Thursday

I Can't Forget {Sincerely 'Fro Me to You}

{Carnival guidelines}


Tomorrow, I will turn 36 years old.

Today, I remember.

Because I can't forget.

Two years ago, I celebrated my 34th birthday, in a hospital bed. 

My children, hubby and sweet mother-in-law (who dropped everything to help us) came bearing presents, balloons, cans of silly string and Bubba teeth.

We got quite the raised eyebrows from the nursing staff about the silly string hanging from the ceiling. 

And from my I.V.


My family did there best to cheer me up and they tried very hard to make if feel like my birthday.

But it didn't. 

Because my gift was lying in the ICU.


She was 32 hours old and she was born too early.

This week she turned two. She's perfectly healthy and a picture of God's power.

And when I think of my birthday, I can't really think of anything I want. Because I have it all.

I can't forget.

But that's because I don't want to.

{The 'Fro will be taking a 2 week-perm break for the holidays, I'll still be posting, but I won't resume Sincerely 'Fro Me to You until January. Please let me know in the comments if you want me to continue this carnival 'o mine. I have fun with it, but I want to quit it before it stops being fun for everyone else!} Updated at 7:00 am...The 'Fro will live on---



58 comments:

Jeni said...

Happy birthday to you and to your little sweetie!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, what a sweet post. I hope you both have great birthdays! I turn 36 in a few weeks, let me know what it's like, okay. :)
Toni

Tammy said...

Happy Birthday to you!!! And to your precious bundle of joy...who was spotted earlier this week multitasking on the potty chair.

God is certainly good.

*gasp* *choke* I mean, a 2 week break is fine, but for-evah stopping the 'Fros???? I'll do what everyone else wants to do, but I LOVE IT. LOVE IT!

Grateful for Grace said...

I totally understand. It's hard. I spent my birthday this year doing the NICU dance with my newborn (ya' know, two steps forward, one step back). It was a really sad birthday. My dh tried. Friends tried. I just wanted to be home with my baby, though.

Happy birthday, though!! You and your precious girl are two years older and lovin' life!

Jessica said...

Happy Birthday! GASP! Did I read correctly? You better be back!

littletoesandcheerios said...

Making me cry...Happy Birthday!!! I love how you describe it as a picture of God's power.

I love the Fro, it's my favorite day to blog! I always look forward to it!

Liza on Maui said...

Happy Birthday!

Re; SFMTY, I don't post/join regularly, but i read more regularly. I love it! As much as I'd like to vote continue, I would defer to others who re more regular ;)

Muthering Heights said...

Wow, I can sympathize with your baby in the ICU...so sad, but such an amazing story of God's love to us! :)

I will miss 'Fro Me To You...but I understand the need for a break. I'll look forward to resuming in January!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful miracle! My oldest spent 6 days in the NICU and it was agonizing.

Just think 2 years ago your baby was in the ICU and just last week she was doing a striptease in her daddy's tennis shoes. God is good :)

I hope you enjoy the break, and I love Fro' me to you. I try to participate every week. Sometimes I get busy and forget, but I would be sad if it wasn't a part of my week. It is really one of my favorite bloggy days. I hope you keep it up!

I hope your family has a Merry Christmas!

j said...

Kristen, I thoroughly enjoy 'fro me to you. I sometimes take breaks, but I don't think my absence hurts your participation at all :)

BUT... I can imagine that it takes time and effort for you to continue with it. If it is too much to continue, I don't think anyone would hold that against you. It is all what YOU want to do. You have to do what you feel led to do!

God bless and as always, thanks for hosting!!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday! What a touching post. Please keep the 'fro; it's so becoming.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!

My vote is...Keep the 'Fro going!!

Anonymous said...

Ack! It's too early to tear up! Dang it....very touching post. Happy Birthday to you and the miracle girl.

(I'm just getting on board with this Sincerely thing....PLEASE don't stop.)

The Mommy said...

Happy Birthday! You looked really great so soon after having a baby...Bubba teeth and all.

And you made me cry again!

Mom to 5...Daughter of the King said...

Happy Birthday to both of you! I had a ICU baby, too. It's tough!

A Christian Mom said...

Happy Birthday to you & your little one!!

Jerralea said...

What an awesome post! God has done an amazing thing with your little one!

I so enjoy reading your 'Fro posts every week. And your baby provides such wonderful bloggy pics.

I certainly hope you continue!

Jerralea said...

What an awesome post! God has done an amazing thing with your little one!

I so enjoy reading your 'Fro posts every week. And your baby provides such wonderful bloggy pics.

