Daily Dose of Dickinson

2011-03-06T15:07:00.004-06:00

Holley and I recently had a chance to share part of Lily's story at our Church in NC. We were asked to share how we were cared for by our Church during the time of need. So, I want to quickly say thanks to the leadership at Christ the King Presbyterian, Houston, the church body and our small group - you all really helped us prosper despite the situation we were in.

For the talk, we put together a video with some of our favorite pictures. We would like to share it with you too.

Love, Greg for Holley and the Dickinsons.

Eddie Dickinson - Greg's Dad

2010-12-02T21:35:00.002-06:00

Friends, as some of you may know, my dad has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer and will begin his journey through final diagnosis, prognosis and deciding on the course of treatment this week at M.D. Anderson in Houston, Texas. Both he and my mom have been strong so far and I believe are determined to maintain a positive attitude throughout this next challenge. I firmly believe that in conjunction with smart doctors; having a positive attitude will lead my dad down a path of healing. In this challenging time, it is difficult to maintain a positive outlook, but I am always reminded of what is said in Romans 8:28 – and believing that God will work all things for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose.

We really appreciate your friendship and ask with confidence in the power of prayer and in the power of our God that you would pray for healing for my dad and peace for my mom. There will be a lot of travel to and from Houston, so we would also ask that you pray for God to clear the paths and provide safe travel for them both.

They will be maintaining a Caringbridge site and you can find the link "Eddie Dickinson" to the left.

Again, thanks for each one of you and your prayers and support in the past for our family!

With much love, Greg (and Holley)

Lily's 2nd birthday party

2010-11-10T15:47:00.004-06:00

Lily and big brother Thomas posing at Lily's party...

Singing happy birthday to Lily...

Cake table...

Silly Lily...

My beautiful birthday girl...

Pumpking pinata...

Painting pumpkins...

kid tables...

Praying for my precious Papaw

2010-10-12T09:12:00.002-05:00

A week and a half ago my 91 year old Papaw (my dad's dad) was trying to fix his mailbox with some type of welding type tool and a spark flew on to his shirt that had some gas on it and it caught on fire. They live out in the country in Mississippi. Thankfully the lady that comes and helps them during the week was there and helped put the fire out and drove him to the hospital. He was later air lifted to a burn center in Augusta, GA where he has been since. 9% of his body was burned with most of it being 3rd degree. He made it through a 5 1/2 hour surgery the following Saturday where they did 3 different skin grafts. He has numerous other health issues including diabetes and heart problems so the doctors have been amazed at how he has done so far.

Today they are wanting to send him home feeling like he will recover at home much better than being somewhere so far from home and away from my mamaw (they've been married almost 75 years). I am asking that you pray for him today and for my dad and step mom. The doctors are wanting my dad to drive him home. Currently he can barely stand up or walk and my dad is just very concerned and stressed wondering how they are going to make the drive with him and take care of him. Please pray for wisdom for all involved. For patience, understanding, strength, and safe travel. I know God has brought him this far and will continue to be with them. Praying for a full recovery and that through it all God will get all the glory! Thanks so much!

2010-09-22T22:30:00.005-05:00

Lily Cate one day old...1lb. 6oz.

Lily Cate...one year old...14lbs

Lily Cate...two years old...22lbs

I can't even believe that my tiny miracle baby is two years old today! I have been so emotional leading up to this day. A part of me is sad because my last baby is getting so big and growing up so fast. And another part of me is so filled with amazement at God's grace and work in Lily's short life. This morning I couldn't even get through my prayers without just breaking down. I was so overwhelmed with how many people sent messages remembering it was Lily's birthday before I even mentioned it. It just reminded me of how her tiny beginning was such a testimony of God's grace and mercy and how even the tiniest and youngest person can be used by God.

It really seems like yesterday that this whole saga began. Being put on bed rest after having a recovery cerclage placed and spending several days in the hospital on that lovely magnesium drip. I remember being in bed and thinking I can do this. Whatever it takes I can keep her in as long as she needs to be. Then barely two weeks later Houston gets hit with a hurricane and everything is a mess and so crazy. I remember going to the doctors office for my first appointment after being on bed rest and knowing that something was wrong but never would have dreamed it was that wrong. I will absolutely never forget the doctor looking at me after examining me and saying her bag of water was coming through my cerclage and asking what I wanted to do. I remember thinking what do you mean what do I want to do...I want to keep her. Whatever it takes I'll do it.

I'll never forget the high risk doctor assigned to me at the hospital downtown saying that he would be surprised if I made it another day without having her and how annoyed I was at his negative attitude. I will also never forget the NICU doctor/resident coming and going over statistics on Lily's chances of surviving being born this early. As soon as he left the room I told Greg to throw it away! I wish I could show him how wrong he was!!!

I remember seeing her for the first time and thinking am I dreaming? Is this really my baby? I personally was really sick/weak at the time (although I didn't know it yet) and it was just so hard to process anything those first few weeks. But somehow I never doubted that God was with her and that I would take her home!

And now my feisty 1lb 6oz. baby is almost 22lbs and absolutely doing amazing. She is talking like crazy and even started asking "Why". Her favorite phrases are "I do it" and "I got it." She is fearless, an amazing climber, very funny, she loves being outside and getting dirty and absolutely LOVES her big brother. She is finally on the growth charts and has blown every medical professionals mind at how well she looks and how well she has developed. There is no other explanation except that she is a miracle of our loving, healing, powerful God. To Him be the Glory forever and ever!

Prayers for Lily tomorrow

2010-09-14T20:50:00.005-05:00

Lily following big brother to her first day of preschool!

Thomas was way too cool for pictures with little sis!

Lily's classic face!

She is seriously too much!

Almost 2 going on 16!

Lily started preschool one day a week last week. She did great and made it through the day without vomiting at school! I was so excited to pick her up and see that she was in the same outfit she started in!! She has great loving teachers. I know she is going to love it!

Tomorrow we go back to Duke for Lily's endoscopy. Please pray that everything goes smoothly and for the doctor and nurses to be compassionate and knowledgeable and to be precise. She will be under general anesthesia which is always a little scary but the worst part is that she can't eat anything until after!

I will update as soon as we know anything. Thanks so much for your prayers!

Myrtle Beach trip

2010-09-07T19:46:00.008-05:00

This past weekend we went on our first family of four vacation. All of our vacations in the past have been with extended family or friends. It was also our first time to visit Myrtle Beach. It was so nice to only live 3 1/2 hours away from a beach but it simply isn't the same as the Gulf Coast beaches that we are used to. We had a great time and the kids loved the beach and pools. It was really hard to get used to the dark sand and the changing tides each day. We learned our lesson the first day about setting up on the beach too close to the water. By the tame we came back out after the kid's naps the water was coming up under our chairs! Luckily all of the kids toys were still there and nothing got too wet! I guess we should have caught on when we saw the rented chairs so far back on the beach! The second day we learned our lesson and just started way back and had a long walk to the water the first half of the day.

Thomas enjoying the water...

Lily's signature "cheese" face...

Thomas kissing a little fish that some boys caught and gave to him...

This one cracks me up...Lily saying, "I don't know"

Lily's sweet face again...

Our two silly monkeys...

Thomas' first day of pre-K

2010-09-07T14:22:00.006-05:00

Today Thomas started Pre-K. He was excited but not nearly as excited as I was! It really didn't phase him. He wasn't nervous or sad when I left. He just went right in and started playing. He went to the same school last year so I think that helped.

I love this picture...Lily just adores her big brother!

She missed him this morning when we dropped him off. She would look at his seat in the car and say, "where bubby"?

My big stud walking to the car...

Once we got to school he was too cool for pictures!

He was not very interested in me anymore...ready to start his day!

He had a great first day. Thursday Lily will be going for her first day too!

2010-09-05T12:27:00.002-05:00

First, thank you all so much for praying for Lily's appointment on Thursday. They were definitely felt. Overall it was a a great experience from the moment we got there until the moment we left. It was a really long day but Lily did great.

I really like the new GI doctor. I felt like he was thinking outside the "reflux box" which is all I wanted someone to do. He also is not an experimental medicine pusher which I also agree with and like. He had several different theories as to why she is vomiting so much but our next step is for Lily to have an endoscopy on September 15th to check for eosinophilic esophagitis. To find out more about it click here. I am not very good at explaining it.

Her appointment with the high risk developmental clinic went amazing. She saw a child psychologist who did several types of testing to see what developmental age Lily was currently at. It wasn't a big surprise that Lily passed with flying colors. Several times I was actually moved to tears watching her to see how God not only allowed her to survive her early arrival but how He has grown her and developed her in such a way that the ONLY explanation is that she IS a true miracle of His work. The doctor said she had never seen a child born as early as Lily and score as high as she scored. On all areas except for one she scored in the 95th or 98th percentile and was scoring at a 25 month old age instead of a 19 month old which is her corrected age right now. I say this not to brag about my smart child but to share His great work in her life! God is so good!

What a day...thanks for your prayers. We will definitely keep you posted after the endoscopy. Have a great Labor Day!

"I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.

I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High." Psalm 9:1-2

Heading to Duke...

2010-09-01T20:04:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow we go to Duke for the first time to see a pediatric gastroenterologist to hopefully start getting some answers. I have been waiting for this appointment for forever it feels like. I am sooo ready to have some sort of answers as to why Lily is continuing to vomit so frequently. After another vomiting episode last night that woke her from sleeping, Greg and I sat down and just felt so sorry for her. After so many of her vomiting episodes we are just angry and frustrated and just so over it all that I think we forget how awful this must be for her and her little body. I mean last night she had been asleep for almost two hours and woke up wining and moaning and within a couple of minutes vomited up everything still in her tummy and right away she was feeling much better and went back to sleep. How awful she must have felt to be woken up by that...

So in the midst of me anxiously awaiting this appointment, God has been teaching or at least trying to teach me that I am putting too much expectations on people to meet my needs instead of simply relying on Him. He alone knows my every need better than I do and yet I am putting so much faith in this doctor that I haven't even met and hoping and almost begging that he will give me answers when God has been with us and with Lily from her tiny beginning and is and has done amazing things with her.

Our past two sermons have really hit home with me and I felt like God was staring me in the face trying to get my attention each Sunday. Two weeks ago is was from Mark 8:1-21 and it was about ten lies that Satan wants us to believe. Several of them I realized I have been believing. One was that Jesus doesn't care. In my most frustrating moments and darkest places I almost start to believe that. I think where is God, why isn't He answering my prayers and healing Lily of this one last issue. Which brings me to the next lie that Satan wants us to believe is that Jesus is just one miracle after another. God didn't want us to be in love with the gifts He is giving us but be in love with the Giver. I think we saw Him heal Lily in the Nicu time and time again and I just felt like he should do it again when I want it. But I am realizing and learning through our sermons that He doesn't instantly heal because He wants us to dwell in Him and not wander. Instead of me putting so much hope in a doctor or in different therapies etc, I need to go back to the One who is hope and who so graciously and lovingly never leaves me even when I try to leave Him and whose Word is full of all wisdom and direction that I will ever need. To hear the full sermons click here. The sermons I am referring to are from 8/22 and 8/29.

So what I am trying to say is that I know God is with Lily even in her sickest moments and even in my most frustrating moments. I know that the same God that has healed and grown my tiny 1lb. 6oz. baby girl will continue to do so. I know that even though He has healed her/us in the past our lives aren't free from suffering and aren't' going to be perfect. He heals us in a way that we have to stay with Him and if we abide in Him and keep coming back for "His touch" Jesus will finish what He started.

