It's Been a Long Time

When I first began blogging I was pretty faithful. 

As life got harder, I slacked. 

For many reasons. 

I struggle with the delicate balance of honestly and privacy. It has been more than a year. The above photo was taken just a few weeks ago. I could not do life this gracefully without Jeremy. And in all sincerity, I am not graceful. Jeremy far exceeds me in that category. He offers such great stability. 

Jeremy has a way of offering peace. His prayers are absolutely beautiful and raw. I love him and his example to our children.

It is always crazy here with so many kids with the typical and not-so-typical medical needs. We took our first vacation as a family of 8!

We painted the entire exterior of our house. It took about 5 weeks.

 We even put the kids to work.

 Over the years several boards have warped and pulled up.

Sweet friends came to visit.....twice!

A new school year.

New Christmas traditions.

Mariah's first Christmas play at church, and Ben's last.

Jeremy's trip to Israel.

Mariah's dislocated elbow.

Yes, she dislocated it again. The hospital knows us well.

Micah's broken finger (thanks to some football).

Three minor surgeries for ingrown toenails.

One hospitalization for a terrible uti.

One sinus surgery.

Several adrenal crisis.

Daily vision therapy.

An adorable haircut!

 After.........

Another haircut!

 After......

 ......and another!

A hailstorm like we have never seen before.

Soccer season with Jeremy coaching and all of our kids participating.

First and second lost tooth!

Third lost tooth!

Fourth lost tooth! This was just last night.

Oral surgery to attempt to bring down an terribly awkwardly impacted tooth.

Flood clean-up in southern WV.

Uncle Jeff and Aunt Wendy's gorgeous wedding!

Everyone had a part in the wedding.

Kids joined the Smoot Choirs.

Boys' and Girls' Ensembles.

Delayed reaction to a bee sting......which was headed toward and adrenal crisis. Again this was just yesterday and the reaction this morning.

 It all leaves just a little time for this!

And through it all a couple of friends gathered together to have prayer for my family. Better yet, they texted me to let me know.

 

For us! 

 

Can you even imagine? 

 

I am humbled.

 

I am blessed to have prayer warrior friends when it gets tough. And it gets tough a lot around here. During one extremely difficult medical situation Jodi and Rene sent me this photo. (I hope you girls don't mind!)

Their lives were put on hold that day as Jeremy and I sat in a waiting room for 10 hours......waiting and being told, "One more hour." four times.

 

They did what they could.......they prayed together.

 

I know my life seems busy. And honestly, it is. 

 

I am tired.

 

Homeschooling is hard!

 

Medical appointments for us seem to never go as planned.

 

There are days I struggle just getting out of bed. I give medicine twice each night to Mariah at 12am and 3:45am.

 

But we try to use each moment to help our kids understand that life is never easy. We are not promised easy. In fact, we know we are doing God's will because Satan tries to attack us when we are weak and vulnerable.

In this season of my life I lean heavily on several verses in Scripture.

This one I love:

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

One day these words I type will be distant memories. 

 

I pray that I am serving Him in all I do and say. After all, that really is all that matters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thirteen Already?

It was a normal Wednesday night and we went to bed. I was 34 weeks pregnant with our third child. I woke much earlier than normal not feeling well. I got out of bed around 5:45am. I was not sure what exactly was wrong but I soon realized something was very wrong. Jeremy was not feeling the greatest as his stomach was a little upset. I did not say anything. Part way through my morning I called my sister. I did not call my mom because I think I knew what she would say and do! 

I realized that my water had broken, not sudden but definitely broke. I was not due for six more weeks. It could not be so!

I called my OB's office and then Jeremy. We had an appointment that afternoon. We went to the appointment then we were rushed over to the hospital for a room. The testing confirmed I was not going to stay at our local hospital to deliver this baby. Our baby girl's lungs were no where near ready to breathe outside of the safety of my womb.  It was also confirmed that her umbilical cord was around her neck twice (our doctor saw that on the ultrasound). My wonderful neighbor/friend did not even hesitate to keep my older boys until we could get things figured out. They loved Miss Bill Bill so that choice was easy.

