Mother’s Day Musings From a GRATEFUL Woman

I was going to make this a “Dear Baby” letter, but thought against it right now.  Not that it matters, because he won’t be reading for a while … but this will be something he can read when he is much older.

As Mother’s Day approaches this Sunday (May 13th), I’ve been doing some thinking about a few things.  Today, May 11th, is a special day for many different reasons … It’s the day I met my incredible husband for the first time thanks to some very faithful friends setting us up on a blind date (Thank you Lee and Amy Chewning); it’s my dear friend Jana’s birthday; and it’s the day our first baby was scheduled to be born. 

Some of you may not have known we were pregnant before Anderson, but we were … I haven’t said much about it to too many people.  Close friends and family knew of course, but it was very personal and very heartwrenching.  We had a miscarriage in September 2010 and that was one of the hardest days of our lives.  Many might be thinking, “Why is she writing about this on Mother’s Day? I don’t want to be sad. It’s a happy day …”  Good question, but I’m sure one can see why it would be on my mind. And this isn’t going to be a sad post! 

Last Mother’s Day I was thinking of the baby we never met, but I was beaming because we were pregnant with our sweet, sweet Anderson, our miracle baby from our Faithful God. And this Mother’s Day, I’ll be holding my precious child and thanking God for his life and for the gift he is to us.

Sometimes it’s easy to think, “Why did God do this to us?” but let me reassure you that He didn’t “will” it to happen, at least I don’t believe that.  God’s will and plan is perfect, but we live in a very imperfect world, in very imperfect bodies. The original plan for this world was the Garden, but sin entered the world and the perfect world collapsed.  But God is still soveriegn and still perfect! What God DID do was bless us more than we could have ever deserved, with each other and with Anderson.  I truly can’t imagine our lives without him, and I know Brandon would agree 100 percent. God was ALWAYS faithful and He was by our side through the hurting and the happiness.  He didn’t cause our pain and loss, but He brought us through it and blessed us beyond belief. You see, it can be easy to blame God when bad things happen, but in reality, if we open our eyes and hearts to Him, we can see His hand and His blessings in all the hard times, as well as the good.  Brandon and I were talking about it this morning … and he reminded me of the song, “Never Once.”  I love that song, and it is so true. 

“Scars and struggles on the way, but with joy our hearts can say … Yes our hearts can say …
Never once, did we ever walk alone.  Never once, did You leave us on our own.  You are faithful, God you are faithful.  Every step, we are breathing in your grace.  Forevermore, we’ll be breathing out your praise.  You are faithful, God you are faithful.”

He is faithful!!  The hard times aren’t quite as hard with His comfort and His strength, and He brings you through them even when you think that is impossible.  We were sad and we mourned our loss, but we knew God would be faithful just as He promises, and on November 20th, 2011, I saw that faithfulness when I looked into the eyes of our new child, perfect in every way to us!  God is good, and I’m SO THANKFUL to be Brandon’s wife and Anderson’s mommy!  On this Mother’s Day, no matter what you’re going through (and trust me, I know some reading might be going through what seems impossible to overcome), remember that we serve a FAITHFUL and LOVING God.  He longs to carry you through your troubles and bring you to the otherside.  I understand that, this side of Heaven, we might never get answers to our questions or understand why things happen the way they do.  But that’s where faith comes in … Blind faith.  Some may say that’s crazy, but I say it takes courage to have faith, and I know I couldn’t live without it. 

Know that today, God loves you so much … Whether you are a mom, a dad, just married, never married, a teenager, etc., He know the plans He has for you!  And the plans are GREAT! (Jeremiah 29:11)  “For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world, through Him, might be saved.” (John 3:17)

Happy Mother’s Day!