Please pray for tomorrow that the doctors will have compassion for Lily's quality of life and will have full understanding to the depth of her problems. Pray also that even if we don't get any answers or hope for answers that I will continue to trust The Healer and know that He is in control and will heal her in His timing.

2010-08-31T20:37:00.002-05:00

Our neighbor down the street gave Thomas a big boy bike recently. Thomas has been riding a skuut bike and is amazing on it. Our hope with him riding the skuut is that he wouldn't have to use training wheels. Here is his first attempt at riding the big boy bike. He did great but it is still a little too big for him.

Thomas loves to dance...and we love to watch!

2010-08-21T12:43:00.002-05:00

First family hiking trip...

2010-07-25T13:05:00.003-05:00

These are some pictures from our hiking trip to Hanging Rock State Park. It was our first hiking trip with the kids. They loved it! Thomas had a blast seeing all the water falls and loved using the map to tell us which way to go! It was beautiful and only took us about 40min to drive there from our house. We are looking forward to more trips like this.

You might notice in some of the pictures that Thomas is soaking wet. Right after hiking to the first waterfall, Greg slipped on a rock with Lily on his back hitting Thomas and causing him to fall into the freezing cold water. I of course was trying to get a picture of all of them and couldn't get to Thomas fast enough! He fell just perfectly in between two rocks and wasn't hurt at all. It scared us all but Thomas handled it perfectly and within a few minutes was ready to go back into the water! What a trooper!

Lily update...22 months

2010-07-25T12:25:00.003-05:00

This video is only a glimpse into how wild and crazy Lily and Thomas get when they start playing together. This activity of chasing each other around the house happens after every meal while I am trying to clean up. They both love it and laugh and scream the whole time. However it usually ends with someone (usually Lily) getting hurt. Imagine that!

I wanted to update you on Lily. It has been a while since I've talked about her and her progress. I wish I could say that the vomiting has stopped or at least gotten better, but unfortunately it hasn't. I will say that her random episodes of vomiting are fewer now which is good. At least now we are learning the warning signs and can sometimes make it to the toilet or trash can or just avoid getting it all over ourselves. She mostly now vomits when she gets hurt, scared, really upset and when we leave her, like at nursery. This is the third Sunday in a row that she has vomited at church! UGH!! But it is also totally affecting her sleep. We can't just put her to bed and let her cry because she will throw up. So nap time and bed time now are very stressful.

She is still on Prevacid and after trying another medicine and after several months with her current GI doctor, we decided it was time to move on. She now has an appointment with a pediatric GI doctor at Duke. I know this is probably where she should have been all along since it is very comparable to where she was in Houston and they are used to dealing with preemies like Lily. So I am anxious for the appointment which isn't until August 30th. So for now we just hope and pray for a few vomit free days!

She has quite the personality these days. She is very independent and stubborn! She climbs anything and everything. I will be doing the dishes in the kitchen and turn around and she is on top of the kitchen table, or climbing the shelves in the pantry, or climbing in anything she thinks she might can fit in. She loves playing outside and loves watching her big brother Thomas and wants to do everything that he is doing. She can climb the rock wall on the swing set and climbs the monkey bar ladder all the way to the top! She absolutely has no fear with anything. Even water. She loves being in the water and will just jump right off the side or stairs ready or not! She is really funny. She will try to say or do just about anything you ask her to. She loves making you laugh and will continue to force her funny little laugh if she sees you are laughing! She absolutely loves playing in the dirt and mulch! The dirtier she is the happier she is! Greg asked me yesterday if I thought she would every play with dolls! Who knows. She is truly her own little person!

2010-07-15T20:48:00.002-05:00

Slide show of our trip to Lake Martin

Our last stop was to Greg's parent's beautiful home on Lake Martin. We were excited that we got to pick daddy up at the airport on the way there. We love going to the lake and always have such a great time there. It brings back so many special memories especially since we were married there! This was Lily's first time to really get in the lake. She loves the water but really wanted to get in without her life jacket! Both kids loved the boat and Thomas really loved driving the boat. We enjoyed spending time with Greg's sister Leah and her two precious boys, Owen and Ethan. It was so much fun watching all the kids playing together. We also got to see a lot of other extended family which was great. Thomas, Lily, and Greg went to the farm in Goodwater, AL and the kids got to ride a little horse named Buddy! Thomas loved it but I think Lily was more interested in the dog! We all had a great time and were sad to end our trip to Alabama. Looking forward to seeing all of our family again soon!

2010-07-15T20:41:00.002-05:00

Slide show of our trip to Hartselle, AL

So, our next stop in our three week vacation was to Hartselle, AL to visit my mom, step dad, and sister Shelby. We had a great time and enjoyed seeing my great-grandmother who Lily is named after and seeing my Granddaddy and step grandmother, and my aunt and cousin. The kids had a lot of fun swimming, eating yummy food, and playing with the cats and dogs. Thomas was super spoiled with a lot of one on one attention from my sister and mom! I also got to get out and do a little shopping in the cute downtown shops. Thanks Gran and Papa Carl for a great visit!

2010-07-12T20:54:00.003-05:00

Slide show of our beach pictures. Press play to get it to start. I couldn't figure out how to do a normal slide show so I had to do it as a movie! Whatever works, right?

So, it has been quite a while since I last updated the blog so I have lots to catch up on. For now, I am going to start with the most recent. About a month ago the kids and I took a 3 week trip to visit family in Alabama while Greg traveled with work for a couple of weeks. We started our vacation at the beach with my dad, Leigh, my sisters Leslie and Allison, and my sister Lauren and her 4 kids. Needless to say our condo was quite crazy with that many kids! We had a great time and Thomas and Lily loved catching up with their cousins. Lily LOVED the beach and ocean! I was super excited that she seemed to have taken after me with her love for the beach! Her first day in the sand she did a belly flop right into it and starting moving her arms around like she was making a snow angel. Thomas loved the ocean and liked to build sand castles but he is a lot like his daddy and really didn't care for the sand to be anywhere but on the beach! :-) We missed daddy but loved hanging out with Nana and Pop and my sisters and nieces and nephews.

My next blog will have pictures from our next stop in Alabama!

Easter Pictures 2010

2010-04-17T20:47:00.007-05:00

Family picture...

Is there any candy in there bubby?

My three favorite people...

sweet Lily...she wouldn't be still for a picture

My little stud...too cute!

Excited about chocolate, just like his mommy!

Easter Lily...

Needing to share...

2010-04-16T09:13:00.004-05:00

Ok, bare with me...I have had so many thoughts flowing through my head lately and just feel compelled to share. I really have been moved to tears so frequently lately and so randomly. Or at least what I call random. I know nothing is really random but ordained by God. For example I will just be driving and be listening to a song that I have heard a thousand times before and suddenly I am hearing it in a new way and am in tears. One of the songs that this happened with is the the song, "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me. And I know this has probably been overplayed, over used, etc.. but listening to it last week, I heard it completely different. For the first time I really pictured myself in front of God asking the questions in the lyrics.

"Surrounded by your Glory, what will my heart feel.

Will I dance for you Jesus, or in honor of you be still

Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall

Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all, I can only Imagine."

I immediately just started crying picturing myself with my Creator and thinking how could I ever thank Him enough for the blessings in my life. Lily was the only one in the car with me so of course I just thought back to her past 18 months and how I could ever go before God and put into words what he did for me by healing her and growing her so perfectly when all odds were against her. I believe completely that all children are a gift. All are custom made by God and unique in their own way. But there is something about being with Lily, watching her walk and run, looking into her amazing blue eyes when she is making a funny face, seeing her interact with her big brother, and just realizing that if it weren't for our gracious God, she would not be here. Period.

And while thinking about this I am feeling the weight of my own sin so much. Wondering why am I not just on my knees praising Him constantly. Why am I not racing every morning to get into my Bible to find out more about this amazing God who has been so gracious to me. I don't really know the answer other than I am human and crave humanly desires. I don't even know why all of this is coming out now. I just feel God is working in me and trying to teach me or tell me something. I can only hope and pray that I will have ears to listen and that I will be obedient to follow. Which is partly why I am sharing this. I should be doing other things while my house is actually quiet for a moment but just felt compelled to share.

Many people have said I should write a book about my experience with Lily. While I am flattered by that, I am by no means a writer. I simply write what i feel. However I often think I just wish my brain were a type writer. I wish I could just push the print button and all the thoughts in my head would just print out. It is always when I am in the car or in the middle of something that I feel God speaking to me or reminding me of moments that I should put into words but I usually don't have the time or make the time to do it. We started this blog to inform you about Lily's progress, but it quickly became my way to release all that I was feeling emotionally, spiritually, and physically and was my stress relief.

So maybe I'm writing this to myself to say enough with the words and good thoughts. Put them into action. Get into the Word more, pray more, be more bold in my everyday life and routine. And simply stop putting limits on what God can do with and through me. Who knows? But I do know that NOTHING is impossible with God. Whatever you are experiencing when you read this, I pray that you know the peace, joy, and unconditional love that only comes from knowing Jesus. And that with Him you can get through anything that comes your way.

Have a great day!

Thomas' 4th Birthday Party

2010-03-22T15:01:00.003-05:00

Checking out the stats...

Check out this shot...

Having fun...

His cake...yes, that is pink icing...not really sure what happened there??? I mean, surely they knew the name Thomas was a boy??? I didn't see it until we opened the box at the bowling alley!!

Thomas and his cute friends had a blast at his bowling party. It was only the second time Thomas had bowled. It was too cute watching all these little guys bowl! It was so low key and I had nothing to clean, etc!

2010-03-15T13:45:00.004-05:00

Lily is excited about the drums...while visiting our friends in Texas last week she tried Cole's drumset out!

Too tempting not to touch...

Enjoying Thomas' birthday doughnut breakfast...

Sorry it has taken me so long to update you all on Lily. Thank you all so much for all of your prayers, emails, and words of encouragement, etc... We really appreciate it so much. I know each of you has your own daily needs, struggles, and prayer requests, so I'm really touched when you take the time to pray for Lily and check in on us.

So, knock on wood, she is doing much much better! Not really sure what exactly happened. Her angel of a doctor from Texas mentioned for me to try some things, like splitting her night time bottle, trying pediasure and mixing instant breakfast into her milk instead of formula, and since doing those things she really has been better. I don't know if it was coincidence, or if Lily just likes it better, or if she is just physically better. Who knows, but I'll take it! Her tests were both normal but we go back to the GI doctor this Thursday for follow-up. Thanks so much for praying so specifically for this. Definitely working so keep it up!

She is constantly sporting the bruised head and/or face look these days. This week alone she had her first black eye and several bruises on her forehead and cheeks. We think big brother had something to do with the black eye. He reportedly stacked his big euro pillows up so she could climb on his bed. I think they were "jumping" and she fell off. I know it sounds like I left them forever. But I promise, I was only 7 feet away and it all happened in less than 5 minutes! She is very independent and determined and such a little dare devil. She climbs anything she thinks she can fit in or on and lately likes to push over the dining room chairs which make a very scary loud thud! There is definitely not a dull moment while she is awake!

She is very quickly becoming a little toddler instead of my little baby girl. Kind of sad but I did get to have a "little" baby for much longer than normal. Oh, and she has gained weight! When we went to the doctor on March 2nd, she weighed 17lbs 4oz! So pumped about that!

Thanks again for all of your prayers and support. I pray you all are doing well and have a wonderful day!

Happy 4th Birthday Thomas!

