Saturday, June 27, 2009

Another week down

Well, it's Saturday night, both kids are in bed, thankfully, and Jason is working a Ranger's game. Poor guy, it's 8:30 pm and 100 degrees outside. He's such a hard worker for our family and really the one who wants our boys to be home with me. Another week down at Ousley JH where I'm teaching summer school. The teaching part is over and now they will take the TAKS test on Monday. I hope they will take there time, use the tools I tried to teach as well as the content and finally pass.

Tomorrow I'll hit 27 weeks. I can't believe that 10 weeks ago, I found out that our little one was sick. At lot has happened since that dreadful day in April. Of course, my belly is growing and so is he. I can feel him moving a lot more now and I try to cherish every touch. I have saved every card, sono picture, and email that people have sent to us. I plan on having a scrapbook made with all of this in it, including the blog posts. This last week, I attended a healing Mass at SMG and am trying to balance the desperation for a miracle and that God can heal this child with the reality that He may not because He needs him more than me. I walk around in some state of denial as I think the baby deserves the miracle of healing, while not "nesting" around the house since I don't think I'll be bringing a baby home. I don't know if any of that makes sense, but it's just the best way I can describe it. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of you who continue to pray for us and this child. Take care and drop me and email or phone call sometime.

This was letter was printed in our church bulletin last week and I thought I'd share it...

My Child...

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28 I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5 I chose you when I planned creation.

Ephesians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16 I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26 You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14 I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13 And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6 I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44 I am not distant and angry but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 3:1 I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11 I am the perfect Father. Matthew 5:48 Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33 My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalm 139:17-18 And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40 For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5 I desire to establish with you all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41 And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3 If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29 Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13 I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20 For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18 As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11 One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4 And I will take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4 I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23 For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26 He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3 He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10 I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32 If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, You receive me. 1 John 2:23 And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39 Come home and I will throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7 I have always been Father and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15 My question is... will you be my child? John 1:12-13 I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-12

Love,
Your Dad
Almighty God

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

25 1/2 weeks and counting...

I went for my regularly scheduled ob appt today. It's been 3 weeks since I've been able to see my little one. I've been feeling him moving a lot more often during the day, so I know that he's still hanging in there. His heartrate today was 160, perfectly normal, and he's still in his pike position. Today, I was able to see him grabbing his foot with his hand. It was cute. I also asked them for a cd with some video so I would have that. All in all, it was a good appointment, although still no changes. I told Dr. Seligman that I have a feeling that I'm going to go all the way, and he thought so too. He's so supportive of all my decisions and I could not ask for a better doctor to have. I wish everyone had a doctor like him.

Summer school is in full swing and the kids are doing well. They are hanging in there with me as we drill through 9 months of math in 3 weeks. It's really shown me how much I love teaching, especially this age group. Most would think it's crazy to want to teach middle schoolers, but I love it. It's been a nice break from the daily grind of playing referee at home, changing diapers, and short-order cook. I miss the boys and they miss me, but it's only short-term which is doable.

Jason's parents came in town to visit for the day. I'm sure Jason appreciated the extra set of hands and I know Jackson and Brayden loved seeing Mema & Pa. I was only able to visit for an hour after school before they headed back, but it was nice to visit for just a bit anyway. My parents just went back to Houston on Sunday after spending the weekend with us, so the boys have been spoiled by both sets of grandparents in 1 week. I'm sure I'll be hearing Jackson asking for all of them for another week or so.

Off to go lay down since both boys are napping and I can enjoy a few minutes of peace and quiet...

Thursday, June 11, 2009

A Crazy Week

Well, another bit of craziness in the Banks' household. It seems that it's never a dull moment around here. As you know I was sick for the last 2 weeks. I am so glad to be feeling almost back to 100% normal. Last week my mom came up to help with the kids while I was sick and we got a lot of things put away that were just shoved in closets from moving almost 9 months ago. I can't believe it's almost been a year since we moved. On Friday, my sister-in-law, Susanne and my neice and nephew, Rylee and Joshua stopped by, brought us lunch and played with Jackson. Unfortunately, Brayden slept the whole time they were here and woke up about 15 min after they left. It had been a while since Jackson had seen them and he loved every minute they were here. I think they liked playing with him too. Then on Monday night, I got a call to teach summer school in Arlington starting on Wednesday. Needless to say, I ran around on Tuesday trying to get everything ready for me to start working on Wednesday. I'm teaching 8th grade math which I wasn't sure about at first, but the kids are actually good and working for me which is all I can ask for now. It's definitely put into perspective the idea of going back to work full-time which I was considering for the new school year.

Jackson also started swim lessons on Monday which shortly ended on Tuesday once I was not able to take him anymore since I leave for school at 7:15 and don't get home until 1:30 or so. I may have to see what's available in July. He'll be starting a MDO program for the summer so that should give him plenty to do as well. Brayden has become the ultimate climber. Last night I found him sitting on my laptop on my desk. I had turned my back for less than one minute and he was up. I didn't even know he could do that. Now, he can climb to the top of the swingset, which we boarded shut one side to keep him from falling out, he climbs up the slide, on top of the kitchen table, up our retaining wall in the backyard. He's so strong. I told Jason he'll be in the "world's strongest man" competition when he's older. He's got a grip like none I've seen before and he just turned 14 months old yesterday. Jackson was still crawling at this age.

I'm going to try and keep my blog updated more frequently now that I feel better. With school going on for the next 2 1/2 weeks, I'll probably get behind again. I'm doing pretty good. The baby is still growing since my clothes are getting tight. I can feel him moving a lot more and am hoping that next week there will be some miraculous appearance of amniotic fluid. I will definitely be keeping everyone informed of any changes and thanks again for your continued prayers.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Pictures


Finally I've figured out how to post pictures.  Thank you Becky!  I'll try to post some more pictures, especially ultrasound pictures.  I'll be having some maternity pictures soon as well as some professional pictures of the baby once he is born, thanks to Carleen of Charm Me Photography who is a part of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, a national organization that you can learn more about at nilmdts.org.  

Jackson & Brayden - Spring 2009


The boys with Mema & Pa at Brayden's 1st birthday party.

Brayden just being cute.

Stay tuned for more future blogging.  I'm just starting to feel back to normal after this horrible cold thing.  Still on my second round of antibiotics and asthma medicine.  Who would have thought that my asthma would come back after 5 years of nothing.