Part of me was dreading this trip. Part of me was hopeful. Several of Brie's friends had met in Amarillo the previous Monday in order to spend time with the girls and help organize. I was set to make the trip and even had grandparents come from Wichita Falls to watch the kids for me. However, a vicious stomach bug struck on Sunday night. It took out me and the three older kids. Calyn also had strep. Grant and Abby had sinus infections. It quickly was clear that I was not meant to go to Amarillo. Melissa, Carrie, and Rachel were able to love on the girls, meet the new Nanny, see/hold Curren, and organize closets. There was a lot of crying involved.
Once we arrived in Amarillo (for Eleri's birthday party) my heart was happy. Uncle Brandon held Eleri while she opened her presents. She was beaming while everyone sang Happy Birthday to her. Mali's smile was such a sight to see. She played the big sister role excellently as she helped Eleri open her presents. Eric looked good and was having fun playing golf in the backyard with all the men. It was so good to see each one of Brie's special loves doing well.
After cake and ice cream, I asked Eric about seeing Curren. It was about 20 minutes past his normal visiting time but Eric called up to the hospital anyway. The nurse informed him that Curren had just had a major diaper explosion and that if we came immediately that I could hold him. I was in the car so fast that I did not even tell my children that I was leaving. Curren was just finishing a bottle when we arrived. I then got to hold him. He looks so big in the pictures, but he is still so, so tiny. It meant so much for me to be able to hold this precious boy. I got to tell him about his mom and how much she meant to me. I got to gaze over him and thank God for his life. I tried singing to him but that was just not my thing (sorry Carrie-there was an audience).
I hated to leave Amarillo but am so thankful for the ways that God has and continues to provide for Brie's family. I miss her everyday but know that she is where she was meant to be. Now I am encouraged that her family will make it through. It will be a daily struggle but God is good. He will hold then through every step. Please continue to pray for this family.
so great. true that it is hard to leave and hard to stay. god is so faithful. even when we want to just move there and help!! haha! praise jesus for the stomach bug gone. that was so bad for y'all. these cold days make me miss brie so much. hot chocolate and snow just go with her. i bundled up kids twice yesterday just because i knew she would have done the same thing. enjoyed the snow. love you woman!
ReplyDeleteWow Beth he is so adorable and I'm so glad that he is doing better. I have continue to pray for that precious family and especially that precious baby boy.
ReplyDeleteOhhh! I love your pics much better! You can see Curren so well. So happy for you that the Lord allowed you some JOY with Brie's family.
ReplyDeleteBeth, thanks so much for this post. I know you are such a blessing to those girls, Eric, and sweet baby Curren. Praying for them and for you. I love that God is in control of every single detail.
ReplyDeleteYou just commented on my blog so I came to check out yours. I read your first post about Brie. I have been praying for this family since right after Christmas when Kelly put the request on her blog, I have really been wondering about how they were all doing and how the little baby boy was doing and if he had made it. This was so nice to see and he is absolutely adorable! We will never understand God's ways, but we need to remember that He is good all the time. I will continue to pray for little Curren and their family!
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