Struggles

In the last couple of weeks my outlook on this war we are fighting has been tested to say the least. Two weeks ago tomorrow my good friend Stacy Greer received the call that her husband Daniel had been injured by an IED in Afghanistan. Stacy and Daniel haven't been married long (2008) and have a little son that will be 2 soon, Ethan, but to say that their love was anything but absolutely amazing would be an understatement. I've never seen two people love each other so much. From the very beginning it was evident that these two were soulmates. Daniel has since went to be with Jesus and Stacy and Ethan and family and friends are left with this hole in our hearts that is absolutely unfillable. Its absolutely surreal. You hear of this happening to other families (thousands of them now) but to actually know the hero is just so unbelievable.

It is now the Muslim Holiday of Ramadan. Its the 9th month in the Muslim calendar and its a 30 day fasting period with many rules to be followed. As we've seen over the last almost 10 years at war the violence escalates against our troops during this time. The leadership and elders at my church, The Journey (www.thejourneytn.org) are currently using the Ramadan period to pray for the Muslims and their salvation. I praise them for having the strength to pray and honestly until two weeks ago it would've been an easier task for me. When Robbie mentioned this at church this past Sunday I shook my head in anger and looked and Patrick and said "I just can't pray for them Patrick I can't". I know this is not what God would want for me; the anger and hatred I feel right now, but I'm human. I look into the eyes of one of closest friends and I see the biggest hurt I've ever seen. I look into the eyes of their son Ethan and see a little boy that will never know his father. I think of all the struggles for their families and the fact that the hardest part is yet to come for them. AND WHY?? Because of hatred and ignorance. I know that Daniel wanted to be a Marine loved being a Marine, but I also know that he loved being a father and a husband more. I'm just so angry that its been all taken away.

I say all this to say, I'm struggling right now with doing what I know God would want me to do. I know that in order to begin to heal and feel his comfort all involved will have to forgive the ones that have done this. I'm just not ready and I'd dare to say there are alot of people that feel the way I do; those that loved Daniel and love Stacy and Ethan and both of the families. I wish I could take away the pain and hurt from my dear friends but I know that this a wound only God can heal.

I pray and I ask for prayers that Stacy and family everyone that loved Daniel will feel the warm and comforting arms of Jesus as they deal with saying goodbye to our fallen hero and that moving forward they will feel his comfort in the dark times to come. I also pray for my own heart that I will do what Gods will is concerning the forgiveness of the responsible parties.

Today is the visitation for Daniel and tomorrow is the funeral. We may be saying goodbye to him here on earth but I know that he is in Heaven watching and enjoying his time with Jesus until we see his face again. RIP Cpl Kristopher Daniel Greer, your memory will always be remembered. A great husband, father, Marine, firefighter, man and hero. When we look at Ethan we will always be able to rememeber your smile.

Preggo Pics

Some pics taken by my sweet hubby and the others by Whitney Hall Photography

Long time coming....

I know I haven't posted in awhile but I've been really busy, she arrived on 5/19/10 at 2:49 pm she weighted 7lbs 13ozs and was 20 1/2 inches long. Aubrey June has arrived. What an amazing day this was going to turn out to be. We went for our weekly appt to see Dr. Thompson at 9:30. I had told her the week before hey Doc I'm having a baby next Wednesday, she of course laughed at me. When we woke up on 5/19 I began straightening the house as I did every Wednesday, just in case. We get to the Dr. I change into the gown and begin doing squats (LOL) Dr. Thompson walks in says "What are you doing" I say "I told you I was having a baby today, I'm just helping it along". I had been extremely uncomfy for 2 days lots of lower back pain....she felt my tummy but this time didn't push around like she'd done before, she checked me and said "You have your stuff right?", I was dilated to 5 and my water was about to break. She sent me straight over to L&D. Funny I started balling, all the sudden I was scared to death and also amazingly thankful that I'd ate before coming...love me some Panera Bread. She told me to go straight over b/c my water could break anytime. We started calling everyone as I finished my sweet tea...lol and got to L&D about 10:30....Dr. Thompson came over and broke my water (I was scared of this and she had to scold me..."Misty the more you fight it the more it'll hurt"...) and then they immediately gave me my epidural (thank you very much) by 12:30 I was dilated to 6 but we were expecting it to come along very fast. The epidural only took on my right side so we had to roll me to my left side and after awhile I said I wanted to sit upright again....so we rolled me back (I couldn't move a bit) that was hilarious I think theres a video somewhere of it....!!!! I was bouncing back and forth. My Mom, Ali and Stacy Keith all headed down for a smoke break and while they were gone I look at Patrick and say hey I don't feel well ( apparently the food wasn't such a good idea when mixed with an epidural) and Patrick helped me roll back on my side. Terry my GREAT nurse comes in and says "what'd you do" I tell her we just rolled me back over, she let me know that Aubrey was in distress and she wanted to check me. BTW its about 1:50 at this point....she checks me her eyes get really big she says "you're an 8 no wait a 9, I have to call your Dr." So I start crying scared and for some reason right then I missed my Daddy more than anything in the world...and mind you Ali, Mom and Stacy are still downstairs...they come in around 2 and we are telling them what was happening....this is when the smiles started leaving me and I look at Stacy straight in the face and say "I need to push" she said lets call the nurse I say nah don't worry about it...she called anyways....thank goodness b/c it was time. Everyone left the room but Patrick and our nursing staff at Summit (including Brittany who was doing her clinicals for the NP program...Aubrey was her first baby) - this was at 2:20 I pushed until 2:49 and Aubrey arrived to two proud parents with lots of smiles and tears with the help ofo the nurses and the great Dr. Thompson (BTW who knew the nurses do all the work and that the Dr is just there to catch the baby...I had no idea). (During delivery there are several stories to tell but I don't want to put them in writing b/c well they are downright embarrasing for me!!) Immediately after I look at Patrick and say "we could do this again" to which I got the response...lets get this one out of the way first.

