Thursday, March 29, 2007

"Step right up, folks...step right up"

I feel like there needs to be circus music playing in the background as you view these next images!





"dee-dee-deedle-leedle-dee-dee-dee-dee"



ONLY 12 WEEKS!!! (IN MY 13TH WEEK OF PREGNANCY)

I'm glad that you guys don't mind my honestly throughout this whole crazy thing...I'm a very "what-you-see-is-what-you-get" type of gal...always have been...a little TOO much, some might say! ;)

Thanks so much for your prayers and please keep em coming!!! This week has kinda been a rough one for us. I'm getting to the point where there are many things that I just cannot do anymore (wheel a patient outside to his car, clean a stretcher and put new sheets on it, lift up the head of a patient's bed...) without my back completely freezing up on me, and consequently, me not being able to walk for several hours. It has been frustrating to say the least. But the people I am working with are INCREDIBLE! and they help me out so much everyday!

I guess you can kinda tell by now that this whole process/pregnancy sends Joe and I through some CRAZY roller coasters of emotions. (especially me, for obvious reasons..I wonder why?) Anywhoo, I guess you could say that this week would represent one of the down slopes...but at least I know that in no time we will be on our way up again!

Specific things to pray for that weigh heavily on our hearts at the moment:
- obviously the health of my babies and me (making it to 32 or more weeks!)
- do we sell our house? (my heart starts beating fast just thinking about it)
- how do we go about getting a Suburban or (gulp) Mini-Van that we can afford?
- for me to LET GO of trying to function as a normal, healthy 26-year-old who is NOT carrying quads and to accept help and KNOW that it is OKAY! I have to keep telling myself: JUST LET GO, SUZ!

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Suz,
We are sooooooooooooo worried about you! Is there any way you could work in the nursing triage?

Suzanne said...

awww..you are too sweet..who are you, anon? not sure what i would do with nursing triage..

Corrie said...

Suzanne,
I think your honesty is refreshing and just proves you are a normal person!
I will try to make this brief, but my mom shared something really wise with me and it has stuck with me! Make an imaginary t-chart in your head. On one side put everything over which you have no control. LEAVE THOSE THINGS THERE! It is mentally, emotionally and spiritually taxing to dwell on those things. On the other side of the t-chart put everything you can influence/change. Focus your energy on that side of the chart.
Hope that doesn't sound new-agey. I'm a very linear person and things make sense to me when I can put them in some sort of order. Basically it just helps me realize that I am NOT in control. It is kind of like "The Serenity Prayer" for obsessive people like me. Lord, grant Suzanne the serenity to accept the things she cannot change, the courage to change the things that she can, and the wisdom to know the difference. I'll be praying that for you!

Unknown said...

You are cute Suzanne! Your belly should be in maternity magazines :) I can't imagine how hard it is having 4 in there but just remember how long you waited for them and now God is saying "here they are" ....Enjoy it! Hope you can...Blessings!
E. Williams

Anonymous said...

Suzanne,
I just wanted to let you know that I am praying for you, your husband, and your precious babies. I am a sister in Christ and found your blog through all of the Church of Christ bloggers. May God bless you and give you the strength and peace that you need to make it through this pregnancy. Thank you for sharing your family with all of us. In the name of Jesus, be blessed.
JoAnn M.

Anonymous said...

Hi! I am obsessed with checking your blog, and want you to know that you have soooo many people praying for you, and Joe, and the 4 precious miracles in your belly! If there is anyway that all of us that are praying for you can help out please let us know!
Take care!
Amy King

Charla (SHar-la) said...

Suzanne,

When we were dealing with the possibility of a miscarriage (and then the actual process and aftermath), Corrie gave me the same t-chart image to focus on. I have to admit, at first I thought it wouldn't work for me, but when I tried it found it was good for those times when I felt that wave of emotions...what I call the "free-falling" Charla, coming on...mostly the down time of life: in bed, in the shower, late at night when you wake up to pee at least 3 times, you know! I also have really focused on how this experience with miscarriage is going to impact others later, and how God is using me right this minute, in ways I will possibly never know about. This experience, although scary and overwhelming, was given to you for a purpose...not to make you homeless, or loveless, or faithless, or any of the things the devil puts into our mind and hearts. It was given to you to "PROSPER YOU" and what's even better is it was PROMISED TO YOU!!!! I have learned that through anything, if our goal is to glorify our heavenly Father, no matter the pain, confusion, emotions, change of your plans, etc...and if everything you do is with faith that the one who created you (and those four humans growing in your body) then you know in the end, whatever happens was His will and not your own. Even if it wasn't what you thought it would be.

I'm sure you know ALL of this already...I did, but it was refreshing to hear and read it again, especially from friends and loved ones. And, even though I do not know you, I am a sister in Christ and love you with His love.

Each time I visit your blog, I will say a prayer for your family.

Suzanne said...

cdj and corrie thanks so much for the beautiful words! you guys are so sweet!..really helped me put things in perspective.

mom23 said...

Praying for you - Tracy

lauren said...

Suzanne,
I love you and am so sorry you're having a down week. I love what Corrie said to do. It helps so much (Josh helps me with this a lot) to seperate the things you can and can't control. If you carry the burden of all of it, it wears you down to the point of feeling crippled. If you separate it, it all of a sudden seems somewhat manageable. You are so strong and will do a wonderful job carrying your 4 little ones. God will give you strength and will get you through all of these hurdles and stresses! I will pray extra hard for you this week, and PLEASE call me if you need to vent, cry, whatever.

Audrey T said...

Suzanne, thanks for being honest about the scary realities of becoming a grown up. We're going through the same stuff but on a probably smaller scale.

As much as I hated it, making a budget is one thing that helped me to see our financial reality and differentiate between the things I can and can't control.

I've been making lists and lists and more lists of baby stuff to do, house stuff to do, graduation stuff to do. That has helped me feel less overwhelmed too.

Serenity's a pretty nice word, huh?

Anonymous said...

Suzanne:

I don't know you, but I saw your blog while looking for someone else's. I wish you the best with your pregnancy. I've had 5 one right after the other. The last 2 are 1 yr. old twins. It's been stressful, but it's worth it. Your babies will be here before you know it.

Paola

Kelly said...

My husband and I were looking at your page again and we are amazed. You look beautiful. I am sorry you are having a down week, but any pregnancy is a roller coaster ride. Hope things get better for you soon. Listen to your body and rest when it tells you to! All the best, Kelly

Jennifer C said...

I think it's SO amazing that there are 4 babies in there!!! Makes me want to go look up quads stats and find out just how special this is!

Have you considered putting a link on your blog to your baby registry?? I bet there are a lot of people who would love to help you guys out somehow....for safety reasons maybe they could list it so people could have the gift shipped to you w/out showing your actual address? I know I've seen some great baby item and thought "Suzanne needs that...no, Suzanne will need 4 of those!" and I've never met you, so maybe others feel the same way.

OR if not a link to an actual registry, then how about a list of things you need that you update pretty regularly? Maybe you could go open a PO box and let people ship the stuff there??

Anyway... just a thought!

TEXOSE said...

vERSES THAT MIGHT BRING YOU COMFORT:

MATTHEW 6:25-34
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

God knows every hair on your head (Luke 12:6-8 NIV:Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies[a]? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows), and he gave his only son for you John 3:16 KJV-For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.)
****

Anonymous said...

Nice!!!

Amanda's News said...

Suz,
I'm 30 weeks tomorrow and still sometimes think, "Man this is crazy, I can't believe we are ready to do this all again". So I can empathize with you on taking it all in (regardless of there being four). You are precious and I'm lifting you up in prayer. God is great and he will totally take care of you guys! He is the miracle worker:)

Lindsey Eason said...

Suzanne - I read your post and for some reason your last prayer request really stuck out at me. I believe with all my heart that people like to feel needed...I think you will find that people will feel endeared to you, closer to you, loved more by you when you allow them to simply help you!! Do your best to "let go",...I really think you will bless others when you say "help me please!".

Anonymous said...

Sue, I just wanted to say howdy and give you a 'virtual' hug. I cannot image how you and Joe and parents are feeling.... but do know you are receiving many, many prayers. I am so glad you are sharing through blogspot. I check in at least once a week to see how you are and JoLee keeps me posted in between. The sono's are wonderful(the descriptions do help:-) I know there are many, many worries but also know God will take care of all of you and send you what you need. Hang in there and when you are in a down swing remember how many love you and are praying. Psalm 91 is where I often go when I am facing trials. We send our love and more importantly prayers.
Love Mel

laura said...

Hi Suzanne,
I am friends with Nicki and checked out your blog from her site. What an amazing story! I even made my husband sit down and read it with me. God has shown Himself to be amazing in this, and I know that He will carry you and your husband with His strength and grace. He will also provide in ways you least expect it. My husband is a minister, and there have been times where we have wondered how we would make ends meet. The Lord has never failed to provide exactly what we needed. I can't wait to hear incredible stories of how He provides for these 4. He created your body to be able to do incredible things, and we will pray for safety, health, peace and joy in the journey! I will continue to check your blog and lift up your prayer needs.
In Him,
Laura

aWare said...

Suz, you should be a prego model, really....a magazine or something!
I am amazed at how strong you are, your positive go with it attitude is contagious! I know down weeks are frustrating but, you said it perfectly...highs come with lows! God must really think you and Jo are super special if he wants you to have 4 at once!

Anonymous said...

I also have never met you but totally agree with the PO Box idea or else if there is a way to publish a baby registry without your address. That way others could be blessed to share your burden. And you could be blessed as God uses others to lessen it. :)

Lauren

khovater said...

Hey Suzanne, this is Kelly Scheppegrell, now Hovater, not sure if you remember me. Anyway, I am thinking about you guys and praying for safety and peace, I will also include the financial things. This is such a big deal that I can't even wrap my mind around but, from what I have read, I feel confident that you guys can handle this. For those times when you feel like you can't, lean on our, so faithful, God. He will continually give you the strength that you need to walk this walk and empower you to be better for it.

Kelly said...

http://www.mostonline.org/

Anonymous said...

Even though I don't know you I feel like I do. I am a member of the church in BA,OK. I found your blog through some others. I am soo excited for you and your husband! I know some of the feelings you are having and all is normal!My husband and I had 3 children ages 6,8,and 10. And found out we were having twins after being told 4 yrs prior we couldn't have anymore. Our children are now 2,9,11 and 13! My husband is a police officer and I am a stay home mom so the financial worries are there. Don't worry! God will provide. Enjoy each and every day and SLEEP while you can! I love the PO Box idea also or suggest you have gift card shower so you can get things as you need them. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kim

Anonymous said...

HOT!!!

Hope said...

Suzanne,

I just wanted to tell you that you and your family will be in my prayers. The pictures are amazing, so much love to share with your babies. I love the pictures of you and Joe laughing and being silly, being married almost 18 years...don't let the silly go, it really is important.

So glad you believe in Christ, you will surely need Him! :) Again, prayers are with you.

Sisters in Christ,

Hope

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