Babies Galore!

Congratulations Todd and Shauna! (Chris's sister)

Rowan Julia Johnson



Rowan Julia was born at 4:18 am on August 9th, 2009. She was 8 pounds 8 ounces and 20-3/4 inches long. Another new niece! They live in Maine. Hopefully we will get to visit there next year, Chris and I have always wanted to see Maine.


Ayden was born August 10th at 10:32 pm (11:32 pm our time) weighing in at 7 lbs. 5 oz. and 19.5 inches long. He is my new little nephew born to my little brother Joe and fiance Tiffany.



He is a cutie, no?
The problem is that they live in Kansas, and I have no vaca time left this year. It would probably be about a 12 hour drive from Michigan to there. I am trying to figure out how I could utilize a 3-day weekend coming up here soon over Labor Day so I could go and visit. We will see I guess! I really want to meet my nephew, it kills me that I couldn't be there at the hospital. Hopefully I will get to see him soon!

Liam Charles Kelly

Liam Charles Kelly, infant son of Patrick and Megan went to be in the arms of Jesus on July 23, 2009.


I have been wanting to post about this for a while now. It is just such a heavy topic, that I wanted to wait. I wanted to think about everything that has happened in the past couple weeks, the past couple months. It is been indescribably saddening, and emotionally draining.

I cannot even begin to understand what it would be like to lose a child, and I am sure that my words here will not remotely come close to the pain and heartache that my sister and husband have had to deal with over the past two weeks, since Liam was born still. Liam was a fighter, and his precious little heart remained beating for quite some time up until the birth. Megan had gone into the hospital two days before, because her placenta was starting to tear away. Ironic considering that it had absolutely nothing to do with Liam's heart condition and his hydrops. When they got to the hospital, they were surprised to learn that Liam was still alive, and everyone was so thankful and continued to pray. She kept having contractions until Thursday when she finally gave birth at 29 weeks. The doctors from Ann Arbor had told the doctor in Saginaw that they believed that there was a 100% chance that there was no way that he was going to make it. It was the worst news possible. There are so many questions here. It just doesn't make sense. Why would God let this happen? Has he not heard our prays for the last several months? Why Liam, just a small, precious innocent baby? Also, Liam was born a short seven days after Nataleigh. It is best said when asked, how do you feel so much sorrow, and so much joy in your heart, all at the same time? We will never really understand why all of this happened. But God is glorified in all things, and everything happens according to his will and purpose. His timing is perfect. Sometimes it is hard to remember those things, especially in the middle of our angst and confusion.

On Monday, July 27th 2009, a memorial was held. The service was beautiful. Some friends sang a couple of songs and touched everyone's hearts deeply. I believe it truly was a day that friends and family will never forget.

Hopefully time will heal the hurt, the pain, and the suffering. Liam Charles will always be loved, and hold a place in our hearts forever.

In loving memory of Liam Charles Kelly, who entered into eternal life with our Savior on July 23, 2009. May he never be forgotten.

Introducing the adorable Nataleigh Grace.

Isn't she lovely?

Thursday late morning we got the call that it was official, my sister-in-law Emileigh's water had broke. I could barely wait to get out of work at 4 pm to get home, pack my bag and make the drive down to the hospital.
Emileigh's labor was relatively quick it seemed. Her water had broke around 8 am. They went to the hospital and had the pitocin started around 4ish. When I got there around 7 pm she seemed to be doing OK, she was having some contractions and they hadn't checked her yet so she had no idea how far she was dilated. Within like half an hour the contractions got a lot worse and she was in a lot of pain. Soon after that my brother Nathan and her decided that she would try some Demerol to help take the edge off the pain, so they gave her that mixed with Phenergan. Their original birth plan was that they were going to try to do the labor as natural as possible. I think it was around like 8:45 pm when she decided that she really wanted to have the epidural. The anesthesiologist was called, but a couple minutes later we were all standing around and all of a sudden Emileigh was like "I feel like I need to push!" I remember for a moment it was like we all just sort of looked at eachother like oh my gosh, this could be it! Sure enough, when the nurses came running in and checked her she was at 1o cm, and there was no time for the epi. I was proud of her, she gave birth with out the epidural! I know that it was probably not very easy, and afterward she said that it was the worst pain that she has ever experienced. She also had a 3rd degree tear down to the muscle.
It was a pretty exciting and eventful evening. Even though I wasn't able to be in the delivery room when she was born, it was special enough just to be outside the door. It was definitely an experience that I will never forget.

Nataleigh was born at 9:37 pm, weighing in at 5 lbs. 13 oz. and 18 inches long. She was 3 weeks and 2 days early.

Nathan, Emileigh, and baby girl Nataleigh Grace (Notice how it's a combo of their names? Kinda cool, huh?) I also thought that Emileigh looked pretty darn good afterward, she doesn't even look like she just had a baby, haha!



Group Photo



We finally got to hold her the next day!





Niece Nataleigh and Nephew Samuel...what a difference 3 years can make in size!



And last but not least, another picture of precious Nataleigh sleeping. She is so cute and so little....such a little peanut!

10 things I am thankful for today-in no random order.

1. Our amazing, hope giving, gracious Father.
2. My incredible husband. He truly is incredible.
3. My family. I would be nowhere without them.
4. Having transportation.
5. Being able to have money to bless others.
6. Air conditioning.
7. My ability to be active.
8. Our church family.
9. Our pups who love us unconditionally.
10. Popsicles.

I know some of those are random. But those are the things I am truly thankful for at the moment.

Megan and Pat's Baby

I have not had a chance to update on this blog about my sister Megan and her husband Pat's baby. They found out a couple weeks ago that he may possibly have a heart defect and then it was confirmed when they found out that he had something rare called Hypo-Plastic Right Heart Syndrome, or as they recently found out more in depth, Tricuspid Atresia. They are two of the strongest people I know. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. You can read more of their story here: http://patmegkelly.blogspot.com/

Busy busy and a BIG announcement.

So like I am always saying, things have been super busy. Memorial Day weekend we had a get together or BBQ every day. The housework, the yard work, the laundry...it never seems to be done. Work has been busy, and then this past weekend my friend got married and I was in her wedding! It was a really great, fun weekend but we were all over the place. And this always includes a lot of driving. Hopefully I will get some time to post some pictures. I often wonder with our busy lives...how would we be able to ever throw a child into this mix? I guess that is just how it is and you work it out when the time comes.

But anyways....the real reason I wanted to post...

We are going to Europe!!
Chris is so excited. I have never seen him get so excited...it was hilarious, when we were booking the trip that is. He loves to travel, and he is constantly talking about going to Europe. So we found a great deal and figured why not?? We might as well do it now, while we can, and while it's cheap! So in October we are flying to Paris ( I have a slight obsession with the Eiffel Tower so I'm pretty stoked about this myself). We are staying there for 3 nights, and then flying to London, and staying there for 3 nights. It will be an 8 day vacation all together, and we cannot wait! I have also had a little obsession with England ever since I saw the movie "The Holiday". After that I always told Chris that if he ever wanted to move there I TOTALLY would, haha. I guess I will make a more educated opinion about that after I've actually been there. Either way we are super excited and cannot wait. And now I am off to google and amazon to see if I can find "used" Rosetta Stone for cheap. To learn some French of course. :o)

Another Awesome Verse

I know it probably seems like I am posting these a lot lately, but I can't help it! They are so great!

Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? ... I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35,38-39 (New Living Translation)