2010-03-15T12:21:00.010-05:00

Thomas at 5 days old!

Thomas...First birthday1

Thomas...Two years old!

Thomas...Third birthday

Happy 4th birthday!!!

opening his walkie talkies...

Birthday morning with Krispie Cream!

Happy Birthday to my sweet Thomas! I can't even believe that he is already 4 years old!! Right before my eyes he has become a little boy. He is no longer a little toddler...kind of sad! I had a little emotional moment with him on Friday when it hit me how old he was getting. He told me he would pray to God to not let him get any bigger! So sweet and innocent!

He is finally getting tall and actually taller than a few of his friends now. He still has quite an imagination and is always coming up with something wild to do or say. His latest creative outlet is with scotch tape! He tapes his little chairs together to make a train, and tapes anything and everything to different toys. Really quite entertaining to see what he has taped together! I'll have to post some pictures of it. He loves riding his scoot bike and his riding tractor outside. He is starting to play with Lily more and it is so precious for me to watch!

He still cracks me up with some of his funny phrases and words. Here are a couple of his latest that I can remember. Asking me to do him a favorite, meaning a favor. Saying he wants to read a motion, meaning a devotion. He often says "no I amit" meaning no I'm not. Asking for "erections" to his friends house, meaning directions! And he is always praying for Lily not to throw up...really sweet but kind of sad he thinks he has to pray that all the time!:-) Oh, and thanks to his dad, he is calling me Hollywood all the time!

We celebrated his birthday yesterday with doughnuts for breakfast and a mini cake for lunch. He is having his birthday party at the local bowling alley with his friends from school this Friday. That should be really interesting! I will definitely post pictures from that!

Bath time

2010-03-01T21:13:00.002-06:00

Bath tub Lily...
I don't have much to update as far as Lily's tests went. She did pretty well considering she went almost 15 hours without eating or drinking. Hoping to get some results from the doctor tomorrow, maybe??? Will keep you posted. Thanks so much for your prayers and for thinking of us today.

Please continue to pray for our friend's little boy whose surgery is now on Wednesday as well as our former pastor's surgery is also on Wednesday. Thanks.

busy week...more prayers needed

2010-02-28T20:22:00.002-06:00

I wanted to first thank you for your words of encouragement and prayers. I truly appreciate it and definitely felt them. I woke up Tuesday with much more energy and confidence than before. Lily has had a better week also. She only threw up 3 out of the 7 days this week which was a Huge improvement. So tomorrow is a big day for her. She is having an upper GI series and also an abdominal ultrasound at 9:45am. I am just praying for some clarity. If there is something wrong then we will face it and deal with it. If they find nothing, then we will have a peace of mind that at least that area is OK and we will move on to find another possible cause.

This is also a busy week for a lot of people as far as prayer requests go. I wanted to share them with you. Please pray for my mom who has had 2 back surgeries and is going back to the doctor tomorrow because she is still suffering with a lot of pain. Please pray for knowledge for the doctor and that she will get some answers.

Also, our former pastor from Cleveland, Ms, has prostate cancer and is having surgery Wednesday to remove it. He and His family are very special to us and provided us with much guidance and support. Please pray everything goes smoothly and that he is cancer free after the surgery.

On Tuesday, another friend from auburn's son is having major surgery. His name is Jackson steed. Please pray for everything to go perfectly and that he will recover quickly and be free of problems.

And finally my dear sweet friend Amy in Texas had a small heart attack this week. She is only 35! She has MS but they don't know/think they are related. She is home now and doing well. We are planning to go to Houston this Wednesday so we will get to see her. Please pray that she recovers fully and quickly.

Wow, that is a lot! But nothing is too big for our God. This week while so many things were going on and I was worried about Amy, the song from when I was little popped into my head. "My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do for you, and you, and you..."How true it is! Thanks for being so faithful to pray for us! May He bless you for it! Have a great Monday!

Needing to vent...

2010-02-22T18:22:00.004-06:00

Thanks for your support, encouragement and prayers for us lately. I am so desperate for them right now. Lily had a much better start to the day and I was hopeful that maybe we were starting to turn the corner, but that hope was shattered when she threw up all of her dinner while she was still in her chair. no warning signs, no apparent reason, and she hadn't even eaten that much. Then before bed she threw up her whole bottle. ARGH.... I am so frustrated and feel so helpless i just don't even know what to do any more but cry or scream or something in between.

I am just so scared that we might be missing something or that something i am doing, giving her is making her worse. I am keeping a detailed journal of everything she eats, drinks, etc... and can't find any connections so far. I think what is eating me up is that in the back of my mind I am doubting. Something that I really have never admitted is that way back in my mind I'm just waiting for something bad to happen with her. I feel like since she didn't have any of the major issues that she should have had as a micro preemie that something is going to come up later. And I hate that I even think that. That I am even allowing myself to doubt that our amazing gracious God that healed Lily's tiny 1lb 6oz. body would not continue to heal her now. The thing that I told everyone that asked me how we made it through those tough 4 months in the NICU is that I never doubted. I never once doubted that God was going to heal and grow our precious baby girl and I never doubted that I would bring her home with me. And i feel like now I am doubting by not being able to let go of this and trust that God is in control. It exposes my weakened faith and makes me even more frustrated and reveals my so real and sinful human nature.

I know this may not seem like such a big deal to many of you. What's the big deal with a little vomit? But it is such a physical problem. Every time she vomits it is physical. the disgusting mess I have to clean up. Seeing the distress on her face and watching her cry each time. Washing clothes, sheets, car seat covers, towels, etc... every day lately is a physical reminder of the problem. And now there is no doubt that it is effecting her weight. Which lets be honest, has totally consumed me from the beginning. I have had enough. I actually had enough 4 months ago. But with each new week there would be a little glimmer of hope if we went a few days without being sick and then it would start all over again.

Sorry to vent but this was my therapy when she was in the hospital and I just had to get it out. I know poor Greg who is traveling every week this month is exhausted listening to me and worried himself. I just needed to get this out. I am praying that God would help me get through my unbelief and help me to be patient once again in Him. And that I would daily be reminded of the undeserving mercy and grace that He has already shown me.

Please pray for my patience, for energy, for knowledge to know when to notify the doctors, for strength to be a good mommy to not only Lily but also to Thomas. This is definitely effecting the amount of time I am spending with him as well. pray that she will get better and be able to keep food and liquid down and that somehow she will at least maintain her weight. I also pray that like before in the end this will just be another tool for me to witness to others how good and loving our God really is. I pray for all of you and pray that God meets your needs as well and blesses each of you beyond how you have blessed me.

Rough week!

2010-02-21T11:15:00.005-06:00

Thomas being silly sitting in Lily's swing

Lily, checking out her muddy hands...

Lily took a face dive while playing outside...she was quite muddy but didn't seem to mind!

It was so nice to finally get outside yesterday! Can't wait for spring!

Lily, running, talking...

Well, where do I start...Lily has had a pretty rough week this past week. On Tuesday she fell down about 15 wood steps and ended up in the ER. Everything thankfully checked out OK and she appeared to be fine with no major bumps or bruises. It was definitely apparent that Lily's special angel was with her that day.

However her problems now are with her "reflux". I put it in quotes because we have no idea if this is what is causing the problems. She has definitely had reflux in the past especially when she was much younger. Over the past 5 months or so she has been having random episodes of projectile vomiting. Until recently, I could somewhat associate it with something or at least have a good guess as to what might have caused it. The car ride, too much at one meal, getting too upset, getting choked, etc... But this past week it has been even more vomiting then before and much more random. And when I say vomiting, i mean that she completely empties her entire stomach with force each and every time. It is not simply spitting up on a bib, or maybe changing an outfit, it is everything everywhere! We went to the pediatric gastroenterologist this past Thursday. He seems to think that it is mostly from her reflux but also ordered some xrays to make sure there isn't a physical problem, etc. As of right now those aren't scheduled until March 18th! Well after vomiting multiple consecutive times Thursday, very unlike her, and vomiting every day last week and this weekend. I've finally had enough. It seems to be effecting her appetite and definitely her weight, which is already much less for babies her age.

So, I am telling you all of this to ask you to pray for us. I am very anxious over what could be causing this and am so over hearing similar stories, advice, etc...so I need patience in that area.:-) Please pray that first the vomiting will decrease, her appetite and liquid amounts will increase, and that when I call the doctor tomorrow they will move her xrays up and do them this week. Also please pray for my anxiety level. I know deep down that God is in control and that He will fulfill His promise to heal her completely, but I can't shake the worried feelings I have or the need to fix the problems or be able to have an answer for them all. Greg is also traveling again this week, so I pray that we have a good event free week while he is away.

More snow, sledding, and snowmen

2010-01-31T13:22:00.011-06:00

This is what we did all afternoon today...sled down the hills and then Thomas would always get a ride back up...notice the look on my face! I was pooped! Great way to work out!

This cracks me up!

Thomas had a blast today!

Love it!

Our first family snowman...don't judge! :-)

Thomas' snow angel

So cute!

Pulling his little sis!

This is hilarious! Thomas wanted to sled by himself...we had no idea he would go sooo fast! We did have someone down the hill to catch him, thank goodness! There is a lake at the bottom of the hill!

Snow...2010

2010-01-30T12:16:00.012-06:00

Samford's snow beard...

Our backyard from the street...

Thomas and Daddy sledding in the backyard...

Lily trying to sled...

All bundled up...

Daddy and Lily...

Thomas sledding on the way home...

Backyard...

Backyard...still snowing...

Mommy and Lily sledding...

Lily sledding for the firs time...

Thomas and Lily got to play in snow for the second time in a month. So far we've gotten about 7 inches and it is still snowing. It seems to snow and then sleet or something like it and then snow again. The roads are really covered this time and compacted with ice and snow. Don't think we will be getting out as easily this time. Lily got out and played a little. She was so bundled up, she could barely move! She reminded me of the kid on "The Christmas Story!" She didn't really know what to think. I think she would have liked to play in it if she could have moved!

Lily Walking...

2010-01-26T19:20:00.003-06:00

Lookout...she is officially on the move! I finally got it recorded tonight. She is trying to walk everywhere now. Not sure if I'm ready for this, but ready or not, here she comes...

More Christmas Pics...

2010-01-17T13:22:00.013-06:00

Thomas...his first Christmas...December 2006

Lily...her first Christmas at home...December 2009
They both are sitting in an old wooden chair that my grandparents gave me when I was pregnant with Thomas. It came from an old school house where my dad grew up in Mississippi!

Sweet Lily...

She found the stairs...no worries, we have a gate up now!

So sneaky...don't let her cute looks fool you!

My sister Shelby with Thomas and Lily...

Lily's silly face...

My mom and Thomas...so spoiled!

Lily and PapaCarl singing...

My grandfather and Lily playing...

Tractor Riding...

2010-01-14T12:25:00.007-06:00

Thomas riding his new tractor that Santa brought...just like Daddy's!

Daddy and Lily...all bundled up!

Giving Lily a ride...

Hold on...

Lily getting ready for her surgery to put tubes in her ears...

check out her little scrubs...they were HUGE on her...so cute!

This past Thursday Lily had her first surgery. She got tubes placed in both ears. She did wonderfully. We feel so blessed that this was her first surgery given her very tiny beginning but it was still a little nerve racking waiting for it to be over. Thanks for all your prayers for her! It was super fast!

