Oh, Sweet Barrow Bambino!

My cousin Nathan and his wife Lucy came to stay with us this past weekend. They brought with them the most precious cargo- their 7 1/2 month old baby son, Thomas Scott Barrow.

HE. IS. SO. FRIGGIN'. CUTE!!!!!!

I went to the door on Friday night to let them in, and I barely looked at Nathan while I grabbed Thomas out of his arms. This is the first time that we got to meet Thomas, and he came right to me and laid his sweet head on my chest, and then started giggling. I'm in love!!!

Unfortunately, with Nathan and Lucy having Thomas, Brian and I are next in the cousin line for baby-making. Apparently, all cousins, aunts, uncles and specifically my father (Hi, Dad) are making it their personal mission in life to let me know that I am no longer enough- they need a kiddo to love. As if I weren't feeling that pressure myself.... :)

It would have helped if Thomas were awful, and not sweet at all. However, that is not the case. This was the sweetest, happiest baby who wants nothing more but to love on you. And eat. Oh, man, is he a Barrow!!!




How cute is this kid?!?!

Goose, however, was not of the same opinion. On Friday night when I was holding Thomas, Goose was pretty sure she needed to be on high alert. Any noise that came from Thomas required a sniff and a bark. By Saturday night, though, she was pretty used to him. She was particularly interested in his toys, going so far as to steal them from him.... She was not too sad to see him leave on Sunday, although we were!!

Brian and I babysat on Saturday night while Nathan and Lucy went to a wedding. I told Brian that I would be fine giving Thomas a bath by myself, and then had to shout for him to come help- this was the squirmiest kid!! He was scooting along the bottom of the tub, going to town, and I was trying to wash him without loosing my grip on him. He was like a bar of soap- about to pop out of your hands at any second!!!



Thanks for visiting, Nathan and Lucy!! We miss y'all already!!

Prayer Requests

I know the readers of my blog come from different places, and have different beliefs. I can't be sure that everyone who reads this post cries out to the same God, or that they cry out to a higher power at all. Today, I have several prayer requests to share with you, and I ask that while I'm on my knees praying to my Lord, Jesus Christ, you will pray as well.

Seven months ago, my sister-in-law Andrea's best friend, Anna, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Grayson. Doctors had recommended that Anna terminate this pregnancy (even suggesting that she should go to Kansas where it's legal to receive an abortion later in your pregnancy than it is in Texas) because Grayson had been diagnosed with down syndrome and a heart defect. Anna, a pillar of strength, carried her son to term and gave birth to this blessed baby boy.

Tomorrow, Grayson will have his first of possibly several surgeries on his tiny heart. Please pray for Grayson's health, for Anna & her husband Dane's peace of mind and for the doctor's skill and knowledge.
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My parents' very good friends- the McClane's- had kiddos around the same time as my parents, and so we all grew up together. Katie (the oldest girl in their family) had a precious baby boy last month- Hector Santiago Ornelas. He was born with a condition called craniosynotosis- basically, he doesn't have the soft spot on his head that most babies do. This condition prevents his head from growing correctly.

Tomorrow, Santi will have surgery that will correct this issue. The doctors have emphasized that this is bone surgery, not brain surgery, but of course, Katie and her husband Hector are really nervous! After the surgery, Santi will need to wear a helmet for 2-3 months as part of the healing and correction process.

Please be in prayer for this dear family as their tiny baby undergoes this procedure. Again, for Santi's health, Katie and Hector's peace of mind and the doctor's skill and knowledge.
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Lastly, Stellan. (Click on the "MckMiracle" button on my sidebar to go to MckMama's blog.) Here's the deal. While MckMama- Jennifer- was pregnant with Stellan last year, he was diagnosed with tachycardia (really fast heart beat). Again, this mother was encouraged to terminate her pregnancy because her baby was so sick, he was expected to die. Jennifer carried Stellan to term, and he was born without a thing wrong with him. You heard correct- when Stellan was born, the neonatal ICU was in the room, and though he was checked again and again, the docs could not find one thing wrong with this baby.

On Sunday night, Stellan was having a heard time breathing. Thinking this could be a relapse of RSV Stellan had suffered from last winter, MckMama took him to the ER. The nurse gave him a neubulizer treatment, and the junk cleared up. Right as they were about to discharge him, Stellan started coughing and struggling to breath again. The nurse (or probably a doc) ordered another neb treatment, which sent Stellan into SVT (severe ventricular tachycardia- I think.)

Although he has been sent to a Children's hospital and many different drugs have been tried, there are some SERIOUS problems, and Stellan remains in SVT. While I have never met this woman, I have followed her blog for about a year, and I could not feel more tied to her if she were sitting in the next room. Please be in prayer for this family.
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Did you notice that all of these prayer requests were for babies?? That's so hard for me- thinking about sick babies... Wherever you are today, I ask that you take some time and pray for these families. Thank you!!

Catching Up

Not too terribly much going on with us these days, but here's a catch up from the last week or so...

Went to my friend Melanie's wedding, and she was so gorgeous! It was a fantastic ceremony, and it's been so long since I've seen her (since right after my wedding, I think!) It was such a blessing getting to see her with her new hubby Will. She never seriously dated anyone in high school, and since we didn't go to college together, I didn't meet anyone she dated there. So Will's the first guy I've really seen her with. Wow, she was so happy!! There's nothing quite as cool as seeing your friend's dreams coming true. The delight on both her and Will's faces was infectious.

Fortunately for Melanie, I was not her photographer. Here's a crappy picture I took right as the ceremony ended.



