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Sunday, May 3, 2009

Humbled beyond words....

Yesterday was a very special day in my life. Our family was chosen as the 2009 Ambassador family for the March of Dimes and we had our annual March for Babies walk. It was the most beautiful day and we were surrounded by all of our friends and family. What more could I ask for? Since we were the ambassador family, part of our "duties" were to speak to the crowd before kicking off the walk. So--I got up on stage to say a few words before getting going and I was speechless. Not only was I bawling like a big baby, I was so humbled and amazed by a flood of emotions, I stood silent for what seemed like ten minutes. As our "Team Alexis" crew (of over 100 people) cheered us on stage, I felt so humbled. It felt as if we had FINALLY "arrived" with all we'd gone through with Alexis.

I remember very vividly sitting in her NICU room with her over 4 years ago wondering if my heart would ever heal. It was so painful to have a preemie in so many ways...and I knew the pain wouldn't go away the day we took her home. I remember very vividly taking her to doctor appointment after doctor appointment in her first few years of life. She had 9 different doctors she was seeing at one point so our appointments were not few and far between. It was painful watching her get poked and prodded and pricked time and time again. I could go on for years about the different emotions I went through in her first few years of life. But---it is NOT about me. It's about taking what we've experienced and using it to help others in our situation and help prevent others from being in our situation.

Even though the whole reason behind "why we walk" isn't about me, I must admit...yesterday was VERY healing for me. It was great to have people who had been with us "through thick and thin" when times with Alexis were tough. It was great to look out into that crowd and see other preemie mommies who have been there and decided they, too, are doing what it takes to prevent prematurity.

Thanks so much to everyone who came out yesterday and helped "Team Alexis" and all of the other family teams at March for Babies. We also thank God because although all of the medical advancements certainly helped to keep Alexis alive, we KNOW she would not only she wouldn't be as healthy as she is today, but she probably wouldn't even still be here had it not been for MANY answered prayers! Praise God!!! I say it all the time but I really mean it....We're SO very blessed. :)

Thursday, April 23, 2009

I know, I know (with my tail tucked behind me)

I've been HORRIBLE about updating and I am sorry. Seriously, though....life has been B-U-S-Y at the Barber household lately. I am not even going to bore you with all of the details...because it's just "stuff" that we're busy with. None-the-less...wer're busy thus explaining why I haven't been updating in F-O-R-E-V-E-R! I am actually addicted (sort of) to reading blogs and thought it would be fun to start my own. Well...fun isn't exactly the word I could use to describe this painful--er--process of blogging.

There are so many types of blogs out there....christian blogs, photoshop blogs, cooking blogs, preemie mom blogs, etc. etc. etc. (all of which I'm addicted to, by the way)...and I'm trying to find my place in this bloggy-blog world. I wasn't blessed with the gift of writing. Yes....I teach writing but seriously...it is to 3rd and 4th grade RESOURCE students. So, please don't judge me. ;)

After our walk (MAY 2nd)...I'm REALLY going to try to do a better job of updating my blog. I really am. I'm done with my master's now (WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!), summer is coming up, etc. etc. I SHOULD have a little more time on my hands. If I can quit spending so much time reading all of YOUR blogs, then I woudl have time to do my own. See-it's all YOUR fault! haha.

Anyway--come again another day in hopes of a pretter blog (help...PLEASE??!?!) and maybe even something written with pictures. Sorry for being such a bad blogger. I promise (reluctantly) to do better! :)

Thursday, January 22, 2009

I'm being harassed...

Since I've gotten some "hate mail" lately to update the blog, I figured I better! I know, I know. I said I was going to be better at updating this but seriously--life gets in the way! Why does life have to be so busy? I always think it is going to slow down only to find that it speeds up. We had a blessed holiday season. We had the opportunity to take the 10 hour drive down to Texas to visit Gramma Kacky and Poppa G, Uncle Mark and Aunt Amy over Thanskgiving. It was a very relaxing 6 days down in Texas and was beautiful weather the entire time we were there. We also go to see Shoo Shoo (Justin's grandma) who is nearly 90 years old. It was a great trip and we are ever so thankful for all of our blessings.

Over Christmas, we made the much shorter trek to Newell to spend time with my family. We spent Christmas Eve with my parents and siblings. Uncle Mud even made it for Christmas this year, which was a blessing! We spent Christmas Day at Grandma Donna's and then came back Christmas night. The roads back to Des Moines that night were HORRID but we made it and were able to bring Kenley back with us for a fun-filled week. He and Alexis had a BLAST!! We went sledding, to the Hockey game, chuck E. cheese, mall play place and hung out at home a lot.

Here are some pictures of the past couple of months. Keep checking back because we're in process of making a video of our miracle for our Team Alexis walk this year. We need to do it up right since she is the ambassador child! :) Hope all is well with everyone!



Surprising Grandma Kacky at work...she didn't know we were coming!


And surprising Poppa G too!