Update: Baby Sams

My dear friend Jeremy whom I mentioned in my latter post also has a blog. He posted about his family's recent loss and I had to share with all of you. He wrote just exactly as I had expected, to God be the glory. Please take a moment to read and understand the love that my friends (as I shared) have for our God. Below is a post from Jeremy Sams (this is not my writing)...

He Being Dead, Yet Speaketh

What a beautiful sound to hear your baby's heartbeat on a monitor. But dreams become nightmares when all you hear is silence. For 40 weeks, we dreamed about our upcoming birth. We dreamed of what this child would look like and who's features he/she would have. We prayed even before the child was conceived that God would give us a little preacher boy. On March 29, 2011, God answered our prayers.

However, he's not your typical preacher boy. You see, the day before he was delivered, we found out through ultrasound that our baby had already gone home to meet his Lord. So, how does he preach? His name is Zion Jeremiah Sams. The Hebrew root of the word Zion means waymark or sign. It was often used of an object or place to help people find their way. "Jeremiah" means of whom Jehovah has appointed. Of the Old Testament prophet, God said, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." My little preacher boy has already preached God's sovereignty and God's grace to people all over the world, literally. God's sovereignty is preached in the fact that his death was a sovereign act of our Creator. Job 1:21 says, "...the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

The Doctor and hospital staff had no explanation as to his death. He was a beautiful healthy baby boy. "There was nothing anyone could have done or done differently", the Dr. told us. This was unexplainable to man, but not to God. Little Zion is preaching God's grace in the fact that the grace of God is presently encompassing my family. Crystal and I spent much time alone holding our little preacher while watching the sunset, praising God, and rejoicing in His goodness. We are hurting bitterly. We weep...but not as those who have no hope. Our heart is broken, yet something strengthens us. My dear friend, Pastor Jeremy Varner gave me this verse that explains it so well, found in Psalm 73:26, "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."

But, how does this happen? How can those grieving the loss of a child still have joy amidst the tears? How can a mother laboring to deliver a lifeless child raise her hands in praise as we listen to the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sing Psalm 8? One small, beautiful, powerful word explains it: GRACE...God's undeserved, unearned favor and goodness. I will post more later as this will be therapeutic for me. To God be the glory.

Thinking Baby

So, as I mentioned in my post before we've been thinking/talking baby #2. Today I personally have thought about her (for some reason I feel all warm inside to think of baby as a girl) a lot. Here's why: a good friend lost her sweet baby yesterday after carrying it almost full term. Sad is how I feel when I think about the pain that a loss such as this would bring to a family. A mother, that has already loved and nourished this bundle, who has carried but not held her baby, who has watched it kick and turn, but never seen it smile. A sweet daddy who is ready to meet his baby to know of it will wear pink or play football. A proud big sister who has already begun the process of learning to share both time and toys with a new person on the way. All have lost something precious that seemed to be just within reach. So close to being here and now so far.
I can't imagine the hurt and sadness, but knowing these dear people, my precious friends I am reminded of a love so real and so true that they carry. My dear Christian friends always let Christ's love shine through them to everyone they meet and I know that God is wrapping them tenderly now in his arms and promising them peace that certainly passes all of our earthly understanding.
Today, I've been thinking about baby #2 and how blessed we will be when the time comes to have her or HIM. I cannot imagine what my life would be like without the people in it or the people that are yet to come. So today I am feeling blessed for all that I have and not asking for anything more.

A Few Things.

I have a lot on my mind today, but not enough time to give it the proper writer's creative edge so I think I'll share a few things bullet style ;-)

I'm excited about a few things that are just around the corner!

• Attending UNCG in the fall to pursue my love of writing.


• Avery is cutting more teeth.


• My favorite sister-in-law is coming home!


• Easter :)


• My last day at the Community College (meaning I'm moving up to taking lots of writing courses!!!)


• My husband's SUMMER vacation from work!


• A couple of family getaways that are scheduled.


• Zipline, full force.


• Baby #2 (still a while away, but thinking and talking is in the works...)


• Life!

I'm just so excited about the things that the coming months hold!

reminiscing

I've devoted today to laundry, homework, and cleaning up closets (after all it is Spring!!!). I've already gotten some laundry out of the way and snuck in a little kitchen cleaning while Avery skyped Nana and Paw Paw at the beach... :) While playing with my sweet growing boy this morning I was able to get some things put away from winter and it made me reminisce. I don't want this to be a sad post although my heart has a bit of bitter-sweetness lingering from memories of my 5lb. 15oz. baby doll I carried home from the hospital. So, in order to keep this light and happy I'll share the AMAZING changes we've been through in the last (short) two months of our lives.

-Avery is walking more and more every day. Today he showed off for Paw Paw and Nana by walking across the living room (with the assistance of his dinosaur)... The reason this is such a big accomplishment is because he actually ran! He was holding Mr. Dino up... He just didn't know it!

-Big boy is drinking from a straw now! Mommy packed away all of Avery's bottles and saved them for little sister (or brother, hehe.).

-Avery can tell you where his hair, eyes, teeth, and belly/belly button are :) He is learning how to show you his feet now.

-Amongst his many words the newest are: ball, car, eye, night-night, poop poop, and diaper.

-Avery can make so many sounds... he says: Ah, ah (for a dog bark), buuuuden (for a car or big truck, complete with vibrating lips!), cack cack (translated to quack quack), and his newest sound as of yesterday is sh (while trying to say shoe).

-He is also on the move! Though he's not walking (in his mind) just yet... Avery is learning to climb (mostly out of the bathtub) and he lifts his leg to get out of his crib (so we lowered it!!!) and up onto furniture.

-We are amazed that at bath time Avery has been pointing to the potty and saying "Poop poop" already showing an interest in potty training!

There are so many things each and every day that I could probably share with you until my fingers went numb, but remember, today is for laundry, homework, and cleaning! Haha. Since my wild child is fast asleep for at least the next hour... I'd better get to it!

Flight Captain Fun

So, a while back I shared with you all that I was in training to become a Zipline Flight Captain. I have been certified as a professional rescuer and have had countless numbers of hours both training and paid on the line.

A nice little perk of my job is that I get to fly family (and sometimes friends during non-busy seasons) for FREE! Here are some photos of my "hard work!" :)

I received my "wings!"

Flying with the guys!

Family fun.

Great day for flying!

Wreath Contest

A second Spring wreath. Made especially for my mom.

Spring time fun...

It's here at our house!

:)

Something I wanted to share today!