Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'...

I need to start with a confession. I constantly worry that Laurel is developing on schedule.  Maybe it's just being new at this, but I'm so afraid that she will suddenly end up way behind every other infant her age. So, needless to say, when I was reading the book from our pediatrician that says she should be rolling over at 3 months, I began to worry. At nearly 4 months, she has rolled over on her tummy once accidentally, but other than that, has shown zero interest in moving off of her playtime on her back. And, don't even think about putting her on her tummy for very long at a time. She'll humor you and hold her head up for a few seconds, and then she'll let you know how she feels about it. We even started "rolling over practice sessions" this week to try to encourage her to move around. But, she's perfectly content kicking her legs and swinging her arms endlessly.

That all changed today. While kicking around in her floor gym, she ended up on her side in the momentum of her strong kicks. She started out a bit intrigued, then she got focused. We moved to a blanket in her room, and she was intent on laying on  her side. Her mind was set on one purpose...getting off of her back. After a few minutes of lifting up her legs and intensely staring at her hands, she made it to her side, and then on over to her tummy...Only to realize she was exhausted, and had no way to get back onto her backside. Hmmm. So she yelled until Mama felt sorry for her and put her onto her back. I've got to say, I figured that was the end of it. I mean, why go to all that trouble only to end up more frustrated than you started? But, my daughter persevered! After naptime, we tried again, and with much greater ease, rolled her little self right on over to her tummy. We still haven't figured out how to get back over onto our backside, but we'll be working on it:).

the signs of summer...

The beginning of summer brings such excitement to my heart. I have never had a job or season of life in which summer did not bring a distinct change. From being a student, to being a teacher, to now working in the Missions office, summer is a definite change. And this week, I noticed...summer is upon us! This week brought...

-Interns! Our interns have arrived...including one of my very own. I mean, I'll share her with the rest of the office, of course, but what a blessing to have my Charlotte back again from A & M. We also have about 10 more running around...I lose count because they are everywhere.

-We bought Laurel her first pool float this week. Hopefully, the water will be warm enough for her so we can try it out tomorrow. I'll keep you posted:)

-The first day of sweating while you walk across the parking lot to the church...at 8:00 AM. Ahh...summer in Houston.

-Over air-conditioned buildings...and space heaters. Ironically, the demand for space heaters increases in the summertime in Houston because apparently, all the bigwigs feel the need to overcompensate for the heat and humidity outside by freezing you out inside. It's truly an apparel nightmare. I mean really, what's a girl to wear?

-37 days in a row of mission teams in our city. Next Friday, 56 middle-schoolers will embark on our city from Knoxville, TN. Followed by teams from all over Texas and Missouri. I pray their lives and our city will never be the same!

-And, finally, a cheering hairstylist...My Iranian hairstylist Afsoon literally cheered when I went in this week with one instruction: "Cut it all off!". And, so she did. Between little hands grabbing and pulling and hormones causing the rest to fall out by the handful, it was way past time to get the brunette locks chopped.

10 Years Ago Today....

Ten years ago today, May 22, 1998, I walked across a make-shift stage on the football field of Buffalo High School in the booming metropolis of Buffalo Missouri, and received my high school diploma. Ahh, memories. In honor of this momentous anniversary, I have been trying to think of the valuable bits of information gained during my season at BHS that I actually can still remember....and I thought I would enlighten y'all...

1. 3 French Phrases: Je ne sais pas (I don't know); Quelle heure est-il? (What time is it?); Je m'appelle Becky (My name is Becky). I would just like to point out all of these are incredibly useful statements if I were ever stranded in France. I'm sure my greatest concern would be the time, appearing clueless, and telling everyone my name.

2. The Quadratic Equation: Yes, I was a math nerd. My pre-calc teacher was hands down my favorite. She made us learn the Quadratic equation to the tune of Frere Jacques...so we all had to go to EVERY classroom and sing it to them. Oh, we felt pretty cool. But, I do still remember it (Thanks, Mrs. Langford), and sang the song all through the ACT and SAT tests. Now, talk about useful. I use that puppy every single day as I plan and coordinate people to participate in Missions in our City. So, in order to bless y'all for the next time you need the Quadratic Equation, sing along (to the tune of Frere Jacques):

Minus B, plus or minus,

Square root of, Square root of

B squared minus 4 A C, B squared minus 4 A C

Over 2 A, Over 2 A 

3. I could leave my house at 8:13, get to school by 8:19, out of my car by 8:23, and make it to class by the time the tardy bell rang.

