Aaron in Real Life

Andrew playing and licking a bird

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:52:00 +0000

Andrew Laughing

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:32:00 +0000

This video is great. My wife Julie took it a couple days ago. Andrew was sitting on our couch and she startled him. He loved it and started laughing. So, she kept doing it and captured it on video. He is the cutest baby ever!!!

I Got Inked

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:35:00 +0000

So, a while back I decided I wanted to get a tattoo. I was a little hesitant because I was taught by "the church" that tattoos were not something that Christians got. I think it was mostly based on what tattoos usually represent (gangs, violence, rebellion). I wrestled with that and finally came to the conclusion that I was going to get one.

I didn't want to just get anything. I wanted the tattoo to mean something to me. It needed to be a reminder of something significant. So, after my son was born I knew exactly what I wanted and it shows in the picture above. It's on my left arm, just below the shoulder.

The letters "ADS" are my initials (Aaron David Sexton) and they are also the initials of my son (Andrew David Sexton). Psalm 127:3-5 states: "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man who's quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate."

This tattoo is and will be a constant reminder of my deep, unconditional love for my son Andrew. And it also represents just how incredibly blessed I am to have Andrew for a son. What's interesting is that I got the tattoo just a few days before my son had to have surgery on his stomach. It definitely served it's purpose right away.

And I've already been asked the question, "what happens when you have another kid"? Well, that's what the other arm is for.

Any comments or thoughts? I'd love to hear them.

Prayers Answered - Successful Surgery

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 18:13:00 +0000

So, where to begin.

Tuesday evening, Andrew began throwing up after every feeding. Wednesday alone, Julie had to change his clothes 5 times because he threw up all over them. And this wasn't just a little spit-up. This was projectile vomit. So we thought he maybe just had a little cold and his sinuses were running down his throat and that was causing him to cough or gag and thus vomit. Thursday, he would throw up most of the time after eating, but not all the time. But, we noticed that he wasn't wetting or pooping his diapers (as of right now he hasn't had a poopy diaper since probably Wednesday). So, I had Friday off of work. He threw up his morning bottle (he could have put out a fire).

So, we took Andrew to the doctor and had him checked. When Julie was a baby she had a condition called Pyloric Stenosis. Basically, the valve that empties your stomach doesn't relax and open to allow food to get into the intestines. The checked Andrew and then sent us to get an ultrasound on him. The ultrasound confirmed that Andrew had it too. It runs in the family. Julie had it, Julie's dad and uncle had it. So, the pediatrician sent us to Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak for surgery.

Andrew went into surgery at 10:45am and was out by 11:30am. They made a small incision on his abdomen, pulled his stomach out and made a small incision in the pyloric muscle to release it. Right now he's doing good and sleeping in Julie's arms. He'll have no lasting memory of this and the only physical sign will be a small scar on his abdomen.

Please continue to pray for his recovery as he begins to eat again (when they begin feeding him again he'll have not eaten in 24 hours - amazingly he's been great the whole time and even slept completely through last night). Julie and I are doing well. We have maintained our faith and hope in Christ throughout this ordeal. I will update later.

Life and Death

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 03:25:00 +0000

This week has been a peculiar one. Today, my aunt threw Julie a post-birth baby shower (or a "welcome to the world" party for Andrew). It was a celebration of a new life - a new start. It was an incredible blessing that my family bestowed upon us. We were richly blessed to day with everything that we received. And having Andrew and this new life has reminded me of just how awesome and precious life is.

But as we geared up for this party and celebration, I was also reminded of how short and fleeting life is as 4 people that I have a connection to passed away this last week. First, the head usher at my church and a very dear friend to so many passed away of a brain tumor that was only discovered a week prior. Second, old friends of my parents and people I currently go to church with lost their son-in-law. I don't know anymore details other than he just collapsed on a cruise and died. Thirdly, a friend and co-worker of mine lost his sister to a long, long battle with cancer. She had been recovering, but took a turn for the worse last week and died on Thursday morning. And lastly, my wife's uncle and my mother-in-laws only brother died after a month long battle with cancer. It's crazy to think that he was only diagnosed at the beginning of January .

