25 Random Things About Me!

1. I love taking pictures, especially of Kael.
2. I used to crochet a lot before I had Kael, now I never have time.
3. We have remodeled our bathroom and are now working on the kitchen.
4. I have Multiple Sclerosis.
5. I can't stand Terry's favorite show, Walker Texas Ranger.
6. I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers.
7. My marketing degree is worthless in Hazen ND, but still expensive to pay off.
8. I love reality tv, sadly.
9. I'm not a big fan of chocolate...I'd rather have skittles or starbursts.
10. I HATE when people are late, and I feel horrible when I am late.
11. I believe in the power of prayer.
12. I miss a good Mexican restaurant in the town I live in.
13. My husband and I met in Micro Economics in college, though I didn't really like him then.
14. I love watching life through the eyes of my 19 month old!
15. I look forward to the MS Walk every year to see all my friends and family...it's like a reunion. (would you like to join us? May 9th...Bismarck)!!!
16. I got a paper route in the 4th grade and gave it to my brother and sister when I graduated from high school. Those were a lot of early mornings!
17. I am NOT a morning person....please don't talk to me for the first 30 minutes after I wake up. (made #16 not fun)!
18. Buckets, my miniature schnauzer, is still my "baby" and helped me so much when we lost our baby, Isabella.
19. I have always wanted to go in a hot air balloon, but I am afraid of heights.
20. I hate not having everything organized and in it's place, labeled, and neatly stored.
21. My teeth don't go together...open bite is what they call it!
22. I sell Uppercase Living and absolutely love it!
23. I play the piano but wish I was better at it.
24. I have been blessed with new friends in the Hazen/Beulah area!
25. I should be in bed, but enjoy my quiet time alone!

For Lynelle:
26. I still don't know, nor do I want to find out, what Weiner Shnitzel is!!!

Isabella Faith Newman 1.19.06

Today is Isabella's birthday. We struggle with what to call today, since this is the day she was born into this world an angel. So, we just call it her birthday, because that was the day she was born into Heaven! Though we didn't get to see her sweet eyes, we will never forget the impact she made on our world. Without her, I wouldn't have...

I wouldn't have been blessed to see the face of my daughter.
I wouldn't have known such tremendous love and such devastating loss.
I wouldn't have been able to see how the Lord can work through such uncertain times.
I wouldn't have been brought to my knees and my face in prayer.
I wouldn't have had this heart for families that have lost a child.
I wouldn't have known what it meant to truly long for Heaven.
I wouldn't have understood peace that passes all understanding.
I wouldn't have been overwhelmingly surrounded by friends and family.
I wouldn't have known the meaning of being united in everything with my husband.
I wouldn't have had such a beautiful way to share about Heaven with Kael.
I wouldn't have witnessed how God can dramatically answer prayer, even if it isn't how we imagined.
I wouldn't have been on the receiving end of such love and service to our family.
I wouldn't have realized how short, yet precious life can be.
I wouldn't have understood what Christ means by trusting Him in all circumstances.
I wouldn't have felt the Lord carry us as we persevere under trial.
I wouldn't have been able to share our testimony of His faithfulness with so many people.... I simply wouldn't have understood how God's plan could be fulfilled through a baby that just lived an instant..I wouldn't have known my Isabella.

If I hadn't had Isabella, I would still be a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend that sought to understand suffering and trials... Now I can be more than that person, because of her.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will received the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."- James 1:12

Ultrasound of her entire body a couple days before Christmas.

Terry and I holding, crying, and looking at our baby girl, Isabella.

Lisa (sister), Lynelle (sister), my mom, my dad, LeAnn (sister), Ben (nephew), and Kyle (brother). They all came from ND to Iowa the night that Isabella was born. Kip (my brother) must be taking the picture, as he was also there. Don't they look sad?

Isabella's casket, blanket, toys, books, etc. and flowers at her funeral service at Parkway Funeral Service in Bismarck.

My family planting a tree on her due date to watch it grow through the years. This was planted at my parents' house in Bismarck.

Kael (14 months) sitting by his sister's headstone at the cemetary. Wow--have we come a long way since that devestating day!

