In a state of semi-awareness I rolled over beneath the warm blankets. The red glow of the alarm clock brought about the realization that it was Thursday. Day of Nora’s cardiologist appointment, and that it was 6:01, time to wake up. Simultaneously William’s phone began resounding its melodious harp alarm tone which indicates to the cat that it’s time to start meowing at the door. No chance of anyone accidentally sleeping in here. I wanted to frisbee the phone out the window and pull the covers up over my head. “Can we just fast forward over this day?” I wondered to myself as I enjoyed the tender shoulder massages from my husband. I had a quiet conversation with God before I eventually mustered up the motivation to swing my feet out of the bed and onto the floor,”Here we go.”
My anxiety was kept under control, but I had no idea what to expect from this appointment. No amount of worrying was going to change anything. Nora hadn’t been herself a couple of days ago, her oxygen sats had been questionable… What will they tell us? I went through the motions of getting myself and the big kids ready for the day, pausing every so often when I felt the ominous fog of fear and worry starting to creep in, “I TRUST you, Jesus, I TRUST you, Jesus, I TRUST you, Jesus…”
Kisses were tenderly administered to Gavin and Greta as they were shuffled up the street to a neighbor’s house from where they would catch the school bus. I’m so very thankful for the support of loving and accommodating neighbors!
The 40 minute drive to Children’s was uneventful and we got there just in time for Nora’s appointment. Upon exiting the elevators, we enter directly into the waiting area. I immediately noticed a kindly older woman sitting by herself in one of the chairs. She had a book in her lap and the most heart-warming smile on her face as our eyes met. I thought for a second that maybe she recognized me from my blog. She looked absolutely tickled pink to see us. I was immediately distracted from my apprehension as I smiled back at her. I picked Nora up out of her stroller to console her fusses while William checked her in with the receptionist.
“She’s a beautiful baby!” the woman commented.
I agreed, bouncing Nora in my arms, placating her cries.
“I can SEE the love you have for this baby,” she said, “You and her Daddy, you’re doing a great job with her.”
Tears welled up in my eyes. What a sweet thing for someone to say. I told her a little bit about Nora, not wanting to be presumtuous that she knew us from the blog. She had never heard of us, never heard of the blog, but somehow seemed like she had been sitting there waiting specifically for us, on a special assignment from God Himself. Her name was Shirley. I fumbled through my purse to find one of the cards I have made up with the blog URL on it to give to her. She gladly accepted it and asked me if there was anything at all that she could do for us. I asked her for prayer. There is a quote about entertaining angels without knowing it. In this instance it couldn’t have been more obvious. We bid her farewell as we were called back to the room for Nora’s echo. My heart was so warmed after that encounter, all fear was gone.
Nora behaved phenomenally for her echo. She was bright eyed and alert, just looking around as the tech moved the ultrasound probe over her tiny chest. She tolerated as much as she could before letting us know that she’d had just about enough. They got the information they needed and ushered us into another room where we waited to speak with the cardiologist. Our wait time was blessed by the precious company of Linda M. who peeked her head in the door right on cue! She is another such angel, but I know her well enough now to know that she does actually have a physical address on this earth! Hard to believe, but true!
We were having such a nice time with Linda that the time passed by quickly and before we knew it, it was our turn with Dr. Hirsch. We went over the past two weeks since we’d been seen last — Nora’s eating habits, any changes in her appearance, breathing, etc. There really wasn’t anything overt to report except her fussy Monday. (But who ISN’T fussy on Mondays?) In Dr. Hirsch’s opinion she looked great. She was developing and gaining weight just as she should. So then on to the echo results… I stood there with my hands tightly clasped, still in prayer for the results that already were. He explained that THERE HAS BEEN AN IMPROVEMENT IN THIS ECHO COMPARED TO THE ONE TWO WEEKS AGO!! The pressures have improved, as has the circulation of the blood and they are also hearing the murmur (which is a good thing with a VSD)!!! While there was no visible evidence that the hole has decreased in size, these are all indications that it IS decreasing! We don’t have to come back for another THREE WEEKS!! We shook hands and thanked Dr. Hirsch before he left the room to go on to his next patient. Happy tears were on auto-flow all over the place.
