So, I did it. At five thirty Wednesday morning, I was up leaning over a crib singing Happy Birthday to a sleeping baby who had no idea that I was there, which is as it should be. That is when it happened. God gave me one answer to one of the million questions that I have.

I found the reason for my unanswered prayer.

This past week I relived every moment of one year ago. It started with what I was doing the days before she was born, what I did the night before she was born, the start of labor, the trip to the hospital, the delivery room and her birth. Then at five thirty in the morning, it all stopped. There were no more memories to relive. At that moment all I had was right then - that moment - no past and no future - there was only pure happiness and relief. A burden instantly lifted. The hard year ended.

So my birthday princess had one great day of celebrating. The grandparents came over for lunch.

The boys gave Ivey presents that they picked out all on their own for her. And wouldn’t you know that they wanted Ivey to have a pink hat, pink lasso, pink vest and a pink horse. However, Wal-Mart may be your one stop shopping center, but not for the Sirmans’ boys. Knox settled on a red cowgirl hat and Walker picked out a pink My Little Pony. Ivey is one of the boys now.



After lunch we moved the party on over to Matt’s office for a G&G celebration. I could write a book about the wonderful things that G&G has done for our family. They have all loved our family like we were their own, and in some ways, we are. Their miracles never seem to end. So, we took the party to them on Ivey’s birthday because Ivey is always surrounded by love there. We wanted to thank them for all they have done for us over the past year(s). And once again, I left there speechless and humbled. G&G is made up of some amazing individuals!
Here is a picture of their gift to Ivey. The gift is in the picture in the picture in the right hand corner (I know, it is too small to see.)



It is a piano.
If that did not give you chills, I’ll say it again. They gave Ivey a p.i.a.n.o.


Are you speechless now?

What dreams they have for our sweet girl.

And that is the introduction into Ivey’s New Year. Where a year ago we could not envision the future, good or bad, now Ivey’s possibilities are limitless. One year ago, we were prepared to loose her before the first year ended. We did not think we would see her turn one and if she did, she was to be profoundly mentally retarded and full of medical trivia. Ivey is far from those things. Can you see the smile on her face? No one factored in what a lot of faith, love, prayer and hardheadedness will do. The combination of the four can perform no less than a miracle.

So what do I see in our upcoming year? I think we will have a blind miracle crawling around our house. Enter now the terms - baby proofing like you have never seen. I think Ivey will begin to eat some on her own. Eventually Ivey will sit and stand without assistance. This year two old dogs will begin to learn some new tricks. Matt and I will learn a little sign language and braille so that we may begin to teach Knox, Walker and Ivey. It is scary and exciting all at the same time. This year I know that our family will never do any of these things alone - we are surrounded. Oh, and it looks like Ivey will teach her momma how to play the piano.