My beautiful, saving Grace.  She really did save me you know…that is why I named her Grace.  She is my Grace,  and just like the Lord’s Grace, we are blessed to have it.  Before I found out I was pregnant with her, I was young, stupid, and making bad choice after bad choice.  My pregnancy with her saved me.  It made me wake up, pay attention, and realize that I had to change my ways. 

Being pregnant with Grace was easy.  It was completely textbook, which was good, because I was freaked out at being pregnant.  I gained the typical thirty pounds and everything was going smoothly.  I was living at my mother’s house in Indiana at that time and working at a really boring job.  A friend of mine was my partner during my whole pregnancy and birth.  We went to birthing classes and generally learned all we could during that time.  When we got towards 38 weeks, my doctor told me that she was going to be gone and I could elect to be induced that Monday, April 3rd.  It seemed like a good idea because Chrissy, being a nurse, was off for that day and the next, and my doctor would be there.  So off we went.  I called my mom who took off work and we met her at the hospital around 3 pm.  I got the gown on, got settled, and they started with the gel stuff that goes on your cervix to promote a softer cervix in preparation for the pitocin.  But, at 38 weeks, I guess that was all Grace needed and we were off into the land ‘o labor.  By this time it was around six and labor was settling in.  I opted for a dose of general pain medicine to take the edge off of the pain and boy oh boy….that was nuts.  All I remember about that was that I could feel teh pain, but it seemed really far away.  But it only lasted for about an hour or so and then clarity returned.  I made it to about seven centimeters and said I was ready for the epidural.  I don’t remember feeling it at all.  He did it during a contraction and then I felt blessed relief.  When Grace was ready to come out, I remember feeling like I was a Barbie doll and they were trying to pop off my legs.  Not a whole lot of pain but a TON of pressure.  After a few pushes there she wasy…screaming her head off…my beautiful Gracie.  I cried and cried.  So did my mom, who was over in the corner just watching.  She was born at 12:48 am on April 4th.  She weighed in at 7lbs 6oz (i believe) and was 21 inches long.  We knew from birth she was going to be a tall girl!

Now Grace is almost 8.  Wow how time flies.  I can’t believe how grown up she is.  We have been though many trials together, her and I.  She has been my rock, my reason, my whole life.  She is the best of me and I am so greatful to have her in my life.  I thank God every day for letting me be her mother.  Grace is smart, sensitive, and very generous.  She is such a joy to be around and I pray that I do right by her.  And it’s a trial I tell ya’!  As great as she is, she is seven, and sometimes that’s hard!

But, what a joy to have my Grace, with me, holding my hand and helping me through it all.  I am so blessed!