As if that weren’t enough awesomeness for one day – it only continued. We gathered our belongings, made our next appointment and headed toward the elevator. This was about two hours after we had arrived and met Shirley, yet there she was again. Her eyes lit up when she saw me and she said she’d been looking for us. She had a little something for us, she said, and with that stuck an envelope in the pocket of my purse. Just as quickly as she had appeared, she was gone again. I was excited to see what she had given me and wondered what it was. Sweet Linda helped me out while William went ahead to go get the car. With my hands full of an EIGHT POUND NINE OUNCE baby girl I wasn’t able to look at the envelope until I got out into the car.
We hugged Linda goodbye and loaded up into the car. Eagerly I reached for the envelope that Shirley had given me.
I opened it up and there was a $50 bill inside. Speechless and even more convinced that she fell straight out of the sky and landed there in that waiting room especially for us. I showed it to William. Tears flowing. What an amazing, incredible, beautiful, perfect morning. THANK. YOU. GOD. Shirley, if you are reading this, thank you so very much! (I’m not sure if they have the internet in heaven!)
My three birds made an appearance late this afternoon! 🙂
Greta and Nora on a walk *by themselves* (wink)
Party rocker in the house tonight...
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
(Mark 10:27 NIV)
iwillcarryyou 
I read your blog every single day as it arrives in my inbox 🙂
This is the best one yet!!!
Oh, little Nora makes me achy with love for her and our Lord.
Absolutely amazing news! So very happy for you all! I had chills & tears in my eyes reading this post. I’ve been on pins & needles waiting to read about her appt today. And Shirley, wow, such an angel indeed! God bless!
Perfectly wonderful! So happy for you 🙂
Omg – Omg – Omg!!!!! We had a very similar thing happen with a SHIRLEY (!!!) last November in New Mexico – and we said the same thing to each other about her being just what we needed, our angel. Wowwwww. Even blogged about it too… Gave me chills!!!! http://www.thehartleyhooligans.com/2011/11/grateful.html?m=0
About shit my pants when I read your blog today… Seriously!!!! Gonna try to find Shirley’s pic and send it to you also. Soooo glad you got good news and that Shirley was there. Hugs!
Xo Gwen from KS
Sent from my iPhone
AS I READ YOUR BLOG TODAY, TEARS OF JOY STREAMED DOWN MY FACE. I HAD TO KEEP BLINKING HARD JUST TO BE ABEL TO CONTINUE READING. THEN I WATCHED THE VIDEO, AND THO TEARS WERE STILL FALLING, THERE WAS A BIG SMILE ON MY FACE. THE NEWS WAS THE BEST!!!!!!! COULD NOT HAVE ASKED FOR ANYTHING BETTER. SHIRLEY WAS MOST DEFINITELY AN ADDED PLEASURE TO THE DAY. IT WAS MEANT TO BE THAT SHE WAS THERE WHEN YOU GUYS ARRIVED, AND THERE WHEN YOU GOT OFF THE ELEVATOR. WHAT A WONDERFUL (ANGEL) LADY. LOVE THAT GRETA TOOK NORA FOR A WALK. SHE IS THE BEST BIG SISTER EVER!! NORA IS FILLING OUT SO GOOD, AND PUTTING JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF WEIGHT ON. SHE IS SO BEAUTIFUL, AND SUCH A BLESSING TO ALL OF US. I PRAY THAT YOU ALL GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP, AND WAKE UP TO A BEAUTIFUL, PEACEFUL DAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH ALEISA FOR UPDATING ALL OF US ON THE NEWS ABOUT NORA TODAY. I LOVE YOU ALL. GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS.
Loved hearing about this wonderful day! So happy the results of the echo were so good! Loved the pics, video and your meeting with your angel and the nurse. Really could relate to the emotions of waking up the day of a stressful appointment and going through the motions of getting ready and getting the other children off to where they should be. I know that experience way to well and it is so hard. There are so many times where I would tell myself just do the next thing in front of you, such as brush your teeth, as it would all feel so overwhelming. I love your three bird experiences! They really lift me up, as does your faith and perfect quotes from the bible.