Christmas pictures 2009

2010-01-12T08:50:00.017-06:00

Christmas morning...we all waited patiently for Thomas to wake up before going downstairs, so I could get pictures of the two of them together, but about 7:45 I heard a noise, and the little stinker had quietly gone downstairs without telling us! Too funny!!!

Thomas pulling the melted chocolate out of his stocking after we had turned the fireplace on...whoops...notice who is totally checking it out!

Lily loving the simple little things from her stocking...

Swinging at the farm in Alabama...sooo cold!

Thomas riding the tractor with Uncle Johnny on his farm...he loved it!!

Greg and his dad...two studs...love them both!!

The three little monkeys...Thomas and his two cousins at Greg's parents house, checking out the tree...

Greg's parents with our two and Leah's two boys...this is the best we could get!

Lil' Dickinson's...Merry Christmas!

Aunt Leah and Lily...

In Birmingham...Nana and Pop with my two and my sister Lauren's 4!! After many many attempts this is the best we could get!! :-)

Some of my great old friends...we had some great laughs and a great time visiting together!!! Love you girls!

Lily checking out Baby Cade...

Lily and Cally, so sweet, love those blue eyes...

My sister Leslie with Lily...

Thomas playing the Wii at my mom's...more pictures from Hartselle coming later...

We had a wonderful Christmas being able to celebrate all together as a family. We enjoyed seeing our family and some great friends. Hope you all had a great Christmas and that your New Year is off to a great start!

Remembering...Praising...Updating

2009-12-24T07:53:00.003-06:00

Lily...12/23/08...4lb. 11oz...3months old

Lily...12-23-09...16lb. 3oz...15months old

I can hardly believe the transformation in our beautiful miracle baby girl. I have been extrememly emotional really since Thanksgiving remembering this time last year having Lily in the hospital and Thomas at home. I will never forget how completely miserable I felt having to leave Lily behind on Christmas Eve. I wanted so badly to be with Thomas and help him enjoy his Christmas but leaving Lily literally made me sick to my stomach. I pray for all the moms who are having to experience that this year.

But, praise God, my beautiful children are home together this year for the first time! Nothing has brought me greater joy this season than watching the two of them play together. Lily blew Thomas a kiss the other day, and I thought I was going to crumble. Simply precious!

Lily went for her 15month checkup on Tuesday. We had a great report. Her weight is finally starting to increase at a more rapid rate. At the beginning of December she was 15lb.8oz and now she is 16lb.3oz! She is 27 1/8in. long. Her doctor was very pleased with all that she is doing. She also had her blood work repeated and everything was back to normal! Yeah!

Quick update on what all miss thing is doing now. She can wave, blow kisses, point at things, stand up by herself, move along the furniture, has taken one step, and recently found the steps to climb. She has quite the personality. Very bull headed, funny, determined, and totally sassy! She LOVES her big brother and wants to do everything he is doing. She loves Samford, our dog, and just giggles when she gets to pet her. She actually says dog when she sees her and has started to try and make the ruff ruff sound. According to her therapist and doctors she really is doing everything she needs to be doing right now and is simply a miracle.

As we celebrate our first Christmas as a family rejoicing in all that our gracious God has done for us and how He alone has granted us our hearts desires, we know that many of you may be celebrating this Christmas for the first time without a loved one, or without a child, a parent or have a family or friend in the military. To all of you, I pray that somehow this Christmas season God's amazing grace and unconditional love will be revealed to you. May He bless you all and may you never know a day without the love, joy, and peace of Christ.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Santa Train

2009-12-21T09:36:00.008-06:00

We are using this old mail train car to send the kids to the grandparents house!!

Thomas and Daddy on one of the old trains at the Roundhouse...

Watching the Santa Train...

Riding the Santa Train...

Thomas and Lily with Santa on the train...

Loving the train ride...

Silly Lily...riding her first train!

Our house Saturday morning after the snow...

Sunday afternoon we took the kids to the North Carolina Train museum. It is about an hour from our house. We got to go on a ride on an old train and Santa and his helpers came and visited the kids while we rode. It was Lily's first time on the train and to see Santa. She loved them both. There is no question that Thomas LOVED seeing all of the old trains! It was a great family afternoon together getting ready for our first Christmas together!

Our first snow...

2009-12-18T18:31:00.007-06:00

Our house in our first snow in North Carolina...about 2 hours ago and its still pouring snow!

Love it...

Greg and Thomas sledding for the first time...I don't know who had more fun!

Our first sled...Don't worry Lily didn't take a ride!

All bundled up!!!

Lily pointing at the snow...so cute!

Today we got our first snow in N.C. This is Thomas' first time to see snow and so far he has had a blast! We bought our first sled and Greg and Thomas had so much fun sledding down our hills in the backyard. It started at 12 today and hasn't stopped yet! So far we have about 3 inches. We all can't wait to see it in the morning!

Thomas sledding...it's a little blurry because the snow was blowing right into the camera...

Thanksgiving pictures and more...

2009-12-07T13:31:00.021-06:00

Thomas at his school Thanksgiving program...super cute!!!

Can't believe he is getting so big and old...

Lily at the Christmas Tree Farm...

Thomas, Lily, and Holley riding the cow train...once was enough for me!

Thomas and Lily...

Posing in front of the trees...so hard to get them both to look and smile!

Sweet picture...My niece Cally and Lily

My sister Lauren's 4 kids and my 2...this one took awhile!!!

Jim and Andrea Bunn with us at the Iron bowl tailgate...great college friends that were in town from Denver!

Big and Lil' Dickinson's at the Auburn tailgate

All the girls at tailgate...great college friends! We had our yearly chili cooking at the tailgate, yummy!

The Guys...

My sister Shelby with Thomas and Lily one morning before she went to school...they had a great time playing with Aunt Shelby!

The kids with my Mom, Carl, and Shelby...too cute!

While we were in B'ham, we got to visit with some of my best high school friends and their kids...wow, what a bunch of kids!!!

Thomas driving the gator with DidiPop at the Farm in Alabama...he LOVES it!

The best Thanksgiving picture we could get...My best friend L.A. made their matching outfits! Super cute! Thanks, L.A.!

I just thought this one was cute!

Lily on Thanksgiving Day...

The Saturday before Thanksgiving, the kids and I drove 10 hours to visit our family. It should not have taken near that long, but after a detour due to falling rocks, lily puking twice, Thomas having to potty numerous times, etc...we finally made it to my mom's house. We had a great time visiting my family in Hartselle and had an early Thanksgiving lunch with all of the extended family. Great to see everyone!

We then headed to B'ham to my Dad's house. We got to visit all of my sisters there and many of my good high school friends. And I got to finally meet my brand new nephew, Cade! So precious! Thomas had a great time playing with all of his cousins! Greg flew into B'ham on Wednesday night.

We then went to be with Greg's extended family for Thanksgiving. Thomas had fun on the farm with DidiPop and enjoyed meeting so many new people. This was a very special Thanksgiving for us since this was the first time we were all together as a family. Having both of my kids together was an amazing reminder of how good and faithful our God is!

We went to the Auburn game on Friday and had a great time tailgating with some of our great friends. The weather was perfect even though the game didn't end as well as we had hoped for. The kids stayed with babysitters at the lake. This was Lily's first time to stay with a sitter for a long time while she was awake, etc...In the past I had always gotten her to sleep before leaving her. They both did well.

We ended the trip in Lanett, AL to visit my step mom's extended family. We had a great time introducing Lily to so many family members, and Thomas had fun playing with all of his cousins!

It was a great, Long, trip. I was so thankful Greg drove us home!! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and our enjoying the Christmas season!

silly face

2009-11-12T13:55:00.005-06:00

Lily is walking more and more behind her stroller or anything that she can push across the floor. She started making a funny face while doing it too. She's showing me both of her new skills in this picture!

Thomas at the Old Mill...

Greg's parents came to for a short visit this past weekend. We had a great time and enjoyed getting out and enjoying the great weather...

In front of the Old Mill near our house that is still working today. We buy our grits, flour, corn mill, and great cookie mix from them...

Lily showing off her walking skills and funny face...sorry for the shakiness of the video, hope you don't get motion sickness after watching it!

Halloween Pics

2009-11-01T16:02:00.008-06:00

My little tiger...seriously...she is in to everything!!! There is nowhere safe to leave her these days. Her new favorite hobby is to pull paper out of my magazines and tear it into shreds and then of course she has to eat it!

Love those baby blues...

Ready to go...

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Notice Lily's hands, full of mulch...as soon as I would step back to take the picture she would put mulch in her mouth as fast as she could!

Walking in the costume parade at the Halloween Festival...Lily one a prize in her age group, too funny!

Thomas and his dinosaur buddy...too cute!

Daddy and his little Tiger...

Parties and Beans...

2009-10-30T14:07:00.010-05:00

Lily at Thomas's preschool party

Thomas ready for a cupcake...

Costume parade at preschool...

Is that a little "Bo Jackson?''

Sweet Big Bro...

Daddy and Lily at the church festival

Thomas ready to ride the pony...

Loving the pony rides...too cute

Lily eating re fried beans...She like them the last couple of times she ate them, but today she wasn't too fond of them...too funny!

In Sorrow...and Praise

2009-10-24T09:26:00.004-05:00

I just received news that my friend's baby who was in the NICU with Lily, the only mom that I kept in touch with, lost his battle yesterday and went to be with the Lord. Words can't even express what I am feeling right now. This news has completely disturbed me to my core. Bringing back so many emotions that we went through while being in the NICU. It is such a tough place to be. Little RJ passed just two days shy of his first birthday, never leaving the hospital or getting to see his precious nursery that his parents designed just for him. I am aching inside and out for his parents pain right now. And selfishly I can't keep from thinking that could have been us. We could have had an even longer and tougher battle than we did. I quickly regret deeply all the times that I have complained about Lily waking up during the night, and being frustrated with her eating and vomiting and every other trivial matter that we have dealt with. Why? Why was God so gracious to us and saved our miracle baby to completion and not hers. I know these are normal questions to be asking as humans, but I also know as a believer, I will never know these answers and that I should be thankful. And believe me, as I was holding Lily when I received the news, I just shook. I couldn't hardly look at her, fearing what it might feel like for those parents. Thankful doesn't even begin to express what I feel. I honestly can't even complete a thought right now...Please be in prayer for RJ's parents and family and for those doctors and nurses that cared for him. Pray that even in their sorrow, joy will come in the morning and through their great loss God will be glorified and they will find a way to Praise Him through this Storm...To God be the Glory.

playgroup hayride

2009-10-23T09:42:00.011-05:00

Going through the hay maze at steeplehill farm with our playgroup...

Lily on the hay ride...

Thomas riding the deer...

funny Lily on the hay...

going through the hay maze...

Lily and Mommy...

classic Thomas and Lily on the hay ride...

sweet Thomas checking out the animals...

all the kids on the hay ride...

This Wednesday our playgroup went to SteepleHill Farm for an hour long hay ride where we stopped along and saw several different animals and went through a hay maze. The kids had a blast and we had perfect beautiful weather. The farm was gorgeous and seeing all the beautiful tree leaves changing colors was such a welcomed sight. I didn't realize how much I have missed seeing the leaves change for the past 7 years. Love it!

Lily finally seems to be well and feeling good. She is constantly on the go and getting into everything! As I am typing this, she is pulling my magazines off the ottoman and tearing them to shreds so she can put it all in her mouth, ugh! That seems to be her new favorite hobby these days, putting small gross unidentified objects in her mouth! So gross!

Thomas continues to crack me up one moment and the very next moment he makes me want to scream! He is enjoying school and making some friends. He loves riding his skuut bike and we have had a few rough bike wrecks, but he is tough and gets right back up and keeps on riding.

