FOUR!

Our Maggie turns FOUR tomorrow. I still remember four years ago like it was yesterday. The day before Maggie's birthday, I had a completely regular day. I got up, went to teach my sweet classes of eighth-graders, and went to my regularly scheduled 36-week doctor's appointment that afternoon. (I remember starting a new lesson on direct and indirect objects and being so concerned while driving to my doctor's appointment that the kids didn't get it and I needed to reteach it the next day.)

I got to my doctor's appointment and had high blood pressure. For the second time that week, my doctor checked me into the hospital for some monitoring and lab work. My blood pressure wouldn't go down, so she decided to keep me overnight and induce the next morning. I remember apologizing profusely to my principal and assistant principal on the phone for taking off a month early. I also remember, among worrying about other things the night before Maggie was born, being concerned that my school kids would NEVER understand direct and indirect objects. :-) I had no idea how God was about to change my life.

After a LONG day on October 20 (I was induced at 7 a.m. and Maggie was born at 9:12 p.m.), we met our sweet girl. From the time I laid eyes on her I could think of nothing else. She was taken quickly to the NICU for some routine monitoring since she was "pre-term," and the nurse brought our healthy baby girl to our room a couple of hours later. I will never forget those first few minutes Jeff and I got to hold Maggie. Such a precious time...no words can describe it.

We are so thankful for Maggie and the sweet little girl she is becoming. We love watching her grow and learn new things, and we feel unbelievably blessed that God has entrusted us with her and with Miller. Tomorrow will be a wonderful day full of reminders of just how blessed we are.

Happy fourth birthday, Maggie!


Four years ago...