Thursday, September 16, 2010

a rhyme and a melody

My little man woke me last night, and since he's been sick this week, I got up and rocked him back to sleep.  I didn't go back to sleep so quickly, as I was thinking and praying for a dear, dear friend of mine. 
Unfortunately this week has not been a good one for her, as she suffered a miscarriage with their sweet second child.  I know that God will give me the words when I can't find them, but in this case, "I'm sorry" seemed so puny, I could hardly bring myself to utter it.  I am devastated for her, and I'm sure on the outside she is trying to be strong, but I know her heart is hurting.  It's so easy for Satan to attack us when we're down, and I know that there's a million 'what if's' going through her head...  I hope she knows that there is nothing she could have done better or different that would have saved that baby...  and even so, God has a plan and it is to prosper us, and never to forsake us.  He knitted that baby perfectly inside your womb, and through Satan's guile, something went wrong.  Satan has so many devilish ways to stab at us--it isn't fair that something so terrible should befall someone so innocent.

A friend I was introduced to in college had the misfortune of this happening to him and his wife with their first pregnancy and he wrote a song for their angel baby.  It was playing over and over in my head last night and I just wanted to share it, as he's now pretty well-known in the Christian music world and this song is on his little known, very first album, "Walk."  His name is Andrew Peterson and this is his song, "Lullaby".

Well, I haven't got a lot to offer
Just a rhyme and a melody
But I promised I'd write if it took all night
A lullaby for thee

  And they say there ain't no sleeping in heaven
But baby, that don't mean that you can't dream
So when you close your eyes
Know your mother and I
Pray the Lord your little soul to keep
And we never got a chance to hold you
And we never got to tell you goodnight
So we hope you can hear as Jesus cradles you near
Baby, this is your lullaby

So are you running with the angels?
Are you singing with the saints?
Are you throwing a ball against a heavenly wall
Maybe swinging on the pearly gates?

Well there's so much love between us
And so much that I wanna say
I wanna ramble awhile with my beautiful child
Baby, I can hardly wait... 

And they say there ain't no sleeping in heaven
But baby, that don't mean that you can't dream
So when you close your eyes
Know your mother and I
Pray the Lord your little soul to keep
And we never got a chance to hold you
And we never got to tell you goodnight
So we hope you can hear as Jesus cradles you near
Baby, this is your lullaby
Yes, we hope you can hear as Jesus cradles you near
'Cause Darlin, this is your lullaby...
 

Of course, last night, as I lay in bed, my thoughts were so eloquent and I knew exactly what I wanted to say, and now, I can't remember any of it.  Guess I need a notepad by the bed.  So now, even as my words are not a rhyme and a melody, I hope she knows that they are sincere.  She is the best friend I've got, and I'd do anything for her.  I will hold your head up when you can't...  I will paint your walls and feed your little man...  We will run and not grow weary... and face this world together.  I love you Sister.  Praying for you and praising God for your life, Mama.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Many blessings.

I know it's been a while since we last posted, so I'm gonna try to catch up.  Grayson's birthday party was a blast--and we were exhausted when it was over!  Who knew a 1-year-old's party would be so much work!  We were so happy to be able to spend the time with everyone.  I think Grayson had a good time too--he slept really well that night after he got a bath to wash off all of the icing!  We still can't believe that he's a year old...  time flies fast when you're having fun I guess!

A couple of Sundays ago, our life group went down to the lake at Crane (where Brandon works) and rented a boat for the day.  Kelly (the nursery coordinator from church) volunteered to watch Grayson all day for us, bless her heart, so we had a really nice time with the group.  We met early and had 'church' on the boat after we got there.  Everyone brought wonderful food, so we at all day long and just swam.  We even saw 2 bald eagles--it's not every day that God blesses you with that much greatness!   I had never seen one in the wild before.  Majestic is truly the right word for it--you just can't take your eyes off of them.  We picked up Grayson that night from Kelly's and he had picked up a new trick from someone--spitting!  Not like, actually spitting on you, but blowing his lips and making noise (and a bit of slobber) out them.  It was funny at first, but now that he does it with food in his mouth...  not so much!

This past weekend, Brandon and I decided that we would drive up to Greenwood to Ashley Furniture and look at a new sectional for the living room.  We had received a good coupon in the mail, and our 3rd Anniversary was September 8, so we decided to get it for our anniversary gift to each other.  The traditional 3rd Anniversary gift is leather, so we figured this would work.  We ended up getting a good deal and it will be delivered in a few weeks.  It's nice and comfy, so I can't wait!

This week, Grayson had his 1-year checkup with Dr. Laughlin and thankfully, he's growing!  He's now 29.5" long (up to the 50th percentile) and 20 lbs (up to the 10th percentile).  At his 6 month and his 9 month checkups, he was in the 5-10th percentile for both length and weight, so we're pretty happy with his progress.  He's just going to be long and skinny, and we shouldn't expect much else with my genetics!!  Dr. Laughlin was very happy with his progress and said he's a healthy little guy!  Unfortunately, this week he's picked up a cold and has a super runny nose and watery eyes.  Poor guys is sneezing a lot too. 

My Bible Studies (Roof Crashers and MomBuilders) at church have started up again this week, and he probably got his cold from the nursery kids.  Hopefully he'll feel better before we leave on the 19th for OBX for vacation.  The plane ride won't be much fun with a sick boy.  I'm really looking forward to Roof Crashers this year--my study is called Every Woman's Marriage, and we're studying the book by Shannon and Greg Ethridge.  I think it will be a great semester.

Thursday, Alyssa and I traded houses for a while.  She and Brian had started some painting in their house before they found out she was expecting and she needed someone to finish the job for her and I volunteered.  So, she and Carter came over to play with Grayson while I finished up the painting at her house.  Grayson and Carter had a fun time taking a wagon ride through the neighborhood and Grayson took a good nap that afternoon, so I know they wore him out!  After they've helped us so many times moving and whatnot, I figured painting was a start on repaying them! 

God has definitely blessed us lately--not only with great friends and a healthy, growing boy, but with a wonderful church family and small group.  Can life get any better?!  :o)