Lessons Learned

This Monday is my angel's 6th birthday. How appropriate for us to celebrate at the beach! Bailey just thrived there, each time we went. We will stand on the beach and release 6 balloons, watching them float up to Heaven. I always get pretty emotional around this time, but a "good" kind of emotional. I shed tears, but good tears. Bailey's birth was a very touch and go situation, but a total miracle. So when we celebrate her birth, we can't help but be grateful! I was thinking the other day about how much Bailey taught me and how my outlook on life changed so much. I wanted to share some of the lessons we learned from raising a special needs child, with a terminal genetic disorder.

1. We are not in control.
I am a planner. I like to know when things are going to happen even before they do! I always had a "plan" for my life and knew just how I wanted it to unfold. Well, the funny thing is, when you think that way, God has a way of reminding us that He is in control, and He is making our plans.

2. When you are handed lemons, make lemonade.
From the moment Bailey was born, we were handed bad news. Every doctor, every bit of research, every bit of medical science was negative. To our surprise, we were given a fighter who was here for a reason. We had no idea Bailey would be on earth for 3 1/2 years. We had no choice but to think positively.

3. Be grateful.
God gives us life. It can also be taken away. I have burried my 1st child and now see how fragile life is. Be thankful for every moment of every day. :)

4. Our problems aren't so bad after all.
My innocent child struggled to breathe every day of her life. She couldn't feed, talk, walk, or use the bathroom on her own. Yet, she continued to smile and was pretty much just thankful to be here. When I think of the petty things that upset me, do I really have it that bad?

5. This too shall pass.
O.k.... did we cry? Yes. Get mad, question God, fight, and so on? You better believe it. How did I get through it? Heavy medication! Again, this too shall pass.

Thank you Bailey for making 3 1/2 years some of the most wonderful days I'll ever have.

Out of the mouths of babes...

Every time Addie stays with someone, I always ask, "Was she good?" The response is always the same. "Oh yes, she was good.... but my word, the stuff that girl says!!!" So, I've tried to do a better job jotting these things down so that I can always remember them when I need a good laugh!

This week, this is what I've heard...

"Mom, I love your pretty hair."
"Why thanks Addie."
"It makes you look very distinguished!"

"Where is that stinkin' FERmote?" ( fermote=remote )

"when I go to the beach, I'm going to tell the chef to make oyster Masagna."
"oh yeah?"
"yep, maybe with a little catfish sprinkled in..."

"Look Mom!"

Today was the last day of swim lessons for Addie! I have to say, Ms. Melissa is a miracle worker! I was so proud of my little girl. She even jumped off the deep end, came back up, and than swam to her teacher... with no tears!

An Interesting Weekend...

O.K...so we knew the weather was predicting a few thunderstorms here and there, but had no idea and F2 Torndado was going to touch down just a few miles from our house! We had company coming over and Calvin was out cooking hamburgers on the grill. It started to rain a little and out of no where, the bottom fell out. Calvin came running inside and told us to get away from the windows. A few seconds later a tree fell in our backyard, short from hitting our bedroom window. Then, a HUGE tree in the backyard was uprooted and is lying across the tops of the other trees. This lasted for about 10 minutes before everything went calm. Our yard looked like a disaster zone. We were VERY fortunate. Everyone was safe and we had no house damage.

Bless North Central Power Company! They have been working around the clock to get everyone's power back on. Thank you Mr. Pat!

Saturday night we went to Pepaw's house and had dinner. The kids had a blast playing together. Thanks Pepaw! Sunday, we took Addie to the Fed Ex St. Jude Golf Tournament. Addie absolutely loved it! Calvin told her she had to use her "golf course" voice or they'd put her in the golf course jail where people go that talk to loud. (a.k.a. Port a potties) She did fabulous! The best was when a few golfers were walking up to hit, and Addie reached out and touched one on his shoulder. "Have a good golf day," she said. He fell out laughing and said "thanks!" ... Classic Addie moment!~

Bye Ms. Mandie!

We recently had a surprise going away party for Ms. Mandie, Addie's assistant teacher in her preschool class. We are going to miss her more than she'll ever know! She was SO very good with my baby girl, helping her to grow, learn, and mature, while constantly encouraging her imagination and personality along the way. We'll miss you!