June 21st - 33 weeks

Ultrasound appointment today...Sayla Grace has grown to 3 lbs. No changes from the last blog as far as prognosis, but we will continue to pray for God's Will in her little life. Her story has touched so many lives already and will continue to touch people throughout. We will now have ultrasounds and doctor appt every week until her delivery (Last week of July, but no definite date as of yet).

Nate and Leann (my step-children) were able to go and see the ultrasound, and I am glad that they were able to be a part of this experience. We had some 4D pictures taken too. Her feet are in front of her face...as usual..and we could plainly see all of her fingers and toes. The pictures are GREAT! I hope that I can figure out how to post them soon!!

We have been so blessed to take this journey...I know that sounds completely insane to most peopke. A friend of mine made me realize...we were CHOSEN for this journey!!! God chose US to bear this trial and we intend to give HIM all of the glory for whatever may happen. We have some tough times ahead..so please continue to pray for the circumstances that are in front of us!!
I love you Sayla Grace,
Mommy!!

Doctor Update for June 1

I went to the doctor for another ultrasound today..they are admittedly, surprised to see me each time that I come in the door. I saw my little angel girl, wiggling and squirming around as we tried to get some pictures of her. Surprisingly, she has grown to 2lbs 10oz..that is up from 1lb.12 oz 2 weeks ago. That was great to hear. The not so good to hear news was that she has significant fluid around her heart and the fluid is causing her heart to struggle a lot more to function. My doctor doesn't feel that she will be able to cope much longer. We will just wait it out and let God handle the details of the dates and times. I am currently 30 weeks, so 38 weeks will be the delivery time (the last week of July), unless something happens before then. No more doctor visits or ultrasounds. Just waiting for God's plan to be revealed.

I am anxious and nervous...it seems such a short time left with her and I am not ready to give these kicks and squirms up just yet. I know, it isn't my choice, but the mommy in me is holding on to every minute that I can. I have been emotional this week (Daniel can confirm that!!! :),,guess some days are better than others. I suppose it will be that way for a while, and that is ok too.

We are trying to get some things in line that we have been putting off for a while. We want to be prepared for the journey ahead as best we can. Don't get me wrong..we are NOT giving up on a miracle at all..just planning and preparing as best we can. Some of the decisions are tough and things that I wish no one would have to make for their child. Thank Heavens for God's Grace, because I would be defeated without it.

Thanks so much for the MANY people that are spending time on their knees for our family. Thanks for helping carry the burden in your heart too. There are times that I have no idea what to pray or even how to pray, but I know that someone is praying on my behalf. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! You will never know how much that means to our family!

Love in Christ!!!

Audrey Caroline

The video to I WILL CARRY YOU - Audrey's Song....and now according to Sage..Sayla's Song!!1

Author Spotlight: Angie Smith

In 2008, Angie Smith and her husband Todd (lead singer of the group Selah) learned through ultrasound that their fourth daughter had conditions making her “incompatible with life.” Advised to terminate the pregnancy, the Smiths chose instead to carry this child and allow room for a miracle. That miracle came the day they met Audrey Caroline and got the chance to love her for the precious two-and-a-half hours she lived on earth.
Upon receiving the original diagnosis, Angie started a blog (Bring the Rain) to keep family and friends informed of their journey. Soon, the site exploded in popularity, connecting with thousands who were either experiencing their own heartbreaking situations or simply curious about how God could carry someone through something so tragic. I Will Carry You tells the powerful story of a parent losing her child, interwoven with the biblical story of Lazarus to help those who mourn to still have hope—to find grace and peace in the sacred dance of grief and joy.

In TOTAL Awh at nap time !!!

I was laying down with Sage (who loves to fight nap time) and I couldn't nap myself for thinking about something so awesome. First I want to share the words to a song that we found by a gospel group..."Selah". Yes, the Lord has led us to a wonderful group with the same name as our Baby girl. What is so wonderful is that one of the singers for the group has a story like ours. I got the book "I Will Carry You" for Mother's Day along with their CD. I can't stop listening to it. I want to post the video and link to their story because it is unbelieveable how God has basically handed this story to our family. I wil hopefully figure out how to get it to post on the blog, but in the mean time, here are the song lyrics...

I Will Carry You from the CD Selah- You Deliver Me

There were photographs I wanted to take
Things I wanted to show you
Sing sweet lullabies, wipe your teary eyes
Who could love you like this?
People say that I am brave, but I'm not
Truth is I'm barely hanging on
But there's a greater story
Written long before me
Because He loves you like this

So I will carry you
While your heart beats here
Long beyond the empty cradle
Through the coming years
I will carry you
All my life
And I will praise the One who's chosen me
To Carry YOU

Such a short time
Such a long road
All this madness
But i know
That the silence
Has brought me to His voice
And He says...

I've shown her photographs of time beginning
Walked her through the parted sea
Angel lullabies, no more teary eyes
Who could love her like this?

I will carry you
While your heart beats here
Long beyond the empty cradle
Through the coming years
I will carry you
All your life
And I will praise the One who's chosen me
To carry You

...what i am in total awh about is that it may be real soon that Jesus takes my baby girl by the hand and walks her through the parted sea, while she hears the angels sing her lullabies, and she never has to experience hurt or pain...WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE!!! AND THE BEST PART IS ONE DAY BECAUSE HE IS LORD OF MY LIFE...I WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE THAT WALK HOLDING MY BABY GIRL'S LITTLE HAND TOO. SHE WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE ME THE TOUR OF HEAVEN!! Thank you Jesus for saving my soul and letting me be a witness to others through the trials!!! i love you SAYLA GRACE HADLEY...MOMMY!!

May 17th doctor visit

We had an ultrasound yesterday... I am going to try to upload the pics too...doctor says she (we have a wonderful female doctor) is seeing signs that Sayla may not be with us much longer....but ya know, they have said that from the beginning and I am officially 28 weeks today. Keep praying for God's Will in her life. I am so honored to have the chance to love this much!!! Sage was talking this morning about how much she loved Baby Sayla Grace....pray for wisdom and for God to comfort Sage and give her the understanding that she needs!!

Naming baby girl...

We realized we needed a name for our little angel girl...i was telling a friend of mine at the gym that I wanted a special name for a special girl. Tracey Weatherford got online and found the name Sayla. She found that the name meant "peace" and we knew it was perfect for her...Peace and Grace! That is what we pray for daily for her!!