Wow

There are those who enter and leave this world without leaving a fingerprint and then there are those who can make the sun fall when they leave. Those are the ones who never did something because they could, but because they knew they had to. They are the ones who refuse to follow the path of mediocrity and excel beyond their own expectations. To them, there are no limits because they refuse to believe that there is such a thing. They are the ones who never brag because they expect better from themselves. They continually challenge the world around them because they refuse to compromise their ethics. These are the ones who never envy someone else, but rather congratulate them. Most importantly, they are the ones who inspired others to begin focusing on the path that lies ahead rather than the sickening thought of failure.

~Morgan Tang

;)

Steph's Obituary and Info on the Accident

WRIGHT, STEPHANIE LYNN a resident of Franklin, Tenn., died Friday, Dec. 23, 2005, in an automobile accident in Lexington, Tenn. She was 31 and a native of Baton Rouge. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27. Religious service at the funeral home at 10 a.m. Wednesday, with Dr. Allen Jackson and Dr. Ken Sneed officiating. Interment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory. She is survived by her mother, Jeanne Wright, Baton Rouge; father, Ronnie Wright, Hollywood, Fla.; brother, Kevin Wright, Baton Rouge; and grandparents, Ola Mae and Elbert Wright and LeRoy Ragsdale. Preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Betty Ragsdale. She was a graduate of McKinley High School, LSU and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Published in The Advocate on 12/27/2005.

And this is an article in the Jackson Sun from Saturday, Dec 24, describing the accident.

The Eagle has landed! I repeat, the EAGLE has landed...yeah, I don't know either! ;)

It was a Christmas miracle! Erica and Grayson got to come home tonight!! Ok, I'm being a little silly about the whole 'Christmas miracle' bit, but I WAS beginning to wonder if it was ever gonna happen! Here are a few shots for your viewing pleasure. (And I'm quickly realizing that a digital camera and a newborn are a dangerous combination! I've probably taken over 150 shots and he's only 6 days old!)

Grayson already seems to be one for the holiday costumes...;)


Home Sweet Home


Grayson and his favorite aunt! ;) Shhhhh, don't tell Heather or Amber!! haha!


This was one of several pictures I took while holding Grayson...we just thought it was a neat shot!


It's been quite an eventful day! Damon and Grayson are all tuckered out!

On a different note, I am realizing that I am quickly turning into an OLD person! While I waited for Erica and fly. to come home, I occupied myself by watching the Prairie Home Companion on the public broadcasting station! Yeah, bring on the old-folks home! Actually, I would love to live in an assisted living center--have you ever seen those places? Cute little apartments, easy access to everything. Someone comes by every once in a while to check on you! It would be great! :) Alright, it's obviously getting to be a bit TOO late for me! Merry Christmas, y'all!

Life

This has been a very long and eventful week and I think today has been the most bizarre of all. First, an update on Erica and Grayson. They are both still in the hospital, but everyone is doing fine. Erica was going to be released yesterday, but started running a fever the night before, so they've kept her for a little longer. Grayson is out of the oxygen tent, off of his feeding tube, and is eating on his own. Erica and I went down to see him in the NICU this afternoon and we got to see him with his eyes open for the first time! So much fun! Now Erica thinks he looks like her! We also got to watch him eat from a bottle for the first time. He's a little jaundiced, so they've got him in the 'tanning bed' for the time being, but he continues to do well. I haven't heard when they'll release him--not soon enough, but I'm thinking pretty soon. Tonight, Erica got to feed him for the first time. I sent my camera with Damon so that he could get a few shots. As usual, they have very subtle mood lighting in the NICU, so the images are a little blurry and grainy, but we'll get PLENTY more pictures later!

My, what big hands you have!

"Hey Mama!"

Mama is slobbering all over the baby! ;)

"This eating business is HARD work!"

Awwwhhh, finally getting to cuddle!

And then there were other things that happened today as well. My friend Tracie called me today to tell me that our friend Stephanie Wright had been killed in a car accident yesterday (Dec 23) on her way home for the holidays. Stephanie was 31 years old and worked for Lifeway as an event coordinator with the Beth Moore/Women's Ministry department. I've known Steph since college, but we really became friends at seminary. I wanted to BE Stephanie when I grew up (and I still do!) She was a great person. She was Allen [Jackson]'s secretary for my first two years at seminary and I had the chance to help her with lots of YMI stuff. She was also my director the first year I worked Centrifuge at Panama City Beach in 2001.

I loved Steph. She was a natural red-head and definitely lived up to that reputation at times, but we always got along really well. I could relate to her weaknesses and I admired her strengths. I loved her voice and the way she'd laugh and talk at the same time. She loved 'hip-hop' music and N'SYNC (back in '01) and she loved to dance. She always seemed to know what she was doing--even when she didn't. And Steph liked to "have it all together" but for whatever reason, she always let me in, even when she didn't have it all figured out. I treasured our relationship because I felt that I had the opportunity to see a side that most people didn't see. It made me respect her even more.

