Katelyn's Dedication to the Lord

Kevin and I dedicated our little Katelyn Joy to the Lord today. The ceremony was held at Packsaddle Church by Katelyn's great uncle Rev. Rickey Elmore.

We were each given a rose, a letter to Kevin and I, a letter to Katelyn that she is to open on her 13th birthday and a certificate of dedication!

It was a wonderful ceremony. Katelyn cried...she was just trying to out-preach her uncle :)! We had Kevin's mom Lisa, sister Haley, grandmother Rebecca, my dad Jerry and his friend Phyllis, my sister Robin, brother-in-law Chris, nieces Meagan, Emily and Olivia, nephew Calvin, my brother Jerry, sister-in-law Alanna, nephew Hunter, and sister Jennifer and niece Kaylee all there to celebrate!

She looked absolutely adorable!

Katelyn got a 14k gold cross necklace from Dad and Phyllis and some special letters and notes from her family! We went to Packsaddle Depot for lunch and had a special cake made by April McLean.

(Robin was taking the picture and Jen and Kaylee couldn't make it)

Loved the old-fashioned Christmas Tree!

After all the celebration we were wiped out! It is rest time now. Thanks to all of our family who came and made Katelyn's Dedication so very special. We love you all!

First Thanksgiving

This Thursday is Katelyn Joy's first Thanksgiving. It is our first Thanksgiving as a family. God has truly blessed us this year. I am so thankful for this baby girl, especially after what I read last night. I stumbled upon a blog of a grieving mother who not only went through the nightmare of losing her 5 month old baby girl, but also had to go through it again with her 7 month old baby girl. As I read the little life stories, my heart broke for this mother. I can not begin to imagine the pain of losing just one child. What a horrific trial.

I read these blog entries while holding my 2 month old healthy baby girl. Reading these entries I held my little bundle of "Joy" a little closer, a little longer. I could barely let her go. God has been so amazingly gracious to us by blessing us with such a beautiful, healthy child. However, I know that we are not guaranteed tomorrow or that tomorrow will be as beautiful as today. I know that today and each day I have with her is just one more gift I have been given. I am so thankful for today!

In light of this Thanksgiving holiday and Katelyn's upcoming baby dedication, I am reminded of what it means to be a parent. I am reminded of the important role Kevin and I have in Katelyn's life and that we should "live it well." Katelyn is needing us to give her our best. It is the least we can do for what God has given us. And though she is a gift that we are so thankful for, she is a gift on loan. Just as Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord (1 Samuel 1), we dedicate Katelyn to the Lord. We give her life to the Lord and we will do that by raising her to "love the Lord our God with all her heart, with all her soul, with all her strength and with all her mind (Luke 10:27)." We will pray for her and teach her to know His word. Whatever God's plan for her life we will willingly submit.

Prior to becoming pregnant with Katelyn, I had a dream that I had a child. I was being chased by a fire-breathing dragon who was after the child. I was yelling at this dragon "THIS IS MY CHILD" over and over, all the while the dragon was gaining ground and getting closer. It didn't matter how loud I yelled or fast I ran, I was losing. Finally, I realized I had it wrong and I stopped running, pointed upwards to God and said with boldness and authority, "This is YOUR Child." In that instance, the dragon disappeared and both the child and I were safe. There is safety in knowing we are His. No matter what happens in life we can find safety in Him.

I know that I've only been a parent for 2 months, but I have already begun to realize what gift it is to be a parent. I have the blessed opportunity to "be there." Yesterday, when Katelyn was being given her shots, there was nothing I could do for the pain that she was feeling. The pain was unavoidable. But I could let her hold onto my finger and let her hear my voice assuring her I was there. Though it was hurting me to see her hurt, I never left her side. God does the same for us. I do not have control over what happens in her life, I don't have control over what happens in my own life. But I can give God control. And with each day God blesses me with, I can be there beside her. I can let her hold my hand and hear my voice praying for her to assure her that not only am I there for her, but more importantly God is there for her too!

This Thanksgiving I thank God for the gift of a child, I thank God for each day I am given with her and I thank God for the gift of being a parent.

