Tomorrow is the Big Day!!!

I love this happy baby girl EXACTLY the way she is, but I am thrilled that tomorrow she will be able to hear! I have so many emotions but mainly I am filled with thanksgiving. A year ago yesterday, we learned that Marlee had hearing loss (I still plan to blog about that day!). This year has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. Our hearts have broken over the fact that our precious baby, created perfect in every way, will have such an obstacle to overcome. We have both cried more tears than we ever imagined possible while also rejoicing over the little girl that God gave just to us.

My heart is so full thinking of His faithfulness over the past year. When bad news just kept coming, during every doctor's appointment and every hearing test, through so many scary unknowns, the Lord did not leave us. As tears streamed down my face when I held Marlee during her first hearing test, He gently reminded me that He loves Marlee more than I do. That simple truth has given me courage to trust Him. He loves my girl and has a good plan for her. This is His BEST plan for Marlee. I am just thankful He is allowing me to be a part of that plan. What a privilege to be Marlee's mom.

As I would stand and rock Marlee back and forth and back and forth....and back and forth (as you do with a colicky baby), I would always sing to her. From the first time I rocked her, before I knew anything was wrong, my favorite song to sing was "Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart." After the hardest year of my life, the words to that song are even more meaningful.

"Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy one. Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ His Son. And now let the weak say I am strong. Let the poor say I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks."

I am grateful for all the Lord has done for us this year. He surrounded us with family and friends who have loved us and prayed constantly. He has given Marlee wonderful doctors and therapists who we love and who love Marlee. He has provided just what we need when we needed it. He has been to us, who He promises to be.

My prayer is that Marlee will always be thankful for the miracle the Lord has worked in her life. Life does not get easier after tomorrow. Marlee will have to work hard to learn to listen...but she will. One day soon, just as the song says, Marlee will be able to say that she is strong. Not by relying on her own strength, but because of what the Lord has done for her. We will give thanks!

Marlee goes to the Pumpkin Patch!

I could not wait to take Marlee to the pumpkin patch!  Every year I have loved looking at pictures of my friends and their kids at the pumpkin patch. Some dream of their child's first dance recital or first tee-ball game, I dreamed of the first trip to the pumpkin patch. As the day approached, it occurred to me that I may be expecting too much from this day. High expectations (my fairy tale world) can get me in trouble! This day, however, did not disappoint! Well, with the exception of the short sleeves and flip flops. I would have much preferred sweater and boots weather!

One day, I guess, I will accept the fact that I live in the south and will probably never wear a sweater to a pumpkin patch nor will I chop down a Christmas tree in the snow. Not that, in reality, I ever chop down a Christmas tree - only in fairy tale world! But in the real world, I wouldn't mind driving to Lowes in the snow (or at least wearing a heavy coat) to pick out our tree. Ok... Back to the pumpkin patch. Picking out a Christmas tree deserves a post of its own!

The day began with a car ride to Cedar Hill Farm and then a hayride to the pumpkin patch where Marlee chose her very own pumpkin.

She loved pulling up on the big pumpkins and really wanted to see how the stems tasted :(. She loved being outside and enjoyed the fresh air by taking off her shoes and opening her mouth wide making for lots of funny pictures. I'm not sure why she does this, but we think it's pretty cute!

In between all of the picture taking, we did lots of fun things!

We got a sneak peek at the Christmas tree farm :).

She loved watching her daddy feed the goats.

She even went on a train and pony ride!

We chose more pumpkins to bring home with us and then headed to the Memphis Street Cafe for lunch. All in all, I'd say the first pumpkin patch experience was a success! I suspect it will only get more fun each year!

Stay tune! I have a birthday party and cochlear implant surgery to blog about!!!