Day Five of The Importance Challenge

In our make-believe world this is day five. Today we have only one piece of paper that symbolizes the most important/precious person, place, or thing in your life. This is the question I ask you of this last piece of paper. If tragedy struck your life yet one more time, could this be taken away? If your answer is yes then it's not THE right answer. I say this because I know I have one thing in my life that nothing can ever take from me and that is Christ. It is late tonight and I have so much to say about this but I will have to ask you to check back tomorrow to read my thoughts. And I pray for all that read that you make Christ number one in your life, I couldn't make through each day any other way.

Day Three and Four of the Importance Challenge

As life sometimes happens tragedy has struck twice in our make-believe world. Since yesterday got away from me and I didn't post, today we will take two days in one so now instead of having two of our most precious person, places, or things we only have one left. So tear up two pieces of paper and toss them, they are no longer in your life. See ya tomorrow to find out what happens with our most important piece of paper.

Day Two of the Importance Challenge

Today instead of having five of the most important people, places, things in your life you only have four. Once again tragedy has struck our make-believe worlds and one more of these pieces of paper is eliminated but at least you get to choose which one. So tear-up another and lets see what happens tomorrow with our last three.

Day One of The Importance Challenge

Yesterday I asked you to write your most 5 precious people, places, or things in your life on five different pieces of paper. If you didn't, please do so right now before reading further. The rest of us will hum the theme to Jeopardy and wait for you. da da da da da da da da da dum dadum dum dum dum. Ok, ready?

Unfortunately as life sometimes goes tragedy has struck and one of your 5 has been taken from you. In make-believe you get to choose which one. Therefore, throw one of your pieces away. And tomorrow we will start the day with four.

Oh and you're welcome that you all will be humming the theme to Jeopardy all day, hehehehe. It's so fun being me, LOL.

Baby Christian is up to 5lb 12oz. He is still learning to eat but he is getting it and should be home soon. Jill and Jimmy are getting weary of waiting, they want him home so badly. Oh how we know that feeling. If you will take the time I also ask that you pray for Sandra Saurborn. She is one of the sweetest Christian gals to serve on this earth and she has lost her dear sweet husband, Ken. They were a couple that exuded not only romantic love but Christian love as well and I tear-up every time I think of her having to say goodbye to him. She is doing well because she is so grounded in Our Father but she could use an extra measure of His love, peace, and comfort right now. Thank you.

Brody has been sticking out his tongue all day like he is trying to touch his nose. This week he has been making "car" sounds, blowing bubbles, and such but today....sticking out his tongue. And tonight while putting himself to sleep in the twilight of his rain forest he was examining his hands - like the dim light made them more interesting somehow. He also has the baby bird reflex this week (at least that's what I call it). He sees his bottle and his mouth opens. He still thinks Daddy is the most interesting thing on this earth. Huh, me too (that's how Brody got here, LOL)!

Time for a Change

Since Brody's arrival some things changed instantly (like spending every available moment at the NICU) and some things are changing over time (like figuring our car situation). Priorities haven't changed because family has always been number one to me and Brent, but outlooks definitely have.

I am a car chick, I sorta had to be in my family to survive. Saturday night in the Walker household was spent at Eldora Dragway watching my brothers race their Sunkist Camaro. And Friday was spent carrying bologna sandwiches and iced tea to the legs sticking out from under the car in the driveway getting it ready for Saturday. I loved playing hostess to my brothers and their friends. I love cars, I love the smell of burning rubber, I love glasspack pipes and horse power. This is one of the things that caused Brent to fall in love with me, being a car guy himself it didn't take long for him to join the Walker Bros. Racing Team. Cars = Fun.

During our 13 1/2 years of marriage we have owned many different cars, we enjoy change. Then three years ago when the new body style of Mustang was presented I fell in love, I can tell you exactly where I was when I saw The Legend Lime 2005 Mustang. (At a shopping center in Michigan, I was more interested in the car than the shops - it was sooooooooooo awesome). Brent wanted to buy me that car. Always holding on to my Brody-Dream I said, "What if we get a baby?" (I said "get" because I was waiting for God to drop him on the door step I never thought after all this time I'd have him) Brent said, "We'll take care of it then." Well...then is now, lol. I naively thought that I could get Brody in and out of the back seat and his car seat. Hahahahahaha. Especially not now since he weighed 17lb 15oz yesterday at the docs and is nearly 26" long. I believe it is time to say goodbye to Sally (that's the Mustang's name, I always name all of my cars). I have had much fun zooming (sorry Officer Gidley) down the highway. Driving her is exhilarating but loving Brody is beyond words. Some changes are hard to make and others are no-brainers.