-April

Dear Baby

Dear Anderson,

Our poor little buddy … You’re napping right now, because you’re tired from being  a very sick boy this week.  You got sick Sunday night and we had to take you to the ER because your fever was 103 degrees.  It was up to 104 when we FINALLY got back into the ER to see a doctor (don’t get me started on that …).  They got your fever down and sent us home (around 1:30 a.m.) so we went to see your doctor Monday morning.  She drew blood and checked you over pretty good.  We were pleased with how thorough she was with you.  You were still a very sick little boy that day, but you have started to feel better and better with each passing day.  You poor little man — she had to draw blood from your arm like you were 30 years old.  It was so pitiful.  And in the hospital, when they took us back, they brought us a gown for you.  It was the smallest thing I’d ever seen and it just wasn’t right to see such a little fella in a hospital gown.  God bless those parents whose children are sick and in the hospital right now, especially for long stays.  I can’t even imagine!  Makes me cry thinking about it. 

So today, Friday, you’re feeling much better.  You haven’t had a fever in a few days and you are pretty much back to your happy little self (course you were smiling with a 103 fever …). You aren’t sleeping the greatest yet, but I know you’re feeling better.  You’ll get back to sleeping soon (and so will we) …

I’m just thankful to the Ultimate Physician for healing up baby, and for giving us good doctors and nurses at Lakeside Primary Care (Dr. Trang Vuong, Amy and Emily). Amy even cried with me … She didn’t like seeing you so sick either.  She was the nurse that I talked to pretty much EVERY day when you first came home.  I had at least a question a day for her.   She was fantastic; said she felt like she and I were co-parenting you! LOL 

So your first illness is out of the way … I’ve learned a lot and found alternate ways to give medication (other than a medicine dropper because you absolutely HATE IT!).  Glad you’re feeling better sweet boy!  No more yucky viruses for you!

Love Always,
Mommy

 

Dear Baby

Dear Anderson,

Wow Buddy… It’s been a little while since I wrote you a letter! The three of us have been busy having FUN!!

Let’s see … Where to start? You are getting so big! You are saying consonant sounds now like “ba” and “ma” and “da”! So very exciting! You’re such a smart boy! No rolling over yet, but you’re SO close!

We weighed you the other day and you were around 18 pounds!! BIG boy! You were 16.7 at your four month appointment.

The BIG news lately is your very first road trip! You were an absolute ANGEL all the way to Florida and back! I was nervous about traveling with such a little guy but you proved that my worries were completely invalid! I am so proud of you! You didn’t fuss ONE TIME! Amazing Anderson!

It is around a 10 hour trip to visit Meemaw and Jim, and on the way down (we left Easter Sunday), it took us around 12.5 hours. Not too bad with all the stops we made to eat and change diapers!

Now the way back was a different story entirely! We left around 8:45 Saturday morning and didn’t get home until after 1 am!!!! Let’s just say mommy and daddy were hating I-95!!! Shu-Shu and Pops said they had never seen it that bad in 16 years of traveling down to FL! Sheesh! We tried an alternate route which didn’t end up being much faster but at least we were moving! Our 10 hour trip turned into a 16-hour trip! And you did FANTASTIC!!

We had a GREAT time seeing Meemaw and Jim! Daddy and Pops played golf everyday and we just hung out with Meemaw and Shu-Shu! And you had your first experience in a POOL!!! You LOVED IT! I’ll post a few pictures at the end!

Your first trip was a SUCCESS! We only had to change one outfit at a rest stop… We did have to stop on the side of the road once in traffic cause you needed changed BADLY!! Daddy kept telling me we were making memories… And we surely were!! GREAT MEMORIES!

Well buddy … Better go. You just woke up from a nap and it’s time to play! We love you so much Buddy!!

Love, Mommy

Dear Baby

Dear Anderson,

You are four months old today!!! That just doesn’t seem possible! You bring so much joy to our lives, and we absolutely love you more than words could ever express! You truly are a gift from our amazing and gracious God!

So you are SO close to rolling over! It could happen any day! You throw those little (BIG) legs over to the side but those manly shoulders get in your way! You’ll get it soon enough! Your little legs NEVER stop moving! When you learn to walk, I’ll never catch you! lol

Two days ago, you said “mmm” and that was the first time your little lips have formed anything remotely close to that! I think it surprised you! lol You got out a “ma” and a “moo”. Sure hope your Grand-Moo can hear that soon! She’d love it! You’re such a smart little man!

