My Carley

Today Carley turned 10!! I can't believe it!! She is growing up to be such an amazing person. Her beauty radiates from the inside out!!

I remember when I found out I was pregnant with her. It was Easter Sunday of 1999. I told Shannon that I thought I was and he said that he'd bet me a DOLLAR that I wasn't!! I won!!

My pregnancy with Carley was interesting! Since it was my first, every little nuisance was alarming! A pain here and a pain there . . . what did that mean? Why is that happening?? My blood pressure began to rise too high about 6 weeks before her due date. I was put on bed rest. There were several trips to the doctor and hospital. So the doctor finally said we would induce birth the day after Thanksgiving, which was only 12 days early! That was exciting!! All the family came to TN, where we bought our first house in preparation for Carley's arrival. I made Thanksgiving dinner . . . I was supposed to be on be rest . . . but I really wanted some good food!!

So we packed our bags and checked into the hospital on Friday morning. I had pitocin to induce contractions. I had one contraction and then I said . . . I think I need an epidural now!! I was definitely afraid of the pain!! After I had the pain medicine, I fell asleep. I had my water broken and then began to push a little while after that. I only pushed for 30 minutes or so and out came my baby girl!! It was an absolute miracle!! She was 6 pounds 13 ounces and only 18 1/2 inches. What a tiny thing!!

Meanwhile, the family that came for the occasion was out in the lobby placing bets on WHEN the baby would arrive. I can't remember WHO won the bet, but that was quite a memory!! Our first visitors were grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and lots of friends!! It was our first baby and such a special time for us!!

I couldn't believe we were "allowed" to take her home with us. When we came home, I can remember our first night's sleep . . . I mean actually there was no one sleeping!! What a mess these first time parents were. There is no amount of reading one can do to prepare you for those early days. The Lord knows we can't handle them for long . . . that is why they seem to go by so quickly! (That and the fact that we are so tired, we can't remember!!)

Carley has become such a sweet young lady. She is so much fun to be around. She makes me laugh all the time. She likes to go with me to the grocery store so I don't have to go alone!! She likes to shop for clothes and loves to dress fashionable! BUT she also like to get dirty in the MUD, if I let her!! She is a GREAT sister to her brothers and sister. But what I am most proud of, is the way Carley loves Jesus. Her prayers are so heartfelt and sincere. She knows how to talk to Him and does so freely. She shares her faith with her friends in the neighborhood because she wants them all to have the Peace and the Grace that she has.

Carley has been such a blessing for me to parent and I am looking forward to watching her blossom into the beautiful woman of God that I know she will become. Hugs to my sweet, sweet girl!!!