P.S. Turn up your volume and listen to "Glory Baby" that is in honor of Isabella Faith!

I've been tagged!

These are the instructions: Go to my picture folder on my computer, go to the fourth folder and the fourth picture in that folder, post it, and explain it...no cheating. Then forward to 4 people, including the one that sent it to you. ***this was an email forward, but thought it would be fun to post it on here***

I found the 4th folder, which was when we went home in October 2005 to tell my family that we were pregnant (with Isabella). Mara, my niece, had lost a tooth and wanted me to see it, so I took a picture. She would have just turned 5.

Please send me your pictures of the 4th folder, 4th picture with an explanation! newmans@beu.midco.net

National Sanctity of Human Life Day

I am celebrating today for the National Sanctity of Human Life Day. And, how appropriate in George W. Bush's final days as president!

Opinion?

My sister and I have been contracted out to do interior painting. It has been so successful, that we are wanting to name our "company". We have come up with a few options, but want your opinion. Leave a comment and tell me what you think. And, if you can come up with a better one for the two of us, please share!

1. Paint Perfect
2. Brush Strokes
3. The Paint People

Location Secured!

It's official...the planning for the MS Walk has begun! In fact, the post walk party location has now been booked and grand plans are beginning to take place. Stay tuned for more details of the new location, MS Walk recruitment week, and Save the Date emails! This year is going to be a blast! Aren't you all excited? Here is our team picture from last year....do you think we can beat it?

1 Cor. 7:5 Challenge...I'm in!

I joined this challenge and am encouraging all my married girlfriends to do the same. Are you in? Click on the button on the side!!! Why not?

First Time for Everything

They say there is a first time for everything, and this is true for blogging (for me anyway). I have been on the other side of blogs (following them), but never blogging myself. I thought it would be a fun way to stay in touch and also give you status updates on my life. Nothing too exciting, but hey, staying in touch with friends from many different states can be challenging!

About me...I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis over 4 years ago. I struggle daily with pain and have to limit myself in activity. Though I have learned to live with it and it is just become a "normal" to me, the pain is constantly there. I would say that most my friends and family don't even know it is a daily battle, because I choose not to let MS control my life, so it tends not to come up on conversation!

After being diagnosed with MS my husband and I along with my MS doctor decided that instead of going on interferon injections, we would try to start a family. We got pregnant right away, but ended up miscarrying the baby. This was a tremendous blow to my faith. First being diagnosed with MS and then miscarrying a baby....all within a few months of each other.

We waited the 6 months my MS doctor advised to wait to try again to have a baby, and successfully became pregnant. To make a VERY LONG story short, we learned that our baby was not growing correctly, found out that the baby had a chromosomal abnormality (Triploidy) and our precious daughter, Isabella Faith, was born an angel on January 19, 2006. Her life brought us closer to our families, brought out faith in God we didn't know we had, and her little life served more of a purpose than we would ever imagine!

Again, taking the advise of our OBGYN, perinatologist, and MS doctors we waited on the interferon injections and the 6 months to try again and most importantly, waited on God to tell us when to try again. We became pregnant in September 2006 and had a healthy baby boy in June 2007. Our little man, Kael, keeps us busy as he is an active 18 month old. As I type this, he is playing catch with his daddy and trying to keep the ball away from his dog, Buckets.

"Legs for Lorisa" was the team name that was invented by my sisters for the MS Walk. The diagnosis of MS was not only hard on me, but also hard on my family. How do you help, comfort, or fix a problem that is unfixable and incurable? Well, you create a team and raise money for the MS Society to find a cure for MS. Every year my sister who is the team captain, LeAnn, motivates our team, recruits new members, and promotes the MS Society in the annual walk. Our team has grown every year and this May will mark our 5th year our team will participate!

With the tribulations of a diagnosis that was heart shattering, a miscarriage, and a stillborn baby, (and many other challenges that are too many to list) my life has certainly been tested. One thing is certain, God was and is ALWAYS there! And looking back, there is NO way I would have made it through all of that without Him! Now I have a beautiful son that was SO worth the wait and a faith in God that cannot be broken!