For some of these, I truly believe that their death is a celebration as they pass into eternal glory. For some, I pray for the mercy and grace that only God can give. Judgment is not mine to pass and I truly pray of each family to be able to cope and have peace in these troubled times.

All this simply reminds me of what James 4:14 in the Bible says, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." We are guaranteed nothing. We must cherish the very breath that God grants us.

In the Newspaper

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:27:00 +0000

The News Herald in Southgate, MI published a story about my son Andrew and my dad sharing a Christmas birthday. The reporter heard about us from a friend of my parents and thought it would be a good story. She came to our house last Saturday to interview all of us. Pretty cool experience. Check out the story here.

Being a Dad

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:47:00 +0000

I LOVE BEING A DAD! I have wanted to be a lot of different things in my life. I've wanted to be a policeman, Air Force pilot, lawyer, a neurosurgeon, a chiropractor, and a pastor. But above all, I've wanted to be a dad for as long as I can remember.

I never knew I could love my son like I do. He's always the first thing I think of when I wake up (usually because it's 4:30am and he's hungry) and he's the last thought before I fall asleep. I look at his pictures all the time at work because I miss him. I hate being away from him for so long during the day. I feel like I miss so much (even though Julie says he just sleeps most of the day).

Andrew is a miracle. He's half me and half Julie. He's our flesh and blood. He's so adorable and cute. I love the faces he makes and the noises he makes. I love his round little head and his tiny fingers and toes.

Andrew is everything I've prayed and hoped for. I love my son!

Baby Andrew is Here

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 14:07:00 +0000

Christmas morning 2008 at 3:48am, we received our incredible gift - Andrew David Sexton. He is 8lbs 2oz and 20 1/2 inches long. His little round face is so adorable and he's got a powerful pout. He's got 10 fingers and 10 toes. He's perfect!!! Andrew and momma are doing great after a long, exhausting Christmas Eve day and night. He doesn't cry much, just gives little wimpers. He is so darn cute. I just can't say it enough!!!

The Waiting Game

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:54:00 +0000

I think I've discovered the game I hate the very most! Maybe you've played it before? It's called the waiting game. I hate it. My wife Julie and I are now unwilling participants in this devilish game as we wait with overflowing anxiousness for her to go into labor and our son to be born. She's been having a lot of contractions. Alot of them are pretty painful. We've been to the hospital a couple times and sent home just as many times. The last time we went was last Saturday. Her contractions were regular and painful, but not enough. They told Julie and the pain needs to be at least twice what it was then. And her cervix wasn't open enough. Her body just wasn't ready.

Now, we do things just to pass the time. We go on walks, shopping, bumpy car rides, watch movies. Anything to take our minds off of "it." We've looked up and tried just about every way to get her body into labor, but with no success yet. Her due date is not until Jan. 3rd, but she's just done being pregnant. I'm totally ready for her to be done, too. We laugh because Julie has never wanted to be in so much pain before. She wants the pain of labor, because at least that means the pregnancy is almost over and baby Andrew will be here.

Pray with us that Andrew comes soon!!!

My New Role

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:50:00 +0000

Life is about change. Life is about how we adapt to change. My life is about to change... again.

About 8 months ago I got married to the love of my life - Julie. 8 weeks later I found out that I am going to be a dad (only 46 days until the due date). Now, I am beginning a new transition as Connections Pastor at ROC International Church.

In this role I will be helping to create Small Groups (not sure what they will be called yet). I will be recruiting leaders, training leaders, and connecting new people to these groups. This role is something I have never done before and I'm a little nervous. But in the same breath I am so excited. I really believe that church is about relationships. As Christians, we have a relationship with Jesus, but we also need relationships with other people.

I have a friend Kevin who does small group ministry and I love his philosophy. Check out his blog here. Everyone needs a third place in life. Everyone has home/family and work. People have a lot of choices for the third place in their life. So why not make that place a relationship with a small, close-knit group of people that 1) you share like interests with, 2) you enjoy being around, 3) add meaning, value, and inspiration to your life. There are so many resources out there for this type of ministry and I don't want to stick to just one. This is going to be a melting pot of what is going to work for our people. I really want there to be something for everyone. I want these groups and relationships to grow organically (meaning that they start and grow naturally without outside interference and help), but they do need a catalyst to help them to start.

