lord for allowing us to be able to spend time with her, to hold her, and to behold His perfect timing for everything. I think He knew just what we needed yesterday. I was reminded of how precious life really is. I also felt a profound peace, that yes, we will have our time too one day. Patrick was teary-eyed as we left the hospital. He was just so joyous and happy for Nathan and Emileigh. At only weighing 5 lbs 13 oz. and 18 inches long, she is so tiny, yet she has already blessed us in so many ways. I feel honored to be her aunt.

not the best news

Just a quick update...I might go into details tomorrow. Our baby has developed more fluid, now all over---called hydrops. His mitral valve has a more severe leak than last month. I am just coming up to 28 weeks and they don't think that they can help him until he is at least 32 weeks. The odds are really against him. They told me that there is a great chance of him passing away soon. If we delivered him now, I would probably have to have a classical c-section. This would put me at risk in future pregnancies. Anyways, we talked with the doctors and weighed out the risks and benefits. For now, we will keep him inside of me and hope for a miracle. My motherly instincts want to do everything I can to see him survive. I want to deliver him now and have the doctors intervene as much as possible. But, after talking with the doctors and hearing Patrick's thoughts, we will just wait. I will be checked weekly by the specialist in Saginaw. Please pray with us...that he will keep fighting until 32 weeks, that we will completely trust in the Lord through this, and that us, along with the doctors, will have the wisdom to make the best decision for our baby and for me and my health. Thank you for your comments on here! With love--Megan

26 week bump

Getting bigger :)