I love reading your blog and getting updates on sweet baby Nora. I was first introduced to your blog by photographer Melanie, another angel. She documented my cousin’s battle and victory over stage four cancer! Ever since Nora’s birth I have been following your blog and praying for your family! Yesterday I was in Marshalls and saw a print with birds on it. I instantly thought of Nora but there were four birds in the artwork not three. Then I started to see birds everywhere in other pictures on pillows, etc. but nothing with three birds. I was a little disappointed. Just as the thought of disappointment left my mind God lovingly replaced it with, “but you are thinking of Nora and you are thinking of Me.” And He was right. In the middle of Marshalls I was thinking about Nora and praying for her. I love that God shows up anytime anywhere. And I love that He brought little Nora to my mind. Nora and your family are being loved and prayed for by so many!!!
Wonderful good news! So happy for the improvements!!!
Wow!!!! That brought tears to my eyes. I believe that she was an Angel sent for you. what an amazing beautiful story. I wanted so badly to come up on my lunch break to meet got and little Nora…..considering we have never met I thought well she may think I’m some weird o just shopping bye to say hello!!!! Lol. glad the appt went well. All I have to say was
Oops I wanted to finish….lol thus post has made my Friday….I am so happy Nora’s appt went so well!!! Have a blessed day 😉 hugs to sweet Nora!!!
Love it! Great doctor, two angels and a sweet baby girl! Rejoicing in such good news!
I love this blog!!! It touches my heart everytime I read it& it makes me believe n God& prayer more & more ! Love to u Nora & family:)
By the way Nora I just want to snuggle u!! U r truely a beautiful baby!!
Great news! Praise God!! I’ve been praying for miraculous healing for Nora. He can do anything!
What wonderful news! I know we have all been praying so hard! Although, it isn’t nice to make people cry this early in the morning!! Just kidding-I am SO happy for you and thankful for Shirley. I wish I could find her and thank her for you-amazing.
Go Nora, go! I love this story. So happy for all of you.
Oh.My.Goodness!!!! I swear every paragraph made me emotional for all different reasons. You all surely had a wonderful day – meeting an angel, getting great news about Nora, having a loving husband, beautiful weather, happy children…
So relieved and grateful that it went so well. I laughed at the party rocker pic too. Hearing that song in my head while looking at that beautiful little lady was hilarious. She is truly Gods great work if art, fashioned with great love!
AMAZING. Speechless. No words. What an encouragement for all of us.
My daughter is also a patient of Dr. Hirsch…we LOVE him. Continued prayers to your family!!
Chills, goosebumps, excitement!!! Angels really do walk amoungst us…just amazing and speechless…love knows no boundaries, prayers are heard, miracles DO happen!
What amazingly wonderful news!! I cried tears of joy reading and this is just what I needed to start my morning! As always, thank you for you sharing. Have a blessed day!
Just like so many others I have tears of JOY reading this update. What Awesome news! It is amazing to see Gods work. Continued prayers for you, Nora and the family. Many blessings to Shirley. Heartfelt hugs and kisses coming your way!
Oh wow! I just cried and cried happy tears at my desk. I rush into work every morning so I can log on to my computer and check on my sweet baby Nora. I tell my baby Lincoln all about her and tell him that we send special prayers up for her everyday. This little baby named Nora sure has made an impact on myself and the world. Thank goodness for God’s angels and perfect timing. As per usual, He has that down pat. 🙂
The THREE BIRDS were in my parents yard yesterday morning! I posted the picture, I had yet to see 3 birds! Im just beside myself, IMPROVING, GOD touched little Nora’s heart. HUGS!
That video of Squeaker Cakes might well be the cutest thing I have ever seen. How does she keep getting cuter every day?
What a sweet day for such a sweet family. 🙂 We are all praying. Thank you again for your wonderful testament of faith and hope. On days when I just can’t seem to get it together, God speaks to me through your words. Have a wonderful weekend!
Such a great blog today – such good news about Nora. Then listening to her squeek – I can just imagine her thanking God for this great news as well as thanking God for her great family. She has her biological family and definitely a world full of family that are loving you all and praying for you. Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.
Praising God for this for you all!!!! He is GOOD ALL the time!! Thank you for sharing this with all of us. I am blessed. Continuing to pray for you all. xoxo
Oh, and LOVE the video,
I love reading yor blog and pray for dear Nora and the whole family. Her pictures are so precious!
I am seriously sitting in the Walmart parking lot crying. Nora, sweetie, I am so proud of you. Hope nobody thinks I’m crazy here! But hey, it’s Walmart, so I should be safe 😉 haha!!
