Thankful for Turner - Our big 4 year old!

Each Thanksgiving, as we reflect on our many blessings and enjoy yummy food and long naps, someone always references Thanksgiving 2007 and we all smile as we remember that unique holiday experience.  Turner was approximately 30 hours old - born at 6:06am the day before Thanksgiving, 2 weeks earlier than her anticipated arrival.  Both of our families settled in to spend the holiday at Baptist East Hospital in Montgomery, and we learned that Cracker Barrel serves a mighty fine Thanksgiving lunch (and subsequent dinner). 

As we've approached Turner's birthday this year (this past Monday) I've been particularly reflective of these 4 years...simultaneously feeling like they've flown by and yet having to concentrate hard to remember what life was like before she was a part of our family.  Turner is the sweetest and most caring kid I know.  I am proud to learn from her teachers that she purposefully reaches out to the Asian children in her class (who don't speak in words Turner can understand) when they don't have a friend to play with during morning preschool.  She lovingly hugs and high fives her senior adult  "friends" at church each week and sometimes she chooses to sit with them as opposed to with her parents.  Mark and I have both watched in amazement when a friend pitched a fit for something Turner was playing with, and Turner just smiled and handed it to them. 

Now, she's not perfect.  She throws fits, has irrational fears at times, and can make my blood pressure sky-rocket with her wanna-be-13 yr old attitude when she doesn't get her way.  But those times really are SO rare, and Mark and I constantly remind ourselves how incredibly blessed we are that God gave us a child so much sweeter than we deserve.

This past Sunday, the day before her 4th birthday, Mark had to usher at church and he left Turner on the third pew during the prayer and while they passed the offering plate.  As the church musician I have a peripheral view of her, and this week as I played quietly during the prayer I happened to glance her way.  For about 2 minutes she had her little hands clasped tightly and her eyes shut, with the most serious look on her face.  The song I was playing was "Made Me Glad" from Hillsong, which coincidentally was the song I listened to over, and over again on my weekly drives to Montgomery early in my pregnancy with Turner.

Because I had lost two babies earlier, I was completely terrified that my body would yet again fail me and not sustain my third pregnancy.  I drove to Montgomery every Tuesday for 8 weeks to have 5 minutes of bloodwork done, anxiously awaiting results the following morning, hoping to see a significant rise in my hormone levels. I still have the sheet where I charted the HCG levels until the nurse finally gently suggested that we appeared to be well out of the danger zone.  I would drive and sing and often cry as I had no choice but to claim these words as truth:

I will bless the Lord forever
I will trust Him at all times
He has delivered me from all fear
He has set my feet upon a rock
I will not be moved
And I'll say of the Lord
You are my shield, My strength
My portion, Deliverer
My shelter, Strong tower
My very present help in time of need

This past Sunday, as I heard that familiar song and happened to gaze out at my beautiful daughter so sweetly bowed in prayer, it was just too much. She is our gift - a priceless treasure gifted to us from Almighty God, who heard my prayers that He would bless her life.

Happy birthday my sweet, precious little girl!

Turner had been talking about her fourth birthday party, and all the things that she would miraculously be able to do when she turned 4 since approximately the end of her 3rd birthday party last year.  Her brown croc mary janes would magically fit on the morning of her 4th birthday...she hoped she would be able to ride her bike without training wheels on her birthday also. 

All that she asked of for her party, was that we have a birthday banner! 

Last spring Turner played on the "Big Green Bus" at Auburn Cityfest, which is basically a gutted school bus filled with tumbling equipment of various kinds.  We had them come out for her birthday party and the children had a BLAST!

We had the party at the Camden Ridge pool/playground so there were a variety of activities to keep little ones busy and active!

Turner shaking the "sillies" out!

We typically don't love to open presents at the party, but this year we did this in sort of a happenstance way.  It was actually hilarious because Turner's friends seem to know her well and she was genuinely and visibly excited about most of her gifts.

She has been dying for a sleeping bag...and actually got 2!

Turner was very concerned Cooper might run into the pool!

Turner and her best buddy Anderson surveying the scene from the bus windows.

Crazy BB and Tootsie had to try hula hooping!

We are so fortunate to have so many people who love Turner so much!  All 4 grandparents, Mrs. Norma (who is her Auburn grandparent), and BB made it to the party this year!

After the party, Turner and I helped Granny make chicken and dumplings from scratch.  It's really one of Turner's favorite foods!  (And her Daddy kind of likes it too...)  Please be advised that the flower dress Turner is wearing is what we call her "home dress".  She would seriously wear it every day, everywhere if we'd let her.  It's like a Muu Muu...she most loves to wear it with her house slippers.  :)

We love you sweet Turner!!  You are the joy of our lives!