GI Jane

Just wanted to share our little crawler with everyone! She still rolls to wherever she wants to go, but if there is something close by that she wants, she will crawl to get it. I think it wears her out a little, but she loves her newfound idependence!

I can't believe it!

As I sit here half working and half internet browsing, I can't believe what I have just seen. Rhae has been rolling like crazy for the last few weeks and has gotten really good, rolling all over the den. Well, apparently, she is not going to be outdone by her cousin Halle, because Rhae too is now trying to crawl. Well, not trying, and not really crawling. She has the soldier crawl DOWN PAT! She's been moving her legs around a little when on her tummy, but not really going much of anywhere. Well, she was on her stomach and saw something several arm lengths ahead of her. She apparently figured out she could propel herself, because she went from side to side, each time pushing just a little with the opposite leg until she got what she wanted! I do think she will crawl before her birthday! She is just such a determined little soul and it is absolutely amazing to see how far she has come and the accomplishments she is continually reaching!

Oh--and by the way, if anybody reads this before tomorrow, or in the next day or so, there will be an article about Rhae in the weekend Demopolis Times. Not sure how it will look, but Amanda called me about a month ago to ask about them doing a story, and after busy schedules, we finally nailed down Wednesday and David Snow came over to do the interview. I, of all people, almost became speechless, and felt like I couldn't think of anything about OI. I hope it is informative about the disease and not just us, because that is the only reason I agreed to the article--to educate the public. So, check it out if you get a chance. I hope to be putting some new pics on when i get a chance.

Rollie Pollie

Well, I am now officially the mother of a rollie pollie! Rhae has been rolling from her stomach to her back, and has now mastered from back to stomach. As I figured she would, now that she has discovered this mode of locomotion, she is testing it out by going all over the den! Jay and I sat and watched her the other night go from back to stomach to back to stomach to back to...well, you get the picture! I know this may not seem like a lot to many people, but it is a MAJOR milestone for us! I can just sit and watch her roll and roll and roll while I cry and cry and cry! I got so tickled at her this afternoon--I laid her in the den on her blanket and went about my business getting some things done. A few minutes later when I checked on her, she had rolled off the blanket towards the TV. So I went on into the kitchen to wash bottles and call my mother-in-law, and a few minutes later, I turned around to go check on her and she was laying in the doorway! I started laughing so hard that I could barely catch my breath! My little rollie pollie!

I had hoped that one day I would see my baby be able to roll like she is doing, but I honestly didn't know that it would be before she was 9 months old! This gives me so much hope for the future--knowing there is a probability I will see her sit up alone, maybe sooner than expected, and hopefully see her walk one day. Rhae has come such a long way and I am just so thankful each and every day that she is here with us! I know everyone is proud of their children, and I'm not trying to say that I love my child any more than anyone else loves their's, but I promise, until you've had a child who defies all odds and just keeps going, I don't think you can truly appreciate all life has to offer. I told my stepmother just the other day, as much as I dreaded OI while I was pregnant, I wouldn't take anything in the world for it now. OI is my life, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Of course, I would get rid of it in a heartbeat to get rid of Rhae's pain, but that would be the only reason. OI is part of what makes Rhae who she is, and she wouldn't be Rhae without it! OI has changed me in so many ways, all for the better--it has taught me so much. I've said it before, and I'll say it again...take nothing for granted, especially your children! Slow down and pay attention. Get excited about the little things. You'll be surprised at the difference it will make in your life.

P.S. Incase I don't post again before Sunday, our friend, Jake Grys, who also has OI, and his family were the lucky recepients of a new house courtesy of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in November. They live in Illinois and their story will air this Sunday night on ABC at 7pm, CST. Don't forget to watch precious little Jake get the house of his dreams!

Hymns

Have you ever really thought about the words to hymns or do you just sing them at church? I have to admit, while I think I know the words to most standard old hymns, I don't always think about what the words are really saying. Now, you may ask, what in the world has brought this subject up? Well, years ago, my Daddy passed on the passion for music, and in that I must admit, is the love of good gospel music. I'm talking that real country gospel. Well, since my normal SNL got a late start tonight, I had to find SOMETHING to watch (or really to listen to) while I got some work done. Lo and behold, GAC has a gospel special on from the Grand Ole Opry (where else?) and it is amazing. If you like music, regardless of whether you like gospel, if you ever get a chance to see it, it's called How Great Thou Art. If you like music, there's no way you could be disappointed--this coming from someone who is not crazy about country music. Anyway, as I sit here patiently waiting for someone to sing my favorite hymn, which happens to be "In the Garden," I have cried my eyes out listening to Brad Paisley sing "The Old Rugged Cross." Talk about a hymn. I have never really heard it like I did tonight.

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.

To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I'll share.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.