My Mom's Wedding Dress Search!

For 40 years, my mom has been saving her wedding dress for me.  For 40 years, it has hung in the rafters of my grandmothers house.  It has never moved, and it has hung in the same dress bag for all these years.  In one, quick, thoughtless act, in less than 1 minute, my mom's wedding dress was taken to Goodwill and donated without the care to call us to see if we would like the dress.

See, my Grandmother has gone to live in a care facility.  She can no longer take care of herself. The person in charge of her house and belongings, took it upon them self to donate everything and anything that was my mothers.  Her childhood games, dresses, toys, and books are all gone!  I am pretty bitter about the whole thing.  I would of loved to of had my mom's stuff to pass down to my children.  I would of like to of had a dress made for my only daughter out of the wedding dress, but now that is not longer an option.

So Ihave started a campaign!  The "FIND MY MOM'S WEDDING DRESS" Campaign!!!!  I posted pictures and details on fb.  I have contacted the Goodwill that it was donated to, and I found out that it was shipped to Marinette, Wi.  I have contacted the warehouse in Marinette, and even had a wonderful friend go there with pictures in hand, to try to locate the dress.  I am determined to get our family heirloom back!  I am determined to show this person that cruelness can be overcome!

The wedding was January 22, 1972, In Sault Ste. Marie Mi.  Also the same town the dress was donated in.  They shipped it to Marinette, Wi, where it could have been distributed to any Goodwill store. Please help me find my mothers dress!

It is an Alfred Angelo.  Size 12 or 14

The dress had lace detail from the neck to the bottom of the dress.

A chapel length train with lace trim and bow at  the mid back.

If you live by a Goodwill, please look for the dress. The Veil was with the dress. I would love to bring this home, where it belongs.

Can Larry do my job for 4 days?

That's right!  I am heading for my "Mommy Vacation," and leaving Larry in charge!  For 4 full days, I will be gone and Larry will assume the role of Mommy and Daddy!  Now, this should be interesting...

I have spent a lot of time wondering how this is going to go.  I am worried about the boys homework, what they will eat, and bedtime.  I am concerned that everything will get done and the boys will make it to school on time.  Will he remember that Thursday is 1/2 day?  The bus will drop the boys off at 1:20...will he be here?  These are things he never has to worry about because I am the one taking care of it all.  I have told him repeatedly about certain things that need to be done...lets just pray he remembers.

It is funny how a person can live here and still not really pay attention to all the details, but then again he does not have to...It is my job.  It will be interesting to see how these 4 days go.  My guess is he won't be home much.  I bet he spends a lot of time with his mom, dad and brother.  My guess is he is not going to be home doing exactly what I do...I am not sure he could handle it :)

This is the first time I am leaving Kloe.  The past two times, I have taken her with me because I was nursing her.  But now she is 18 months old and Larry can take care of all her needs.  It is going to be hard leaving my baby, but I am grateful she will be with her daddy!

These weekends are what I need to rejuvenate myself.  My job is hard, thankless, and stressful.  It is so nice to get away and relax.  Twice a year I get these vacations.  Me and two friends go to a cabin and do nothing but scrapbook.  We sit around and laugh.  We watch real shows and talk about our crazy lives.  We stay up for hours and sleep in in the morning.  We go shopping and eat dinner as early or late as we want!  It is just what I need.

It is amazing to me, just how many SAHM'S do not take time for themselves.  I do have my once a week yoga class, but it is not enough.  My life is so consumed by the needs of others , which usually means that my needs usually fall by the waste side.  Not this weekend!  It is all about ME!

Before I can even walk out the door, I must make a list for Larry.  It will contain school schedules, bills that need to paid, homework schedule (my boys must read every night), Kade has a birthday party this weekend, bedtimes, bath time, dinner list, and dog schedule.  I know that once I get down there, I will have forgotten something and trying to get Larry to answer a phone is ridiculous!

