Mid-Week Joy Report with Baby

Yesterday our nation celebrated its birthday - I hope you enjoyed the day! We did.

In fact, it's been a good week. JOY-filled. It even included a trip to the city with my daughter who is here visiting us. Yep, time with Brittney, Chipotle, and Starbucks = one happy mama!

It hasn't been a very busy week of crafting though. I only made 6 cards this week. That's okay, though. It's still been a GREAT Week!

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You Can Handle More Than You Think

Chapter 27

50 Truths Worth Knowing

Each Wednesday this year, I've created a card inspired by a chapter in the book 50 Truths Worth Knowing. I have had a lot of fun doing this. That inexpensive little book (I found it at a Thrift Store) has helped me to think creatively. I'm glad I've challenged myself to do this.

In Chapter 27, Nelson spoke of his experience in becoming a first-time Dad. For many, that journey is fairly easy. But for Nelson (and his wife Jen and sweet daughter Julia) things didn't go so smoothly. Julia was born six weeks early and spent the first month in what Nelson called the "miracle ward" where modern technology and an amazing staff worked diligently to keep young Julia alive.

As you can imagine, there were ups and downs in that month. Successes. Fears. Once Julia fought life-threatening infection and Nelson watched as doctors performed heroic measures to save her life.

And finally, Julia was large enough - and healthy enough - to go home. JOY!

A couple of years later Jen was pregnant again. They were assured that Julia's rocky start was not systematic. There was no reason to be concerned that there would be a similar situation this time. Wrong. Nine weeks before the due date, Jen starts labor. Doctors were able to hold her off for a little while, but then, Baby Valerie decided she would wait no longer and she made her appearance. She spent time in the NICU ward in an incubator, but fortunately she didn't experience as many set-backs as little Julia had and she was able to go home a few short weeks later.

Nelson is a grateful dad. He's been a father for years now and his life is filled with "giggles, ballet slippers basketball practice, and two bright and inquisitive girls." He will forever be grateful to the doctors, NICU staff, and modern medicine... and he'll be grateful for those two precious girls who call him Daddy.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Images/Sentiment: MFT Notched Tags and Paper Trey Signature Greetings stamped with Gina K Onyx Black Ink

Papers: Recollections Ivory and Stampin' UP! Crushed Curry and Wild Wasabi CS and all other papers from my scrap file

Embellishment: Heart-Shaped Brad from an unknown vendor