Snuggle Bunny Love

Katie Joy is now two-weeks old and she is as precious as ever!  I attempted to take some pictures at home and am happy with the results.  Here are a few of my little Snuggle Bunny!

Emily is away at camp this week and we miss having her around but Bethany has stepped up and been a huge help to me while Emily is gone. 

 I pray the Lord will speak to Emily this week and that she will follow Him in His will for her life.  I remember being at camp and feeling called to full-time Christian service.  I feel the Lord had me to be a teacher and I am so glad that even as an adult I recall that moment and try to live according to what the Lord would have for me.  I will be at home this school year with Katie Joy and I am not sure when I will be back in the classroom but I was so blessed to be placed with the students that the Lord gave me and to attempt to be an influence in their lives.  Unfortunately, many will never understand the sacrifices of the teachers they had at Heritage and will only criticize but I know the Lord will bless those who do His will and rewards will be found in heaven for the faithful.

Can't wait to have all my babies home once again!

To God be the glory!!!

A year ago, we were heartbroken.  This June we are celebrating!

Katherine Joy was born on Monday, June 11, 2012, at 11:01 a.m.

I was due on June 10 and was scheduled to be induced on Monday, June 11, if she had not made her debut by then.  We arrived at Winnie Palmer at 3:45 a.m. and were in labor and delivery by 4:15.  The nurse hooked up the monitors of Katie's heart rate and said I was having contractions every three minutes, even before she had given me any pitocin.  I was dilated to about 4 cm and was 60% effaced.  Once the nurse, Andria, inserted the I.V. and got my medicine going, the contractions picked up to one every 2 1/2 to 4 minutes.  I tried to rest and eventually dozed off even with the pains that kept waking me.

Dr. Parmelee Thatcher came in shortly after 8 a.m. and broke my water.  I had already told the nurse, Jessica, that I wanted the epidural once my water broke so the anesthesiologist came and inserted the epidural.  I was able to rest some but not even an hour after my water broke, I was at 7 cm.  Next thing I knew, I was at 10 cm and Dr. Thatcher was being called to the hospital (I won't tell she ran a red light - on accident of course!)

As soon as Dr. Thatcher arrived, I was feeling the pressure and ready to push.  Three pushes and Katie was born!  I will never forget seeing her for the first time!  She was quite purple but was healthy and here.  She was born at 11:01 a.m. and weighed 7 lbs. 8 oz. and was 21" long.

I am so blessed to have three beautiful girls to love and teach.  I pray that the Lord will continue to help me to make the right decisions in raising each of them as individuals and as I endeavor to teach them the love of the Lord and how to serve and love Him.  I am so blessed by God to have the family that I have.  I wouldn't trade them for anything and am so overwhelmed that the Lord has chosen to use me to raise them.  To God be the glory!!!