Sunday, April 21, 2013

Pretty White Dress

Tatum Update:  Tatum was pretty gurgly today.  I was hoping that it would let up by church, but it didn't.  So we packed all of our equipment so if we needed it we could just run to the car and help her out.  My cute friend that found her the adorable pretty dress brought that by the other day so I was excited to try it on her. It fit perfect and was easy to get on and no buttons or zippers so it was super comfortable for her since all she can do is lay.  She looked so pretty.  We even attempted a pretty clip in her crazy mad scientist hair.  Shortly after we got to church Tatum was pretty gurgly so I strolled her out to the car and checked her sats and suctioned her.  It was kind of funny doing it out in the parking lot, but it would have been weirder to do it in the church.  The suction machine is sooo loud and the noise of someone being suctioned could have triggered all sorts of gagging among the parishioners!  I took two trips to the car and then she was pretty good.  She got pretty sleepy and I knew once she fell asleep that she would breathe and be calm.  She fell asleep and stayed asleep until about 1/2 hour before church was over.  So overall she did OK.  Some of you might be thinking, why do they bother coming to church?  Why don't they just stay home?  That would be so much easier on Tatum and everyone.  I am not going to say that it is a walk in the park getting to church, however, I know that it is where we, including Tatum (if she is well enough) are supposed to be.  I really feel like she can feel the spirit.  That may seem weird, but I want to expose her to those experiences while she is here.  We had a double missionary farewell today.  What better place to feel the spirit.  It was fabulous.  We have such great young people from our ward out there serving the Lord and setting the example of doing what you are supposed to do.  One of the Hymns we sang today was "I Know That My Redeemer Lives".  I don't think we have sung that for awhile.  It touched me to the core.  The words of that song are so beautiful and true.   He lives to bless me with His love, He lives to plead for me above.  He lives my hungry soul to feed He lives to bless in time of need.  .. He lives to comfort me when faint.  He lives to hear my soul's complaint.  He lives to silence all my fears He lives to wipe away my tears.  He lives to calm my troubled heart.  He lives all blessings to impart.  I have felt all of this.  Closing song, "Nearer My God to Thee"!!!! What.  Yep there were some tears today.  Good tears.  Tatum smiled a lot while we sang.  That's my girl.

 Tatum even wearing a bow today..
 Smiling out of the corner of her eye...
Pretty in her white dress!

7 comments:

  1. She looks gorgeous :) Gracie has those bows too, mad scientist hair as well! <3 <3 Always thinking about you and praying for you!

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  2. Beautiful! Thank you for always sharing your days in a truthful yet SO FAITHFUL way! We love you and you are ALWAYS in our prayers :)

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  3. Heather, you and your family are so amazing to me! My brother said he saw you the other day (I am assuming at the hospital since he was suctioning Tatum) and said you asked how I was doing. I can't believe that with all you have going on you are still concerned about everyone else (okay, I can believe it). Thank you for sharing Tatum and her story. She has such a strong spirit about her that lifts mine. I wish there was more I could do than say that I am so sorry for all you are going through, but since there isn't, know that you are in our prayers.
    Love,
    Ann Humpherys and family

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  4. So beautiful. And I totally get why you're going to church. We sang the very same song at Fast Meeting in March and it was a direct answer to the prayers in my heart, too. What a blessing to know that He lives and loves us. As always, you're in my prayers.

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  5. She is BEYOND beautiful. :) And the tears are flowing reading that.

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  6. Such a pretty white dress, but a much prettier little girl! :) well, the hymns were hard for me, since the one was the sacrament hymn on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007. My boy helped bless the sacrament, which was cool. But going to church can be hard for so many in many different ways. For you it is a huge challenge with all the equipment. For Tatum, there is a physiological stress mixed with concern for nasty germs... But it is a trade-off, isn't it? Risking the consequences in one aspect for the eternal blessings on the other hand. I am sorry I don't comment much. I am sure I say things wrong and it is not my intention to offend in anyway. So if what I say comes out wrong, just know I'm sorry upfront. ;) I love to hear that Tatum's days in mortality are filled with so much love and adventure, even if there is the constant underscore of the Alper's. I am certain she is learning a lot, while teaching, too. And all that she learns here will be taken with her into the eternities. It is great you are not missing those "teaching moments" with her! I wish I always knew a way to help, but I am grateful that maybe in a small way, we are part of your family's eternal story, too. I'll keep on praying that my heart will be open to promptings, though I am unsure if these words are the right ones to share or completely wrong. Just wanted to share a little more love out of my heart today.

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  7. Loved this post! I would go to church too. Its just better that way. Harder but better. You always do hard things. You are good at it. I love your example! Love this white dress. I am glad it is easy to put on! Hugs!

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