Have a great weekend, enjoying this beautiful fall weather...

2009-10-19T13:09:00.010-05:00

Lily at her first Auburn game/tailgate...sitting on the grass in front of Samford Hall...

Enjoying the view and hearing stories about Mommy and Daddy getting engaged at the top of Samford Hall...

My wonderful best friend L.A. drove from Tallahassee, FL with one of her daughters and husband to visit with us for the day in Auburn...We had such a good time, and it was sooo good to see them!

Didi and Lily at the tailgate...

Thomas resting after playing football at the tailgate...

sweet Lily...

Oh yea...the family pose, gotta have one!

Future Auburn football player...checking out where he will be entering and leaving Jordan Hare!

Famous Auburn van...drives around campus on game days playing the fight song and has been at this tailgate spot as long as I can remember...

We were so excited to get to take the kids to Auburn for a game day!! Greg has taught Thomas to wake up on Saturday and immediately say, "It's game day." So, Thomas was really excited to be going to Auburn. My best friend and roommate at Auburn, L.A. and her family drove up for the day to visit. We had a great time walking around campus and seeing all the changes, improvements they have made since we were in school there. So pretty and sooo much fun to be there again! We loved it! But of course, it wouldn't be an Auburn game if it didn't rain. Right before we were going to go to Tiger Walk, it started to storm and poor down rain. So we decided to pack it up and take the kids home. I really hated that Thomas didn't get to see Aubie or the Eagle fly. Thomas even "called" Aubie on his fake cell phone and I heard him say, "I just thought you were going to be there, Aubie." So cute, and sad. We will just have to go back again soon!

Fall update

2009-10-16T09:55:00.007-05:00

Lily on her birthday in B'ham with the cake the hospital gave her when she was born...don't worry, we didn't eat it!!

Lily and her number one balloon!

Lily

Thomas having fun on the firetruck at a fall festival

Ok, so it has been awhile since I last posted, sorry. September was a crazy, busy month! Besides celebrating Lily's first birthday, we also visited family and friends for a week in B'ham, took the kids to an Auburn game, played at the lake and tended to a sick baby Lily. We also left Lily for the first time and Thomas for the weekend with my Mom, step dad, and sister Shelby so that Greg and I could go meet some friends in Knoxville for the Auburn game. It was a little hard to leave but once we were gone there was no turning back!! We had a great time and it was a much needed get away with some wonderful old friends!

Lily was sick for the very first time. We were so glad and actually a bit surprised that she made it this long without picking up something. She has had an ongoing ear infection for the past two weeks and this past week went back to the doc for wheezing. After our second antibiotic and some breathing treatments she is doing much better. We are all finally sleeping in our own beds and sleeping through the night again, yea! At her last doctor's appt. she weighed 14 lbs 7 oz. She had a lost a little after not eating as much and throwing it all up for awhile. She is now eating much much better, which is a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I have been making her food and she seems to like it better, who would have thought??

She is lightening fast at crawling and very quiet so she can quickly disappear which is always a little scary! She seems happiest when she is pulling up and standing. She is getting more vocal and loud! This is probably a direct result of having a loud big brother! Speaking of Thomas, he is not too thrilled that Lily can crawl over to his beloved trains or any of his toys actually. We are struggling with teaching him to ask for help instead of just laying Lily out! There is no doubt she is very tough and will be fighting back very soon!!

Here are some random pictures taken over the past month. Hope you all are doing well. I will try and update more often. Have a great weekend!

Lily crawling...into everything!

Happy first birthday Lily!

2009-09-22T23:31:00.007-05:00

Lily Cate Dickinson...9-22-08...1lb. 6oz.

Lily 9-20-09, over 14lbs.

Lily's birthday cake, and cupcake

getting ready for some cake...

Wow, I can't even believe that it has been a year since Lily was born! Is that even possible? In so many ways it seems like it was only yesterday that Houston was a mess from hurricane Ike and I was on the phone with Greg calling from my hospital bed telling him that Lily was coming. I can still remember exactly how I was feeling, so many thoughts, emotions, questions going through my mind in a matter of seconds. I can honestly say that even though that was probably the scariest moment of my life, I never doubted that I would have my precious baby girl and that I would have her complete and would bring her home. In the midst of so many doctors asking me a million questions all at once, IVs being started, and being prepped for surgery, God gave me a peace that everything was going to be ok. I don't even think I realized then what was really happening. I think for a long time, even after she was born, I was in complete denial that I really had a tiny preemie baby. Of course I suffered horrible guilt, wondering if I had only done this, or if I hadn't done that, then maybe she wouldn't have come so early. But Greg was always quick to remind me that this was God's plan and that it didn't matter what I did, He had bigger plans for her.

While it seems like it was only yesterday, it also seems like it was forever ago. When I think back to when I first went on bed rest. I had a 2 1/2 year old that was still sleeping in a crib and wasn't potty trained. By the time Lily came home, Thomas was completely potty trained (thanks to Greg and his school), and sleeping in a toddler bed. I felt like he grew up before my eyes. It seems like forever ago, when Stephanie, Lily's nurse was calling me to tell me that Lily was opening her eyes for the very first time. I remember how I felt holding that tiny little body for the very first time. Her sweet little head not even filling my hand and even then filling her feisty little self kicking me as I held her. Wow, so much to remember, so many experiences, but most of all I remember how truly faithful our loving God was and is today. Several times today, I just started to cry amazed at how truly blessed we are and how He completely delivered our precious little baby and how she avoided so many major problems that she should have had. It also made me think about how much I don't deserve His grace or His unconditional love and how much I know I let Him down. But yet He still loves me just like He loves each of you. I did nothing to deserve it.

I wanted to take this time to thank all of you who so faithfully prayed for our family and the specific requests that we had. You all have been a huge part of Lily's healing and growth and we will forever be grateful. I also wanted to thank the amazing doctor's and nurses that took such special care of her while in and out of the hospital. I know without a doubt that we were in Houston so that Lily would have the best possible care, and she did. To Jacqui, Stephanie, Chelsea, Dr. Wong, Dr. Jimenez, and Dr. Nawab, and the amazing staff at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, I will never be able to express all the gratitude I have for all of you. You all are amazing at what you do and you are truly changing lives every minute of every day. I thank God for you and for placing you in my life and Lily's. May He bless you in all that you do!

Ok, so sorry for the emotional stuff...this past Sunday we celebrated Lily's birthday with a lot of family and friends at Greg's parents house on Lake Martin. Even though the weather wasn't perfect and Lily wasn't feeling the best, it was a very special time for us and our whole family. I will post more pics of her party soon.

"I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.

I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O most High." Psalm 9:1-2

I read this verse a few days before Lily was born, and it is my hope and prayer that I will always be quick to tell of all that He has done for me and the miracle story of my sweet baby girl. Praise God from whom all blessings flow...

Lots of Firsts...

2009-09-09T13:46:00.010-05:00

Thomas started preschool last Thursday. This is the best picture I could get on the first day...He was too cool for me to take any good pictures!

Sibling Love...at least for the moment!

Two peas in a pod...

checking out her mobile...she loves trying to push the different music buttons

Crawling wasn't enough for miss feisty...now she is pulling up in her bed!!! Look out!

This video is sure to make you laugh...Thomas wanted to get in Lily's doorway jumper...so here he is having the best time ever!

This is Thomas on his new Skuut bike...it doesn't have pedals. It teaches kids how to balance hoping they won't need training wheels and they can go directly to a real bike...in a weeks time he has just about mastered it. He now loves riding as fast as he can down hills, driveways, streets, etc...oh yea, and there aren't any brakes, just his feet! Thank goodness for helmets! He is definitely my little daredevil...the faster the better, yikes! :-)

Lily crawling!!!! Ignore me talking...I was on the phone and she took off down the hall after the dog, so I tried to video her while I was still on the phone! She had a harder time here since she was wearing a dress... too cute!

It's never that easy...

2009-08-27T14:00:00.009-05:00

Family pic at the old farm house...Goodwater, AL

Mommy and Lily...checkout Lily's cute outfit!

I think they have had enough...

Thomas LOVED the tractors...Uncle Randall even let him drive! He was pumped!

Sweet blue eyes...

Ok...this video is old...Lily is now crawling! I have started so many times to update blog, and gotten side tracked... I promise to put the video of her crawling ASAP!

So where to begin...We have had quite a crazy couple of weeks lately! We haven't even done anything major but just the simple tasks are never easy! In fact, if I could write, I would write a book simply titled, "Nothing is ever Easy." This is the story of my life lately. For example, trying to pick up prescriptions from CVS. Apparently there is only one drive through line that you can pick up, who knew? Trying to simply go to McDonald's for lunch...forgot the wallet, oops. You would think that I would have learned after that, but no the very next day, I drove 20 min. with both kids to shop, no wallet, ugh! Don't even get me started on grocery shopping! I feel like I am preparing for a marathon every time I get ready to go, except that I never have a feeling of success when it is over! I try to get all possible snacks, drinks, toys, lists, etc... but it never fails that I will ALWAYS pick the buggy that doesn't roll easy and/or makes an awful noise. But who wants to unload two kids just to change carts? The best experience is when I had to let Thomas walk because I was running out of room for food (and he was squishing anything that got in his way). Well, Lily was unhappy and screaming the last 15 minutes, Thomas was running ahead of me, opening every freezer door, and finding anything that looked like a dessert and putting it in the cart. I think I got more sympathy looks and some that simply said, control your kids looks that day. And if that wasn't enough, as I was going to check out, Lily starts projectile vomiting everywhere!! All over herself, all over the food in the cart, the floor, etc. So while I am trying to quickly get her out so she doesn't choke, Thomas is picking up every piece of candy asking if he could have it! I had to wipe off food before I put it on the belt to check out! What a mess. So you would think that was it right? Oh no. Once we got to the car and I was finally about to end this nightmare, I thought to look for my iPhone. Couldn't find it anywhere. So I parked in front of Walmart, locked the car, started it with the remote so it would be cool and made a mad dash inside to see if I had dropped it. Of course I kept being sent in several different directions before I finally got to the right place to ask. And praise God for this wonderful woman who had found it in the parking lot and had brought it inside!! I couldn't even properly thank her because the kids were outside in the car. I quickly gave her a hug and ran to the car, literally. I'm sure those people were thinking, poor woman, I hope she makes it!

On to Lily. She is now 14lbs!! Yea! I can't remember how tall she is but she is pretty much just long and lean! She has some cute little cheeks and her thighs and arms are starting to get a little pudgy! She is just way too busy to eat, which always stresses me out. Lately she is eating baby food and oatmeal cereal. She is loosing all interest in her bottles. She has almost 5 teeth now! So funny to see this small baby with all of these teeth! And this weekend she started crawling! She is so happy with herself and now loves to crawl to Thomas and his trains. I am constantly hearing, "no Willie" 'don't get my trains" "put her away,mom!" Lovely.