So what's important to you? Do me a favor? Take five pieces of note paper, on each write one thing that holds great importance to you. Make them be the 5 most important people, places, or things in your life. Then "tune-in" tomorrow to share in a mental exercise with me but write down your five things today.

As far as Master Brody......he had his last cynagis shot yesterday until fall rolls around again. He is doing very well and our pediatrician is pleased with his development. We see the neonatologist next week. We are going out and about more - so you may see us soon. I am a home-body so staying home since Dec has not been a sacrifice for me but I am anxious for Brody to meet the world. He sleeps through the night most of the time, an occasional 2am-3am feeding here and there. He loves to roll from his back to belly and he lifts his head and looks around. He loves bath time, books, and music (he and Daddy sing and dance while Mommy giggles). He still loves his chair although he barely fits anymore, lol. He is cooing, laughing, and talking more each day. He sucks his thumb when he is really tired and doesn't care for a pacifier but he has his fingers and fist in his mouth almost all the time he is awake. He loves Daddy soooooooo much. When Brent comes home and Brody hears his voice he almost turns his head all the way around to find Daddy. He will watch Brent talk (just in conversation not to Brody) and squeal and laugh. And last week I was talking to my mom on the phone and I had it on speaker, Brody was looking at the phone and smiling yet had a confused look on his face. I know he was thinking, "How did Grammy get in that phone?" So we think he is gonna be extra smart too, lol.

March for Babies

Christian is still needing our prayers (as well as Jimmy and Jill). Christian also has bad reflux and isn't wanting to eat. They are doing some testing to make sure it's not another issue and reflux is just a symptom of something else. This is a trying time. Jill and Jimmy want him home so badly. Please pray for the three of them.

Brody is perfect. So cute and so sweet. He slept for the first time last night in his room. He did well and so did Mommy and Daddy. He is literally on the other side of the wall of our room but it still seemed so far away, even with the video monitor. He has been sleeping in our room in his pack & play. I think he liked having more room to move around in his bed and the softer mattress. He slept from 10pm to 6:30am.

Chris Byrne is the advisor for the FBLA group at Fairmont Senior High and also the sister of a dear friends of ours. Her FBLA kids have committed to walking in the March for Babies walk to benefit the March of Dimes in honor of Brody. Several are walking this Saturday in Morgantown and others on May 4th in Clarksburg. These kids have raised $250. Brent, Brody, and I will be going to the walk in Clarksburg at the VA park at 1:30 on the 4th. We may walk some but we will definitely cheer on our "team". If you are interested in supporting us you may mail me a check before Monday April 28th or you can come to the park and walk with us. But mostly please pray thanking God for these awesome kids and on the 19th and the 4th pray for all babies in every NICU everywhere. Thank you for your support. Our address is 3648 Smithtown Road Morgantown WV 26508

Tess Wolford was a premie herself and she attends church with Jill & Jimmy and she will be walking in honor of Christian this Saturday in Morgantown.

God is Love

Time got away from me last week so sorry no news from me.

First of all Christian is competing with Brody in the reflux department. He is doing well except for that. He will be having some testing this week to determine that it is just reflux and no other problems. Please pray that they get it under control soon. When they do he will eat better then he can come home, which Jill and Jimmy are anxiously awaiting. We know that feeling all too well.

Brent says Brody is like a polarized magnet when you lay him on his back - flip - over he goes. Which is so funny because he really doesn't like his belly. He has yet to figure out how to roll from belly to back but he'll get it soon. Other than flipping so quickly he isn't doing anything new this week.

The reason my week got away was because Brent's grandma passed away. She was 88 years old and had a healthy life except for the past 6-7 months. She was a strong christian and we all know she went home. I like what Brent's Uncle Bill said, "She graduated to Jesus." That's a cool outlook.

Brent went to visit Grandma Ginny about a month ago. Grandma's roommate in the nursing home in Parkersburg has Alzheimer's but she told Brent's aunt later that day that a man was there to see Grandma. Aunt Naomi knew Brent had been there so she, "Yes a man was here." Then the roommate said, "Yes he was here and there was love." With tears in her eyes Aunt Naomi told us that story. I was so proud of my guy. He told me how Grandma complained that her neck hurt while he was there and he rubbed her neck and he wished he could have done more for her. He was sad that he she was failing so. But knowing now that it was evident that he loved her made that last memory even more treasured.