Lets just say I've never in my entire life experienced more love and happiness than I did this day. I looked at my husband and knew that I'd never and would never love a man more than I did right then and then I looked at Aubrey and knew my heart was gone forever.

I was very lucky, my pregnancy was relatively easy, the birth was easy and my baby is absolutely perfect and healthy. PRAISE GOD!!! Here are a few pics to show her off!!! :)

Baby Shower

On April 17th we had Aubrey's Baby Shower. I wanted to send a short thank you out to everyone that could make the shower and the ones who couldn't but mainly I wanted to send a huge thank you out to several people that made it happen Ali Stem (my friend of 15 years WOW we're getting old) and Stacy Keith (my friend of 10 years) also big shout outs to both of their moms Rita Painter and Betty Wilkerson for their help too. I love you guys.

The Last Week or so

Just wanted to post and let everyone know about our week this past week....On Thursday the 22nd I started having contractions, I wasn't worried but did note the time and begin to count them, Dr. Thompson had said 6 in an hour then call her. I had 8 in one hour and called Dr. Thompson -well I was told to head straight to Labor and Delivery - so I freaked (cried a bit) called Patrick,let my boss know and headed out to the hospital. WOW what a crazy feeling - we were still 5 weeks out and I wasn't ready....panic began to set in..my bag wasn't packed, no carseat, then OH NO my legs aren't even shaved...I was so embarassed but as they say you lose all modesty when you're having a baby!! We got to the hospital and we're taken into a Labor and Delivery Room - I put on my stylish hospital gown and got hooked up to the monitor. Good LORD they are coming at 1 to 2 minutes apart at this point. I was dialated to 1.5cm and 50% effaced. Kathy "The Super Nurse" headed out to call Dr. Thompson - they decided to give me a shot of Terbutaline and said I could have 3 shots of that to try and stop it and if that didn't work one of two things would happen....an IV or labor. So we waited after about 2 hours the contractions had slowed enough they checked me again and sent me on home.

We had our 35 week checkup on 4/28 with Dr. Thompson, because of last weeks episdode she began to check me this time instead of next week. Well guess what....now in 5 days I'm 3 cm dialated and 75% effaced. I wish I could've seen mine and Patricks faces...I knew I'd been feeling something but man didn't expect that. I had told her I packed my bag and all and she said "that sounds like a good idea" - she sent me out the door with the token "if I don't see you before then I'll see you next Wednesday"! So now....we wait. I've defintely dropped...so she'll come in her time and Gods time.

Several things to be thankful for this week...my husband, my girls and my family and friends. I ask that you pray for a safe and easy delivery when Aubrey does decided to make her appearance. I also ask that you pray for our family as this transition happens. Everyone knows that we are a blended family and my heart is especially softened toward Emma and Megan right now as their worlds change also. Just pray that Patrick and I have the guidance to make sure everyone feels safe, secure and loved during this process.

Also big shout out to my very own Mama with her birthday this past Monday the 26th. Happy 61st Birthday I love you!

Pics below - Me and Patrick at 35 weeks LOL, Mom and I at the shower and the girls with their Big Sister TShirts - Megans face makes my day - she was so happy

Easter and South Carolina

Recently over Easter- while the girls took their Spring Break trip with their Mom to New York City - Patrick and I headed to Camden, South Carolina to visit his side of the family and to have our last "getaway" before Aubrey arrives. We stayed Sunday and Monday night at Gigi's (Patricks grandmother) - she may be the sweetest lady I've ever met - I'd love to sneak her here and make her live with us. We also spent time with Myra and Katie and Gigi for dinner. Camden was small just like I expected - very similar to Lebanon when I was a kid. We were excited to get baby gifts from Gigi and Myra - thank you very much...can't wait for her to wear her outfits and to use her new Arbonne on her. :) Love ya'll and miss you - we'll be coming back soon.

Tuesday morning we headed to Walterboro, SC to visit Glenda (Patricks Mom) and Charlie - we were so excited to see where Glenda has been hanging out this past year or so. What a great place....right on the canal - the perfect size house - fishing everyday....planting flowers, growing veggies...exploring - its the life - we love it. It was so good to meet Charlie and spend some quality time with them before Aubrey comes. We also racked up from this Gigi too - Great baby gifts....can't wait to wrap her in her blanket and let her wear her clothes. We love you and miss you too.

What a great time I had learning more about Patricks Mom's family. What I have learned is why in the heck have we not been to visit yet??? Get ready guys - we're coming back!!! :)

On the way back we ran through Savannah spent a few hours there site seeing and had lunch and then headed back to good ole TN. Aubrey made the trip down very well and I felt great and was extremely comfortable...until.....Atlanta on the way home...she decided to park it in my ribs...but I guess thats just part of it....:)

Nearing our Wedding Anniversary

As we near our 1 year wedding anniversary on Saturday I want to write a blog dedicated to my hubby - mushy I know but I'm very thankful for him.

I want to thank you for being understanding and gracious with me even when I don't deserve it - you love me ALL the time even when you are upset with me or don't agree with me and that means a ton. You show me love that I never knew existed in my entire life and I truly do thank God for you every single day.

You are so much more than I deserve.