Lily is being seen by a educational therapist once a week at home. She basically plays with her teaching me new things to help her in her development and mostly to give me a peace of mind. We are meeting with a nutritionist this Friday who is also with ECI (early childhood intervention) to help me know what to do about her eating/growing etc. She has seen all of her other specialists receiving great reports. They all have been fabulous until this past Thursday. I took her to her pediatric nephrologist in Winston Salem to Baptist Hospital at wake Forest. Well, after waiting over 2 hours for the doctor. He finally came in. He didn't have Lily's old records, which was so annoying because I feel like Everyone in NC should have them by now. He was very hard to understand, and really didn't seem to know why he was even seeing Lily, ugh. I was in no mood to deal with this, especially since I was hungry, tired, and trying to entertain Lily for two hours. Anyway, he decided he wanted to do some blood work to check her kidney function. But because we had waited so long, the lab in their pediatric office was closed so we were sent to another building in the hospital to draw the labs. Well after looking forever for a good vein to stick, the lab tech opted to do a finger stick. This was fine with me, thinking it would be less painful and less difficult for lily. WRONG! Apparently the tech was nervous and Lily screaming didn't help. Her hand was covered in blood and it took him FOREVER to get enough blood in his tube! I mean I had never heard Lily scream like this! So after we finally got enough blood and had successfully gotten blood all over my shirt and Lily's, she became so upset that she started projectile vomiting EVERYWHERE! I am used to this but this time was a little different. She got a little choked and became a little gaspy with her breathing. Well, I suctioned her and watched her. I wasn't going to leave until she was calm and I knew she was OK. Well the tech wanted to call some sort of code and I just asked if a respiratory therapist could come and just make sure her O2 was OK and she hadn't aspirated any of the vomit. well, 2 minutes later here come 3 EMTs! Lily is still screaming and breathing a little funny so they wanted to take her to the ER to make sure she was OK. So here we go with me on the stretcher and holding Lily down to the ER! Really?? All I wanted was her to have some blood drawn and get the heck out of there. Needless to say, she was fine, even though I was not the least impressed with the care she received in the ER, but I wont go into to that. After throwing up several more times and finally going to sleep, we were sent home for me to drive her by myself 30 minutes to our house! Like I said, nothing is ever easy!!!!

Sorry for the long post. I just had to get that out! More new pictures to come soon!

My Thomas...

2009-08-13T12:52:00.012-05:00

Thomas Caleb Dickinson...3 days old...

at the beach...4 months old

First Auburn game...yes, he LOVED it!!!

sweet little man, almost a year old...

a true "dirt magnet" to this day...2 years old

3 years old...

my funny little man...2 weeks ago in the backyard...sharing his pool with Samford

...and my dramatic little man, not so happy about Samford being in his pool...

While most of our posts, updates, and pictures have been about our precious miracle baby Lily, today I have to share with you about our strong-willed, handsome little Thomas. He is indeed as special, unique, precious and beautiful as his little sister.

Many of you who know me know that recently I have been struggling with him and learning how to discipline, etc. at this age of 3 1/2. He has proven recently to be very stubborn, impatient, manipulating, and just exhausting. However I know this is just a phase and he truly is an amazing loving little boy by nature. He has an uncanny and unique way of hardly ever meeting a stranger and his smile has a way of stretching from his eyes to the corners of his mouth causing anyone who sees it to melt and instantly feel loved.

He truly was our earthly rock while we dealt with Lily being in the hospital. He gave me a reason to get up and come home and a reason to maintain life as usual as I could. He gave me strength in each hug he gave me when I came home and in each prayer he prayed for his little sister that he never got to meet until the day she came home from the hospital.

He loves trains!!!! Or anything that he can make into a train. He can make a very real sounding train noise and loves to do it sometimes just to irritate is sister. He loves his plasma car and flying around curves, cars, hills and the dog. He has worn out almost every pair of shoes he has riding that car. He loves watching any movie with trains and or cars. Currently he is stuck on the GeoTrax movie that came with his train set. However I am quite sick of it and have it forever memorized, ugh... He says the funniest things and loves to make up stories that can last for days! He already bargains with us and comes up with alternate plans after we give him ours. He has adjusted well so far in our new home and will be starting his new preschool in Sept., not soon enough!

Even though he tests my patience daily, sometimes hourly, and makes me question my abilities as a mother on some days, I am forever thankful for him and so blessed by his little life. He and Lily have brought more joy to our lives then we ever dreamed possible. I know that God too has big plans for him and I can't wait to see what it is!

One of my favorite videos of Thomas...showing his true colors...dancing machine

Pray for the Prescotts

2009-07-29T22:38:00.000-05:00

Please follow the link on the left to The Prescott Family. They have welcomed a new baby girl to the world today and could really use your prayers. Thanks,

New Shades...

2009-07-29T14:55:00.003-05:00

Lily's cool little shades they gave her at the eye doctor's office after having her eye's dilated...so cute. Of course she didn't wear these but I had to get a picture with them on!!

Today we had another prayer answered when we received good news from Lily's new eye doctor. This is the first time she has had her eyes checked since February. Basically the ROP she had when she was born has pretty much regressed on its own and he isn't worried about it anymore, yea!! He said that she is twice as farsighted as most babies her age but hopefully it will continue to correct itself as she grows. We don't have to go back until another year so he must not be that worried. Great to hear!

Last Friday she had her first evaluation with the new Early Childhood Intervention therapist. She did very well. She is basically where she should be for her corrected age of 6 months. A few social/verbal areas she actually scored higher than 6months. The only area that was below was sitting. She can sit briefly by herself but not yet ready to be left alone. The physical therapist felt certain that this would come soon and gave me some things to do with her to help her.

We finally weighed her this past weekend and she was a big 13 lbs!! I was so glad to see a gain. I stress myself out so badly worrying if she is eating enough etc. She has had cereal and some applesauce which she really liked. I really think she is ready to try some baby food but want someone else to tell me to start. When I eat in front of her she just stares at me almost licking her lips like she wants to eat what I am eating. Hopefully her big food day will be coming soon.

I have been reminded over the past couple of days of how God always provides for us. With each move, there has been different types of uncertainty, frustrations, new trials, and often unwanted change. But each time we have left a place and looked back over the time we were there, I can see how God always provided just what we needed when we needed it. With each place we have lived we have gained lifelong friends that have met so many of our specific needs at just the right time. The blessing of these special people is truly priceless. I am so thankful for the role that they have played in our lives and all that I have learned from each of them. We have already been blessed with getting Lily setup with all the different specialists, high risk clinic, ECI, and pediatrician. Thomas is setup with preschool and we have met some great neighbors and playgroup friends. I am learning to appreciate where God places us from the beginning instead of after we leave regretting that I didn't do this or that. Anyway, thanks for all for all of our prayers during our move and for all of us to adjust well.

"I will praise the Lord at all times; my mouth will continually praise Him. I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34 1 and 4

Pictures!!!!

2009-07-26T16:40:00.002-05:00

We have updated our slide show in the upper left, or you can follow this link to the entire album!

MASH IT!!!!

Lily update...

2009-07-20T10:39:00.008-05:00

big blue eyes...

such a big girl...loving sitting up

We have teeth!!! Teething on an apple...

One of her favorite sleeping positions...

eating her cereal...

Peek a boo...her next favorite sleeping position

cheesing it up for the camera...

Lily is growing like crazy!!! Before you even ask or think it, I haven't weighed her in a while. Promise to do so soon. She is doing so many things now. Here is a quick update. She is eating rice cereal which she seems to like. She has found her feet and loves trying to put her toes in her mouth. She can sit up but can't completely stay up by herself, almost. She loves sitting in her bouncer and in her walker and has started scooting backwards in it. She is "talking" all the time and started saying "dada." She is rolling like crazy and pushing up. She scoots on her back now so the days of leaving her on my bed while I get ready are almost over. Two of the biggest milestones is that she is now sleeping in her crib in her own room. She is doing great and really seems to love it. And she now has two bottom teeth that have broken through. So crazy to think of my little girl with teeth! She is chewing on anything and everything she can get into her mouth!! We have just about got her setup with all of her new docs and developmental appointments. I have met some great helpful people over the phone which has really eased my mind with everything. We have her first Early Intervention appointment this Friday. They will do another evaluation and see where she is on development etc... Looking forward to that.

Hope you all are doing well and having a great summer!

Moving...

2009-07-18T13:49:00.001-05:00

too many boxes...

view of the back...

view of part of the yard with our garden in the top right...hopefully I can keep it all alive!

view from the deck...

Thomas in the box...

Look what I found...

Thomas loving the big moving truck...

Lookout, Thomas is behind the wheel...

ready to help...

Yes, we are all finally in our new house in North Carolina! We definitely miss our wonderful friends and all of Lily's amazing doctors and nurses, but we are loving this much cooler weather!!! We finally have the boxes unpacked and most of it put away. We are waiting to get some painting done so the decorating can begin. Everyone seems to be adjusting well. We have met some wonderful neighbors who have already been so helpful, including breaking in the house for me when I locked myself out with Thomas asleep inside!! Not the ideal way to meet neighbors. Luckily Lily was with me so I didn't look like a complete nut! We have an amazing yard that we have never had before. It is huge which Samford of course loves. We have already joined the neighborhood playgroup and Thomas has started camp today. Slowly but surely we are getting settled in.

Meeting more family...

2009-07-18T13:31:00.007-05:00

Thomas and DidiPop on the gator at the farm...

Thomas with his cousins Millie Ann and Brantley

Lily meeting cousin Lori for the first time...

Meeting cousin Doug...he's such a natural...

Meeting sweet aunt Ann and uncle Johnny...
We had a great time visiting with so many cousins and family...we always love coming to the beautiful farm!

Thomas, Lily and Grandmary

Lily and Grandmary meeting for the first time...(Greg's grandmother)
So great to see her and such a sweet and special visit for Lily...

San Antonio Trip

2009-07-16T16:17:00.004-05:00

Thomas the driver...

Trying to stay cool...oh so hot, and it was only May!

River Walk...

Amy and Holley at dinner...

All of us on our carriage ride through the town...

We couldn't leave Texas without visiting the Alamo...

The Skinners and Dickinsons at dinner on the river...

We couldn't leave Texas without going to San Antonio first. We went with our good friends the Skinners. We had a great time and both agreed it was a great way to end our time in Texas. Thanks Amy and Rusty for showing us the town...we miss you!

If you are having a bad day...

2009-07-13T13:50:00.003-05:00

...then watch this and it is sure to cheer you up!!! Lily laughing out loud for the first time on July 4th!!! I am blowing a pinwheel and she obviously thinks it is hilarious...

visit to Lake Martin

2009-06-24T11:41:00.010-05:00

Trip to Lake Martin...Camp Windy Point...visiting Greg's Family

we had a great visit...love that place...simply gorgeous...One of God's beautiful creations!!!

The Boys and Didi Pop having a practice fishing lesson...

Lily and Didi...

Thomas and his second fish he caught...you can't see it, but I promise it was there!

Cutie fisherman...future Auburn Tiger!!!

Owen, Greg's sister's oldest son, meeting Lily for the first time...

say cheese...

Aunt Leah and Lily meeting for the first time...thanks for coming to see us, we had such a good time visiting...see you in Atlanta soon!

Thomas and Ethan, Leah's youngest son, playing in the police car...too cute

the gang...enjoying the ride

Lily's first trip to the beach

2009-06-24T10:07:00.014-05:00

Our trip to the beach with my mom and family:

Lily in the pool...didn't like the cold water...

snoozing in her tent...true beach bum!

Lil' beach diva...

My sweet friend L. A. drove to the beach for the day with her precious daughters (youngest is 4 weeks old) to visit us! Had a wonderful time! Thanks L.A. and mama Drew for coming...it was sooo good to see all of you! Miss you so much!

the kiddos and mommy...never could get them both to cooperate!

Gran and Thomas having fun in the pool!!!

sweet beach boy

Lily in her cute new suit!!!