I certainly hope you continue!

Lori said...

I hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Anonymous said...

Happy, Happy Birthday. Love you bunches from the Colemans.

Dawn @ simply transparent said...

I'm sure your glad those are just memories now..

I hope for you the best day possiable and that you recieve your hearts desire!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!


As for as a "FRO" break whatever you want to do!

j said...

Oh! And Happy Birthday Kristen. I hope your day is filled with such obvious blessings from God!

Kasey said...

Happy Birthday! I don't think I could forget your birthday either!

Heather said...

I'm so glad your birthday present turned out okay! Thanks for keeping 'fro going!

Anonymous said...

Looking at the picture reminded me of this past spring, when I too was sitting in the hospital, only it was my 3rd childs 5th birthday. I missed the party, but my husband did bring her up to see me. I too had a baby too early and she spent time in the NICU. Like in your picture, she was hooked up to all manner of machines and tubes everywhere. I don't wish it on anyone, but at the same time I wouldn't trade those days for anything. It was a sweet time of leaning on God and realizing just how much He has done for us. Have a very Happy Birthday.
Stephanie

The Buntens said...

Happy Birthday! What a precious memory - thank you for sharing.

Lisa said...

Oh here is wishing you a wonderfully happy birthday. I hope you get to relax and have fun a little....wait, you have a two year old. What was I thinking?
Happy Birthday and many more to come.

mommagurl32 said...

Happy Brithday!

Patois42 said...

Beautiful. Happy birthday to one and all.

Anonymous said...

If you stop this I will be compelled to take it over. BE WARNED.

I have more fun revealing horrible pictures than anything I do on my blog. It is so honest and authentic...and just plain FUN for me.

Happy birthday! I am a Dec b-day too. And you may or may not be 2 years younger than me. But I won't hold that against you.

:)

Happy said...

When I saw that picture of your birthday present in the ICU, I got goosebumps and started to tear up. I know that feeling...my own son was in the NICU as well for prematurity. He's a healthy robust two and a half now...amazing the wonders God does!

Enjoy your break, but I think it's safe to say people aren't ready for Fro to go away permanently any time soon!

Valarie Lea said...

That is the best gift, she is precious! Happy Birthday!!!

I vote for Fro!!! But if you are getting stressed over it then I can understand you wanting to take a break for longer than a couple of weeks.

Heather said...

Happy birthday! So glad that your baby-now-toddler is happy and healthy; best gift ever.

Long Live the Fro!!!!

Jesica said...

I enjoy reading your blog so much! Encouragement, great ideas, heartwarming family stories, honesty... and great links to bad hair. Long live the 'Fro.

Lorie said...

As I sit here reading & nursing my 6 week old baby girl I'm very thankful for what God has given to us - healthy children. Fortunately, Eve did NOT have to spend time in the NICU, in fact she was 4 days late. But, you know how it is with a newborn, I'm very sleep deprived so everything is making me cry. I also have a 3yo son & it's so hard to explain to him why mommy keeps crying & why the baby keeps crying. I get concerned that he thinks it's his fault. Thanks for your posts. I love Fro & would love for you to continue it, but (like Jennifer said) you need to do what you need to do. If it's too overwhelming for you & stops being fun then it's time for it to go.
God bless you & your family.

UtahJenny said...

That was so beautiful - the fun you were still able to have in the hospital is due to the wonderful family ya'll are!!! What a blessing, I am so glad all has been well with your sweet baby. And Happy Birthday - I just turned the big 36 also - not too bad.

I have to agree with some of the others that said this is probably their favorite bloggy day. But I am ALL ABOUT doing what you can and not letting things get overwhelming. If it is too much, let it go - although I know I will keep posting these "gems" from my past!

a Tonggu Momma said...

Oh, wow. What a birthday present she turned out to be! The twins next door to us (Rosie's children Pocket and Posies) were born at 25 weeks, so I know second-hand the anxiety of the NICU. I can't imagine living it as a momma. I'm glad she grew up strong and healthy.

Cupcake Dessert said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! And your baby is such a miracle!!! I'm so excited that you aren't stopping the 'Fro forever.. i look forward to participate in January!!!!!! I just found your site and can't wait to join!!! Thanks!!!

Yarni Gras! said...

God's Blessings! Happy Birthday to you BOTH! :-)

Happy Mommy said...

First, Happy Happy Birthday to you! You don't look a day over 29! I hope you have a wonderful day!