As friends often do, we'd gone our separate ways and kinda lost touch, but I had the chance to visit with her for a while after I returned to Nashville at the end of the summer. It wasn't a life-altering conversation or anything, but I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to sit and visit with her one last time. While she was not a part of my daily routine, it's hard to believe that she isn't there anymore. Her presence of mind and abiding faith are something that I will always remember when I think about her. I've included a couple of pictures that I dug out of a rather haphazardly arranged photo box. These were taken during a trip to the Texas Youth Ministry Conclave in the fall of 2000. [For those of you who knew Stephanie, I'll keep you posted on funeral arrangements and all. I'm thinking it will be in Baton Rouge on Tuesday or Wednesday, but I'll post when I know more.]

(l to r) Amanda and Steph

(l to r) Steph, Tex, and Jason--the redheads on the trip (and yes, Tex is wearing a (really bad) wig

Grayson Parks, day three

So they have officially decided that his name is Grayson Parks Trahan. He is still in NICU but he continues to progress well. He had what I believe the doctor called a pneumo thrombosis yesterday (basically, because he's a little early, his lungs still had some immature spots and his breathing put pressure on one such spot and it tore a little and air was escaping into his chest cavity--I don't know if I got the name--or spelling--correct.) They removed the air and the condition has corrected itself on its own. He is now under an oxygen hood, but they are weaning him off of the oxygen and once he's able to eat for 24 hours, they will release him. He's a little trooper!

Erica is also doing well. She is moving around more and more and has found that she loves Hunt's Snack Pack red jello! She will probably be released from the hospital tomorrow. Grayson is doing great, but he will probably still be in a little longer. Please pray for Erica and Damon, as it is going to be hard for them to leave him behind, no matter how short the duration.

I have a couple of pictures of Grayson (the quality is not the best as it was dark in the NICU and I didn't want to freak him out with the flash!) I also took a few shots of his nursery this morning, so I thought I would post those as well. As always, I will continue to post as I have the opportunity, so stay tuned!

Grayson at 3 days old

Grayson without the oxygen tent

Ony, my nosy little shadow as I took pictures of the nursery...boy is SHE in for a rude awakening when that baby shows up!

The left side of the nursery

The right side of the nursery

Sha, tee lil' diapers! I just think they're too cute! The Johnson's baby lotion bottle is there to give you a sense of size. They're tee-tiny!

I just thought this was cute

Damon loves giraffes and they go quite well with the 'safari' theme for the room

The wait is over!!

Well, baby Trahan has arrived! They did everything they could to allow for a natural delivery, but Erica's labor wasn't progressing so they went ahead and did the c-section. He was born at 7:14am this morning. He was 6 lbs 13 oz and 20 inches long. The name is as yet to be determined. They have a name or two picked out, but Erica wants to see him in person before they officially decide the name.

Erica hasn't had a chance to see him since right after he was born. She is on a magnesium drip for 24 hours to make sure she doesn't have any seizures, so she can't really leave the room until that's done. The baby is doing well, but he is a little early and was a c-section baby (so he didn't get the 'stuffing' squeezed out of him) so he is in NICU so that they can monitor his breathing more closely. He's doing well and we expect him to only be there for 24-48 hours. All that to say--Momma is wanting her baby! But she has had a chance to rest, and she needs that right now, so that's been good. Alright, it's been a long day and I'm barely making any sense here, but here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure! NOT to worry, there will definitely be more to come!! :) [And Erica is fine but I wanted to keep my camera in working condition, so I didn't venture any pics of her! I'll get some shots of her after she's feeling a little better and has had a chance to freshen up!]


Damon and his son!

Me and da bebe

The baby is holding Damon's finger

...and so we wait

Erica has been on some sort of labor-inducing drip all day, but it looks like our new 'little bundle of joy' won't be arriving until tomorrow! They've taken her off the drip so that she can rest tonight--which she found somewhat humorous as she doesn't find any of it to be very comfortable. That's what's going on tonight. Never fear, I'll keep you posted as events occur...and I'll be sure to post pics as soon as I can! :)

Christmas with the fam

With Erica having the baby Monday or Tuesday and Kyle and family being in town this weekend, we decided to start Christmas early! I've posted a bunch of pics of the day--I realize that it's probably more than anyone is interested in seeing, but I like them all and as it's my blog, that's my prerogative, right?! This year's gift-giving experience was a lot of fun. David is 2 1/2 and is a little ham...and a BIG helper, as he 'helped' just about everyone who has presents in need of opening! A good time was had by all! :)

What a little cutie! :)

David and 'his loot'

helpin' a VERY excited Momma

Oh, what is it?

This opening presents business is HARD work!

helpin' Grammy

helpin' Daddy

helpin' Aunt Erica with the baby's gift (and there's a lil' peek of the baby in the shot--ha!)

I just thought this was a cute picture of Glenn watching David's excitement over his new motorcycle

Vrrrroooommmm

helpin' Mama

Awwwhhh, how cute!

Oh, what could it be?! Aunt Beff wraps too well! ;)

Almost there!

David playing with his newest 'Thomas the Train' train

GQ-ing in front of the tree

'D' is for David! :)

Katie's making jewlery--doesn't she look crafty?! ;)

David and his 'Aunt Beff'

David and Grammy

Kyle and David waiting for a tractor ride