So, I am very excited to be stepping into this new role, this new ministry venture, this adventure! Please pray for me. I truly believe that this is going to be a huge impact on my church and my community.

My Prayer for Obama

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:23:00 +0000

Barack Obama has won the 2008 Presidential election. No matter how I feel about him and his stance on major issues like healthcare, abortion, or taxes - it is my duty as a Christ Follower to lift him up in prayer. God the Father knows what is going on. He was not surprised at the outcome of this election. And nothing happens without His allowing it to happen. There's always a reason. So please make it your duty also to lift Obama in prayer as he guides our nation through some turbulent times.

"Lord, I thank you for the country I live in. I thank you that I can freely turn my eyes toward heaven and speak your name and you are always there. You know the turmoil that our country and world is in. I know that it is a result of our own choices and our own sin. But I pray for your hand to be upon us now. Please unite us. Unite us as a nation. Unite your church. Let us be one as you are one. Let us show our love to each other and our world - even the ones that don't like us and the ones we may not like.

Our President-Elect Barack Obama needs your help. May you grant him wisdom beyond his own understanding. He is stepping into one of the biggest messes to ever face an incoming President. His choices will be tough. He will be scrutinized, criticized, belittled, hated, despised, and much more by a lot of people for some of the decisions he will make - especially from a lot of "Christians." May you be his protector and his shield. May you be the lifter of his head. Help in his times of need and distress. Help him to make wise choices, not just easy ones.

Protect Obama and his family. May you reign as the Lord of their lives. May you be lifted up and receive all the praise and glory because you deserve it all. Thank you for not being surprised at how the election turned out. Help me be a voice of love and unity in a world that is sorely lacking it. Amen"

What are we really in need of?

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 17:31:00 +0000

This morning I was reminded of something very powerful and very profound.

In church, we started singing a song I don't think I'd heard before. It was by Jonathan Stockstill and the verse went like this:

"Open up the sky
Fall down like rain
We don't want blessings
We want You"

And as Pastor Shawn spoke afterward, God gave him a word for me and our church and that is what I want to share. As Christ followers, believers, Christians (or whatever you want to be called) our pursuit is "to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death" (Phil 3:10). Our focus as a person and as a church should be on God, on Christ alone.

Too often however, our pursuit, our focus, our goal is on the blessings that God gives to us rather than on God Himself. Our focus is on gift rather than on the Giver. We start delving into books like The Prayer of Jabez and focus on what God will give to us. Our worship time is sometimes consumed with "falling out in the Spirit" instead of creating a sweet sound unto God's ear. I remember part of a lecture in college. The professor gave this analogy. Over time people would consider something sacred and holy, so in order to protect it they would build a wall or fence around it. People would come this "holy" site to see the sacred object and worship and pray. More time would pass and the "holy" object inside of the wall or fence was forgotten and the wall itself had become the sacred object. The wall was decorated, ornate, and well kept. The object inside was forgotten, the structure around was now sacred and holy.

How true is that of today's church? Our buildings, our programs, God's blessings are all great things but they are not our focus. Jesus is the "sacred object" surrounded by the walls we have built around Him. Isn't it time that we tear down those walls that we have built around Christ and make Him and Him alone our life's pursuit? I would much rather know Christ.

The truth is that we have all received the ultimate blessing in Christ's death and resurrection. If God gave us nothing else, Jesus' life and death here on earth would be enough.

So think again about this song and sing it with a sincere heart:

"Open up the sky
Fall down like rain
We don't want blessings
We want You"

"Open up the sky
Fall down like fire
We don't want anything
But you"

Journey to Hell

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:21:00 +0000

Yesterday began Journey to Hell at my church. It's an evangelistic outreach to our community. People come because of the name, because they want to be scared during halloween season, or for various other reasons.

Journey to Hell is a big stage production designed to give the viewer a glimpse of what hell will really be like - a place of death, torture, agony, darkness, and Godless. It is seen through the eyes of Katie being escorted through hell by Jesus. The dialogue is very christianese in my opinion, but it has been effective.