4. I had this English class called "Short Story." I remember nothing from it, other than the fact that my teacher (Whose maiden name was "Looney"...and we constantly reminded her of it...and made her live up to it) would not let us read "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe. Only she was allowed to read it because she did not feel we were capable to give the appropriate inflection. So, I can still hear the resonating of her raspy voice saying "NEVERMORE".

5. I strategically learned how to rest my head on my hand to fall asleep during videos in class so the teacher would not know I was snoozing. It came in pretty handy, especially during track and softball season.

6. I spent a few baseball seasons as "Baseball Stat Girl". Mostly because I was dating one of the players, but that is of no importance today. So, if you ever need an "official scorekeeper", I'm your girl.

7. I was daily reminded by our principal that you are to run "as if you are holding potato chips in your hands". Okay, we're runners. We don't eat potato chips. And I never followed his advice, which is probably why I won't be running in Beijing. Should've listened.

8. I (Subject & Pronoun) learned (verb--past tense) to diagram (direct object infinitive) sentences (noun). I (Subject & Pronoun) like (verb) it (pronoun...referring to diagramming sentences). 

9. Never go to prom with someone who is interested in someone else. It's just not fun.  So, dump him before prom and go with one of your friends. Even if you make his mom really mad, it's worth it.

10.  I had this goal to try to make it to 10 items, but as you can tell from the last two, I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel here. Maybe we shouldn't share this post with those still in High School...

My New Running Buddy

A good running buddy is hard to find. They have to keep a good pace, be faithful, and not expect you to talk too much (especially if you just had a baby and are still building up your endurance).

Today, I found one. She's fun, cute, you never have to stop so she can use the port-a-potty, and, most importantly, she's easily entertained by her surroundings, so I don't have to talk much. And she even posed for a picture so you could see how great she looks at Memorial Park.

Brandon and Sara

As some of you know, we travelled to Dallas on Saturday for a Celebration Memorial Service for the son of our friends, Brandon and Sara. A few have asked how the day went, and really all I could get out of my mouth was "It was incredible", and I feel like that just doesn't do justice to the situation, and it's been on my heart, so here I write.

Before I even begin, I need to explain B and Sara. I met them about 5 months into my relationship with Kevin. It was one of the first trips to Austin, Kevin's sister's wedding, and so I was getting broken into all the family and friends. Kevin had told me they were really excited to meet me, this "girl Kevin's hanging out with". I had heard so much about them, I was really more nervous to meet them than any family member. They were the friends you want to like you...the friends I knew Kevin wanted to journey with for a lifetime.  Really my only memory of them is a conversation with Brandon we had at a restaurant after the wedding. Without going into details of the conversation, I remember they brought out the best in Kevin...you know those people where all guards are down and you are free to be you? That's B and Sara. The more I've gotten to know them, it's just how it is with them, and I love it.

Brandon and Sara have a 2 1/2 year old girl named Sydney. She's a doll. Sara loved every second of being pregnant with her. She told me that she never felt sexier than when she was pregnant. Crazy, but true. About a year and half ago, they found out they were pregnant with their second, and so excited. However, she miscarried early on. As soon as they could they were trying again. A little while after we found out we were pregnant, they found out they were too. And we were so excited. At 22 weeks, right before Laurel was born, this story begins to unfold. An ultrasound revealed cysts on the Little Guy's kidneys. Each following ultrasound revealed other complications, and the decision process for Brandon and Sara began. Life outside the womb was unlikely short of a miracle. Should they try to deliver naturally? Do they deliver early? A C-section would increase the likelihood of life after birth, but it would still only be a few minutes. What do they do after the inevitable occurs? Bury their newborn? Cremate? Overwhelming decisions, that still bring tears to my eyes. So they prayed. Lots of people prayed. Kevin and I and so many others pleaded for a miracle. I'll never forget a note Sara sent out, that read " I still believe that God can perform a miracle...That he can place normal-sized fully-functioning lungs in Elliot where there were none just a week ago. That He can give him a functioning kidney, completely void of cysts, though the doctors have told us it's impossible. I believe He can. But even if He does not, I believe He will take care of us, and that He will take care of Elliot--even if that is by taking him to heaven...There is suffering and sin on this earth that my son will never have to know. He will be immediately be swept into the loving arms of Christ, and though I will long to hold him in mine, I know that there's no better place for him to be."

