John David Pate-3years old

James Daniel Pate-3years old

Monday, December 1, 2008

Praise Another Day!

We had an ultrasound today (per Mommy's request) to look at baby position and cords and blood flow. These babies are completely tangled together and all over each other. Baby B (okay, I think it is time to start calling them by their names) John David was literally laying across James' face. James had his hand on John David's ear and was playing with it. It is really amazing to see them snuggled together but OH my goodness how scary to see their cords so tangled and wrapped all around them. Dr. Gonzalez did Doppler measures on the cords and said they definitely have "notching" and there is nothing to do about it (we have discussed this SO many times), but that the "notching" doesn't look any worse than it previously has. The concern is them growing and compressing the cords because they are out of room,or pulling the knot tighter. He said fluid looked good and they were very active, which is also important in healthy blood flow through the cords. So,let's just be thankful for another day of SAFE babies. It is so obvious that God has HIS hands wrapped around these babies.

I can't write an update and not praise my God in some way. Today, I have to praise HIM for simply keeping me healthy and pregnant another day, keeping these babies safe another day, taking care of my family and showing me HIS love through the family and friends we have helping us and supporting us through this time. I have said it before and you have heard it many times, but "joy in trials will bring perseverance in the testing of your faith". I have the peace in my heart knowing that we have made this journey thus far only because HE has allowed it.

I will end with a thank you...I am so thankful first to my mighty GOD for taking care of me and these babies, my precious husband who has assumed the responsibility of being mommy and daddy for our girls (he even sounded a little sassy on the phone giving orders to the kids..great job honey! haha!), for my dear sweet family that calls me every single day (usually more than a couple of times), for my friends who are helping my family with meals and kid care. My dad and stepmother for sending me a beautiful Peace Lily with two matching blue bears attached, my mother for transporting and keeping kids all weekend, my mother-in-law and father-in-law for taking care of our kids and bringing me PF Changs, my brother for comfort and Milo's, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law for taking care of our kids and bringing me books and a movie, my amazing friends at school for sending me books and goodies to help comfort my stay here, my best friends for hanging out in a boring hospital room to just keep me company when they have so many other things to be doing. God has truly shown me the sweet compassion of family and friends during this storm. I will never be able to thank you all enough. For those of you who have been praying for me and these babies, I can't offer anything more than the most sincere thank you from the depths of my heart. Just to think that so many people take a moment of their own time to whisper to our Mighty, Sovereign God a prayer for our babies, floods my eyes with tears. Thank you so much.

Here are the latest lyrics I have from a song that was given to me from a friend,:

When I call out your name, something inside awakens in my soul. How quickly I forget, I am yours and I am not my own,I have been carried by YOU all my life. Everything rides on HOPE now. Everything rides on FAITH somehow. When the world has broken me down, YOUR love sets me free.

5 comments:

Aimee said...

You know that Harper and I will hang out with you anyday. It is not a chore for me; I enjoy seeing God's miracles for myself. You are truely an inspiration to me and make me want to be a better person. I love you to death and I am pround to call you my best friend!!

-Ronda said...

DANA, you may not feel strong, but there's a lot of strength in your words. My prayers continue to include supernatural strength for you & Rob. Jameson's life verse is Isiah 25:1. Share it with James and John David for me. You'll understand when you read it. Love and hugs to you!!!

Amy Sertell said...

Good Morning Dana! I just found out from Aimee Martin and Amy Dean that you were expecting these precious babies!! I haven't seen you guys in a while. I just wanted to let you know that we will be praying for you, Rob, the girls and James and John David. May God shower you with his love and peace. Your faith and your strength are truly inspiring. I found a couple of verses that I wanted to share with you:

Ephesians 3:20-21
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

I hope these will help to give you continued strength.

We will be praying for you and your family!

Love,

Amy Sertell

LCM said...

Hey Dana,
Just wanted to let you know that Everett & I are thinking about you & Rob, the girls and those precious little boys! We lift you up in prayer daily and will continue to do so.

Rebekah Austin said...

Dana, I read this blog now daily and pray with you as I read. Your words are inspirational. God is using you in amazing ways, and you may not even know the half of it yet. I (along with many others) read your words of faith and dependence on our Wonderful, Amazing God and am brought to tears! He is so Incredible, and He holds us all in His hands! It's been amazing to see this miracle! If I can do anything for you, please let me know!! (I mean it!)