I have full confidence in Larry.  Ok, half confidence!  But there is one thing I know for sure,  my kids will be safe!  They will taken care of, and while the laundry may lack getting done, and the dishes may pile up in the sink, my kids will be spending quality time with their dad!  You really don't get better than that.

So, while I am away putting all of their memories into their individual books, Larry will be making more memories with them. He will be taking more pictures for when the fall rolls around, I have more to scrapbook!

Now, I am off to enjoy the sweet sound of silence...Well, for 4 days anyway!  By then I will be ready to see my sweet baby's!

The Witnessing of a Miracle - A Birth Story

9 months ago, my dear friend called me.  "Guess what Shelby?  I'm pregnant!"  I am instantly overjoyed for my friend Trina.  This will be her 5th baby!  This will be a wonderful addition to their amazing family.  But first, she needed to get over some hurdles.

See, my dear friend has endured heartache on the deepest level.  While 5 times she has delivered healthy baby's, 5 other times, she has lost baby's.  Many people that know the story, are amazed that she and her husband continue to try to grow their family.  But anyone who knows this amazing couple, also know that they let God guide them in their decisions.  They are not in control of their destiny, how many children they have, or even if they will be carried to term.  It is the ultimate test and belief in faith.  With their faith wrapped around God, they take whatever journey He lays out for them.  They take it with open arms.

So, 9 months ago, we all are overjoyed yet cautious as to what is to come.  Because, we do not know what God has in store for Trina and Sam.  But as the months tick by, the baby grows and grows.

Katrina's due date was March 14.  At the beginning of her pregnancy, she popped out fast.  We took bets on if she was having twins or not.  Surprisingly, 40 weeks came and went.  It is amazing what a mothers intuition will tell you.  See, Trina is a minimalist.  She does not want doctors to interfere with what God made.   She does not see the need for crazy tests, ultrasounds, and induction, and it seemed that once she hit her due date, her doctor was uncomfortable letting nature take its course.  Trina stuck to her belief,s and let God take over when He chose to have the baby make its debut.

We all waited in anticipation for the phone call to come that she was in labor.  For almost 3 weeks, I would call her and tell her where I was going, when I would be back, and where she could reach me if need be.  She had invited me to attend the delivery.  I was there when Hannah was born, and it was so incredible.  I was delighted when she asked me to attend this one.  So, for weeks we waited, and waited, and waited.

The morning of April 2, I was exhausted!  Not really sure why, but I was tired.  I cleaned, drank a cup of coffee, and closed my eyes on the couch.  I woke up and I had quite the mess to deal with.  Kloe had decided to eat strawberry's and they were everywhere.  I left shortly before 11 a.m. because I had a couple of errands to run.  I ran to my friends house real quick, the grocery store, dropped Colt off to school, and then came home.  As I was walking in the door, my phone rang.  I looked at the number and did not recognize it right away.  I decided I should answer anyway.  It was Trina.  I froze! I was horrified that the only day I did not call to let her know where I was,  was the day she needed me and I was no where to be found.  When I heard her voice she said "Shelby?" I said "yes" Trina said, " Did you get any of my message?" I said "no." Then she said "I left 3 of them, and I am in labor and my contractions are 4 minutes apart." "We are on our way to the hospital."  I instantly was scared.  It was the middle of the day and I had no one to watch Kloe or get my boys off the bus.  She then said to me, which I will never forget.  "Do what you need to do and just get here."

In that 45 minute time period, so much had changed.  I talked to two of my friends and they were generous enough to help me.  I dropped Kloe off to Grandma Danielle's, and my friend Kristie was going to get my boys off the bus.  I am truly blessed with great friends.  With my children taken care of,   I  headed to the hospital.  When I walked in, it was silent.  No one was making a sound.  Trina was on the bed in a heavy contraction and her husband beside her coaching her through.  Trina's mom was dabbing her with a washcloth, and Trina's Midwife was bedside. Trina's good friend, Kendra,  was standing back.  She looked at me and said, "We are in the non-talking stage of labor right now."

