Saturday

In my excitement of Nora’s awesome, awesome cardiology report I somehow neglected to share Melanie’s blog featuring some of our family photos she took last weekend. You may have already seen it from the post on Praying for Nora page, but if not: HERE IT IS!! She did such an awesome job, as if I expected anything less!!

We had a nice relaxing Saturday morning with walks and cuddles.

Later in the afternoon we headed off to the fair. Nornor stayed at home with her Kelly and the Big Kids were allowed to each bring a friend.

I love the sights and colors at these venues. Besides awesome people watching opportunities the artist in me loves and appreciates the beautiful color contrast and retro aspect of the rides. Note I did not mention anything about enjoying the sounds. Every ride and every booth was blasting 20 different types of music from 8 trillion watt concert speakers. You know, incase we weren’t already visually stimulated enough. My gangster rap country techno speed metal headache left me wondering what happened to the good old fashioned calliope? Nor did I so much appreciate my kids learning the words to Lovely Lady Lumps while waiting in lines for rides. 🙅 “Whattchya gonna do with all that junk…” Perhaps a wholesome garage sale might be in order, Fergie? (I intentionally omitted any YouTube links. If you are unfamiliar with this whimsical ??? melody, consider yourselves fortunate and do not venture off to enlighten yourselves unless you’ve got a bottle of mind bleach handy.) I digress…

Anyway, we had fun!

SPOILER ALERT: William and I were glad to get this year’s Christmas card photo out of the way.

Because who would want to see cute pictures of our kids???

Sidenote: I’m not sure what’s going on there with “my” belt buckle(?). If that’s even what it’s supposed to be? Ultimately I think this would make a fabulous pregnancy announcement. Alas, I have no little “redneck” (or otherwise) “on board”. 😱

Sunday

This was by far I think the busiest day Nora has ever had apart from being born! When we awoke, we had no idea all the flurry of activity that awaited us! Greta and Nora spent the morning cuddling and playing Beauty Parlor and Store. We even managed to get teeny tiny little itty bitty pigtails in Nora’s sweet wisps!

William and Gavin departed for their great journey up to Cedar Point after breakfast. I guess the fair didn’t quite quench their appetite for hijinks and adventure!

Later in the morning Kelly and I made the split second decision to bring Nora to church with us. Although we had to sit in the Cry Room we got to hear a great message that really helped moisturize my eyes a lot, especially as it pertained to Nora. It was about how great things can come from small and unlikely places. Um… Hello?! And there she was sound asleep on my lap… small and unlikely… great and mighty. To have Nora there with me intensified the magnitude of this message. Absolutely no one 💗 should feel bad about not being able to make it over to watch Nora, KP! 😄 Nora was meant to be there with us. Plus there were LOTS of Nora’s fan club present that were so excited to see her!

After church we went across the river to go swimming with Nana & Papa and family.

Norns wasn’t quite as amicable as she was last weekend, but that was on account of some belly airs. She got in the waters a couple of times and all in all I think she had a fun time!

Once again we had another “chance” encounter with an old friend I had done some artwork for in the past. Although our meeting was tinged with sorrow over the news of the loss of a mutual friend, it was a joyful encounter. It was so so good to see you, Mary!

As late afternoon approached, we loaded up the car and headed to MeeMee’s apartment where Greta had been invited to spend the night. I think they had something exciting planned!

Earlier in the week I had been contacted by a precious follower of the blog who was going to be in town from West Virginia for a Reds game / free concert afterward. She explained that she had thought about contacting me to see if we could meet, but that it seemed awkward, so she pushed the idea out of her head. God wasn’t about to let that fleeting thought go by the wayside. She couldn’t ignore the Holy Spirit’s not so gentle nudges and had seemingly no choice but to throw that out there in a private FB message to me. Meanwhile on the other side of her computer or mobile device was me receiving her message with a huge smile on my face. If Nora was in a good mood and we were able to get our act together, I was delighted at the prospect!

As the day and time came to be, there was no question. We already had our “act together” from being at the pool. Nora was for the most part a happy baby girl. After dropping Greta off at MeeMee’s the stadium was literally within eyesight. Stephanie estimated that the concert would be over around 6:00 pm. I got a text from her just as we were crossing the bridge back over into Ohio that she and her family were still able to meet! After only a few spins around the block we found a parking spot nice and close to the stadium. We loaded Norns up in the stroller and headed down Main Street.

Stephanie, it was an absolute PLEASURE to meet you and your beautiful family!

Josie, Stephanie, Norns and me. Josie is exactly a month older than Nora! (Stephanie’s husband and 2 adorable energetic little boys not pictured)

As if that were not quite enough – the earlier Reds game had gone into THIRTEEN long innings!! The concert was all but just beginning. Who was playing, you ask? No other than MERCY ME – one of my most favorite bands EVER!!!! So many of their songs have pulled me through some of my most darkest moments.

As we stood there outside of the stadium conversing the sound of the music lured us closer. Had anyone asked me if I were maybe interested in bringing Nora to a loud rock concert, EVEN IF it was Mercy Me, most certainly I would have politely declined. Too loud, too many people, etc., etc. etc. But there we were with this concert practically handed to us on a silver platter. The gates were still open. There weren’t an over abundance of people in the standing area, and it wasn’t unreasonably loud as I would have imagined. Nora was still tolerant of her surroundings, so we all wandered in and suddenly there I was with my sweet little miracle at a MERCY ME CONCERT with some awesome people I had just met who have been praying for us all this while!!!!!! What?!?!?!

Imagine William’s surprise when he was texted this picture with, “Nora is at a Mercy Me concert, no big deal.” And the expanse of Great American Ballpark in the background. What?!?!?!

“Dis is kinda fun!!”

Nora was lulled to sleep by the beautiful prayers set to music. Just as at church earlier her mere presence intensified the experience. I am overcome with emotion just writing about this. It seems like God altered an entire baseball game just for us to have this incredible experience!

I Can Only Imagine <– CLICK THAT LINK!!!!

As Nora started to wake up, she raised one of her arms in the air (as she typically does). Her Uncle Josh had just commented last weekend that she looks like she's at a Christian rock concert when she does that. Apparently she was just practicing for the Mercy Me show!!! I WISH I had gotten that on video!!! Kelly and I were cry-laughing!

Nora didn't actually get to attend the Red's game, but a sweet and kindly usher took Nora and Josie's names down and then came back with these certificates.

✔ Been to Great American Ballpark

Stephanie and her family still had a long drive ahead of them and needed to duck out before the concert was over. I would love to see you again, Stephanie!!! Thank you soooooooo much for obeying that nudge!!!!

“Yayyyyy! I made it to home plate!”

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
(Psalms 118:24 NLT)