Important Things

So, ever since last Wednesday I have been planning to blog on Monday (today). I "bought" a car that day and knew that I would be picking it up today and had planned on putting pictures and such telling all about it, ect., ect. This is not going to be that blog. That blog will probably come, just not today. Today, I am blogging about something much more important. Actually, just something important. New cars really don't even fall into the "important" category.

Last year (I wish that I could remember exactly when or how but, I can't. No surprise to those of you who know me :^) I met Haley Nichols. Before I tell you about her and their family, I need to tell you a little something about myself. I am, as most of you know, 28, single (never married), and have no children (please try to contain your sympathy sighs and no need to rack your brain on who you can set me up with....it's not as bad as it sounds :^) I grew up like most other girls thinking that I wanted a house full of children, a husband, of course, the whole 9 yards. Then I turned 22 and saw all my friends get married and start to have children. My blinders came off and reality hit of how hard it actually is and how wonderful having the freedom of no children, husband is. It's almost intoxicating and addictive. I am well aware of how selfish I sound here but not just that, I just started too see parenting from the parents perspective instead of the child's and it left me having two good reasons that I probably wasn't cut out for parenthood.

First, I love my family, especially my sisters, way too much. I worry about them way too much, I care about everything in their lives too much, I am way too overprotective and defensive of them. You may be saying that this isn't possible, but I assure you that my sisters would disagree. I just got to thinking that if it was this hard just to be someones sister that the mother/child love might put me over the edge. I still feel that way but have been convinced that if God can send me someone that I would actually be willing to give up all that I have for and want to have children with, He could keep me from going crazy with love for that child. Literally, crazy.

The second point (and the one that is eventually going to lead me back on point) is that I am not like other parents. I am way more laid back about things (clothes, hair, ect.) that seem to drive parents. No knock here, I just don't care. I mean it might change but, I honestly don't need my kids initials embroidered on everything from their socks to their hats. I don't see spending more on a rambunctious 4 year old's dress, that she may wear for one season that I do on one for me that I may wear for five years. I have no desire to be a parent who freaks out anytime a speck of dirt comes near my child or they get a hole in their pants. Like I said, this could change, I just wouldn't count on it. In comes, Haley Nichols (and from the best I can remember, my mom. But like I said, now I see things from a parents perspective where all I remember is from a child's) She is the coolest, most laid back mother. Not that she never disciplines her children or that they run around covered in dirt and in rags. Quite the opposite actually. Her kids are always cute, very well behaved, and clean. Her whole attitude towards parenting is just so much like I figure mine would be and I see how happy and wonderful her children are and I think, "Oh! I COULD raise a happy, healthy child!" And, not just her attitude towards parenting, but her attitude towards life. I just really love her. Back to point.

Haley is married to Coach Jim Nichols the head football coach at Faulkner and also my boss. As I stated in my last blog, I love them and their kids. She is in between 3-4 months pregnant and does have a history of miscarriages. She started having a few complications last week and now is on bed rest and things are not looking good. I remember when GinGin (my aunt) had Jessica (who has down syndrome and was born with a lot of problems that come with that) and Melissa (one of my best friends from home) found out about Janey (she found out in her third month that she had anecephely and Janey died, just a few hours after being born) really having trouble sleeping and just waking up in the middle of the "night" thinking about it and spending countless hours praying. That was again where I found myself at 5 o'clock this morning. Awake and praying.

I write all this so you will have a little understanding of the situation and, most of all, to beg of you to pray. Haley has 2 very big Dr's appointments this week and I KNOW the power of prayer and so do Haley and Jim. Please pray that things will turn out for the best for this family and that God will find a way to keep this baby healthy. It is not to me to question why these things happen and I won't start now but this is a Godly family who is raising Godly kids, the kind of kids this world needs more of and I am praying that it is His will that this baby be born and born healthy. Please also pray and ask anyone you know to pray too. I know that it is mostly mothers in this world and weather you have ever had a sick baby or a unhealthy pregnancy or not, you know how traumatic this can be. If you or your ladies class, ect would be interested in sending Haley a card of encouragement that would be great, just e mail me at Laurierwalker@yahoo.com or lrwalker@faulkner.edu and I'll be happy to give you their address. Thanks for reading through all of my rambling to get to this important point.