Shots, Monitors, and Pants...

Today was a very eventful day!  First, we woke up and got ready for Mason's doctor's appt.  I decided to try something new today and put pants on him!!!!  They were a little big but sooooooo cute.  I think it's so funny to think this was the first time he had pants on... how many of you remember the first time you wore pants?  Below is a picture of our big boy outfit.

We had a doctors appt at 11:30 and this was the first time Mommy had to by herself...quite an ordeal when you have a diaper bag on one shoulder, a monitor bag on one shoulder, and the carseat on your arm.  We got a good report today... Mason weighs 8 pounds and 15 ounces...WOOHOO!!!  I have a growing boy on my hands.  We were unable to lose the monitor.  He must go 30 days without any recorded episodes.  However, Dr. Maschino said we didn't need to wear it during the day only at night or prolonged periods of sleep. Please pray for no episodes between now and May 25th:)  Mason also got three shots today and only cried for a second.  I am so proud of my little guy...he is growing and developing into such a strong baby! We give the Lord all the glory!

Going Home....

This past weekend was our first trip home as a family of three.  I use the word home because Sulphur Springs has always been where I call home but in a few months it's where we will all call home.  For those of you who did not know this, Bryan will graduate in December and join my Dad's law practice.  We are building a house right across the street from my parents.  For some of you this might be a death sentence...HA!!!  However, for us it is home.  I consider it a blessing that Mason will be across the street from his Grandparents and next door to his Aunt and Uncle.  When I think of home I don't think of Sulphur Springs...I think of wherever my parents and sister are located...they are my home and it just so happens we will all reside in the same town!

Bryan and I are so excited to raise Mason in Sulphur Springs.  We both loved growing up in a small town and feel a complete peace that this is where the Lord wants our family.  Last Saturday night we took the four-wheeler to go look at our land right before the sun went down...we both thought you definitely could not do this in the city.  We are so excited for this next journey in our lives.

Below are some of our favorite people who will be apart of Mason's life as he grows up in Sulphur Springs and who met him for the first time over Easter!

Below is a our first Easter picture as a family!

JOY and Daddy G...

Daddy G is now what my Dad refers to himself as:)   I have been fortunate enough to grow up with a Father who got it all right.... 1. He loves the Lord more than anything in His life. 2. He loves his family second more than anything in His life. 3. He has gone ABOVE and BEYOND to provide for all of us abundantly. 4. He raised His children in truth and taught us from a young age who Jesus was and the sacrifice He made for our lives. 

For people that know my Dad it won't come as a schock to you when I describe him as high strung!  Somewhere along the journey of being a Dad, a husband, a son,  a businessman, etc. my Dad became extremely high strung!!!!  In the past few years I have seen his stress level reach all time highs!  My prayer for him, literally for a couple of years, is that he would find something that would bring him total joy.  Now, don't get me wrong...I know that we bring him joy...but I wanted something for him that would help him forget about the demands upon him and have a calming effect on him...something that would bring him pure joy and peace.

Who knew that prayer would be answered in the form of a baby boy named Mason Greggory White.  Mason has changed my Dad and it's so wonderful to watch the two of them together.  I am so thankful that Mason will have the same godly influence in his life that I have had for 29 years!  I am also thankful that Daddy G found another source of joy in his life!

Thankful for the little things...

Mason and I went for a walk at Lake Hefner today because the weather is wonderful!!!  As I was walking I felt like the Lord convicted me a little... Since my Mom left to go back home I count down the days until the next time she will be here.  I have felt a little lonely during the day while Bryan is at school...I am so ready to back in Texas and close to family. 

However, today as I was walking I felt like the Lord was saying be thankful for what is right here right now.  So....here are 10 things about being in OKC that I am thankful for today.

1. I am thankful that there is a place like Lake Hefner to take a walk with my baby.
2. I am thankful for the nurses and doctors at Integris Baptist Medical Center.
3. I am thankful for the sweet OKC friends who supplied us with meals for almost three weeks!
4. I am thankful Cuppies and Joe...my favorite cupcake place:)
5. I am thankful for the time Bryan and I have had away from family to establish our marriage and figure out this parenting thing!:)
6. I am thankful that moving to OKC has strengthened my faith.
7. I am thankful for Dr. Huff.
8. I am thankful that OKC is only four hours away from SS.
9. I am thankful for Henderson Hills Baptist Church and the Humphreys Flock!
10.  I am thankful for my sweet students at Deer Creek!

Below are a few pics of our walk:)

3 Generations...

Bryan's Dad and Stepmom came to visit Mason this past weekend.  This was the first time they were able to hold him because he was in the NICU the last time they were here.  Mason is one lucky little boy to have so many Grandparents that love him so much!  Below are a few pics of all the White men! HA!

