Me: "Who has the best seat in the house, me or daddy?"

Adam: "Well, Daddy's is nice, but yours is best. Your's is squishier."

Friday, March 8, 2013

Tender Mercies

My new wheels.
 
I can't think about today's news anymore.  I am all cried out at the moment.
 
Here is what I am grateful for right now:
 
A husband who:
- takes Ethan to boxing and Adam on a date to try to help everyone feel normal.  
- holds me when I cry. 
- tries to help me see past all the scary "ifs" to what we have right now that is not broken.
- cuddles me at night, and flirts with me and makes me feel as sexy
 as a beached walrus can possibly feel.
- wants to take care of things so other's won't feel a burden.
 - rubs my sore leg.
- tells me spring flowers will be here next year. 
- takes care of 15-year-old homework procrastination.
- calls me to remind me to take my shot.
- does his job and then comes home and does mine.
- holds it together, even though this has got to be as hard on him as it is on me.
 
A baby who:
-is alive
-has the hiccups right now and makes me smile.
-has made it this far and is perfect.
-God sent, and has protected thus far.
 
 
Children who:
cook me a high protein breakfast, bring me apples, fill my water (again!), clean up my water after Jonah spills it (again!), teach each other to cook french toast, help me get things onto my feet, comfort each other, change poopie diapers, bathe and dress Jonah, feed him, and wipe his tears,
hug me and tell me they love me.
 
Friends who:
call
cook
help
call
hold me while I cry (thank you, Ellen)
swoon over ultrasound images that look like a cross between
 Skeletor and Alien II, and still tell me my baby is pretty
call
post uplifting scriptures and thoughts on Facebook
take my kids to classes
act like there is no inconvenience at all in picking up the pieces of my life
pray.
 
A dad who:
calls every day to check on me, even though I know he is really upset by it all.
emails funny stuff.
tells me every time we talk that he is praying for me.
 
Siblings who:
are fasting and praying
call
write
send flowers
share their stories of faith and hope
 
Other things I am grateful for:
 
Gail's soft blanket... when I hurt in the night and the house is quiet,
 I hug it and remember I am not alone.
 
Homeschool; I feel needed even though I can't do much right now,
 and it gives me a sense of normal.
 
Windows and spring-like breezes.
 
Heating pads and Tylenol.
 
Doctors and nurses and medicines that are saving our lives right now.
 
The scriptures, especially ones I know by heart.
 
Prayer.
 
Answers to prayer.
 
 
 
Today we got a scary blood test back.  I am RH negative, and was sensitised by Jonah's birth so that my body made anti-bodies against his blood type.  At some point in this crisis with the blood clot and blood thinners, my blood mixed with this baby's blood, and antibody levels have begun to rise, indicating that this baby also has a positive blood type that my blood will attack.  The worry here is that this means that somehow our blood has or is currently mixing, leading to the assumption that there is a problem with the attachment of the placenta.  The attack on the baby's red blood cells can be treated by a blood transfusion after, or if very serious, prior to birth.  The scary part is knowing that the blood is mixing and that could mean a far more dangerous placenta problem; placental abruption.  If it is slow detachment, it could clot and stop, and the baby could make it fine to the birth.  The blood thinners could keep it from clotting, and it could continue to separate.  If it does, the baby will have to be delivered right away to save it.  Symptoms are bleeding and contractions, but not all women have them. 
 
Okay, I have to go back up and read my list again now. 

6 comments:

Unknown said...

This scripture came to mind as I read your post. "6 Don't worry about anything; on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. 7 Then God's shalom, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua. 8 In conclusion, brothers (and sisters), focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy." Philippians 4:6-8
Looks like you've got the right idea.
None of this took G~d by surprise. He knew from the beginning the journey you'd be walking through and He promised to go before you to lead you through and behind to be your rear guard. I've seen and heard of too many times things being said were impossible and yet when the dust cleared - people stood in awe of G~d's hand of power.
Standing with you in prayer, dear sister. And take a hug or two or more as needed! ((()))

Laine said...

Thank you Marta. I love how you wrap me in scripture. Thank you so much!I will study those verses. I wish I could see this the way God does.

Bald n Beautiful said...

I will be praying for you and your sweet baby and your family.

eep said...

Laine, you and your beloved baby are in the center of God's heart.

Rachel said...

You don't know me, someone else who regularly reads your blog said you need some prayer. I am saying a prayer for you and your precious baby.

Laine said...

Thank you so much Rachel, B&B and Elizabeth, and all others who are praying for us. Those prayers are getting us through each day.