Second, God is so good! I completely understand the fear and uncertainty of a child being born to soon as with my Aunt Twice Blessed Mommy's twins were born at 25 weeks. I am so thankful that your sweet girl is with you and healthy today!

Third~ I love the Fro! It is my favorite day a week to post, I look forward to the storys that go along with the photo's! You must continue the Fro!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!

I've been missing you...I've been too darn swamped to stop by. And I'm so glad I did.

I hope you have a fabulous birthday. I do enjoy your 'fro pics. You just decide what works best for you and your family. You know, if you feel like you need to take a break from it...you could do one once a month or longer if needed... just food for thought.

But I sure love 'em. Great laughs. Uh, smiles....smiles...

Rena

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!

I've been missing you...I've been too darn swamped to stop by. And I'm so glad I did.

I hope you have a fabulous birthday. I do enjoy your 'fro pics. You just decide what works best for you and your family. You know, if you feel like you need to take a break from it...you could do one once a month or longer if needed... just food for thought.

But I sure love 'em. Great laughs. Uh, smiles....smiles...

Rena

misty said...

happy birthday!

i know southwestern VERY well!!! i went there, meet my best friends there & meet my husband there. my parents live just north of there in red oak. so i visit the not so small town anymore, often. have you been back? its changed A LOT!!! tons of eating places - nice ones too, not just fast food. there is target, jcpenny's, belk's, ross to name just a few. every time i see it more is going up & i'm like why couldn't it have been like this when i was living here. (1998-2000)

small world we live in - nice to meet another southwestern!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday from my daughter to you!

Lovely your family did their best to celebrate with you, despite such a worrying time.

Poppyseed said...

Happy birthday, girls! I've got tears in my eyes. I never went through a premature birth, but a friend did and I saw first-hand how difficult and devastating it can be. Praise God for your healthy, happy little girl!

Jillie Bean (AKA Bubba's Sis) said...

Happy Happy Birthday to you and your sweet girl! I had a preemie, too - I know how terribly hard that is. But he's 11 now and you'd never know he was in such a rush to get into this world!

I love the 'Fro - hope you'll be back with it in January! I'm getting a little wiggy at my 'Fro post today....

Merry Christmas!

Kelli @ writing the waves said...

What a touching story. Brought tears to my eyes...really.

I'm sorry I haven't posted in awhile, but that doesn't mean I don't LOVE this carnival. I hope I'll be able to participate more after the new year.

Merry Christmas!

Kelli @ writing the waves said...

...AND happy birthday!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!! Thank you for this touching post. It brought tears to my eyes.

PLEASE keep doing this carnival. I haven't posted in a couple of weeks because I've been crazy busy with the holidays. I can't WAIT for January when I will actually have free time on my hands again!!!

D... said...

Beautiful post. Happy Happy Birthday to you and your sweet little girl.

I didn't get anything prepared for this week, but I love 'Fro. So glad to read the update that it's staying!

Anonymous said...

I have almost totally forgotten about this. But I promise to participate once the holidays are over and I have stopped being a one-woman Christmas tree rescue squad.

Happy Birthday Kristen!

momstheword said...

Happy Birthday and what a special gift. So glad she's healthy, what a blessing!

Anonymous said...

The Bean was in the NICU for my birthday too the year she was born. We actually hoped she would stay cooking until then. Even though she'd still be quite early, it would have been something to have her born on what is mine and my dad's birthday.

But she didn't make it anywhere close to that day. Instead she was 8 1/2 weeks early. By the time my birthday arrived, she was nearly a month old and by then, we were fairly sure we'd make it through the NICU all right.

Now, she's getting closer and closer to turning 4 which blows my mind. Although, she's a bit on the late side of things, she's still in the normal ranges and is a beautiful, BEAUTIFUL blessing. God had blessed us mightily in her.

I'm grateful that your little one has made it through as well.

Anonymous said...

I know that was a hard place to be. And I know how special that makes your baby. Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

Long live the Fro!!
i was sorry to miss it but I was participating in another carnival with a IRL/blog friend and didn't have time to pull together two posts

the fro is my favorite bloggy carnival.

Glad it will be back in 09!

Amy @ Living Locurto said...

Happy Birthday!! Isn't it amazing those surprise gifts that God brings us.

Amy @ Living Locurto said...

P.S.- The teeth are awesome! LOL! I need some of those:-)

Amy said...

As a two-time survivor of the NICU (or "repeat offender" as the nurses called us) I can totally relate... in fact the photo of your little one brought tears to my eyes. I'm glad your little one was blessed with good health and that your family had a little fun in the midst of the stress! :)