I’ve regained my balance and found my footing again. Yes, we still have a couple days of testing in front of us. Thursday is THE DAY that we will get the answer on whether or not Nora is a candidate for heart surgery. I no longer allow myself to imagine how I’ll react to either scenario – when I do, I can barely breathe, my own heart starts pounding as if though it’s about to take off into orbit. Any joy in the present moment is officially stolen. I will deal with what ever answer we get WHEN we get it — not now. Staying focused on God is not always easy amidst such circumstances, especially for someone who is easily distracted such as myself. If I’m not careful, I can be whisked away in a turmoil of negative thinking. I can end up feeling so shamefully sorry for myself, somehow believing that I am the first and only person to ever go through such a trying time, and why would God do this to me, blah, blah, blah. I’d been so spoiled for much of my life, blessed with awesome parents, the entire family gets along and truly enjoys each other’s company, good health, incredible hubzbind, precious children, surrounded by a multitude of fabulous friends, etc., etc., etc! For awhile I even had a little sparrow fluttering around with me from room to room as if though I were some kind of Disney princess! Looking back, I may as well have lived in a doll house. One thing that has been made abundantly clear through Nora is that I STILL HAVE all of these blessings. The trisomy 18 diagnosis has not overshadowed or obliterated any of the beauty in my life. If anything, it has amplified it. The amount of prayers going up for us and the acts of kindness mentioned in yesterday’s post are the sweetest icing on my already delicious cake. How could I have ever tasted such sweetness, but not for Nora? I might have just had cake for the rest of my life, which would have been fine! But how much better it tastes with the icing.
Sleepy little inch worm
Greta built a fort for her and Nora. The pink sign says: NO BOYS ALLOD
Aaaaaaahhhh!!! Warm swimmies!!!
True dat.
(I apologize for not linking the blog updates to Facebook over the past couple of days. Our internet has been down for the past day and a half. While I can update the blog relatively easy from my phone – it’s difficult to put a link on the Praying for Nora page for some reason. I try to get an update in at the end of each day – even if it’s just a couple of pictures. If you don’t see a link on FB – know that you can always go directly to www.noraroseyusko.com.)
All things work together for good to them that love God.
(Romans 8:28)
iwillcarryyou 
I LOVE ALL THE PICTURES. THE FIRST ONE OF NORA IN HER LITTLE DRESS IS SO BEAUTIFUL. THE ONE OF GRETA AND NORA IS ADORABLE. GRETA AND NORA ARE BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRLS. THAT WAS SO NICE OF GRETA TO BUILD THE FORT, AND SHE DID A REALLY GOOD JOB. LOVE HER SIGN. NORA LOOKS SO HAPPY IN THE BIG TUB WITH MOMMY. ALEISA THERE IS NO ONE THAT YOU HAVE TO APOLOGIZE TO. WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE A VERY BUSY MOMMY. WE ALL LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR BLOGS, BUT IF FOR SOME REASON YOU DO NOT POST A BLOG, DON’T WORRY WE WILL ALL WAIT FOR YOUR NEXT ONE. I LOVE ALL THE PICTURES OF NORA AND THE OTHER CHILDREN THAT YOU POST, AND IF THAT IS ALL YOU CAN DO SOMETIME, I AM SURE I CAN SPEAK FOR ALL, THAT WE APPRECIATE ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU POST. I WILL BE PRAYING OFF AND ON ALL DAY THURSDAY THAT ALL GOES WELL. I CLAIM HEALING EVERY DAY, AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO JUST THAT. I KNOW ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. I KNOW THIS ALL HAS TO BE SO HARD FOR YOUR FAMILY, AND AT THE SAME TIME SUCH A BLESSING. LOVE AND PRAYERS TO ALL OF YOUR FAMILY. TRY TO GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP. GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS.
I FORGOT TO WISH NORA ROSE A VERY HAPPY 12 WEEKS OLD BIRTHDAY. I HAD TO COME BACK ON AND DO THAT. 12 WEEKS OF PURE LOVE. LOVE AND PRAYERS.
Hey there 🙂 HAPPY 12 WEEKS SWEET LIL NORA ROSE 🙂 I had to get my Nora fix before heading to bed and wanted to check on her 🙂 I loved how what you said about the icing on the cake 🙂 wow, so true 🙂
AAlesia you are amazing! but dont be so hard in urself, things are scary and hard I cant even imagine and you are allowed to feel sorry for yourself sometimes! Im glad you dont wallow in it for long though and allow our Lord to pull you up! And like you said that icing sure does look worth a taste or two 😉 you are doing a terrific job!
I love Greta’s camp!!!!
How proud God must be of you! Your life was perfect… then SEEMINGLY shattered, not once, but TWICE. With Sophie, you took the hard and painful road and because of your selflessness God was determined to show you the beauty that evolved from that pain. In all your wildest dreams, could you ever have imagined a more perfect reunion with Sophie? And now with Nora, like Sophie, uncertainty awaits. You have already found more joy from this tiny baby than you could have ever imagined and you will continue to so long as you let God do his work. Remember, it’s happened before. It will happen again.