Anywho, what great news!! I just love hearing your stories 🙂
Our God is truly an amazing God. He knew exactly what you needed and sent Ms. Shirley plus great news from the doctors. He continues to keep Nora and her family close to him. Praying that he continues to keep happy blessings for your family.
Amazing is the only word I can think of after reading this! I’m so thrilled for you! God bless you and give you rest.
I’m so delighted with your happy news!!! I kept thinking that this baby girl was growing so well, changing as babies do, that something inside must be working well. She’s a sweetheart! Look how long she’s getting! Happy happy dancing here in Ontario! I’m saying prayers of thanks! 🙂
I am so happy to read this! The past month has been a tough one, as my father in law was diagnosed with cancer just a month ago and we had his funeral yesterday. This past month I have really taken comfort in your blog and hearing about Nora. I, like so many others, had tears of happiness while reading about Nora’s appointment. And Shirley! My grandmothers name was Shirley, so I automatically have a soft spot for “Shirleys” in my heart:) Thanks for all your words of encouragement and for sharing Nora’s beautiful life!
I am so happy we still do have angels on this earth! God truly never forsakes us..never leaves us.. but is always with us. He comes in many forms..we just have to keep our eyes open. I am so glad you got good news from the doctor!!
Your baby truly is a miracle.
This wins ‘the most beautiful post ever’ award!
Wow, just wow! It is amazing how God sends His peace to His children. I am so thankful that Nora had a great echo! Praise the Lord! I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now and Nora has touched my heart in a very special way. I admire your faith as it is clearly displayed through your blog. My three-year-old, Mia, loves looking at Nora’s pictures and she prays for her every night. I am so happy for the wonderful day you had today!
Chills again to read the words of the story Aleisa…Angels are waiting everywhere!
This is one of your most touching posts to date. So many of them over the past months have affected me in many different ways and with many different emotions. I don’t understand how anybody could refute the fact that you had an encounter with an angel. What an unbelievable gift to treasure! All of these prayers for Nora must be really loud in heaven for your angel to be that obvious 🙂
Hello
I have been following your blog through a friend on Facebook each day. I am so amazed and overwhelmed by the beautiful way you have chosen to share Nora’s life with all of us. I am always praying for you and your family. Nora has become a part of my life through your happy and sometimes heartbreaking documentary. Thank you seems so odd to say when thinking of the magnitude of what is going on in your life but I will tell you that sharing your journey allows me to see that a beautiful and precious life should never be taken for granted. May god continue to watch over you and your family. God bless!
I been keeping up with you since day one . This news from the dr. Visit just made my day . I try to read every evening , you are one amazing lady . And very blessed to have a such a helpful family and friends . This is my first time to say anything but so happy for the news on baby Noras heart ..love all the pictures … Many Blessings to you and your family ..
Hebrews 13:2 “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!”
Wow Aleisa — what a wonderful day. You and William deserve a day filled with good news! I believe you did meet an angel and she is correct — you both are awesome parents, not just to Sweet Nora, but to Gavin and Greta too. I’m sure your children are learning a lot about faith and the power of prayer from observing you. You are so strong and your messages are so inspirational! Reading your blog increases my faith. We’ve missed Greta at Girl Scouts. I know you all have a lot on your plates right now, but we still meet on Thursday nights and would love to have her join us whenever possible. I am so happy that you got such a great report on Nora! I’ll keep praying for you all, and hopefully, we’ll see you soon.
I don’t think her name was Shirley. I think it was “Surely,” as in Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Ps 23:6.
What a great result! Praise God for both those results and the blessings of amazing friends and angels :o)
How precious! A living testimony of God’s greatness. Thanks for sharing with us!
So glad to hear the wonderful update! Give Squeaker-cakes an extra kiss from me!
Love and prayers,
Lisa
I just had to get a Nor fix before heading to bed this morning and what a wonderful happy amazing beautiful entry to read. Can’t wait to read more and meet her in a few says!!!! Eeekkk!!!
PRAISE HIM!!!!! He sets these divine appointments for us and I am so thankful that Shirley was obviously obedient to Him….what an amazing blessing to you all, but also to all who are touched by your story…thank you for allowing us the privilege to follow and to pray….Love in Him, E