Wednesday, September 23, 2009

the latest & the greatest

gm:
the latest:
so what i affectionately call the "bedrest journey" continues at the mooney household. we went in to the doctor last week & there was no change with the placenta previa. we left there with a better understanding of what is going on, since the info received before pretty much was in the midst of a scary unexpected trip to the hospital. at this appointment, we were able to sit & ask our doctor (side note: this incredible, God-send woman who delivered eliot & hazel & has walked through a lot with us) to explain further what happened & what is the skinny on the situation. the short of it is that there are 2 things that make this placenta previa a bit precarious...1. how early in the pregnancy it is (i am almost 21 weeks) & 2. that there has already been hemorrhaging. so i continue to sit & we day by day are learning a completely new way to do life with mom on the couch. more on this later...but for now, the real reason i got on here...

the greatest
he hands me a cup of water & i spot her drool on his arm. i lay here & he glances my way while rushing through our house with her in his arms. his eyes are tired, but it would take a lot for him to actually admit his exhaustion. he pushes through the unique challenges of our new way of doing life with such humility, determination, & love. at the same time, he's honest in the difficult moments. he schedules the baby's week with moms-day-out, grandparents, friends, & sitters so he can attempt to work & oh, i don't know, make a living in the midst of this. he comes home from work. he lays on the floor so she can crawl over him, around him & then up to his face. they laugh together & play for a while. he empties the dishwasher, then fills it. all the while with the little girl pulling on the leg of his jeans that really need to be thrown in the wash. he prepares my dinner, he prepares her dinner. he feeds her, bathes her, puts her to bed, then actually feeds himself. he picks up from her dinner, sweeps the millions of cheerios from underneath her highchair, then does more dishes, then a little laundry, then putting away the toys.

all the while, i sit & i watch. he does that which i currently can not. i watch him do the routine daily things with her that i took for granted & now miss terribly. i watch him serve me & wonder what it now looks like for me to be his wife when all i've ever known is what i now can not do. it's only a short while. in my head i know that, but my heart is having a hard time adjusting to my role as a mom & wife completely redefined...even if it's only a short while. i wonder a lot. my mind goes all kinds of places & most of these are places that blur the picture before me.
in front of my very eyes is something spectacular that i've been too immersed in myself to see.
yes, it's matt.
yes, it's the greatest, out-of-this-world daddy.
yes, it's the greatest husband who relentlessly loves his wife.
but really, when the picture focuses just a little, i see that it's actually Jesus. it's been Him all along.

Matt's birthday was a week ago. All that I had planned for his birthday wasn't possible. Therefore, from his wife on his birthday, he received, for the first time ever...nothing. So this post is a little insight into our lives as of late, but is more than that, it's a birthday present of sorts. A "thank you". A "love you". if you so choose to comment, wish him a belated birthday with me.

16 comments:

Lorelei said...

Big God. Good husband. Happy Belated Birthday Matt!

mel @ the larson lingo said...

I loved this post. It actually brought tears to my eyes as I read "the greatest" paragraph. Your writing is beautiful Ginny, you should blog more :) Know that we are praying for you guys as you are on this bed rest journey.

P.S. Happy Belated Birthday Matt!

Elizabeth said...

Oh, Ginny...
a single girl in Chicago is laying in her bed with wet eyes. because as hard as what you just described sounds, it also sounds beautiful.
his care for you, that is.

i'll be praying for you both- for the little one you carry, your body and pregnancy, and matt as he cares for you.

happy birthday, matt... you sound like one amazing husband. well done, you.

RLR said...

beautiful! glad you are well. happy belated birthday, matt!

Hannah said...

I am in love with how much you two love each other. It fills my heart up, I can't even explain it. I hope to have that one day.

And Happy Belated Birthday Matt!

Stefanie said...

What's so beautiful to me is the way that you and Matt choose to use the difficult pathways God has led you on as an opportunity to see His heart, strength, love in one another. When I think of posts that Matt has written about the journey with Eliot, his praise of the way God's strength and dedication has shown in you, Ginny, is always something I remember. It's so precious to see how, once again, in the middle of a difficult situation God is showing Himself lovely in your marriage. Love you guys & are praying for you!

Randi said...

Our God is an awesome God, He reigns!
Randi

Wendy said...

As I sit reading your post, I am teary eyed and so happy for you two! Such a crazy journey that you are going through right now!
I am praying for you three and the little one inside of you, Ginny!
Happy Birthday Matt! You are a wonderful man!

Wendy

christina said...

matthew - happy birthday. I can see your beautiful bride celebrate you with her praises and gratitude and i pray that it blesses your heart and soul and that you see the beauty in being her Jesus and i am in awe at how gracefully you show her what it means to love your wife as Christ loves the church....you lay down your life for her. You show her her savior. you show her what heaven looks like. You also show all of us..thru her words. For that, WE are all grateful and we celebrate the gift of YOU to this world. Thank you for being someone who surrenders, sacrifices and loves.

p.s. ginny...being pregnant again, for the first time since losing our Cana, and it's two weeks away from her 1st bday and resurrection day (oct.8/9), i am processing (or not processing OR dealing) with a slew of emotions. I don't feel it's right to post that on this post/blog. do you check the home email? I think matt was the only one who used to respond...

p.s. and as you approach Hazels first bday on the 14th, i know your heart is heavy with all the plans you would pour into that day (and the plans you PLANNED to be working on now for that day)...know that I'm thinking of that too. I pray you have tons of help so you can experience her first bday with your 2nd. Remembering you all in our missing ours.

Melanie said...

happy birthday Matt, from the Connells
we will be praying for your family and health

amy terral said...

I already wished Matt a happy birthday but I know how much he loved this birthday present because it gives him great joy when you share your words not only with him, but with the world. Love you both!

Leigh Collins said...

How sweet and such a testament to Him (both Jesus and Matt). I can only imagine what it would be like to be on total bedrest at 21 weeks.

Amy R. said...

Ginny,

Great post. Jeff & I are learning a lot while we are in marriage counseling and Matt is personifying humility and unconditional love. I know you are so thankful. And so neat to see how God loves us even more so in this way - we can do NOTHING and He will do EVERYTHING for us.

Happy Birthday, Matt. I've only met you & Ginny once, but from reading the blog, you all are close to my heart.

Heather said...

Ginny, beautiful post. I just learned about an awesome song from my Hubby by Hillsong United, called "Desert Song". The words really are awesome. "God is my victory and He is here", sometimes shown to us through those we love. Enjoy God's victory through this season of your life.

Loren said...

Both of you continue to be a blessing in my life as I watch you worship our Father - this time through your actions and appreciation.

Happy belated birthday Matt! I hope that you are both blessed today!

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated Birthday Matt. To both of you keep strong. You're in my prayers.