Grandma Ginny saw a banquet table filled with every food imaginable upon her entrance into heaven, she described it to her daughter, Naomi. During the funeral Brent spoke about how his Grandma was not one to be physically affectionate but if she had made you cokie and toast, corn bread and coffee, or apple sauce pie you had Grandma's love. I think when she was entering heaven she saw that table because she saw love. Growing up in a family of 17, as one of the oldest Grandma was always preparing food for loved ones and she continued to do the same for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Not ever having much, choosing to purchase food over her own needs happened more than once I'm sure. There was love.

This scenario has given me a myriad of thoughts. How do I show my love, is it sacrificial? What will I see when I get to heaven? We had a dear friend, Mary Morris, that sang a hymn while entering Heaven. Mary obviously had a passion for music and praising God. Where Grandma had a passion for taking care of her family and honoring God so when she got to heaven He was returning all this to her.

My last thought is how do we treat our others when we think only an old Alzheimer's lady is observing. Do we show love? Is it obvious? I can only hope that when I leave a room I receive the same compliment, "There was love." No matter who we encounter we should be reflections of Christ and show love just as He did.

Lovin on the Edge

Ok, showing my age...But do you remember the Aerosmith Song "Livin on the Edge"? Well it's been in my brain for several days now (who knows why I haven't heard it for years). But instead of the word Livin my brain has been saying Lovin (it's a scary place, my brain). I think the Lovin is a God prompt to write this. So I obediently follow - 3 days later :(

I have been lovin Brody on the edge since he was conceived. Are you that brave? I didn't know I was till now. I was so afraid to invest in my pregnancy with Brody. Having 4 miscarriages you can understand why. Then when he came I was scared everyday would be the last. I had a prayer several years ago. I prayed that God would allow me to just hold one of my children, if he would please just let me look into the eyes of my child. When Brody came so early and then on day 2 came so close to death, then I watched him turn blue more times than I want to count. I thought I was going to have my prayer answered and only my prayer, that I was not going to raise my son, mother my son, love him all my days. But I still loved.

Everyday I would pray gratitude for that day. For instance, "If it ends today at least I got to see my baby on an ultrasound." "If it ends today at least I know it's a boy." "If it ends today at least I got to feel my child move inside of me." "If it ends today at least I got to look into his eyes." "If it ends today at least I got to hold him." I wanted him so badly and for so long that I would take him for as long or as little as God could give him to me. I was loving on the edge. I saw several babies in the NICU without visitors. Some had circumstances that left them unable to come only on weekends, some had health problems of their own. But I met one mother who said she just couldn't take it. Wow, I couldn't take not being there ( I got into so much "trouble" early on when I was supposed to be home healing). But she hadn't been taught to love at all costs. Brent and I have parents that love at all times. So doing that for Brody came natural. The baby of the mother that couldn't take it passed away, I think of that young mother often and pray for her healing.

Being there beside Brody's isolette was for his benefit as much as mine. There have been studies that babies with active parents heal more quickly and grow much faster (Brody should be the poster child for growing fast, lol). Also we would watch Brody's monitors. His breathing would be much smoother and saturation levels higher when we talked, sang, and read to him. He knew he belonged to us.

I do not say my "If it ends today"...prayers any longer but I do have several weepy moments a week where my blessing overwhelms me. When Brent is holding Brody, or the first time Brody took a nap in his room (I just couldn't believe I had a baby room with a baby in it), or when he's asleep in my arms, etc........... God is so good to me he answered my prayers in excess. No prayer is too little for God and no prayer is too big. So I'll keep living Lovin on the Edge.

Brody loves to make silly sounds and giggle this week. He still rolls from his back to his belly but not reverse. He doesn't like to play on his belly much but we encourage him to do it to build his upper body strength. He loves to stand on our laps. And most of the time he hates to recline, he takes his elbows and pushes them back so he can sit up straight. He is holding his head up really well this week. And I pray it's a God intervention, but his reflux seems better this week, alleluia. Not nearly as much spit up. I pray pray pray it's so. He can reach his lion on his jungle gym and pull to make it play the songs. He kicks his right leg more than his left so he is always doing 180's wherever he lays. He can also wake up from his nap and roll on his side and turn on his rain forest, too funny. He is very good at entertaining himself . He doesn't cry when he awakens he just plays in his crib and starts talking (shock shock mine and Brent's child wakes up talking). He is an angel.