The first 2 nights, over 200 people each night have come through the doors of our church - which is amazing. 25 people committed their lives to Christ the first night and even more the second night (I haven't gotten the exact number yet).

Well, I started writing this a couple days ago, but forgot to post it. The final number of people that gave their lives to Christ was 60. Praise God!!!

Viruses

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:59:00 +0000

I hate computer viruses. I also hate that Norton Antivirus didn't protect my computer. I had to re-format my harddrive and reinstall everything. I think I'm finally done.

I found that Windows Live OneCare work pretty good (assuming your running Windows). This blog is pretty lame, but it's all I have time for right now. Life is definitely busy. October is already gone!

UnChristian - part 3

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:27:00 +0000

Real-ationships. Christians need to put the real back in relationship. The world sees us (the church and Christians) as spiritual headhunters. All we want is a convert when all the world wants is a friend. It is our UnChristian mindset to bring someone to church, get them to the altar, let them have their "conversion" moment, put another tally on our scorecard, and send them right back out the door. Where are they going?

Well, I can tell you where most of them are not going. They're not going back to church. The churh doesn't care about them. Christians don't care. Why is this the image that the world has of us when it's not at all what Jesus looks like? Because that's the image we've portrayed to the world. This is the image I and we need to change. Jesus built friendships. He lived, ate, walked, talked, laughed, cried, and cared for and with people right where they were at. He became intimate friends with people. His actions are our example.

The cure is relationships. That is the key. Not quantity but quality. We must be in the business of building relationships. Not relationships with agendas, just pure friendships. Real-ationships. People can see through agendas. The world calls us insensitive and ingenuine. So lets prove them wrong. It's not hard. It's simply being natural and open. We need to be intentional and stategic in what we do and how we do it, but we must be genuine in our actions.

Watch and listen to this and let me know what you think.

GOD is AWESOME!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:42:00 +0000

I wanted to post an email that my wife sent me. She is pregnant and recently has been tested for gestational diabetes. Her first test results were high, so they had her come back last Friday for addtional testing. The test involved fasting (difficult for any pregnant woman to do) and a lot of blood being drawn. Here is the results:

Guess who passed their glucose test with flying colors??...... ME! Dr. Abbey said that my levels were great on all 4 tests. Amazing. What is even more amazing is that I was talking to my mom… and she said that her mom, and she both had Gestational Diabetes (which I knew) but on top of that Grandpa Q’s mom had it… and actually ended up with full blown diabetes, and Grandpa Q has diabetes. And then my Dad has diabetes too. But I don’t!! I totally dodged the bullet with this one. I’m amazed with all that family history that I didn’t get it. God’s got his plan!

God is amazing!!! Miracles still happen!!!

Prayer Request

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:47:00 +0000

I have recently been offered something pretty profound and challenging. I can't mention what it is yet, but it is something that is very close to my heart. It is something that I'm not sure that I am qualified for to be quite honest. But, the people that have offered it to me believe that I can and that is a very encouraging thing.

I will blog more about it as soon as I am able. All I ask is that you pray for direction and God's will to supersede any presuppositions that there might be.

UnChristian - part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:48:00 +0000

Today, Pastor Shawn preached the 2nd sermon on UnChristian. It was quite biting and challenging. He dealt with the issue of hypocrisy.

This is one of the major "image" issues that the church has today. We as Christians have cast an image to the world around as not doing what we say everyone else should do. We tell the world that marriage is sacred and divorce is ungodly, yet the divorce reate of "christians" is higher than the world's. We lie, cheat, and steal yet tell everyone the Ten Commandments are not suggestions.

The only way to combat the image the church world has on "outsiders" is to change our image. One person, one church at a time. Check out Pastor Shawn's sermon here and tell me what you think.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/780741

As for the book. I have read some more and it's quite interesting. I'll blog more about it later.

Movie Review - Fireproof

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:06:00 +0000

My wife and I just went and saw the new movie Fireproof on Tuesday. The movie is from the same people and church that made Facing the Giants.

