Thankful

Tonight I am feeling very thankful. One year ago tonight I was coming out of brain surgery. I don't remember much of that night, but my kids tell me I was kinda funny in Recovery. I only remember later, about 2:30 am in the Neuro ICU, when my blood pressure "went through the floor," as my nurse put it. I remember lots of people working on me, sticking me with needles on every extremity. I blew five lines, and they failed three attempts at getting a central line in. I was in and out of it, but I had a real sense of calm, in spite of the frenzy going on around me. I just felt God's presence with me, and I knew I was completely in His Hands.
They finally managed to put some kind of stent thing in my arm that was very painful, but allowed them to start the first of two units of blood into me. I think I had an IV line in my leg too, but I 'm not sure. The memories are kind of fuzzy.
That blood is something else I am so thankful for. I am thankful for the two strangers who donated that blood. I used to donate blood on a regular basis, until they gave me a permanent deferral because of my heart problem. It always felt good to be able to help someone in need. I never expected to be on the other end of the transfusion. I suppose no one does. But you sure appreciate it when you need it!
Today, I got to go to a baby shower for my best friend Julie's daughter. One of the guests was telling me about a friend of hers who just died from a brain tumor, and I was reminded again of how blessed I am to be alive. Tonight I got to go to church and praise the God who brought me through the worst time of my life, never leaving my side, constantly meeting every need that I had. Two people gave their blood to save my life here on earth, but Jesus shed His blood to give me an eternal life. I cannot begin to measure how thankful I am.

Baby Shower #3!

Saturday, Nov 7, Kelly and Shauna hosted Megan's baby shower at my house. Our THIRD baby shower this year and it was lots of fun. We had a house full of babies, including Caleb, Keegan and the Cady twins, Maggie and Gibson. I had a baby in my arms the whole time! Megan got lots of wonderful things for Casey, and we had great, mostly low carb food (because of Meg's gestational diabetes), except for the cake, of course. Our cake designer at Fred Meyer did an amazing job again and made a cake to match our farm animals theme. We are getting pretty good at throwing showers. We are thinking of going professional, lol!

So the next time I see Megan, she will have Casey in her arms. Amazing. And wonderful! She and Ryan are going to be great parents. Casey is a lucky boy. I can't wait to meet him!

One Year Later

Last year, November 3rd, was probably the darkest day of my life. I was diagnosed with a "very large and very agressive brain tumor."

It hit Kirk and I like a kick in the stomach, it was so unexpected. I think we were in shock, and numb with fear. And oh, the sadness. It came over us in huge waves, making us fear we would drown in it. We held on to each other all night on that first night, crying and hoping that if we held on tight enough, this thing couldn't separate us, couldn't steal me away from him, from my family.

My children were so strong, so supportive. They wanted me to fight, but I just didn't know how much I was willing to go through, to put them through, if the outcome was likely to be the same. I didn't want to put my family through the pain Debbie's family went through.

Yes, November third, 2008, was the saddest and hardest day of my life, as were the next few days, before we saw Dr. Sarah Jost and got a glimmer of hope. How much different is November third, this year. Today Caleb Joseph, my second grandson is three months old. After the sadness of their miscarriage, Matt and Kelly are now parents to this sweet little boy.

In the midst of our sorrow and hardship last November, God was blessing us beyond our wildest dreams. Not only did He create Caleb, but also Keegan Jameson (the little angel in the photo above). While I was mourning that I probably wouldn't live to meet any more grandchildren, He was blessing me with two! And this November I have those two precious little boys in my life, and am expecting another, Casey Neal, in the next few weeks. God is so amazing! I don't think it was a coincidence that I found out about Caleb and Keegan on Christmas Day, and Casey on Easter weekend. God gave us His Son on Christmas, and Jesus gave us His life on Easter. The two holiest days of the year.