Many prayers going up for you all tomorrow. I will be anxiously waiting for your update. And if you are up at a “crazy early” time and need someone to talk to, you know I am here. XOXO
Wow —Thursday is a big day. My husband has a job interview. How follish to consider this to be important with what you are facing. I am praying with all my might for you!!! Stay stong and know we are here to lift you!
foolish —gosh it is early:)
Your icing on the cake analogy for life’s crosses is perfect
I like seeing your family do “normal” family things like making forts with the baby.
Praying for Thurs appt–your attitude about it is excellent–there is nothing you can do but just listen to what the drs say –and then go from there.
I absolutely love all of your pictures. I am so glad that the kiddos are having such a great time with their lil sis 🙂
Praying for great test results. I love looking at that cute little face each morning…she is SO beautiful and has some great facial expressions…I just love them.
“The miracle of prayer is not always in the answer….
But what happens to you while you’re waiting for the answer”
Everyday …. Nora’s life and your journey inspires and ministers to my life. Today – it was the profound words above that got right to my heart.
It’s a blessing to read your blog and it almost feels selfish to come here and gain so much….
I love all the pictures that you post for those of us that are walking along side of you – praying. Little Nora is such a doll and love her expressions on her face. She has to know what the camera is now and loving it and putting her best foot forward. You are also walking the paath with your best foot forward and our Lord Jesus is walking along side of you and your family all the way. I agree with all the others – don’t apologize for not getting blogs done. I can’t imagine how you get as much done as you do. Your husband and children are wonderful and little Greta is so precious as she enjoys her time in the tent; holding her; and enjoying her little sister. That doesn’t always happen. My prayers continue for you daily. When I wake in the morning my prayers are for you and as I close my eyes – prayers are for you and family for a good night. Thanks for allowing all of to walk along with you in this difficult journey. Your icing on the cake is precious Nora. Jackie
Aleisa You truly are amazing and a true blessing to sooo many people in this world!! Your strength is sooo unbelievable I wish I had a quarter of it!! You will continue to be in my daily thoughts and prayers!!! Stay Strong!! You can and will do this as you have soo amazingly for soo long!!! God is with you every step of the way and I know you know that!!
God Bless you and your family!!
Thanks for your commitment to this blog and sharing with us Daily!!!!
Just wanted you to know I’m lifting you and your precious Nora up in prayer. I don’t even know you or your family, but you are near and dear to my heart because of what you and your famly are living and experiencing. I do not want to disclose everything right now beacause it is not the the time, but we have a lot in common. Know that Nora is a beautiful creation of God and you and your family were especially chosen to care for her. And what faith and a beautiful family you are. Try to live in the moment-as hard as that may be. And you appear to be doing a great job of it-from your blog posts. I don’t know how you have the time to post daily. God bless you and Nora. I pray for her strength and resillience. We are all in God’s hands-He has a plan. Be strong! Friends in Christ, Denise Waldman
I posted a while back as a mutual Cincinnati Children’s family member, and oh, how I am so glad to realize you go tomorrow. I will be praying for you all, as well as for the doctors hands and his training in making such a decision. Oh, the feeling of not knowing. Having nothing to the extent as you, I remember as Andrew was taken into surgery and he turned around and said I am scared) how I asked God to take my anxiety, fear, my attitude of “oh God, PLEASE allow me (yes I am ashamed of even typing this) to be in control. I want to dictate this outcome. And just As you have had such a open and obedient heart( of which I am still working on hard CURRENTLY), I have heard HIS assurances but He had to tell me often to give it over. for 6 very long hours of surgery, I walk into recovery with getting the play by play from the nurse, I pull the curtain back and Andrew says “hi mom”. I wrote on my Carepages at the time that God spoke through my own son, I had him and I’ve got this. You are such an inspiration to me and I want you to know that you minister to not only parents who are walking in the exact same shoes you are in, but you are ministering to the weary for life’s other trials and speaking to their hearts. MINE especially, for I dont want to speAk for anyone else. Keep enjoying the moments and DARE the enemy to take them from you. Blessings from Tennessee
I’ve been marvelling at how chubby Nora’s little legs and arms are getting. She’s growing! I think about you every day, and keep you in my prayers.
Praying for all of you!!!! Nora is too precious for words!!!!
God will carry you and William tomorrow as lovingly as you carried Nora for nine months and now carry her in your arms. Whatever the news, God is holding your family in the palm of His hand which is a place of comfort, hope and joy. Prayers for a special sense of God’s love surrounding you as you talk with the drs. Praying for wisdom that only comes when God’s children place their complete trust in the God who is the giver and sustainer of all life – life on earth and life in Heaven.