Where I was

Our generation will always remember where we were on that fateful morning of

September 11, 2001.

I was a senior in high school. Waking up that morning it seemed like any other. After getting ready for school I came bounding down the stairs. From the stairs I could see my parents room and my mom sitting on the edge of her bed, staring at the television, crying.

Not sure what was going on or even able to imagine the horror that would unfold, I walked into her room to see what was wrong. By the time I realized what was happening the second plane had already hit the second tower. My mom and I sat there together watching, speechless, terrified. I don't even remember if we said anything to each other. I just remember sitting on her bed crying as the reality of that day sunk in.

Finally, I pulled myself away from the screen and headed to school. Once at school we were kept up to date on the latest developments as each class/teacher either had their televisions, radios, or computers tuned in to what was going on. Then we heard the Pentagon had been hit and the World Trade Center buildings fall one after the other. The rest of the day was a blur.

Following graduation, I visited New York City with two good friends for our senior trip. We visited the wreckage of the World Trade Center. Words cannot describe the feeling of seeing the rubble and buildings several blocks in either direction draped in large white sheets.

Today marks ten years, and the feelings of that horrible day come rushing back. Yet I am proud of the heroism of so many citizens on that day, so proud to be an American, and so grateful for the knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father and His eternal plan for us.

Thomas S Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints recently wrote an article for the Washington Post (found here). It emphasizes that yes, we do need our Heavenly Father to make it through tragedy and loss as seen on Sept 11th, but we should not forget Him when the aches of such tragedies fade. May today also serve as a reminder that 10 years later, "{We} need thee every hour".

Miracles

I have been training in the NICU for the last 3 weeks

and it has been tough.

Some of these little babies are so sick and I have yet to make

it through a week without crying at least once.

Some babies are just born too early for no apparent reason,

some come early because mom was in an accident,

others are only a few weeks early, but have congenital defects,

one was born early and had to go through the torture of

meth withdrawals.

Some are born to families that love them and stay with

them as much as possible.

Others are born to family situations that make my stomach churn.

We've lost 2 babies in the three weeks that I've been there.

Some of these sweet spirits are getting better though

and are so close to heading home.

Whatever the circumstances, these little spirits are truly miracles.

A few weeks ago I went to a lecture and the speaker

assured us that an infant (she said fetus) born before

27 weeks gestation is not viable.

I really wish I could have invited her to join me in the NICU today.

We have a baby that was born at 23 weeks gestation.

He weighs 670 grams = 0.670 Kilograms = 1.47 pounds.

The picture below is not of the sweet little guy that is in our NICU,

but it gives you a rough idea of how small he is.

He is so premature that his skin is translucent and squishy (for lack of a better term).

His eyes are still fused shut and he requires a ventilator to breathe.

This little guy grabbed hold of my heart so tight I had to head to the

ladies room for a good cry and thank my Heavenly Father for my

beautiful, healthy son.

Below are a few pics of the ultra-premie diapers in the NICU.

The pictures don't do them justice, but they are seriously tiny.

The jumbo diaper on the left is Miles size 6.

I wish I still had a newborn diaper to compare it too, alas, I do not.

You'll have to take my word for it though, the ultra-premie is about half the size.

Working NICU has beaten me up emotionally and I just had to

share some of it with the cyber void to release some of the weight so I can breathe.

Thanks for listening.

Update

Thank you, thank you to all those who commented and offered
up help and suggestions. I have the bestest friends in the whole wide world.

We have not yet decided on an official location, but we have located
the perfect child-care situation. We have some friends that
live in SLC that have graciously offered to watch Miles for us.
(thank you Christina - you're my hero)

The only thing left to say is that our Savior lives, loves, and knows each
and everyone of us on a personal level. Prayers are answered.
I am so thankful for this gospel, for a loving Heavenly Father, and for
friends that let the Lord's blessings work through them.

I'm a Big Girl Now!

January is bitter here in the beautiful bowl of Cache Valley.
Which usually translates into a slightly (okay, more than slightly) grumpy Sarah.
Fortunately January has brought some good things to help offset the miserable cold.

Gabe turned 30!
Night out on the town-check, Presents-check, cheesecake-checkity check.
We're going to knock the socks of his 30's.
Who are you calling old?

We get to celebrate Miles' 2nd birthday next week.
I'm thinking sports theme, maybe a basketball cake?
If it's possible I think 2 is going to be more fun and more exhausting than 1.

It's my turn to host our monthly "Girls Night" (aka wives night - just for you Robyn).
This means breaking out some mad baking skills to impress my best girls.

Oh yeah.
I almost forgot.
I was just informed that I get to work here...

That's right.
I am going to be working as a dietitian at University Hospital in Salt Lake.
Well, that's assuming I pass my drug screen and background check.
Fingers crossed :)
It's a PRN (as needed) position, which means it's the ultimate mommy job.
I get to go to work a few days a month, gain some experience, and then spend the rest of my days playing with my favorite little man.

I am so excited to embark on this new adventure.
Now, it's Gabe's turn :)

2011 is shaping up to be a pretty good year!

Family Ties

Miles is quite the character and has started talking so much. He is even starting to form short sentences. It is so fun to watch him learn and be able to express himself (not always pleasantly). He uses his sweet little words to keep Gabe and I in line sometimes.

Tonight Gabe and I had a small disagreement. I have an interview on Monday, Gabe was supposed to have the day off but now has to work, blah-de-blah. Anyway, we were both being unnecessarily grumpy about the whole thing. Before we put Miles to bed, he set us straight.

Gabe, "Miles can Daddy have a kiss?"
Miles replied, "Daddy tiss Mama."
Without dispute Gabe and I kissed.
Then as Gabe was leaving the room he said, "Good-night Miles, love you".
Miles sweetly pointed to me and said, "an Mama"
Gabe, "Yes, and mama."

Sometimes all it takes is an almost 2 year old to help you see how much you really do love each other and realize what's really important. I'm so thankful for my little family.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

"A grateful heart, then, comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings…"

I've experienced some challenging trials the last few months and have begged the Lord to help me feel peace and contentment. As I have prayed and studied the same impression and theme kept jumping out at me; look at all that you have and give thanks to the Lord thy God.
These short videos spoke to my heart and helped me recognize the tender mercies from our Savior in my own life.

Click HERE for more uplifting resources on gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving