Miracles

I cannot count the number of times that others or myself have made the following statement: "How could people have directly seen Jesus perform miracles and then doubt and lack faith?" Given recent experiences, I have been forced to ask whether we are any different. My evidence lies in the beautiful blue eyes above. Not only did non-blue-eyed parents contribute to her genetics, but she is now 4 months old. It is by God's grace alone that she has been spared. So many miracles have occurred on her behalf in such a short time period, yet some assume the worst outcome possible for her as a foregone conclusion. This assumption leaves no room for the possibility of continued miracles in spite of evidence to the contrary. Rebecca is doing very well. She started to take a bottle so well that we decided to begin nursing again. This has been a blessing for us both. This, in combination with her recovery from the upper respiratory infection, has resulted in her being much more content. She has also begun to talk to her sister and myself. Rebecca even manages a partial smile as we smile at her. She also enjoys pushing up off her loved ones and supporting her weight on her elbows. She had her follow-up visit to neurology in Dallas where we learned that her head circumference had not changed in two months, which suggests that her brain is not growing at an acceptable rate. So, prayer warriors out there can continue to pray for the healing and appropriate development and recovery of her brain. We have already seen some growth in her circumference since the visit. Thank you all for your ongoing prayers and support.

Happy Birthday Grandfathers!

Dear Pops,

Love you Pops. I love you so much Pops around the earth and to the planets. I love how you are my best friend. Happy Birthday from Elizabeth.

Happy Birthday Pops! Hope you have the best birthday! I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love Katherine!

Whaaa! Ehh, ooh. Love Rebecca

Thank you for loving us. We are honored to have you as our very own Pops. What a blessing! Did we mention that it is your 20th anniversary of your 50th birthday to the world yet! Oh well, you may not notice now that you are 70 YEARS OLD! Love, The Gatti Girls

Dear Poppy,

I love you Poppy. I love you so much. Happy Birthday! Love, Elizabeth (who wants to go watch Hannah Montana now)

Happy Birthday Poppy! I hope you had the best birthday ever! Your party was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love, Katherine

Whaa, ehh, ooh! Love, Rebecca

Poppy, thanks for being our grandfather. You are always there when we need a prayer. If only every girl could have a Poppy to sit by her side! What a blessing to have a grandfather who loves us! Happy Birthday, the Gatti Girls.

God's Understanding

Those of you who know me best can appreciate a colleague declaring the SGSTS (Susan Gatti Scattered Thought Syndrome) in my honor. The scattered thoughts raced through my head as I am not even attempting to sleep yet. I am thinking of all the comments people have made to me, all well intended. Some comments are worthy of a blog and some not so worthy. I would just like each of you to have a reference point for your thoughts that orient you to my own. Perhaps this perspective can help you as you talk with those who have been through a difficult time.

I am NOT skilled to understand what has happened to my family. I have often cried and repeatedly stated that I do not understand. Each time I come to the same conclusion: I do not have to understand because God does. Some comments from others and thoughts from my own head have questioned the timing of Rebecca's birth. Some statements have even questioned her revival in fear of a difficult life. Many remarks have noted nothing was wrong prior to that night. Please remember that it is not our place to question God's plan for our lives or the lives of those we love. His understanding is perfect. I believe that when I am seated next to my Heavenly Father He will have some "videos" prepared for me. One will demonstrate what my life and the life of my family would have been like if Rebecca's birth had occurred without complication - the other if Rebecca had not survived. Perhaps only then will I completely understand why she has had to endure the pain and suffering she has. Until that time, I trust that God knows best and remains in control. He will sustain my family and carry out His plan according to His good and perfect will.

School Begins

Welcome to the day Katherine started school. Much to our amazement, our oldest baby started 2nd grade! Rebecca looked around for sources of entertainment. Katherine had left for school, and Elizabeth was sleeping off a respiratory infection. Rebecca was not happy with the result - only a mom to entertain. Fortunately her sister arrived home after not too long and saved her. To add insult to injury, I had to go back to work this week, and Elizabeth begins preschool after Labor Day. Preschool can begin for Elizabeth because she accomplished her summer goal - swimming independently across the pool!

I apologize for the lack of posts - not typically a good sign. Let me get the health updates out of the way. When we returned from Dallas, Rebecca continued to have seizures. To complicate things her seizures have also presented similar to an infantile reaction to severe gastric reflux. We confirmed the presence of reflux and adjusted her medications and things then improved. Now it was Elizabeth's turn. She suffered from a very high fever and vomiting as a result of an upper respiratory infection for several days. Rebecca was next to share in the illness. We are still trying to return her to health and stop the vomiting. Nutrition is far too critical for her at this point for her to lose any nutrients. My prayer warriors need to pray that the vomiting has been a result of the infections and not a more lasting GI complication. We have an appointment to make sure it is not the latter. As all mothers can appreciate - Katherine has now started coughing, and dad is taking Tylenol Sinus. I believe God has bestowed immune systems of steel to mothers.

Yes, you did read that I returned to work and survived. I was pleasantly surprised that I have some memory left! As I struggle with leaving my children, I was given the knowledge that as long as we glorify God in our actions these actions are worthwhile. I was highly remorseful because it occurred to me that my past work actions have not glorified God. I have not consistently prayed over each child and family I have worked with in the past. I had neglected to use my work to serve the Lord in the most simple of ways. This error has been corrected. My limited knowledge from graduate school and working experience has been helpful professionally and personally. However, I am only an endlessly flawed sinner. My direction needs to come from the Lord if I am to make wise decisions. I have told several friends that my psychology books have been on the shelf collecting dust, and my Bible and spiritual books are on my nightstand. I now recognize that this needs to happen in both my home and my work if my professional career is to be worthwhile. I pray that each of you are able to find a way to make your actions worthwhile, and I would appreciate the same prayer for me in return!