WELCOME!

Welcome to our blog! This blog is about our journey during our pregnancy with Sophie Ann. Sophie Ann was diagnosed with Trisomy 13 and HPE at 15 weeks gestation. This is a fatal diagnosis. We were offered termination, but we chose to give our little girl a chance at life. It was a very difficult journey filled with lots of emotions, but in the end, it was worth every minute. All 9 minutes that we held her. You have probably found this blog from the referral of a friend, a news story, the Trisomy 13 website, Focus on the Family's website, ect. Please hang around and read all about our journey, I am sure you will be inspired and encouraged in your faith. Our journey began on September 21 of 2007. You will need to go to the bottom of the blog and click on old posts, this will take you back to 07'. If you are in this same situation, please don't hesitate to e-mail me. I would love to talk with you or put you in contact with another mother under similar circumstances.
Aimee Weathers
aimeeweathers1@yahoo.com
This blog will also include information about our China adoption. We started the international adoption process in May of 07, just 2 months before we conceived our Sophie Ann. We are looking forward to bringing home "Lily" sometime in the next 6-12 months.

Our story hits the news!

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/video/15548685/index.html

UH-OH

Please e-mail me if you need a password to our new blog. I have entered all the the e-mails into the private blog info, but sometimes I make typing mistakes and that is why you have not received a password. Sorry, I am doing my best!!!!

Our new blog is up and running and would love for you to come visit. Hang in there with me as we make this blog transition!
aimeeweathers1@yahoo.com

FRIENDS:
Thank you for your faithfulness in praying for us over the last several months. We have been so encouraged by all of your words of encouragement. At this point, we are going to bring this blog to an end. Aimee has created a new blog for friends and family to follow as we continue on our journey of life. Many of you should receive an e-mail with information on how to access the new blog. IF you don't, please e-mail Aimee and she will add you to the blog list.
We pray that your lives have been touched and changed. Thanks again for your continued prayers. To God be the Glory!
The Weathers Family

NEW BLOG:

http://www.ajourneyofhope2008.blogspot.com

Dear Friends,

I wanted to get these picture up quicker, but our family has been hit with the flu! YUK! We all (except HG) came down with it on Thursday. I am feeling better today, just a little weak. I am still trying to figure out how to post a power point slide show....ughh technology! If anyone knows how, please help!

We really had a great time this past week just being together. Carlton and I both slept about 12 hours a night for 3 days. Sweet little Hannah Grace would wake up and take care of Noah, I think they watched waaaaay too much TV...and they ate complete junk food for breakfast, but hey, who cares. It was really great to get away. It was even better to come home (especially being sick) to a CLEAN house. Thank you Grace Fellowship women for cleaning my house and stocking my freezer with food. Ya'll really went above and beyond!

So, you ask, How am I doing? - Honestly, I have good moments and really low moments. I really struggle at night. Its weird, it gets dark outside, and I start getting a lot of anxiety. Its in these moments that I really have to cling to God's word and pray, pray, pray. I honestly have to say, I never expected it to be this hard. While I was pregnant, I thought that once she was born, I would be able (to some extent) to grieve and move on. Boy, was I wrong. How I wish she was back in my belly! My body literally aches to hold her, to have her with me. Selfishly, I want her back! But, in my heart, I know she is with her precious Savior and is happy. I told my mom, I feel like I have turned into an old woman. You know, old people, they sit around and long for heaven. Now, heaven seems so sweet and wonderful. How wonderful it will be to hold my daughter again and most of all, wrap my arms aroung my Savior who has carried me faithfully through this trial. As hard as this road was and is... I know He will reach out His hands to me and say "Well done, my child." And all the heartache and suffering will be worth it, just to be able to hear those words.

I have so much more to write, but that is all for now. Back to the bed to eat more crackers and watch yet another makeover episode on TLC. UGH...

I am working on the other blog this week. Hopefully, I will have it up by the end of the week. This blog will journal our adoption and it will also be a place for me to journal my thoughts.