Also fortunately for Melanie, she had a wonderful professional photographer. Here's a couple of pictures from the photographer's blog from Melanie's bridal portraits.



Mel was trying to keep her dress from getting dirty in this garden they were shooting in. (Probably my favorite because it's so Melanie!)

One more that is SO Mel...


To check out Melanie's photographer's site, click here.
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So, anyone who's met us knows that Goose, our dog, is more like a child to us than a dog. She sleeps with us, she doesn't get scolded as much as she should, and we worry about her like we would a baby. (I have baby fever and I need to mother something, for goodness sakes!)

Anyhoo, last week, as spring started and weeds started popping up, Goose started to get really red between her toes. I guess they were itching because all she did ALL DAY was chew on her feet. They finally got so tender that she was limping everywhere. Brian and I decided we needed to wash her feet and then wrap them so she couldn't chew on them. Needless to say, she was NOT a huge fan of this. She was hilarious as she tried to get used to the wraps. I tried to catch her walking so I could show you, and this video doesn't do it justice, but you'll get the picture....




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A couple of weeks ago, I got the WONDERFUL honor of going to look at wedding dresses with my friend Melissa. We found some great dresses, and I thought I'd show you a couple of shots (she didn't pick any of these dresses so I'm allowed to show you...)



This was a sneaky picture... The first place we went didn't allow pictures until you'd put money down on a specific dress, but I couldn't pass up this covert opportunity!!



Melissa and David are going away to St. Lucia to get married, and then throwing a big fiesta when they get home. I have to admit, I'm very jealous of how stress-free Melissa is now that they've decided to go away. Our wedding planning process was pretty stressful, and although I would not change it for anything because the BIG DAY turned out perfectly, it was a long process. And, my mom and I got in some pretty nasty fights during the process (nasty for us- nothing too out of control!!) and I regret focusing more on the planning stuff rather than the great time I got to spend with my mom while we were planning.
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I think that's about it for us!! Hope all's well in your neck of the woods!

It's a.......!!!!!

Well, color me jealous!! FOUR of my fabulous friends are pregnant, and ALL are due around the same time!! I've had a great time guessing what the sex of each of their babies will be, and the results are all in!! I have to say, I'm a little surprised that things turned out this equally...

Anyways, here we go...



For Ashly and Casey Gann (who already have a beautiful little girl, Lexi, who turned 3 last month)...

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!

And to make their pregnancy a little more exciting, they've sold their house, and are in the process of building another. BTW, for the next 6 months or so, they'll be living out of a BARN!! This is one tough pregnant mama! Congrats, Ashly & Casey!!

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For Stuart and Jennifer (who have a precious 1 year old, Hannah)....

IT'S A BOY!!!

I snagged this sonogram pic from Jennifer's blog for proof!!



Congrats, Stuart, Jennifer and Hannah!!

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My beautiful Delta Delta Delta love, Ashley, and her husband Clay are pregnant with their first bambino!!!



And...

IT'S A BOY!!!

Yeah! I am so thrilled for Clay and Ashley, not just because it's their first baby, but because this has been such a long time coming.

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And the final announcement....

This is Amanda and Madison (who turns 3 this month), and then Brandon (how is it possible that I don't have a picture of you guys together??)





IT'S A GIRL!!!

As a side note, please be in prayer for all of these wonderful women and their families, and their unborn babies. All of them have experienced different struggles, and for all of them, the news of new babies is just incredible.

Congratulations, all!!!

Oompa Loompa

Thought I'd let you in on a little laugh, just to make your Friday a little better....

In an effort to look extra special for Melanie's wedding this weekend, I decided I should Mystic Tan yesterday. I've done this before with minimal adverse effects, so I wasn't worried.

Last night, when I got home from Team Dinner, I took one look in the mirror and was surprised to find that I really resemble an oompa loompa!! I am very orange!! I apparently did not apply the lotion correctly to my hands, and they are looking nice and weird.



Not really trying to make a claw here, but rather show you the creases on my thumb knuckle. Also, check out the white blotch below my index finger. Did I just leave a giant blob of lotion on there or something???

The funny thing is, I really thought that I had applied the lotion well, and was expecting amazing results!!

Here's my oompa loompa face...




The cheeks are especially delightful. See the resemblance??



Oh well. I'm hoping my hair will turn out better than theirs.

No Scheme of Man....

I hope I can be "authentic" with you. ("Authentic" is one of our life group leader's favorite words... He's always telling us that we should be authentic.) And I feel that I can be with you.

I feel like I can tell you that I'm terrified right now, that I don't know what tomorrow will hold for us. I feel like I'm being cryptic, because unfortunately, I'm not allowed to share exactly what's going on with us, so I can't make you understand what my fear's founded on. Once everything's said and done, I'll share a little more.

For now, please be praying for me and sweet husband, and for all other parties involved.

Yesterday, we had an awesome praise and worship time at church. The choir sang a song that I just stood and wept to, tears streaming down my face as I looked heavenward and had a sweet conversation with God.

"In Christ Alone"
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

My favorite part of this whole song is a line in the very last verse:

"No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand; Till He returns of calls me home- Here in the power of Christ I'll stand."

No matter what evils plot against me, nothing can change that fact that God's arms are permanently wrapped around me. Till my dying day, or when Christ comes back to Earth, I can stand firm in that knowledge.

It look me a while to realize that just because I'm a Christian doesn't mean that I won't have to face hard times. In fact, the opposite is true. Because I'm a Christian, God guarantees that I will face hard times. That Satan will be a presence fighting for a hold in my life. But nothing, nothing, can change the fact that God will walk through this fire with me. Amen to that.