Twenty years ago today I was frantically pacing my bedroom with my best friend after I had just taken a positive pregnancy test. Nineteen. Still living at home. Unmarried, unstable relationship. Plans to go to college. What will people think? My parents are going to kill me. What am I going to do? Those were just a few things running through my mind. My misguided attempts to seek acceptance had gotten me into a terrifying predicament that really there was no way out of. There may have been a way of escaping the “what will people think?” aspect, but that was NOT something I could live with. Besides, was it really THAT important what people thought of me?? Twenty years ago I had no idea who that little embryo was going to be, but I made the first of my many steps into blind faith. I may not have consciously voiced it, but I was placing my trust in God, allowing Him to turn my perceived turmoil into something beautiful. And did he EVER. That little pink line on the pregnancy test turned out to be my beautiful birth daughter who is completely, totally and utterly meant to be here! I vividly remember my fear and anxiety over the situation, but how inconsequential it seems when the story has so beautifully unfolded over the years.
So here I am twenty years later, wondering how time flew by so fast. On this very day twenty years later I look in awe at yet another precious babe who is celebrating her 7 months of life today. Once again I have placed my trust in God. I can’t help but wonder what this will all look like in another twenty years.
Hey... Do I hear baff water running????
Ahhh. Baffs.
Happy Rock Star
It's not easy being sweet all day!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
(Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV)
Immeasurably more, indeed!!!!!!
iwillcarryyou 
This is one of my favorite blogs of yours, I truly see Gods love in you and how you spread that love to your children
Nora, just like Sophie, is blessed to have you as a mama. Whether or not it was a conscious thought to trust God, you did, and he has richly blessed you.
SUCH A BEAUTIFUL BLOG. LOVE THE PICTURE OF YOU AND NORA. NORA LOOKS REALLY HAPPY IN THESE PICTURES, SO HOPEFULLY SHE WILL SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT. EVEN WHEN YOU WERE JUST A YOUNG GIRL YOURSELF, A BABY ON THE WAY, YOU WANTED WHAT WAS BEST FOR YOUR BABY. YES!!! AND YOU CARRIED HER ALSO. I AM SO HAPPY THAT YOU HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW YOUR BIRTH DAUGHTER, AND THE TWO OF YOU HAVE A SPECIAL BOND. YOU CAN LOOK BACK AND BE PROUD THAT YOU GAVE YOUR LITTLE GIRL A CHANCE WITH A LOVING FAMILY. I CANNOT IMAGINE HOW HARD THAT DECISION WAS, BUT YOU LOVED THAT BABY AND WANTED ONLY THE BEST FOR HER. NOW 20 YEARS LATER, LOOK WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PERSON SHE IS, AND ONLY BECAUSE YOU LOVED HER ENOUGH TO GIVE HER THAT CHANCE. YOU ARE A VERY SPECIAL LADY ALEISA, AND HAVE FACED A LOT OF CHALLENGES IN YOUR LIFE, BUT WITH YOUR STRONG FAITH IN GOD, YOU HAVE ALWAYS GOTTEN THROUGH. I CANNOT BELIEVE NORA IS 7 MONTHS OLD. THE TIME GOES BY SO FAST, AND SHE HAS GROWN SO MUCH. SHE IS REALLY DOING GOOD, AND ALL THE THINGS THAT LITTLE THING HAS BEEN THROUGH, SHE IS AS HAPPY AS CAN BE. I HOPE THIS SOUNDS RIGHT, I AM NOT TOO GOOD WITH WORDS. AFTER I REREAD IT I ALMOST ERASED WHAT I HAD WRITTEN, BECAUSE IT KIND OF SOUNDS LIKE I DO NOT THINK YOUR BIRTH DAUGHTER WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A LOVING HOME. THAT IS OH SO NOT WHAT I FEEL. YOUR FAMILY, INCLUDING YOUR DAD, MOM, SISTERS, GRANDMA, AND OF COURSE YOU, WILLIAM, GAVIN AND GRETA HAVE SHOWED LITTLE NORA SO MUCH LOVE, I CAN ACTUALLY SEE IT IN EACH AND EVERY PICTURE. WHEN OUR BOYS USED TO CRY, MY MOTHER WOULD SAY THEY HAVE TO DO THAT SOMETIME TO GET THEIR LUNGS STRONG.. I LOVE YOU ALL AND HOPE TONIGHT IS BETTER. THINK I WILL BE GOING TO BED NOW. WE HAVE OUR NIECE’S 12 BIRTHDAY PARTY LATER TODAY, SO I BETTER BE GETTING SOME SLEEP. GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS.
I bawled my eyes out sitting here at work reading your amazing post. I needed to hear how wonderfully things turned out when you put all of your faith in HIM. I am going through a very rough patch right now and I am having a hard time seeing God in my life. Thank you for once again reminding me HE is always present! God Bless you and God Bless Nora!
I sure remember getting that pregnancy test thrown at me and looking in disbelief, then scrambling for the box that explained what “two dots” meant. Now look! We are haggard middle aged women, and that beautiful little embryo who was in that room with us, is now our age (well the age we were back then). So thankful that I’ve been able to witness the type of character that is yours. I was on board and proud of your decision to carry little Miss back then. Looking back, it’s easy to see that you were the type of person God could trust to carry another amazing little life 19 years later. How lucky am I to get to know, love and marvel at your ability to place blind faith God when you were completely panic stricken? XOXO!
Happy 7 months sweet Nornor!!.
It’s been a privilege to see your many
” firsts” during this time. God bless you and your wonderful family !!. Muaahh 🙂
BEAUTIFUL post!
Thanks for sharing- Nora looks AMAZING!!!! Happy 7 months, sweet girl!! The last pic of the two of you is simply breathtaking!!
I know that it is twenty years overdue, but…
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! on your positive -(not negative in any way shape or form) test. I am so thrilled for you and the new life growing inside of you! One day your mind will be blown by God’s response to your generosity. Keep hangin’ on sweetie, “every little thing’s gonna be alright.”