Best St. Patrick's Day...EVER!

(Post copied from my blog)

I remember the days when I was....oh, say...21 years old when the best St. Patrick's day ever would NOT involve a day at the hospital! But March 17, 2011 will go down in our family history as the best St. Patrick's Day ever.

We received a precious gift from God at 10:14 when sweet baby Elise Susanne came into this world weighing in at 7 pounds 10 ounces and measuring 20 & 1/2 inches long.


Here she is just minutes after her arrival...and yes, that is my sister-in-love who actually birthed her!! And now I will share the story that this little girl will hear every year on the day of her birth.

Her birthday had been on the calendar for about a week. Thanks to modern medicine we knew she would be a St. Patrick's day baby. We also knew that the Pitocin (used to start labor) would be the only modern day medicine used because my girl Ashley, is Super Momma. I woke up with a spring in my step and a song in my heart because I KNEW it was going to be a beautiful day! It was in fact a GORGEOUS day. The sun was shining and the warm wind was blowing...a great day for a baby. We dressed in our green and headed to school. Claire was on Spring Break but our amazing Pre-school family insisted that she stay and help in class with the littles. She was thrilled and LOVED every second she was there. As we left the school we told everyone we saw, "We have to go!!! We are getting a baby today!!!" My mom went on to the hospital and I ran up to grab a special lunch to take back to Claire and Cohen. (Special lunch means, mommy didn't have time to make lunches before we left the house.) I dropped them off and kissed all the kids one more time. I thought about stopping to grab an iced tea on the way to the hospital, but decided to wait. THANK GOODNESS!!!

I arrived at the hospital and walked in with Nee Nee and Pa (Ashley's parents) and we strolled into labor and delivery. The receptionist pointed us in the right direction and told us to knock before we went in. Assuming my mom and dad were in the birthing suite just chatting up the soon to be parents of two, we knocked and waited. To my surprise, a nurse poked her head out and said, "Sorry, she is actually getting ready to push!" WWHHHAAAATTT????? Just then my parents returned from grabbing a snack and we all did a little happy dance in the hallway! They hooked Ashley up at 7:00 and just 3 hours later she was pushing....then 14 minutes later, she delivered a perfect baby girl.


I heard her first cry and was overcome with emotion. I was there for the birth of my nephew Hunter, Drew, Levi, Alivia and of course my own children...but this emotion was different. With the older kids, I remember my main emotions were excitement and pure love that I could hardly contain. This time was different. I was flooded with gratitude. As I made my way into the room and the grandparents snatched up that sweet girl, my focus was on my brother and sister-in-law. I closed my eyes and thanked God for these two people....for so many reasons. I looked at Jarad, and couldn't keep the tears at bay. I am so proud of him and the man he has become. I am so thankful for our friendship...and for his flawless wife picking abilities.

When it was finally my turn to hold the baby, I remember silence....and then a song started playing on the ipod.

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay.
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say.


Word of God speak.
Would You pour down like rain.
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty.
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness,
Word of God speak.


I'm finding myself in the midst of You.
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice.


Word of God speak.
Would You pour down like rain.
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty.
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness,
Word of God speak.


I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay

-Mercy Me
Word of God Speak

The tears could not be stopped. As I cried I looked at this precious girl and was overwhelmed with gratitude. Our God is so good. He is SO, so good.

As the song ended, I heard whistles in the background and turned to see the NCAA tournament just starting....and I knew Steph was watching.

God is Good...ALL of the time.

July 10th, 2010. A day I will never forget. A day when I faced my greatest fear. My fear of losing someone close to me. She was close...and she was leaving. I kissed her that morning and knew it would be the last time. Someone else very close to me shared a moment with her as well. My sister-in-love Ashley, fought back the urge to whisper in her ear, "I'm pregnant." She fought back the urge because scientifically speaking, it was too early to really know. There had been no test, no pink lines and no reason to really believe that she was with child, other than the fact that she felt it in her heart. Ashley knew in her heart. Moments later, I am sure our maker shared the news with Steph. I can just see Him taking her aside and letting her in on His little secret that we were not yet privy to.

On the morning we were to lay our precious friend to rest, Ashley woke up to find herself CERTAIN that she was carrying a miracle. A few days later, the pink lines confirmed her suspicions. When she told the family we were thrilled. We also KNEW it was going to be a girl...and it is. SHE is.

As I have watched Ashley's belly grow, I am in awe. I remember when Steph was expecting Drew, Miss Rosanne from Riverbluff said to her, "When you hold that baby in your arms for the first time, it will be impossible NOT to believe in God." Truer words were never spoken. All of our children are amazing gifts. We KNOW that each one was made just for us and their arrival was planned for the perfect time. The amazing thing about this baby....we think we know WHY. We know that at the very moment God was preparing Steph for her journey home, he was forming this precious angel in her mother's womb. She is a little gift, just like the rest of our little babes...but also a constant STRONG reminder that He is forever faithful. He will never leave us. He will always provide. He is good...ALL of the time.

I pray that little Elise Susanne will know how special she is....and how amazing her namesake was. Godspeed little one...we will see you before the weeks end. Aunt Kiki loves you already!

A Birthday Wish.

Yesterday, she would have been 37. We put candles on her cake. A candle shaped like a 3, and one shaped like a 7. My mom asked the kids, "Who knows how old she would be today?" Levi immediately said, "SEVENTY THREE!!" We wish. We wrote messages on balloons and sent them to her in Heaven. Levi's said, "I want you to come back." We wish. Yesterday was filled with wishes. Most of all, a wish that the day would be a celebration of her life. We wanted the day to be a good memory for the boys. And it was. A day that ends with the Pizza Inn buffet, is always a good day! Please take a moment to watch this sweet video, and then consider helping us make our wish for a world with MORE birthdays, come true! Join us or donate to our Relay For Life team "COACH WON" by clicking HERE!

Happy Birthday Steph! from Chrissy George on Vimeo.

Because of Cancer.

Because of cancer....

I have a broken heart.

I know who I can count on.

I have seen goodness at work.

I don't sweat the small stuff.

My faith is stronger than it's ever been.

I am sad.

I find joy everyday.

I am proactive when it comes to my health.

I am brave.

I am strong.

I never take one single moment for granted.

My God is using me in wonderful ways.

I. Miss. Her.