Mabry and Thomas

loving the bumbo....

jumping waves with PapaCarl...

my cute sis Shelby

Lily's first time on the beach!!

cool dude

On the road again...just can't wait to get on the road again

2009-06-23T16:13:00.015-05:00

Update to follow soon, but for now here are some pictures of our recent travels and to give you an idea of what all we have been up to...

My TEXAS basket I got at my going away dinner...thanks girls!

He, he, he...sorry girls, I think I told you this wouldn't show up on here, but it is such a good memory I had to share it!!!

My sweet friend Amy...I started tearing up just posting this picture...Miss you!!!

All the girls at my going away dinner...love you girls! Thanks for everything!!!! I miss you all so much! Start planning that road trip to the Carolina's...

Our visit to Cleveland, MS....

Our good friends The Kittrell's with Lily and their younger daughter Daylen...Their older daughter, drew Lily a sweet picture that stayed by her bed her entire hospital stay...so sweet!

Thomas and Trace...(a.k.a. TROUBLE) Too cute!

The Starnes, our former pastor and his wonderful wife...we are so thankful for them and our Covenant Church family who so faithfully prayed for us and Lily...we miss yall!

Caroline and Lily...sweet daughter of our friends the Hendons whose house we stayed at while visiting Cleveland...also Thomas' sleep mate, too sweet...thanks for your help Caroline

Grayson and Lily...Caroline's twin sister...they both have been faithful to pray for Lily and were such a big help with Lily and Thomas during our visit...

all the kiddos...too funny

some of my former co-workers in Cleveland...a.k.a. my Cleveland family...wonderful friends who I miss so much! Thanks girls for everything!!!

On the road again is an understatement for what we have been doing the past few weeks. We have been quite crazy lately which has attributed to my lack of new posts and pictures. So sorry, but most days I don't even know what day it is!! More pictures to come soon with the rest of our journey...

2009-05-16T14:52:00.012-05:00

Aunt Allison, Pop, Thomas, Holley, and Nana

Pop and Lily

Nana and Lily in B'ham

the girl cousins...Cally, Caton, and Lily

My sisters, Allison and Leslie

My sister Lauren's 3 beautiful kids with Thomas and Lily...pretty cute bunch!!!

Busted...

Pop and Nana with the grand kids...

cheese...

Colby and Thomas riding down pop and nana's driveway on some old school big wheels...fearless!!!

We all were able to fly to B'ham a few weeks ago to be with my dad at his formal military retirement ceremony. It was such an honor to be there and support him. We are so proud of him and his many many years of service to our great nation!

Lily also got to meet her cousins for the first time as well as my sisters, Leslie and Allison. We also got to see some good friends and their new babies. It was a great trip and visit and like always, not long enough...

2009-05-15T16:18:00.006-05:00

Lily's Great Great Grandmother who she was named after...This was their first time to meet...very special meeting for me!

Lily meeting one of her Great grandfather's for the first time...my mom's dad

Lily meeting another Great grandfather for the first time...my stepdad's dad

My sister Shelby with me and the kids...thanks for all your help aunt Shelby!!! Thomas loves her!!!

PapaCarl and Lily

Gran, Lily, and Thomas

Lily got to go to my mom's house for the first time a couple of weeks ago. It was a great and special time for all of us because she was finally able to meet so many of her relatives! She did great and enjoyed all of the extra attention!! Thomas of course had a blast staying with Gran and PapaCarl and Aunt Shelby a few extra days while Lily and I flew home! His first trip without us...such a big boy now!

Lily's Baptism

2009-05-15T14:42:00.011-05:00

The family

waiting...this is one of the good pictures of thomas...

Our Pastor, Leo after the baptism

Lily's beautiful gown and bonnet were made by a very special family friend, Ann Wadsworth. All of the Dickinson grand kids have been baptised in it and she has sewn their initials into it. She made this bonnet especially for Lily. I loved it!!! Thanks Ann!

She looks like a little doll

2009-05-15T14:27:00.006-05:00

Cute booty...

pretty blue eyes...

visiting Bo and Whitney...

holding hands with pal Andrew...

sitting in Bumbo chair for the first time...

I think she likes it..

Lily has now reached the whopping 10lb mark!!!! I am so excited about this achievement. I have wanted her to be 10lbs for so long. At her last couple of visits she was doing very well. Nothing major to report, thank you Lord!! At her Nephrology appointment this week she had another renal ultrasound that came back clear and her BP has remained where the docs want it so we are trying her off her BP meds this week and go back next week to recheck it. Hopefully we will get to stay off the medicine.

Lily has rolled over a couple of times from her stomach to her back. I think it is just because she hates tummy time!! She is trying to sit up using her abs a lot... it is really funny to watch. She is taking 4oz of formula now from a bottle about every 3 hours. She is finally getting easier to feed, yea! She is still sleeping through the night like a wonderful little baby!!!! She is very relaxed and content most of the time, grinning at anyone who will talk to her. I love looking into those big blue eyes and getting a big gummy grin back!!! Priceless!!

Blue bonnetts...

2009-04-23T14:03:00.009-05:00

trying to get a good picture of all of us is like pulling teeth...

Wish that I didn't have Lily in the car seat...heard there were snakes...yikes

sweet thomas...

My little stud...oh yea, that is an Auburn football that he religiously carries with him...daddy is hoping that it will teach him not to fumble! :-)

Riley (Thomas' girlfriend)

Helping his little sis out...

Lily is not too fond of the sun just yet...don't worry, if I have anything to do with it she will love it as much as I do, soon...

As close as she could get...

as good as it gets...

We finally took the time to take the kids pictures in the blue bonnetts..Not sure how to spell it? I just couldn't leave Texas without my kids pictures in the pretty flowers. Such a "Texas" thing to do. Not really sure if the flowers are just in Texas or why it is such a big deal to do it, but I knew I had to do it before moving. Thanks Amy, for getting us out there and such a pretty place to take them.

7 months old...a.k.a. 3 months old!!!!

2009-04-22T15:44:00.006-05:00

Yes, Lily is 7 months old today from her birthday but her corrected age is actually 3 months old. So hard to believe that she has already been with us 7 months! A week ago she weighed a little over 9lbs! Woohoo! What is so crazy is that I have had two friends give birth to babies already bigger than that! Oouch...is all I can think of. Looking at her I can't imagine giving birth to something that big! Lily seems so big to me but of course we still get the stares and the comments about the "little baby". If they only knew...

She has become a very happy, content baby. She often just swings or sits in her bouncer and just smiles at anyone who will stop and talk to her. She is always on the move, kicking like crazy and throwing her head around to see everything possible. I keep telling her that she is never going to gain weight if she keeps moving so much. She has turned into a fabulous sleeper at night...I know I shouldn't say that because tonight she might prove otherwise. But for almost two weeks now she has been sleeping through the night and wakes up so happy. A lot of mornings I have to wake her up to eat! Crazy...Thomas was never like that! Thomas has been very good with her for the most part. He likes to get right in her face and talk to her in his sweet little baby voice. He is now getting interested in trying to pick her up...yikes! He makes up songs and sings to her in the car and continues to call her a he! Too sweet.

Today I was reminded of how differently her early path of life could have been. I became overwhelmed with emotion wondering why? Why did God allow our baby to do so well and why my friend's baby is still struggling? I know I will never have a concrete answer so for now I will continue to praise Him and thank Him daily for being so faithful in healing our precious miracle baby. I know that I did nothing to deserve it but am so thankful we serve a gracious and merciful God. Each time I look at Lily I am also reminded of all of you and your faithful prayers and for that I will be forever thankful! I pray that whatever you may be going through that you will always know the hope and peace that comes from knowing and serving God. May God bless you all!

Please Pray...

2009-04-22T09:40:00.003-05:00

Hi, Will you please pray for my friend's baby who remains in the NICU. He is having surgery today, actually right now. They have had a very long journey and I pray that this surgery is successful and that their stay in the NICU is almost over. I am quickly reminded of how blessed we are and so grateful that Lily is home and healthy. Praise God! I pray that my friend and her family can experience the amazing joy that comes when you bring your baby home. Thanks. I will keep you posted.

Rays Visit

2009-04-20T23:16:00.001-05:00

Park Pictures with Didi and DidiPop

2009-04-20T23:11:00.001-05:00

Lily's first plane ride

2009-04-15T16:36:00.003-05:00

Mommy and Lily on the plane...Lily wasn't too happy

Plane ride home to Texas...Much happier Lily

Lily and I flew to North Carolina a week ago to meet Greg to house hunt. Lily did really well flying. She slept most of the flight which was so nice for me. We flew through really bad weather and to say the flight was rough is an understatement. I was just glad to be on the ground once we landed. She did really well on her first trip away from home. She was a trooper looking at houses all day long. We were so glad to get to fly home with Daddy!

Easter 2009

2009-04-15T15:07:00.016-05:00

This picture sums up our Easter morning...too funny

Easter morning...my little cutie Thomas posing for the camera

Elivs grin Lily...

Lily's first Easter outfit...

Sleepy bunny...

My two handsome men...

the best picture we got of the two of them...maybe next year...they match if you can't tell!

One happy moment for Lily that day...

One last palm tree picture before we leave them behind and head for the mountains...

Mommy and Easter Lily...

Could've been cute...Lily just wasn't having it that day!

Lily's first Easter wasn't exactly picture perfect, but they never are, right? It didn't matter that I got up early, tried to prepare everything the night before, I still wasn't ready for pictures etc. until it was time to leave for church. So we will get pictures after right? Wrong. It started storming and raining really bad right when church ended. Greg finally made a run for it to get the car for the rest of us. Needless to say he was soaked from head to toe, so the family picture went out the door as well. Oh well...

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter Sunday worshiping our Risen Lord and remembering the amazing hope we have in Him.

My mom is Famous

2009-04-09T22:10:00.001-05:00

That's right, Helen is a true fashionista...setting trends at the Masters. Follow the link where they compliment her outfit. Pretty fun!

Helen at The Masters!

Quick update on our crazy lives...

2009-04-07T22:39:00.007-05:00

Flower Power...

Daddy and Lily time...

Smiling at Daddy...

Loving Mommy and Daddy's bed...

Thomas checking out Daddy's new ride...4 door Jeep Wrangler...

My middle name is officially Crazy!! I constantly feel as if I have been in a tornado and back again. We have our house on the market and trying to constantly keep it clean and picked up is totally exhausting. With a 3 yr. old who loves to throw everything everywhere every day and having a baby with all sorts of chairs and swings, makes for a lot of picking up and hiding. Greg is also traveling almost every week and we are trying to find a house in North Carolina. Not to mention all of the regular day to day stuff that comes with raising two kids. Needless to say, some nights I am just living for the moment when both kiddos are safe in bed!

I have to share some funny things that Thomas has said lately. He is very chatty these days and acts as if he is 3 going on 13. He really thinks he can do everything himself and gets really angry when you try to help him. I don't even remember the terrible twos, three is way worse and overrides anything that happened at two! Today at the park he told me he wanted to play "hide and secret" with me, instead of hide and seek. He also calls everything fun a park. The airport is called "airpark" the inflatable jumping place is called "jumping park" swim lessons is "swim park", and so on. Tonight we ate at Chik-fil-A, and the big dressed up cow came walking through. At first Thomas started yelling "Hi Dog, Hi Dog" I quickly told him that it was a cow. He said "Hi Cow" The cow came over and Thomas started laughing and said to the cow, "What in the world cow, what in the world are you doing here?" I of course got a good laugh. Not sure where he picked up on that one. Too funny. I have got to start writing things down, because I am forgetting so many.