This November, 2009, my health is restored, my life is restored. I got to spend Halloween with all three grandsons, then celebrate Cooper's second birthday the next day. This weekend we will shower Megan with love and gifts for little Casey. My life is busy and full, rich with blessings and love. My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God for this place He has delivered me to. He has walked with me every step, through the difficult weeks of sickness, and through the present days of joy. I cannot thank Him enough.

Cousins

Well, here they are together. Our two new grandsons with proud grandpa. That is Caleb on the left and Keegan on the right. On Saturday night, 8-19-09, we had all the family for dinner at our house. It was the first time the new cousins were together. Megan and Ryan were in town to see their new nephews, Grandma De and Grandpa Al came up, Kelly's mom, Jeanne, was here, as well as her aunt and uncle, Lee and Ray, so we had a full house! (grand total of 16!) It was controlled chaos, as usual, but a house full of love and happiness! And so much gratitude to God, we are blessed beyond measure.

And Again!

Keegan Jameson Hebert finally arrived on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 12:59 am. He weighed in at 6 lb. 12 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. I say "finally" arrived because we have been expecting him to arrive early for weeks. Shauna was taking medication for pre-term labor for weeks, and at her Dr. appointment last Wednesday, she was dilated to 3 cm and 75% effaced, causing us to expect him any minute! I have kept my phone with me every second and checked in with poor Shauna several times a day all week, or should I say stalked Shauna all week, lol. At this week's appointment, which we never thought we would get to, she was still dilated to 3 cm. She looked so disappointed when she came out to the waiting room and said she would be induced in another week.
But that evening at 6:10, while Kirk and I were eating at Applebee's, she texted me that she had lost her mucous plug. I was so excited and knew he was coming soon! At 8:56 she texted again that her contractions were 3 minutes apart and pretty uncomfortable, and they were "going to stick around another hour and see how it goes." We were picking the kids up at church, so we hurried home and got packed up for the hospital. She texted at 9:17 and said they were going to leave as soon as they got Coop packed up. Texted again at 9:45 that they had talked to the nurse and were going to go get checked, and were leaving soon... 9:56 "getting in car" and no need for us to rush, she wanted to make sure they would actually take her. Well, we were already on the road so we could get there first to take over care of Cooper for them (she had said they couldn't reach Teri). We arrived in the parking garage at 10:11 and they drove up shortly after us. (My cell phone kept great records for me!)
We all made our way in with sleeping Cooper, but left all our stuff in the car until we knew they would keep her (I knew they would!) Teri was inside waiting for us. Shauna got signed in and went back to be checked. Noah came out an hour or so later and said she had only been at 3 1/2 cm, but they were keeping her. She was getting into the hot bath to see if it helped and he asked Dustin to go get their bags from the car, then went back in to be with her. Cooper was still sleeping and Teri wasn't sure if she should stay or take him to her house, but we chatted and waited.
About 12:55 am, I said I wished we knew what was happening and Teri had Dustin check her phone. There was a text from 12:50 that said she was at 10 cm and they were just waiting for the doctor! Wow! That got us excited and wide awake! Then Dustin got a text that said "Keegan Jameson Hebert arrived at 1 am sharp! I'll send pics as soon as I can." We were just amazed that he was really here! Then a darling picture arrived on Kirk's phone, which he sent to his laptop so we could see it enlarged. He put pics of Caleb and Cooper, as a newborn, up too and put all three side by side. We just kept gazing at our three blessings while we waited to go in to see the newest one.
Around 1:07 we heard the "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" song play and we knew it was for him. They had wanted Cooper to press the button to play the song, but he was fast asleep. It seemed like we had to wait a very long time, until finally the security guard came out and said we could come back. We went to the room, and Shauna was sitting up in bed, smiling, but there was no baby in the room. They said he was having some trouble breathing and had been whisked off to the nursery after only 2 or 3 minutes. Noah said he could take us, two at a time, to see Keegan, so Teri said Kirk and I could go first while she held the still sleeping Cooper.
Keegan was so little! He was on a warming bed with lots of wires, but he looked good. His breathing was not labored like Cooper's was and his numbers looked great. I felt very relieved!
I got to touch his little toes and I said a little prayer to ask God to watch over him and heal him.
We left the hospital about 2:30 am and went home for a little sleep, although I got none. Later that morning, I picked up flowers and a Birth Day cake and arrived at the hospital around noon, but Keegan was still in the NICU. I got to go see him when Shauna fed him in the afternoon. He didn't come into the room until around 8 pm that night, so we saw him and toasted him, but didn't get to hold him.
Keegan came home the next day (15th) and when I took dinner over to them, I finally got to hold him! He seems SO small, but he is so sweet! Thank you Lord that he is doing well and home!

