Life in the Library

There's so much to learn. I keep forgetting how to do another blog. I hope this is right.

A little more about Hanna. She was our 6th child and was born 10 weeks early, weighing just 3 lbs. 9 oz and was 15 inches long. Kind of small next to our other children. She spent her first 7 weeks in LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT where she was born. She had many ups and downs while there. She struggled so hard to gain weight and to breathe on her own. She was a fighter through it all. I kind of knew she'd make it at that point, but I was also living in a bubble, believing things would be normal for her someday. Little did I know how wrong I was. I think most parents of very ill children want to believe their child will eventually be normal, it's one way of dealing with the actual grief you go through when you don't have the "perfect" child you had been counting on and dreaming of. I read somewhere, that parents of special needs children have to go through the same steps people do who have lost someone. Well, I guess I could say that it is so true, being in both situations with Hanna. Not only did we grieve for our "perfect" child, but we also had to do it when she died. I can honestly say, I was probably in the grieving state her whole life! There were so many times we almost lost her over her 19 years, and so many disappointments from her health questions, I was always having to rethink her capabilities and abilities to survive independently some day. Life was a constant struggle for her. This is all a concept I have never considered before, but I believe it is the Lord's way of preparing us for the possiblity of her death at an early age. Lots of things to think about.

Another Day

I decided to try a color today for my blog. I am still learning how to do this and then I would like to try some of the fun things, like adding pictures and more. It's going to take me some time to learn it all.

I have only told my husband, Peter, about my blog, so far, and maybe that's because I just want it to be private for now. I am not sure of all I want to share in my blog. I was told years ago by the spirit that I need to write about things I know, so I guess that's a good place to start.

My experiences in life, and what I've learned over the years, like dealing with a child who has special needs... Hanna, our daughter who was born 10 weeks prematurely and had many health problems, including Autism. She taught us many things during her life of almost 19 years. I am so grateful she was a part of our lives, and I miss her dearly. I am thankful for my testimony of where she is. I know she's happier now without all the handicaps she had in life. She's gone on to bigger and better things.

Well, I think this will have to do for now, I've got to get ready for work.

First Time Blogger

Well, I guess it's time to start. I think this may be a fun way to make comments about life and what's going on. I want to make it a journal that someone may read that will help them in some way. Besides, yesterday in church we had a lesson on Journals and I am more determined than ever to write down feelings and thoughts and events as I feel I should be.

I have a journal that I have been rocording events in over the last 30 or more years, having to do with my family. I plan to use this forum to do the same, maybe I'll be able to record events and feelings immediately this way.

The most recent event is the birth of our newest grandchild, Marlena HVN Firth. She was born on June 29th at 11:11pm at Pioneer Valley Hospital in West Valley City, UT to our son, B.J. and his wife, Melinda. She weighed 7 lbs 14 oz and was 20 inches long. We are soo excited to welcome her into our family. This is our 3rd grandchild and she is the new little sister to our 1st grandchild, Madison Rae Firth, who is 6 yrs old. Our only other grandchild at this time, is Jaiden Daniel Firth, born in December to our other son, Justin and his wife, Shadea. Later this summer, we are expecting our 4th grandchild, a boy, to our daughter, Stephanie, and her husband, Justin Behling. They haven't picked a name yet.

Well, I think I'll finish this now, so I can post it for the my first blog ever!!!