Two Months

Baby Girl turned 2 Months on November 20th! She had her 2 month check up today. She has grown! She now weighs 11lbs and 3ozs and measures 22 1/2 inches long! The doctor said she is right on target. She is a healthy girl! The downside to the visit was she had her shots. She cried immediately and of course, momma cried too! But we got through it together. She held on to my finger. After about an hour and half of sleepiness she was back to her happy, smiley self!

So sleepy that her whole body was completely limp!

After a nap, a feeding and some tylenol she was back to normal-ready to play!

Now one more doctor appointment tomorrow and we are ready for our 1st Thanksgiving!!!

Begin Again

This was at the end of my last post, but I decided to share separately.

One thing about having a planned c-section is you get to have music playing of your choice. We chose Christian music and the one song I remembered playing during her delivery was Oh, Happiness by David Crowder Band. It is such a happy song. One that demands for a time of rejoicing, just as was the birth of our daughter. I thought what a perfect song. We can "begin again" because of God's grace. That means a brand new life for each and everyone of us just like this brand new life that was born to us. Our future does not have to be like our past. We get a fresh start, a clean slate, so much to look forward to as we "begin again!" Here are lyrics, Enjoy!


(Chorus)
Oh, happiness
There's grace enough for us
And the whole human race

(Verse 1)
Friend or foe
Stranger or kin
All who come
Begin again

Hard or frail
Rich or poor
All in need
Need fear no more

Such a thing to give away

(Verse 2)
All regrets
Let go, forget
There's something that
Mends all of it

Such a thing to give away

(Bridge)
Sound the church bells
Let them ring
Let them ring
For everything can be redeemed
We can be redeemed
Oh,all of us

So In Love....

It's been over six weeks since my beautiful baby girl was born. All I can say is, "WOW!" This new life is everything I never expected and so much more.  I hate to admit that some people were right when they said it doesn't matter how many books you read or classes you take, you will never be prepared. Our new journey began at 4:30 Monday morning-September 20th. We had to be at the hospital at 6am.

We chose Dr. Melissa Rainwater to see us thru the pregnancy and deliver Katelyn. So our hospital was St. Edward's Mercy Medical Center here in Fort Smith.

We had a planned c-section because our little princess was breech. Here are a few pictures of us getting ready for the surgery. I have to admit that I hated the procedure. I did not like most of my body being numb. I started freaking out a little and wanted them to reverse it! But I tried to take the focus off of not being able to move my toes and before long she was out and I was already feeling better. The pressure wasn't as strong.

The grandparents!

When she came out it didn't take her long before she was crying! And she had no trouble in that department. It wasm, however, the sweetest sound ever. I couldn't see her, but lying there hearing her was such a magical moment. Of course there were a few tears! Kevin asked the anesthesiologist if that was normal for them to be crying like that ha ha. And here she is:

Born 9:07am 7lbs 11 oz and 19 1/2 inches long

After about an hour of recovery mommy got to hold her baby girl!

Daddy is soooo proud!

 We had lots of friends and family stop in to welcome our sweet little gift from God. We appreciate all the love and support we have surrounding us. We were even blessed with amazing nurses during our stay. One in particular I deemed my angel in the night. She took care of me and little Miss Katelyn on our first night together. She even came by the next night with a cup of ice to let me know she was sorry that she wouldn't be able to take care of us that night, but if we needed her to go ahead and call her. She was so sweet!

One thing about having a planned c-section is you get to have music playing of your choice. We chose Christian music and the one song I remembered playing during her delivery was Oh, Happiness by David Crowder Band. It is such a happy song. One that demands for a time of rejoicing, just as was the birth of our daughter. I thought what a perfect song. We can "begin again" because of God's grace. That means a brand new life for each and everyone of else just like this brand new life that was born to us. Our future does not have to be like our past. We get a fresh start, a clean slate, so much to look forward to as we "begin again!" Here are lyrics, Enjoy!


(Chorus)
Oh, happiness
There's grace enough for us
And the whole human race

(Verse 1)
Friend or foe
Stranger or kin
All who come
Begin again

Hard or frail
Rich or poor
All in need
Need fear no more

Such a thing to give away

(Verse 2)
All regrets
Let go, forget
There's something that
Mends all of it

Such a thing to give away

(Bridge)
Sound the church bells
Let them ring
Let them ring
For everything can be redeemed
We can be redeemed
Oh,all of us