I can't believe tonight is a SCHOOL night!

The bags are packed, the clothes are laid out, the notes are written, and the snacks are packed and in the fridge.  We met our teachers and dropped off our school supplies and proved our residency....I know I'm forgetting something!

Tomorrow, Reeves and Lucy are off to school for another big year!!!  

Summer went too fast (as always), but the structure is going to be a nice change.  A little bit of an adjustment, but a nice change.  I actually think that if we were home together much longer, we might need a visit from the Supernanny!  My patience is about out, and I know that I am a better mommy when I have at least a few hours each day to get my thoughts together and the house under control.  An uninterrupted cup of coffee followed by an uninterrupted shower absolutely transforms me into an actual PERSON!  A person capable of handling even the most challenging of mommy moments!  What is amazing to me is what a walk in the park it will feel like to just have baby Greer to take care of.  When Reeves was a baby, I struggled to even get a shower everyday!  My how times have changed!!  But I digress.... 

We couldn't be luckier in the teacher department!  Mrs. Anderson (Reeves' 1st grade teacher) and Ms. Fraiser (Lucy's 4K teacher) are both absolutely wonderful!  Reeves has many buddies in his class and a class size of only 14.  He is really going to do well this year....I just feel it.  Lucy will do great, too, but she doesn't know a single little soul in her class.  Luckily, she makes friends easier than anyone I know, so I don't see it as a problem.  She's the type of girl who calls the friend she met 5 minutes ago her "best friend EVER"!!!

So, tonight, I'm praying for peaceful sleep for all of us.  I want them to be at their best for the first day.  Of course I will be updating you tomorrow with first day pictures and stories.  Thank the Good Lord we started the bedtime bootcamp 2 weeks ago.....they were down without a fight by 8:15! 

Peace

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4:7

Today was like the peace and stillness that comes after the storm.

It wasn't the best night we could have had, at least not from Greer's perspective.  She had a fit-full night, waking almost every hour.  I fed her at 10, and couldn't really feed her again after that because of the treatment today.  I "slept" in Lucy's bed most of the night, just to save a few steps.  Turns out, I simply prayed most of the night.  I prayed for peace and rest.  I prayed for God to help me to be less anxious and to be the kind of mom that my kids need me to be.  I prayed for my sweet baby Greer to have an easy day and treatment.  I slept a little, but mostly I just talked to God.  I knew I would be tired today, and I was, but I was at peace.  I had that kind of peace where you just know that God is right beside you.  I'm working on my "God Vision".  I want to feel this kind of peace all the time, and I know what it's going to take.  It is going to take me truly depending on Him....truly knowing He is right there in everything.  

I mentioned before that Mom was here to stay with the big kids while Chris and I went with Greer (thanks so much Mom....I don't know that today would have gone as well without you to help entertain them!  I love you so much!)  When I went to get Greer this morning, Reeves woke up.  I said, "Hey Buddy...go get in bed with Charcey.  We'll see you when we get back."  He raced up to me and said,"Wait, I need to give Greer a kiss....let me give my baby a kiss."  It was absolutely precious, and it just made my heart melt.  His love for her is so pure, so gentle.  

We made it to Children's South just in time (after a little fight about stopping for breakfast....), and we were quickly sent back to our room.  I must say, I was very impressed with the whole process.  The place is so nice and kid friendly....it put us at ease right away.  

As soon as we were alone with Greer, Chris wanted to say a prayer for her, so we did.  We held her, and he prayed.  His prayer made me all the more at peace....I am blessed to have a most faithful husband who is eloquent in his conversations with God.  I felt Him there with us, holding her up.  

It took a little while till they were ready for her, and just before we completely ran out of tricks to distract her from her hunger pangs, they came to take her away.  That was the hardest part....just letting her go.  I know it is a quick and simple procedure.  I knew that she was in the best of hands, but there is something about handing your child over to be put to sleep.  Again, I felt God with me.  Peace.

She was back in my arms in about an hour, and she was NOT happy.  She woke up kinda crazy from the anesthesia (which can happen) and she had a bit of vomiting in the recovery room (just like her mama), but as soon as she was in my arms she settled down.  She was in a druggy kind of daze (which she kinda stayed in all day....it gave all of us some laughs) and we were able to leave pretty soon after that.  

The purpura (bruising that occurs following the laser treatment) wasn't bad at all this time.  Not sure yet if that is a good or bad thing, and I'm a little perplexed about that....  Only time will tell what kind of results we will see.  Her doctor is amazed by the fading, and is pretty confident that she won't need too many more till we reach maintenance.  We'll see what the future holds with that, too.    

After a good long nap, she woke up pretty much her normal, sweet self.  She actually ate more today than she does on most days, and she napped really well, too.  In fact, she learned a new trick today.....rocking on all fours.  Isn't is just amazing how quickly they bounce back? If it had been me, I would have stayed in bed all day moaning and groaning.  