We went to visit Brady today and you guys were so cute together! I sure hope you guys grow up to be good friends! We have been hanging out with another little buddy too-Richardson Wells! He was born a week ago and is so sweet! You guys just have to be buddies, too!

You have your four month well child check tomorrow which means… (insert scary music here) SHOTS! Boo! I hate the shots worse than you! I’m already anxious while you are sleeping soundly in your crib. You’re not worried about a thing and I sure hope you always stay that way! I worry TOO much! Don’t take after me with that one!!

Well… Bedtime for me too, buddy! I love you so much! You are the best little guy in the whole world!

Love, Mommy

Worship on Wednesday (on Thursday)

While You Were Sleeping

Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night.

Above your deep and dreamless sleep,
A giant star lights up the sky.

And while you’re lying in the dark,
There shines an everlasting light.

For the King has left His throne,
And is sleeping in a manger tonight.

Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping,
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today.

Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping.

Oh little town of Jerusalem,
Looks like another silent night.

The Father gave His only Son
The Way, the Truth, the Life had come,

But there was no room for Him in the world He came to save.

Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping.

The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today.

Jerusalem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King,
While you were sleeping.

United States of America,
Looks like another silent night.

As we’re sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children.

And while we’re lying in the dark
There’s a shout heard ‘cross the eastern sky.

For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night.

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping?

Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay?

America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King?

Will we be sleeping?
Will we be sleeping?

United States of America
Looks like another silent night…

Wow! It’s an old Casting Crowns song, but it made me think a lot as I was driving home last night. What do you all think?

And if you read this and have questions, PLEASE let me know! I’d love to talk with you about a relationship with Jesus!

Have a wonderful day!

-A

Dear Baby

Dear Anderson,

Sorry Buddy! It has been too long since I wrote you a letter! We’ve been having too much fun together!

I was reading this morning in 1 Timothy (Mommy HAS to find time for her quiet time and it’s a little more tricky since our sweet blessing came along-that being YOU-but I’m working on it)! Chapter 6, verse 20 says “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge…” Paul is charging Timothy with some very important things in this chapter, but that verse stood out to me as you mom! I felt the Holy Spirit tell me that YOU are what has been entrusted to my care! And wow-I was so humbled and thankful! You are such a blessing, my sweet little boy!! I pray I am the mother God planned for me to be, and that I can teach you all the things He wants me to teach you! I know I can with HIS help! You are going to be an amazing young man and I want you to always remember how much God and your mommy and daddy love you!!!

Paul also tells Timothy, in chapter 4, verse 12: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

I pray that for you little one! Let God lead you to greatness for HIS glory and HIS Kingdom and HIS purposes. I promise to always love you and help you in that journey! And your daddy is and always will be a fantastic example of what a God-loving man looks like! He has so much to teach you! I can’t wait to watch!

We love you so much and pray for you all the time!

Love, Mommy

Dear Baby

Dear Anderson,

What a tough little man you are! Today was your two-month checkup and you had to get three shots! Poor thing! You were asleep and I thought that it was pretty sad to stick you while you were dreaming … But it wasn’t like I could warn you real well or prepare you at two months old! I would have taken the shots for you of I could’ve, buddy! They stuck you, your eyes opened wide and you dropped that pacy and screamed. Needless to say, momma cried too! You only cried for a minute. Daddy picked you up and you quieted down real quick! Then, I fed you, which always makes you happy, and you were smiling (and sleepy) after that … I’m proud of you, little buddy! You did great!!

Your measurements were great! You weighed 12 pounds, 14.5 ounces (75th percentile) were 24.5 inches long (92nd percentile), and your head was 41 cm (73rd percentile)!! They all commented on how big you were and how much you’d grown! Healthy baby boy!!! We’re so extremely thankful!

Once we got home, you were your sweet self, smiling off and on when you were awake. Mommy was worried about you, but you have done great today! Here’s a smiley picture from “shot day…” We love you so much buddy!!