Saturday
Big morning stretches!
“Oh! Looks like it’s time to wake up!”
“Spinnin’ for the Showcase Showdown! Come on $1.00!!!”
“If I look really closely, it seems to me like it’s running time!”
“Ahh yyyeeeah! This is what I like! I’m all geared up for Harrison’s Heroes next weekend! Could you go just a LITTLE BIT faster, Mommy??”
“I love my Daddy.”
Saturday morning the Big Kids left for Cleveland with Nana and Papa to visit Aunt Em and Uncle Josh. They were very excited!
I was bemused to think about how far and how different technology has grown in just the span of my adulthood (which I guess isn’t as short of a span as I would like to imagine… 
). But, even just 12 years ago we were dropping off rolls of film at the Photo Hut booth and having to wait a WHOLE HOUR to get our matte or glossy photo prints back! These moments are now shared with a couple of taps and swipes in almost real time. Pretty amazing to really think about that amidst totally taking it for granted!
Shared moments from Cleveland:
Sunday
Happy Baby still reigns! Prayers have been answered and THEN SOME.
And the bird drama continues! As I was driving home from church Sunday afternoon, my eyes were immediately drawn to a bird who’s flight path intersected with a 50 mph car that was heading in my opposite direction. I watched as the bird bounced up into the air and then plummeted down to the side of the road. It was moving, desperately trying to regain stability. My car already pulled over, I ran back to the injured bird. The juvenile starling was absolutely stunned, falling onto it’s beak with each attempt to stand. I slowed my pace as I got nearer so as not to frighten the poor creature into the path of another car. With swift assurance I enclosed the bird in a firm, but gentle grip then wrapped him up in the bottom of my shirt before heading back to the car.
Not even a mile down the road at a red light I peeked in at the bird who bravely saw this as an opportunity for escape. Suddenly I had a starling flying all over my car and perhaps a couple of raised eyebrows in the car behind me, “Is that a… bird???” In a matter of 30 frantic seconds, the bird was securely wrapped up in my shirt again and I was heading back in the direction I came from. I pulled over again in roughly the same spot I had been moments before. I walked over to the edge of a field and opened my hands setting the bird free. I watched as it flew completely out of sight. I would have loved another excuse to visit my rehabber friend, but I was delighted that the bird wasn’t critically injured.
As I drove back down the road, headed for home, I sympathetically identified with the young starling and the mourning dove too. We all must have had those moments when we were just flying along, minding our own business when out of seemingly no where a pane of glass or a speeding chunk of metal obstructed our flight. I knew what that was like to be figuratively lying on the side of the road, dazed and broken, trying to regain my balance, no idea what just happened or how I got there, “THIS isn’t what I planned or expected!!!” I also knew what it was like to be rescued, to relinquish the control over my life that I was so used to striving for. When I finally relax and trust — those big powerful hands wrapped around me are no longer so scary or restricting. They are compassionate and protecting. In them I can find rest.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
(Isaiah 41:10 NIV)
iwillcarryyou 
HI NORA, YOU ARE SO ADORABLE WHEN YOU DO YOUR BIG STRETCHES. AND I THINK YOU HAVE THE CUTEST ARMS THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN, NO WONDER EVERYONE LOVES CUDDLING YOU AND KISSING YOU. ALEISA, I CANNOT BELIEVE A CAR HIT A BIRD AND THE BIRD LIVED. YOU ARE SO REMARKABLE, ALWAYS GIVING OF YOURSELF IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS. HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT WEEK. GUESS I BETTER GET A FEW HOURS OF SLEEP, RICHARD WILL BE GETTING UP IN ABOUT AN HOUR. I AM SO HAPPY OUR PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED WHEN IT COMES TO MISS NORA ROSE. I LOVE YOU ALL. GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS.
Amazing. Just all of it is amazing. God is amazing. You and your family is amazing. He knew exactly who to entrust that precious little girl to. You didn’t think you were going to be strong enough and at times I know that you sure haven’t felt like it but He is most definitely proving through you that, in Him, we can truly do all things.
Thank you so much for sharing this incredible journey with all of us. This blog is one of my most favorite things (devotions really) to read every day. The pics of Miss Nornor and Greta and Gavin are certainly looked forward to but they are not the only thing we see in real time. We also see God and those big mighty yet oh so gentle hands carrying you through each day along with shining His light through that baby’s eyes and smile. And that is why every time I see a new entry in my email, I can’t wait to open it! Trust me, not so the case with most of my other ones lol. God bless Aleisa, I hope you and the Norns have a beautiful day.
Lol, another birdie episode. Errr…, have William and you considered putting a sign outside the house which says sth like …?
YUSKO’S
BIRD SANCTUARY & SPA
MILKIES CAFE
Have a wonderful day!!!. Tons of kisses !!!.
I can’t get over how awesomely chunky her little arms and legs are! She is growing so much!!!!
Love the sweet picture of Nora stretching! My little guy loves to stretch like that too!
Beautiful analogy, Aleisa! and Beautiful HAPPY BABY!!!
❤ Lisa
Aleisa – you are like some crazy bird lady! I mean that in the kindest way of course! I can just imagine you driving along, holding a bird in your shirt and then suddenly that frantic birdy flying around trying to escape this strange vehicle it has suddenly realized it is in…It’s like something out of a comedy – but no its real life for you!
But seriously though once again your talent has shined through. What a connection to these birds we have…I’m pretty sure everyone can connect to just flying through life and being hit with some kind of curveball like the car. I know I have been there. When my Papaw passed away suddenly in December 2011. I really can’t believe it was 2011…because it doesn’t seem that long ago. I know for a fact my grandma and I wouldn’t have made it through that without the strength, love, and support from Him – God.
I just love your bird stories (and their happy endings!). Seriously how great of you to take care of those birds. Birds are symbols to my sister and I as well as our Mom loved birds. Since she has passed, we try to carry on the bird lady name by having multiple feeders in our yards. And hey, I think you also need to go into business of painting rocks–wow! Those were awesome! Well, I want to let you know that I will be running…err…um, running as long as I can and walking in the Harrison’s Heroes 5K. :). My first ever! All because this blog has touched my heart and my eyes have been opened to many things.