So for us, today was much more than a treatment day.  It was a day of reflection, of prayer, of peace, and of self discovery.  I am working on so much right now, and this sweet baby girl is a facilitator of God's love and grace.  I thank God everyday for giving me such a precious gift!

Quick Treatment Update....More Later!

Greer's treatment went well.  She was a little crazy coming out of the anesthesia, but that is to be expected.  She has been asleep for a while, and now is my chance for a quick nap, too.  Mom took the kids to the pool.  I'll post more with some pictures later!  

Thanks for all the prayers, emails, calls, and messages.

Today, I am feeling peace!  Praise be to God!

On the Eve of Greer's 4th Treatment

Today has been a hard day for me.  I have had a lot of anxiety (something I have struggled with since after Lucy was born), and just general yucky emotions.  Yes, I was a crazy person today!  I am trying to go easy on myself though, because this is a big (and emotional) week for us.  A treatment and the start of school all in one week would probably bring on anxiety in even the most seasoned mom! 

 I've prayed a lot today (for patience and peace and forgiveness), and I am feeling much better than I was earlier in the day.  Plus, my mom is here to help....she sensed my anxiety from a call earlier in the day and when I got home from the 1st grade parent meeting tonight, she was here.  Even though I told her I was fine and that I could handle it alone, I am grateful she didn't listen to me.  Now Chris will go with us and mom can stay with the big kids.  I guess moms do know best.

Greer has to be at the hospital at 6:15 in the morning for her treatment.  She can't have formula after midnight so I am planning to feed her in just a bit before I go to sleep.  Thankfully she can have juice up until 4.  That is a blessing since she has still been waking up to eat every morning around 4.  Maybe she won't need it with the late night feeding I have planned....we'll see.  

They will put her to sleep with gas (through a mask) and then will insert an IV and a breathing tube once she is asleep.  She shouldn't even remember any sticks (or laser zaps)!  When she wakes up in recovery she has to be able to drink something and keep it down and then we can come home.  We may even get home before Reeves and Lucy wake up.....that would be cool.  

I'll let you know how it goes as soon as possible.  Any and all prayers are appreciated, and thanks for caring enough to check in.  We feel loved beyond measure!  God is good, and I know He will be right there with us tomorrow.  The peace I am finally feeling is a testament to that!

Good Night.... 

Bye, Bye Birthmark!

Click Here

to see Greer's Birthmark disappear

before your very eyes!

Yay God!!!

If you want to know more about our journey, you can click here to read all of my posts concerning Greer's Port Wine Stain (emotions, prayers, pictures, treatments, information, definitions, stories from the trenches, etc...). Remember that the posts are in reverse order, so scroll all the way to the end to read from the very beginning.

I love meeting new "birthmark buddies" and answering questions. I also love helpful tips, words of encouragement, prayers, and new information. Please feel free to email me and let me know what's on your heart!

megan@holdituptothelight.com

Wanna learn more about Vascular Birthmarks?

Here are some great links...

Vascular Birthmark Foundation

The Sturge-Weber Foundation

Birthmark Community Support

Birthmark Buddy Blogs

Holding the Hand of God

Days Go By

H in the City

The Steiner Family

This list is a work in progress. If you run across any great Birthmark related blogs or resources, please pass that info along. I want to learn everything I can to make Greer's life as beautiful as it can possibly be. Will you join me on this journey?

Big Week!

We have so much going on this week!  I am gearing up for School starting back on Thursday for both Reeves and Lucy and Greer's laser treatment tomorrow.  They will be putting her to sleep this time (and from now on), so I am a bit anxious about what to expect.  I'll keep you posted, and stay tuned for updates and pictures.

When I get a chance to Bloghop.....

....these are some of my favorite spots!
Feel free to leave links to your favorites in the comments,I love to find new friends and inspiration!

• Addie Marie
• ADORABUS
• Big Mama
• Blessings
• BooMama
• Bring The Rain
• Chris Goins
• Confessions Of A CF Husband
• Days Go By
• Doyle Adoption
• Duff Stuff
• go blog yourself
• grass stains
• Haute Happy Style
• In the Blink of an Eye
• It Feels Like Chaos
• Jesus Needs New PR
• Living our own fairy tale...
• Lots of Scotts
• Loving Life and Raising a Family in Christ
• Marla Taviano
• matt, liz and madeline
• Mike's Weblog
• My Charming Kids
• My Edge of Heaven
• My Heart Runneth Over
• My Life as a Stay at Home Mom
• The Pioneer Woman
• Real Life
• Rocks In My Dryer
• Sherri Burgess
• sugar and spice
• Thank God for FRYdays
• The 5 Richs
• The Armstrong Family
• The Best Days
• The Flannery Family
• The Gants
• The Persistence
• Then Am I Strong
• Well, That's Just Fabulous

• 

If I left you out, and you know that I frequent your blog (or you're a friend in real life and I didn't know you had a blog) please leave a comment and let me know! I don't discriminate, y'all!