One today!

My little miracle is one year old today. I remember a year ago as I sat in the hospital room in anxious expectation. I had no idea the love I would have for my little girl. She is perfect. She now has six teeth and is basically walking. Thank you, Lord, for my sweet little miracle and the last year you have given us with her. I am so blessed!

Carebears and Twinkies

When I was a child, I loved Care Bears. I didn't just love them. I LOVED them. They were all over my room. My sheets, beadspread, curtains, and stuffed animals were all Care Bears. So, I thought it only fitting this summer when I saw something special to pick it up. Now you can see that something special on my something special.

And Twinkies. What can you say about Twinkies and how can it possibly relate to this topic? Well, while I was in the trailer at the camp ground taking this picture, my husband was out by the camp fire with the guys roasting Twinkies. Yep, you heard that right. My husband was roasting Twinkies over the camp fire. I just had to laugh.

My little girl got to be a little yellow bear and my husband got to roast a little yellow treat - what a great day.

And Two and Three and Four

I was so excited when I noticed that Livie had her first tooth. What I did not realize was that sometimes teeth decide to break through in groups. Within a week and a half period, Livie has now gotten her first, her second, her third, and her fourth tooth. My little girl is growing up so quickly! I would post a picture, but she won't let us near her mouth. She is very protective of it right now. I am just so proud of her!

First Tooth

Livie was a grump all day yesterday for her daddy. He is now staying home with her. I love that. He was very happy when I got home yesterday because she had been very clingy and crying on and off all day (mostly on).

She felt slightly warm to me, so I gave her some tylenol. It was clear she was not feeling well. I got a little nervous thinking maybe she was coming down with the flu or something. I soon realized it was not something nearly that dire.

Livie loves to put people's fingers in her mouth. She tries to chew on them, bite them, suck on them. It is funny because we have to try to come away from holding her without having slobbery hands. It does not usually work.

When I went to pick her up, she put my hand in hers like she was going to suck on it yet again. However, when it came close to her mouth, she pursed her lips and would not let my finger get close. That made me wonder. So, I tried to stick my finger in to feel her gums. I wanted to know if maybe they were swollen. I found something different.

I found a TOOTH!

It had already broken through the skin! It was not the normal first tooth, either. It was the one next to the middle front rather than one of the two middle teeth. We were so excited. I called everyone in my family, including my sister on Vacation in Florida. So, at ten and a half months old, Livie has her first tooth peeking through. I love life and the simple joys it brings.

Family Closeness

The last week has been a very hard week for everyone in my family. My beautiful niece Megan went to live with Jesus in Heaven. She is now with my Granny, who also went to live with Him just two short months ago.

Losing two such wonderful people in such a short time has made me realize several things.

1. Never forget to hug anyone when you have the chance. You will never regret the time you spent with them or the love you shared.

2. You can feel deep sorrow for your own loss and still feel joy for someone who is no longer in pain. I really know now what the word "bittersweet" means.

3. God is good and faithful even in the midst of our own trials. He provides great peace, comfort, and hope for the future.

I will cherish my family every day I get to have them. I feel pure joy seeing the face of my darling child Livie, and I know that she is a gift from God. I will take each day as they come and try to live them to the fullest, knowing how soon the end comes sometimes. I pray God will grant us many more days as a family together, and I hope I remember to be thankful for each one of them together.

Put a sock in it!

Isn't it great when we can say that and not be mean? I saw her doing this and had to have a picture. It just made me smile.

Family Weekend

This weekend was what you might call a family weekend. My niece is in the hospital at Riley Children's Hospital. (If you are reading this and are a believer, could you send up a prayer for their family?) My family gathered there this weekend.

I made the three hour trip to Indianapolis with Livie. She slept two and a half hours of the trip. I was so thankful. She is a delightful child, unless she is awake in the car and not wanting to be there. We then spent Saturday through Monday hanging out at the hospital, walking around, and just being. Sometimes in the midst of a crisis that is the easiest thing, to just be.

Livie cooed at the nurses and flirted with the doctor's (I am training her early.:)) She provided some much-needed comic relief, especially to my other niece who calls Livie her "litte sister cousin." I love that she does that, and I hope they will always be that close.

We celebrated my dad's birthday on Sunday in the Activities Room on the hospital wing where my niece is. We brought in Applebee's and got a cake from Kroger for him. It was nice to have something noteworthy in a good way to celebrate.

While I would not say it was a great weekend because of why we were there, I would say that I love my family more and more each day. I weep with my sister and her family as they work through the hardest days of their lives. I pray for guidance and comfort for them and the rest of my family after the recent loss of my grandma and the ongoing hurt of slowly losing my niece. I thank the Lord for every precious moment we have left with her. And, I thank the Lord for Livie, who reminds me that God is great and that He answers prayer everyday.