I'm a Grandma Again!

Caleb Joseph McAllister arrived at 4:24 am, August 3, 2009! He wasn't due until the 16th, so he surprised us all! We got a phone call at 3:30am from Matt saying they were at the hospital and Kelly was dilated to 7 cm, so "they are keeping us." Well, I certainly hope so! We got up, raced around getting ready and flew out the door. As we were driving, Matt texted us. Our text exchange:
4:02 am "9.5 now"
4:03 am "we r getting on 410 tell kelly we love her!"
4:05 am "They are telling her not to push but hes coming fast! Drive careful."
4:06 am "what entrance?"
4:08 am "Birth center in the garage up the elevator to level 6 you will see signs"

We parked and ran to the birth center, arriving at about 4:15 am. We went back into Labor and Delivery and the nurses said she was delivering! We went to the waiting room, paced around for a few minutes, then heard the "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" song and knew he had arrived! Text exchange:
4:32 am "8.2 she's doing the placenta now"
4:33 am "we heard the song! yay! congrats to all!
4:34 am "she is getting a few stitches"
4:35 am "ouch"
Just before 5 am, Matt came out to get us. After some big hugs, he took us back to see their son. Kelly was holding him and she said "I can't believe I'm a mom". I hugged her and she asked if I wanted to hold him. I said I had to take a few pictures first, then washed my hands and reached for my new little grandson. He is so precious! I just loved holding him and listening to them tell us their birth story. Kelly did an amazing job! There was no time for any medications, so she delivered him completely naturally. I am so proud of her! And Caleb is just a darling, who I have fallen in love with instantly.
Thank you God for bringing him safely into the world and for this wonderful blessing. Please bless Caleb and his parents, and watch over them always.

The Last Pregnant x3 Photos

These photos were taken July 18, 2009 at our "It A Boy" party for Megan and Ryan. This weekend is probably the last time all three girls will be together pregnant. The next time Megan and Ryan come over from Tri-Cities, it will be to see one of their new nephews. So it was important to me to record this moment in time, of all three of my older children expecting. This will probably not ever happen again in our family or in my lifetime. God has blessed us, times three, and that is abundantly! As one of my favorite songs says "and I could not ask for more."

These are the moments

I thank God that I'm alive

These are the moments

I'll remember all my life

I've found all I've waited for

And I could not ask for more.

These are the moments

I know Heaven must exist

These are the moments

I know all I need is this.

I've found all I've waited for

And I could not ask for more

I could not ask for more than this time together

I could not ask for more than this time with you

Every prayer has been answered

Every dream has come true

Yeah, right here in this moment

is right where I'm meant to be

Here with you, here with me.

Lyrics from These Are the Moments, sung by Sara Evans.

These words so describe how I feel these days about being with my family. The simple moments of listening to the girls compare notes about pregnancy and baby products and parenting, these are so precious to me. I am so grateful to be here to share in them. Getting to watch Kelly and Megan become moms, and seeing Shauna learn to be a mom to two, those are moments I thought I wouldn't get to experience. They are all the more sweet because of the tough times we went through. Like the rainbow after the rain. Thank you so much Lord.