Aside from the obvious bad acting in some of the scenes (most of the actors are not "professional" actors) the movie was very good. It brought together aspects and teachings from the Bible and also from 2 other books that I've read, Love and Respect and The 5 Love Languages. The latter 2 books are great reads and useful for any married couple or couple looking to get married.

The movie tells the story of a young couples struggle in marriage. The husband is a firefighter who is addicted to internet porn, expects his wife to do everything around the house, and is verbally abusive. The wife works in public relations at a local hospital, expects her husband to be a help around the house, and looks for love and quality time with other people outside of her marriage.

The husband (by the way, played by none other than Kirk Cameron) is challenged by his father to a love dare. He must do what is told to him by a hand-written book his father gave him everyday for 40 days. At the end of the 40 days, the marriage may be saved. But only through the acceptence of Jesus as his savior and through God's forgiveness can the marriage be saved. The husband must do all he can to save the marriage and make it "fireproof."

The movie has an outstanding message, especially for a world so quick to divorce at the first signs of marital strife. Check out the movie for yourself and find out. Take someone with you.

Fireproof = B+

UnChristian - part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:55:00 +0000

This week, my pastor began a sermon series entitled and based upon the book Unchristian. I have yet to start reading the book, but plan to this week. Basically what I have understood so far is that we as Christians, evangelicals in particular, have an extreme image problem. The world hates us because we essentially have hated them. The world distrusts us because we have not given them anything to trust. The world see us an homophobic, hypocritical, judgemental, too political, and users of people and resources because that is the exact image we have given them to see. Instead of being united in faith, we divide ourselves and wage war against other local churches in the name of "numbers." We're seen as seekers of converts and money instead of loving and genuine people who want to share our lives with one another.

A Christian is a "Christ follower" or someone who is "Christ-like." Christians should be "Jesus with skin on." Instead, we are no different than those whom we condemn, look down upon, cast aside, or disregard. The truth is that we are guilty on all charges. Maybe not every single individual christian, but Christians as a whole are guilty of pushing away the very world that we are mandated to reach with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have relegated the "good news" of Jesus to a simple conversion experience when God specifically commanded us to make disciples. We have relegated the "good news" of Jesus to a message that is either shunned, disheartening, guilt ridden, too lofty to attain, offensive, or all of the above.

The sad part is, most Christians are shocked to hear that this is what the world thinks of us. It's also sad because most Christans probably don't even recognize the very thing we have become. The Bible says to love the Lord and to love others and that the world will recognize us because of our love for each other. To quote the Black Eyed Peas, "where is the love?" Where is the love that Jesus tells us we should have when we go to work everyday and see the same people everyday and have the same meaningless conversations everyday and yet say nothing about the love that Christ has for them. Most of us don't care because our "ticket" is already punched. Is it really?

Our actions speak much louder than our words. Our actions as Christians is one of the most undermining aspects of our movement. The world sees us a hypocritical because our words say one thing, but we live another. Who have you and I given Christianity a bad name to because of how we acted? Who have I turned away from God in the name of being "right" instead of "righteous?"

This is simply food for thought. You can agree or disagree. I will post more after I read more, but it's definitely something to think about.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/780976

Love Story 12/05/00

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 03:56:00 +0000

He came to earth in the form of a man

And lived his life to die.

God loved us so much, he made this plan

That Christ died for sin and not I.

God's own love and justice met face to face

And came together at the cross.

Jesus paid sin's price for me in my place.

Without Jesus, all else is loss.

Not only did Christ die to forgive sin,

But rose from the dead the third day.

He gave a future to all of His kin.

"Praise to God" is all I can say.

In His resurrection we all have hope.

It's the very hope of glory.

We now have a life with purpose and scope.

Life in truth, not allegory.

Now this truth we must tell to ev'ryone.

To spread His message is our task.

We must pronounce freedom through Christ the Son

And evil we have to unmask.

This is the love story of Christ Jesus

And also the story of man.

Dead in our sin, Jesus died to save us.

I'll love Him forever, amen.