Kendra and I stood back and watched this beautiful story unfold.  Sam was so attentive to Trina.  Making sure her needs and wants were taken care of.  For the longest time, we just watched.  We both felt helpless to Trina.  We wanted to be there for her and we wanted her out of pain.  Trina had no drugs and no IV.  She had her body doing the work, naturally, and she could move around as she pleased.

After being there for about 30 minutes, we could tell her contractions were very strong.  She breathed through them without making a peep.  She is an expert laborer! I could only wish I was like that when I was in labor!!!  Her pain control is outstanding.  Her focus is out of this world, and her ability to read her body is amazing.  She was born to birth baby's.  This is her calling!

As she was getting into the real heavy labor, I went up to her ear and told her she was amazing.  She was doing so good and she was simply outstanding.  She was in between contractions and blinked her eyes.  She later told me that meant a lot to her.  That it really helped her get through a couple of those horrendous contractions.  She asked me to rub her back and I did.  I was not sure I was doing a good job, but I tried.  We all were waiting for her to tell us she needed to push.  Trina switched positions a few times.  There was one contraction where Trina was standing.  Sam grabbed a hold of her and held her as the pain was evident.   She wrapped her arms around his neck and she swayed back and forth.  Not once did Sam hesitate to help her through.  They are a team and he was her rock.

Trina decided it was time to push.  She was on her hands and knees on the bed.  As she began to push, her Mom waived me to the back.  Now, I have witnessed a birth before, but not from this angle.  I was a little nervous as to if my stomach could handle it, but it was nothing short of amazing.  The rest of the process, flew by.  All at once, I am looking at the face of Trina and Sam's baby.  There was a huge amount of dark, wavy hair and cheeks!!  This baby had cheeks :)
What an absolute beautiful sight.  In the next push, the baby was out!!!  The cord was wrapped around the baby 3 times and it was silent in the room.  No crying...but in a matter of seconds, we heard the music we all wanted!  A cry!

It's a GIRL!

We all stood in amazement and excited!  She was here...She was with us...She was beautiful!

Jemima (Jemma) Grace Ledy

Jemma was gorgeous.  She was cleaned up and given to Trina.  It was hard to believe that just minutes ago, Jemma was inside of Trina.  Standing back and watching Jemma make her debut, was nothing short of a miracle.  Now, she was in Trina's arms and starting to nurse like a champ!  She remained with Trina for a very long time.  It was so nice because Trina had wanted it that way.  She wanted skin to skin time, she wanted no interference with that because of stupid routine things.  She did not need a bath right away, she did not need gunk put in her eyes, or any shots.  She needed her Mommy...and that is what she got!

Trina and Jemma

After about 3 hours, they did need a weight on Jemma.  So, they brought their scale in the room and did a quick weight, length, and head measurement.

Jemma, weighing 8 lbs 12.4 oz and 21 inches long

Daddy kissing Jemma

After we all enjoyed the next couple of hours, they moved us to a private room.  Hence, our "after birth party began."  We all sat around reliving the last few hours.  We laughed, we ate, we kissed on Jemma!  No words can describe the blessing that Sam and Trina have been given.  They now have 5 beautiful, healthy, happy, children.  4 girls and 1 boy!  

Today will go down as one of the most memorable days in my life.  Watching someone give birth is more than a miracle,  it is Heaven sent!  I can't describe the emotion I felt that day.  Trina and Sam were so wonderful to let me into the moment when their family grew more.  They gave me such a beautiful memory.  The turn of events that day, will forever be engraved in my mind.  Thank you Trina and Sam for making my day one I will never forget!

Me and Baby Jemma

Now, off to cook my dear friends dinner!  They do have quite the blessings sitting around their table.  Plus, I need to kiss on my favorite new person...Miss Jemma Ledy!

Loving my Happy Heart,

Shelby