Lily is doing well. She had a checkup 2 weeks ago and weighed 8lb. 6oz, so hopefully we are over that now. We will have to break out the Wii Fit again and see. She is doing better sleeping. Getting up usually once during the night. She is smiling all the time and starting to coo some. She is very nosey and curious these days. She loves watching Thomas and T.V. Medically she is doing great. She is still on the same reflux and BP meds. We don't go back to the doc until mid May, yikes. We haven't gone that long without seeing a doctor!

Hope you all are doing well!

What's for dinner...

2009-04-07T22:23:00.002-05:00

Before...

After...

So, last week I decided to cook dinner. Shocking, I know. Greg was home from a week of traveling so I thought I would make homemade cornbread, a southern living recipe for new potatoes, salad, and grill some fish. Greg walks into the kitchen from grilling the fish and immediately makes a face and said "what smells?" I of course was offended and said thanks a lot for that! Anyway, during the preparation/cooking I lost the key to unlock the cabinets. I was getting annoyed and blaming Thomas and Greg for taking it. When dinner was ready and I went to pull the cornbread out of the oven, I noticed a weird mushroom shape "thing" hanging from the rack. Greg quickly chimed in "that is what was smelling, not your cooking" trying to redeem himself. But we still didn't know what it was. So after dinner, I forgot all about the unidentified object in the oven and went on about the evening and into the weekend. Two days later, Greg went to warm some leftovers in the oven and quickly realized that we didn't clean the object, so he reluctantly went to wipe the object free and all of a sudden I heard him dying laughing. What he found was the burnt tot lock that I lost during our dinner preparation. I had put Thomas some chicken nuggets to cook and the key stuck to the bottom of the pan without me knowing it. So we got a burnt lock...as evidenced by the before and after picture!! Maybe I should stick to the simple dinners!! Just a glimpse into my crazy life these days...

Houston Rodeo...

2009-03-24T20:57:00.016-05:00

The family at the Rodeo...

My lil cowboy...

sweet cowboy...so worried about his hat!

Loving the tractors...

Silly Thomas and Daddy...

Lookout rodeo clowns...Thomas is going to take your jobs!

Rodeo clown Lily...

Girls night out at Taylor Swift...

Amy, Shelby, Holley, and Allison...fun night out!

Night out at the Rodeo...Houston skyline in the background...

Inside the Rodeo...

Holley and Amy...

Enjoying the Rodeo with the Skinners...

Thomas enjoying his first rodeo...he liked to yell out, "Go horse" "Go cow"

2009-03-24T15:48:00.006-05:00

Samford having fun in Thomas new tent he got for his birthday...thanks Aunt Leslie and Aunt Allison!

Thomas finished his two week every day swim session last week and can now float on his back until he reaches the side of the pool and flips over and makes his way to the stairs...simply amazing. The first day he cried the whole time and now he asks when he is going swimming. The teachers at Houston Swim Club are truly amazing...thanks miss Sarah!!

Baby blues...

Loving life...

Lily laughing...so precious...

2009-03-24T15:08:00.008-05:00

"See my shirt"

My sweet boy...Happy St. Patrick's Day

Mommy and Lily matching...don't pinch us!

Surprised Lily...

Just cute...

Sweet Lily...First st. Patrick's Day

Lily trying to talk on St. Patrick's Day...

Thomas' third birthday

2009-03-24T14:08:00.006-05:00

Party guests waiting at the train stop...where's the train?

All aboard...

Thomas the engineer...

After much preparation for the party at the park...I forgot forks!!! Oh, yes, kids and parents enjoyed their cake with their fingers!!!!

2 minutes after Thomas said, "I not tired Dad"

Thomas had his third birthday party at Hermann Park near downtown Houston. There is a great train that takes you to different stops along the park. After a crazy morning trying to get everyone there etc...we had a great time riding the train and playing on the playground. A special thanks to Gran, Papa Carl, Shelby, Didi, and Didi Pop for making the long trip to celebrate with us, and to all of our special friends who fought the traffic, long walks, and crowds to come and celebrate! I can't believe my sweet boy is three!!!!

message from Thomas

2009-03-06T17:07:00.003-06:00

Yes, you heard correctly. We will be moving to Greensboro, N.C. within the next couple of months. Greg got a promotion with his current company and will be an AgriEdge Manager. The company's North American headquarters is located in Greensboro, so if life wasn't crazy enough we are about to make it even crazier!! While we are very excited for Greg and this new opportunity for our family we are very sad to leave our wonderful friends here and all of Lily's medical team. We do feel very strongly that this is what the Lord has in store for us and know without a doubt that we were in Houston at the right time for Lily to be born. Praise God for his amazing timing! We will keep you updated on the big move!

Lily smiling...

Lily has had a rough couple of weeks, not sleeping day or night, struggling with reflux and just overall comfort. But these past few days have been much better so we hope things will begin to improve. She is really smiling a lot now and trying to coo some. She is working with an occupational therapist about once a week to help with her development. We haven't weighed her this week so I will have to get back with you on that.

From then to Now...

2009-03-05T10:02:00.007-06:00

Then...9-22-09 1lb. 6oz.

Now...3-4-09 8lbs

Today I was looking back at photos of Lily trying to find the right combination of pictures to use on her birth announcement, (yes I am just now doing that) and I came across some pictures of her when she was first born. I've seen these pictures a hundred times but today I was overwhelmed with emotion looking at them and comparing them to the precious baby that I am looking at now at home. I am so undeserving of this beautiful life that He has given me. And to this day I don't know why God was so merciful and gracious to us and our baby. Why we were so blessed for our baby to do so well and why so many other mothers are still facing major issues with their baby in the NICU and even at home. I know that it was nothing we did to deserve it. I am just so completely thankful for His mercy, His faithfulness, and His grace. For hearing and granting us our heart's desires to have a healthy baby girl. I am also so thankful for all of you who have been on this journey with us from day one, who have prayed for us so faithfully and who believed that Lily would get better and I have feelings of gratitude for all of you that I will never be able to express in this lifetime. We have been having a lot of sleepless nights, stressful evenings, etc.. with Lily lately but when I think back to how far she has come and how differently the outcome could have been, I am learning to be so thankful for those nights because it means that she is home with me. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow..."

So I want to again thank some very special people who have helped us in ways I will never be able to repay;
My amazing, strong, faithful, loving, husband who supported me in ways no one else could, and who is always my strength when I am weak; our parents, who flew out here countless times, sometimes with a moments notice to help with Thomas, the house, transportation when I couldn't drive, meals, groceries, cleaning etc... my sister Allison for coming to help when I was on bed rest, my sister Lauren for leaving her 3 kids to come help me at home when Greg was out of town, my sister Leslie for your support and prayers, my sister Shelby for taking days off from school to come help entertain Thomas several times, the Yntema's for all of your support, prayers and encouragement despite your own needs and challenges, all of our extended families, my angel of a friend Vickie who always seems to meet a need without me having to ask, for keeping Thomas so many night and days, my wonderful playgroup girls, for support, meals, snacks, my baby shower, helping with Thomas, etc..., all of Greg's coworkers for support and prayers, his understanding boss, my coworkers who picked up my workload without complaint and were always so eager to help and for giving me a great baby shower, the amazing medical staff at Children's Memorial Hermann, Texas Medical Center, Dr. Nawab for your compassion, skill, and wisdom while caring for Lily, Dr. Wong for getting Lily ready to come home, Dr. Jimenez for continuing to give her amazing care and love, to Jackie, Stephanie, and Chelsea, Lily's angels on earth who not only cared for her so extraordinarily but also kept me sain and comforted, I will never forget you and what you did for us, the Ronald McDonald house, all of our old friends, new friends, our old church, Covenant Presbyterian; our current church Christ the King Presbyterian, Robert Cook, Ruth Reitemier, Clay Holland, Phil and Carolyn Betti, Jesse and Shelly Buffington for all the meals and help, Shelley Tibbs, Jennifer Krutz, and Nikki Herbison for being so faithful to email/comment on the blog always on days when I seemed to need it the most, Anne for making Lily's room so special, Jana for helping with Samford, taking pictures, my delta girls for sending such sweet gifts for Lily, for my amazing high school friends for sending a box of goodies for Lily, Neal and Debbie Butler for all of your help, all of you who sent such sweet special gifts, and for all of you that I have never met but you prayed for Lily, sending her gifts, us notes, emails, calls...Thank you!!!!!! I hope that one day you all get to meet Lily in person and see first hand what a present day miracle of our Holy and good God looks like. Each of you contributed to her health and recovery and for that I am so grateful!

"I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name O Most High." Psalms 9:1-2

Photo Shoot

2009-03-03T16:04:00.011-06:00

Here are some of my favorite pictures that our friend Jana took for us. She works with Greg but I think she might have missed her calling. There were so many great pictures that she took it was hard to choose from. Thanks Jana for all of your hard work. We love the pictures!

Tomato Pink nursery...

2009-03-01T13:40:00.010-06:00

I finally took some pictures of Lily's room...the tomato pink room as Thomas calls it.
I still have some things to put on the wall, lamp shade to get, etc...but we are getting there. Not sure when Lily will actually be in there, but it makes me feel like a better mom to at least have it done for her! :-)

The bedding is from Polka Tot Designs out of Mobile, AL. I did it all online and on the phone with the owner. They were fabulous to deal with, so nice and helpful and it all came very quickly.

Mirror above changing table...

changing table...

Beautiful, unique window treatment that my sweet coworker did for Lily. She did a fabulous job! I wish I had her talent. Thanks Anne!!!

Anne made this bag also...

Anne also made these chair pads!! Love it, so comfy!!!

Getting Out...

2009-02-26T22:43:00.009-06:00

Laundry Lily...Lily had a fun ride in the laundry basket and enjoyed watching me fold clothes...I will be glad when she is big enough to help!

One eye, smiling Lily...

This weekend we took Lily to the park for the first time. She enjoyed the stroller ride and listening to Thomas zoom by on his plasma car. It was great to get out with both of my children and enjoy the nice weather.

Look out Lightning McQueen...Here comes Thomas!

Wow, we have had a busy week so far. Lily went to the pediatrician and nephrologist on Monday. We were very excited to get a good report from both. Nothing major to report which is always good. She was pleased with her growth, etc. She was still weighing right around 8lbs. and 53cm long! Her blood pressure was also good. She is going to remain on medicine for blood pressure and acid reflux. We got the OK to get out of the house a little so Lily and I enjoyed our first grocery trip together yesterday. She was great, sleeping the whole time! It is really nice to get out of the house!! Looking forward to more outings soon!

As you can see in the pictures, Lily is growing and smiling more and more. It is so fun to watch and see her respond to us with a smile. I love it!

Thomas is doing well, testing my patience more and more, while making me laugh just as much. He repeats everything he hears which is really funny to hear his take on things. He has heard me call Lily, Lily Cate often, so now when she is crying etc., he calls her Wily Cake! So funny to hear. My other favorite is now when you ask him what he did at school he says, "nothing." I will have to remember some more to share with you soon.

Rock-a-bye baby...

2009-02-17T15:01:00.006-06:00

I don't know about you, but he looks like he's up to something...

All ready to take big brother to school...

I walked up behind Thomas and he was singing rock-a-bye baby to Lily really softly. I tried to get it on camera, but wasn't quite quick enough. Listen carefully and you can hear him sing a little. Of course now I feel bad for assuming he was up to something bad...such a sweet big brother!