The moment could have been molded into a collectible porcelain figurine it was so precious. I remember my Oma singing me the same songs when I was a little girl. The words were in German, but all there was for me to understand then was that my Oma loved me. That’s all there was for Nora to understand 39 years later – that her Oma loves her.
In all likelihood Nora doesn’t understand German, or English for that matter, but you had better believe this little girl understands that she is loved!
Nora and I went for a 20 minute brisk walk in the blazing afternoon sun today. Nora was all kicked back in her shaded stroller enjoying the summer breeze that was blowing through her sweet wispy hair (and the jasmine in her mind?). I asked her, as we were making our way up a steep incline if she would mind trading places — maybe she could push Mommy around for awhile? She didn’t answer me. She’s conveniently only 2 months old in moments like this…
Once back home I was a disheveled mess. The air conditioning was nice, but a lukewarm bath seemed to be in order. Nora agreed.
And there I was. Soaking in the same big tub that I was in January 9th when I received the news,”Your baby is showing an extra 18th chromosome.” My world shattered in that instant. I could hardly breathe, nor did I really want to anymore. Today, in that same big tub was a very, very different emotion.
Again there were tears in my eyes, but these were tears of intense gratitude and all consuming bliss as I looked down at the pair of sweet bright eyes looking back at me. I gently cradled the back of her head as her little body weightlessly floated around… making tiny ripples.
God invaded my piddly existence and proved Himself to me in ways that demanded my attention. Over and over again He has turned my weakness to power, my anxiety to peace, my anger to tranquility, my frustration to patience, my fear to courage, my tears to laughter, my sorrow to joy. How can I begin to think I had anything to do with this on my own? Impossible. Praise you, Almighty Lord and Savior!
From a dog-eared page of one of my devotionals: The delight of despair comes when I delight in knowing that there is something in me which must fall prostrate before God when He reveals Himself to me, and also in knowing that if I am ever to be raised up, it must be by the hand of God. God can do nothing for me until I recognize the limits of what is humanly possible, allowing Him to do the impossible.
To all who mourn,
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the LORD has planted for his own glory. (Isaiah 61:3 NLT)
iwillcarryyou 
Hehe, toooo cute. Advantages of Nora’s size: the bathtub becomes a swimming pool…
Pic with Watson the day before is adorable: after being introduced each other Watson ‘d think : ” Woohoo, finally someone the same size as me in the family !!. ”
Tons of kisses for the little muffin.
Go Nora! She is doing so well!
Nora is so very sweet and so very very cute!! Thanks for sharing, and sharing your wonderful words. They are so wonderful to read first thing in the morning.
Wow Aleisa! Beautiful…absolutely beautiful! What an inspiration you are to all of us! Please give that precious little girl a big hug and kiss for me.
Thank you for that entry – I needed to hear that devotional today!
Aleisa, your prose and praise is so beautiful. You and Miss Nora Rose are blessed and a blessing……….Love, Melba
I look forward to watching Nora’s progress each and every day! I think she is such a beautiful sweet gift from god. I enjoy reading your posts each day, although sometimes they bring tears to my eyes, it also gives a sense of precious life.
AS I READ YOUR BLOG AND LOOKED AT ALL THE SWEET PICTURES OF NORA, IT BROUGHT TEARS OF JOY. I AM SO HAPPY FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS THAT HAS BEEN SENT YOUR WAY FROM GOD. THANK YOU LORD. YOUR GRANDMA’S SINGING TO LITTLE NORA ROSE IS JUST WONDERFUL. THE PICTURES OF HER IN THE TUB WITH YOU IS A MIRACLE IN ITSELF. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE JOY AND EXCITEMENT YOU FELT. THANK YOU ALEISA FOR SHARING THESE WONDERFUL MOMENTS WITH US. YOU WILL NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH IT REALLY BRIGHTENS MY DAY. I LOVE ALL YOUR FAMILY SO MUCH (EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE NEVER MET). HAVE A GREAT DAY. GOD BLESS
She gets more fabulous each day and your words and faith inspire me each day. For that, I am so very grateful. I adore the shot of her with the bow headband…it’s bigger than her head and I love that!!!
such a sweetie she is in her own swimming pool. She looks so content there. Jackie
62 days – a magical number. The number of days we were gifted our Lulu Grace here on earth. Continuing to praise God for your sweet bundle.
Yes, Cami, 62 days is a magical number:)
I hope you truly realize just how much God is using your family to speak to the hearts of so many. I also hope you truly realize how amazing you are and just how loved and prayed for your family is.
Oh for crying out loud, could she get any sweeter??? Or could your posts get any more timely? Once again, I am brought to tears and find so much comfort in these words as I am reminded I truly have NOTHING to fear in the things I am about to face in a couple of days because I KNOW He has already gone before me and prepared a way so much better than what I could have ever even imagined. I know that He is with me and that is enough. God bless you Aleisa for letting Him continue to pour His hope out through you.
Thank you for continuing to share with us the breathtaking gifts God is granting you through each day of sweet Nora’s life. Your reflections were especially impacting to me today. Praying God continues to carry you with His sweet mercy and grace.
my goodness, she could not get any more adorable! I’ve been following this blog since the beginning and praying for Nora and your family throughout. Yesterday at lunch time, I was sitting outside and saw a butterfly fly by and for some reason got the urge to pray for Nora and you, that God’s peace would surround you and that He would deliver you from any fear, anxiety, or despair that you may ever feel (despite how well Miss Nora has been doing!) so it’s ironic that you would post the scripture that you did; I believe that scripture represents God’s heart for you, to replace your mourning with joy and your despair with festive praise. 🙂