Random Questions

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 01:31:00 +0000

Is this bailout really going to affect any change? My sister-in-law still lost her job along with 159,000 others. Michigan is in it's worst financial state ever. The bailout raises my taxes and millions of others just so we can pay for the mistakes of greedy corporations that took advantage of millions of people who many unwittingly overextended themselves. I have no doubt that our courts are going to be flooded with more and more bankruptcy filings in the next couple years.

Is anyone else as confused as I am over who to vote for as President this November? McCain/Palin or Obama/Biden? Both have pros and cons. Both promise change and reformation in Washington and how this country is run. I'm not generally Democrat or Republican. All I ask of myself and others is that we pray and truly seek the wisodm of God. This election is huge for all of us. Check this out.

What would chairs look like if our knees bent the other way?

Since baseball is played outside, why is it segmented into 9 "innings" and not 9 "outings?" I guess in any pro sport, no athlete wants to be involved in an "outing."

Was O.J. Simpson convicted on the current charges against him or did the jury really have an agenda? The jury deliberated 13 hours and found him guilty on 12 charges which could land him in prison for life. He was found guilty exactly 13 years to the day of his being acquitted in the murder trail of his wife and her friend. Coincidence?

Change is Tough

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:12:00 +0000

I have been sitting here in my living room with my wife listening to music and reading. She made us some spiced chai tea. It is so relaxing to just sit, no TV. I was sipping on my tea and Julie asked me a simple question, "what are you thinking about?"

At that moment, I decided not to just give her the "oh, nothing" answer that we men sometimes do just because we're men and don't want to talk about what's on our mind. I opened up to her.

The preparation for becoming a father is more than I thought it would be. There are so many questions, so many fears, and so many unknowns. It's a weird feeling to be totally excited and totally freaked about becoming a dad.

What if the life lessons that I teach my son don't allign with the life I actually lead? I don't want to be a hypocrite in the eyes of my son. So this leads me to this question, "what do I need to change in my life to make a more positive and powerful inpact on my son?" Because lets face it, kids learn much more by what they see than by what they hear.

1 - Do I need to throw away some of the movies in my collection?

2 - Do I need to re-evaluate the TV shows I watch?

3 - Do I need to read more?

4 - Do I need to pray more?

5 - Do I need to be more physically active?

6 - Do I need to be careful how I react to other drivers on the road?

7 - Do I need to love people more?

8 - Do I need to be more involved in my community?

9 - Do I need to be more careful of how I joke with my wife and others?

10 - Do I need to make better financial decisions?

This is only a small list of the things I could think of right now. But change is hard. Change involves being humble, broken, realizing that I don't have everything right. Change hurts. Change should be willful, but sometimes has to be done by brute force. Change is inevitable but we still resist. Change is tough.

How can I teach my son to do things that I don't do and to be someone that I am not? I must change.

False Labor

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:45:00 +0000

I think I've figured out the one thing that I really don't like about pregnancy: False Labor. Yesterday, Julie started feeling contractions for the first time. We both had read a little bit on what is called Braxton-Hicks contractions. Basically what they are is the woman's body "practicing" for the real thing. The uteris will contract some and strengthen to be ready for the real thing when it comes along. All of the books we read said the these practice contractions are usually not painful and usually don't occur more than a couple times. They can be caused by stress, dehydration, and a variety of other reasons. Well, Julie had 4 painful ones in less than an hour. So, she called her doctor and told her. The doctor said, "Don't go to the hospital tonight, go RIGHT NOW!" So, we packed a couple things and headed to Providence Southfield. Our usual hospital is new and not equipped for baby delivery this early in a pregnancy (Julie is only 26 weeks).

There were so many things going through my mind on that drive. What if he's born tonight? What if there's something wrong with him? What if something happens to Julie? Am I ready to be a father right now? What if something happens to both of them? What if they make me choose between the two of them? I really was thinking and preparing myself for the worst. If Andrew had been born last night, he would have been 14 weeks early. He would have had to stay in the hospital in the ICU for 14 weeks so that his body could finish developing. I can't say that I would have had the strength to go through something like that.

But thank God, none of my fears came true. Julie is fine. Andrew is fine. God is great and still on the throne!

Funniest Video

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 02:05:00 +0000

If you haven't seen this on YouTube yet, then check this out. I crack up everytime I see it.