On Monday, April 28, the C-section took place, and Elliot Skaggs was born. He lived one hour. The entire family of both Brandon and Sara were present, and got to hold him and love on him during his brief life on earth. The memorial service that took place on Saturday was just another outpouring of love for the family, for Elliot, and for our Savior. Both Brandon and Sara had written notes to Elliot...words of love for their little man, who possibly touched more lives in his one hour than many of us will ever touch in a "normal" lifetime.  And, the family worshipped. It was by no means a funeral. It truly was a celebration. A demonstrated understanding that life is hard, and we don't understand, but we are loved, and He is good. Tears fill my eyes even now as I remember the moment that moved me most...during one of the final songs as we sang seated in our pews, from the front row, Mr. Skaggs, the proud grandfather, stands in worship, arms raised high to heaven, followed immediately by the other family members....leading us in worship of our Creator God. 

This whole situation is one that just doesn't seem to fit. Carrying a child for 8 1/2 months only for him to pass immediately to Heaven. I've thought a lot about that hour of life for Elliot over the past couple of weeks. The thing that strikes me most is that they experienced something most people never get to. We often say we "see God move", but in that moment, at 9:05 AM, God stepped into that hospital room and truly made a move. Not that He had been inactive at any point up until then, but there is no doubt of His action at that moment. He chose to take Elliot with Him. He saw that moment as the most fitting. Was that the moment Elliot was starting to feel pain? Was that the moment in which all the aunts, uncles, and grandparents had gotten to hold him? Or, was that the moment our Lord decided He was ready for Elliot to be whole...no cysts, no abnormalities, perfect.

So, that's my story of Brandon and Sara. I know it has been long, but I wanted to share it with those of you who have prayed or asked about them. Thanks for persevering to read:)... We loved them before, but oh, how much more we love them today. They have taught us more about God and His Love and His work in our lives, and they have allowed us to be a part of a journey to knowing Him in a greater way.

Yes, that was our child

It's Mother's Day 2008...my first as a mom. Laurel Ray Parker turned 3 months old on Tuesday. The past 3 months have been amazing...and I'm sure I will write more about all of that at a different time. For tonight, though, I want to write about the plethora of noises Laurel is learning how to make. She is obsessed with her voice. She will make a new noise and then like the way it sounds or feels on her throat and continue to make it incessantly. Her latest is a long, drawn out pseudo-whine that goes on until you kiss her or do something to make her smile. We've been incredibly amused by it over the past few days. On top of that, the episodes increase the more tired she becomes. So, after Sunday School this morning, her new sounds echoed through the Missions Office as she showed off her newly-found noisemaking abilities.

Tonight was the Parent Commitment Service at HFBC. We were excited to participate, but I must confess, a bit anxious as the service fell at 5:45 PM....the time of day we just pray will speed by so we can get the Little Bit into the bath and get her to bed with a minimal amount of fussing. Add to that, Nanny and Papaw, as well as our dear friends Lauren and Matt Jasinski making the journey from Austin for the occasion.  My pride crept in wanting to have "the well behaved 3 month old"...what is that anyway? We set up the day to the best of our ability...made sure she had a good, long afternoon nap, clean diaper, lots of attention, and pacifier in hand. Laurel was a trooper....until about 10 minutes into the service. We marched in alphabetically...all of those other children making noises of all kinds, Laurel just chillin'. As we turn the corner to get closer to the stage...the first whimpers...then her mouth opens...and then the noise...it starts small, but continues to build. At this point, really we are the only ones that know she's started, because there are others making noise. Apparently, Laurel missed the cue to stop that the other babies heard, because she kept going, progressively getting louder. Not crying, just practicing her new noises. By the time we get to the stage we've managed to quiet her with the pacifier, only to make her mad by the time we step down and she's in a full blown cry. Ahh...my daughter has added presence to the service. From that point on, Laurel was silent...no noises, nothing. All the way home, nothing. Had gotten it all out of her system right there in the service. Beautiful.

I had to smile as Kevin and I recounted the evening after the guests had left. "Maybe it just sounded loud to us because we were right there with her". Later that thought was shot down by Nanny and others commenting on how much she had to say. I had to smile, though, in retrospect...how many times did I pray for a child that would be confident and communicate well? How many times have I thought that I would much rather have a child that is not passive? Hmmm...I guess we don't have a little wallflower on our hands. Praise Him!