My parents did exactly what we asked them not to do. They began their trip here to WV. However, I had to tell them (as they were halfway here) that we were being transferred to WVU Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV. 

I arrived at WVU around 10pm June 27th...............16 long hours after labor had begun. I was miserable. Jeremy had driven so fast and my parents followed. It was a dark, dreary, rainy night. Jeremy and my parents sat around my bed.

The head of pediatrics came into our room and give us a very grim outlook for our baby girl. She was struggling. 

I do remember that Jeremy's parents arrived sometime on the 28th. The hours were long and all ran together. We all sat and waited for progress. Many doctors came and left my room. Then I was taken to the delivery room.  It was explained that they needed to be sure they could take our baby immediately to the NICU.

At 9:33pm, June 28, 2002 we welcomed a beautiful baby girl into our lives. She was whisked away from us as quickly as possible. She was struggling. She was gray.

Rebecca was resuscitated twice. It was quickly decided she needed intubation. I was finally allowed to see my baby girl at 3am. Oh my! She was beautiful! I was heartbroken to see her first tear. She was on the vent and unable to verbalize anything. That tear ran down her face and pooled into her ear. I remember crying as I saw that.

Those first few days were difficult. She struggled with her blood pressure, bilirubin, and her lungs. She was so bruised from the trauma of birth. Her face was black and blue. Her eyes were blood-filled.

Everyone was amazed how quickly she improved. She was removed from the vent after only 3 days. Her lungs were still not mature but she was improving. I finally was able to hold my baby.

She came home on July 5th. Just one week later! God performed an absolute miracle in our baby girl. Rebecca Rose was our sweet baby girl.

I am still amazed as I watch this daughter of ours. There could not be a more blessed family than ours. Rebecca has blossomed into a radiant young lady.

Beautiful for a wedding!

She passed me in height a year ago and now stands at 5' 4" tall. She is the most selfless girl I know. She gives and gives anything to anyone. Material things mean nothing to her (which I admit can be frustrating to a mom who spent a lot of money on a new necklace that she willingly gave away). 

Just a month or so ago at church, Rebecca sat with a Chinese college student who was leaving to  go back to China the next day. We had met her just two days before. The family that Rebecca was sitting with are friends of ours and as soon as church was over they told me that they believe Rebecca is a missionary in the making. I guess Rebecca just sat beside this student and talked to her and then shared her Bible with her. I was almost moved to tears that this family saw that about our girl.

We have watched her grow up. We have watched her sacrifice so much over the past few years. Yet she only wants to give more. Rebecca takes all change in stride. I know I would not have been so understanding as a teenager having to give up my bedroom to a stranger then share a bedroom with a rambunctious toddler nine years younger. Yet, she never complains and is usually the first one to offer help.

Always willing to be a great sister.

Silly!

I see so much of myself in her. Not necessarily the good things. She is stubborn and bossy. I remember as a little girl she would say, "Mommy, where are our boys?" She really thought she was in charge of them. The funny thing is........mostly they listened to her instructions!

Rebecca is a unique combination of Jeremy and me. She loves to help me clean and cook. She loves to wear a pretty dress/outfit and have her hair fixed. Yet she knows all about The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars,  and is not afraid to play with bugs of all kind!

She knows her Nerf guns and is well versed in handling any weapons.

She is one tough girl!

She has a great sense of humor!

Since she shares a bedroom with Mariah, quite often we will hear stories about them in the morning. Mariah sometimes crawls in bed with Becca. Since it is early, Becca will not allow her to come over to our bedroom and instead she snuggles with her until they both fall back to sleep. Becca protects her siblings. She always has.

Jeremy and I realize that once a boy comes around and begins to realize her great qualities, she will be snatched up. But it will be on her terms! 

These are the reasons we chose to take this girl to China with us to meet Selah.

It was the perfect match! Becca is the best sister and friend.

We are such a blessed family to have this sweet teenager of ours. She is one very special girl whom we love more than we ever thought possible! 

Happy birthday Rebecca Rose! You are loved and cherished!!!!