"Grump" and Mason!

Three Generations!

Aunt Abb and Mr. Mason...

My sweet sister, Abbey, flew up to OKC today to spend time with us until Saturday.  I don't know how many of you are blessed to have a sibling but it's the best thing in the world.  Abb is my best friend and I don't know what I would do without her.  I am so very thankful that she will be a HUGE part of Mason's life.  Below are a few sweet moments I captured of her visit...

Two peas in a pod...

While we were in the NICU the Lord blessed us with a sweet family right next door to Mason's room.  Their baby, Mr. Denton, was born at 29 weeks and he got to go home three days after we did.  I will forever be grateful for how sweet his momma has been to me during this journey.  She has had a huge impact on me both as a christian woman and as a mommy. 

We had a playdate today with the boys and their monitors:)  HA!  It was really more of a sleep date for them and a time where Daysha and I could talk!  It was so good for me to get out of the house with Mason.  Below are a few pics of the boys!

29 and Holding...

What a blessed birthday I have had!  My first one with my little guy!  Mason is definitely the best birthday present I have ever had:)

Honey and Daddy G, also known as Mom and Dad, came to OKC yesterday to celebrate with us.  We had dinner at Cheesecake Factory and then came home for homemade birthday cake and coffee. 

This morning I was able to get a much needed massage compliments of my two guys!!!  When I came home from my massage I had 29 cupcakes waiting for me...also compliments of my two guys!  Bryan is one and a million...so thankful for my sweet husband! 

As I was driving to my massage this morning I was listening to a local christian radio station.  The DJ was talking about peace.  She said having the peace of the Lord is so hard to explain... she went on to say that it's a peace that you can feel when you shouldn't feel peace at all.  She also said unless you know Jesus you will never be able to experience this kind of peace in your life.  As I celebrate 29 years of life today, I am so thankful that since my 11th birthday I have been able to experience this kind of peace day after day! 

New Beginnings...

Today is my first blog post ever!!!  I have been inspired by so many of you who blog that I thought I would try it out myself.  I pray that you will be encouraged and blessed by the following story...

On March 13, 2011 Bryan and I were blessed beyond belief by the birth of our son, Mason Greggory White.  Mason was scheduled to be here on May 5th but the Lord had other plans...BIG plans!  On March 9th, at just 32 weeks,  I started experienceing  pre-term labor.  What started out as mild contractions turned into severe pregnancy complications that ultimately placed Mason and I in danger.  I developed Pulmonary Edema, which is where your lungs fill up with fluid.  My lungs were 80% full of fluid and I was unable to breathe on my own without oxygen.  On the morning of March 13th I was one step away from being on a ventilator.  At this point it was safer for Mason and for me to go ahead and have an emergency c-section.

As the doctors explained to Bryan and I the risks of me undergoing this type of surgery with my oxygen levels being so low we began to realize the seioursness of the situation.  As if we were not scared enough, the doctors made Bryan sign off for me to get a central line in case my lungs collapsed.  A central line would allow them to get medicine directly to my heart. You can imagine how we were both feeling at this point.I don't think you're supposed to experience things like this until you have been married for at least 30 or 40 years. HA!

Despite how fearful we were the Lord was at work in a might way!!! I would like to share a few personal moments that occurred before I went into surgery.  The doctors told me that in order to not wake up on a ventilator I had to breathe on my own for about 20 minutes...not knowing if I could do this and on the verge of completely breaking down I heard the Lord's voice among many other voices in my crowded ICU room.  He said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness..."-2 Corinthians 12:9.  This became the verse that I repeated over and over in the OR.  Bryan had a moment alone before he entered the OR as well.   He shared with me that while he was praying he felt an overwhelming feeling to just surrender.  At that moment he said he surrendered Mason and I completely to the Lord and felt an amazing peace. 

At exactly 10:51, I delivered a 6 pound 5 ounce baby boy while breathing for 20 minutes on my own.  The Lord is always faithful!!  Due to the severity of this situation, my doctor has advised me that it would probably be extremely risky for me to get pregnant again.  The Lord has spoken to our hearts for a long time about adoption and this just confirmed that the Lord is present and working in our lives.  He gave us a precious gift by allowing us to have Mason and now we will have the opportunity, hopefully, to glorify him through adoption.

Even though this journey has been hard, Bryan and I are so grateful because we saw the Lord move and work in our lives in a mighty way.  He has given us a whole new direction and path and we will be forever grateful!

This is my favorite picture of him from the hospital.  He was free of all IV's and feeding tubes and he looks so peaceful...finally!!

Finally home as a family of 3:)

Spending time with Honey and Daddy G:)