I hope you enjoy these precious pictures of our little girl. She was more beautiful than I ever imagined.

Aimee

Be Still And Know...

Dear Friends,
I wanted to let you know that we are spending some time together as a family this week. Our "getaway" is breathtaking and we are enjoying God's creation like never before. In the past, when we go places, I have some "itinerary" of all the places we have to go or have to take the kids. WE HAVE ZERO PLANS. And I have never been more happier. Right now, as I type, I am enjoying the laughter of my kids and Carlton as they wrestle on the floor. Its so loud and I love every bit of it. I have so much to write and so much to reflect over. Sophie Ann has changed us, every fiber of our being. She was truly a gift from above. I will write more.. like I said, there is so much I want to say and share with you all. We will also do our best to get the power point and picture slide show on the blog. We have had so many people ask to see it. Please pray for us this week. Pray that our nights would be peaceful.
Aimee and Carlton

WEATHERS

-Funeral services for Infant Sophie Ann Weathers will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Anniston Memorial Funeral Home with her father, Rev. Carlton Weathers officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery.
Survivors include her parents, Carlton and Aimee Weathers, her sister, Hannah Grace; her brother Noah Weathers; her grandparents, Ann and Ivy Knight of Columbus MS; Rex Davidson of Roanoke, VA and Roy and Deborah Weathers of Columbus, MS; great-grandparents, Helen Lindley of Macon, MS, Betty Pounders, Roy Weathers and Fanny May Weathers of Columbus, MS; four aunts and one uncle.
Pallbearers will be Ivy Knight, Rex Davidson, Jordan Weathers, J.C. Robinson, Barry Smith, Aaron Acker, Carlton Brown, and Don Sprayberry.
Memorial donations may be made to Grace Fellowship Church, Sophie Ann Weathers Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 8042, Anniston, AL 36202

9 Minutes and then Eternal Bliss!

Dear Friends and Family,

Our sweet little girl was born last night at 8:46pm. She was 3 lbs. 15 oz. and 18 inches long. God graciously granted her 9 minutes of life. I have never witnessed anything more beautiful and I have never in my life felt closer to Christ than during this time. As I sit in the hospital, I am having a hard time putting into words how very special my time with her was. God answered every single prayer that we prayed during the last 18 weeks. Every single one. I prayed for Sophie to make it through delivery.. I wanted her in my arms when she went home to Christ, and she was. It was the most holy experience. It was so peaceful. When she was born, she wiggled her little arm and her mouth. Dr. Daniel gave her straight to me after the birth and her daddy sang a hymn in her ear. He also recited Psalm 23. We gave her a bath and loved on her for 6 hours. Through our suffering, we have experienced a joy like no other. There was even laughter in our room. Hannah Grace and Noah came in and held her and kissed her. Noah said she was soft and squishy and kissed her all over. Hannah Grace rubbed her hair and kissed her cheeks. They were so proud of their sister. Jerrod Brown (our photographer) took some of the most incredible photos of our time with her. Dr. Daniel never left my side. He prayed over me, held my hand, and stayed with me from 6:00pm until midnight. He even helped give her a bath. We are so very thankful for such a godly doctor. His presensce was very comforting. I knew I was safe under his care.
Please continue to remember us in prayer. The next few days will be hard. We want to invite all of those who have been part of our journey to attend Sophie’s memorial service this Saturday. We will share a slide show and Carlton will be preaching her service. The gospel of Christ will be shared.
Arrangements are as follows.

Anniston Memorial Funeral Home 11:00 a.m.- Saturday

Directions: From Birmingham- East on 1-20 to Oxford Exit, Exit 185. Turn left off of exit ramp and go north on Hwy 21/Quintard Ave. Go about 8 miles and turn left on HWY 431 north. Go north on hwy. 431 towards Gadsden and the funeral home is on the left.

8:00 p.m. Update

The delivery is moving along. Aimee is feeling much better since her water has been broken. Sophie Ann is doing fine. Dr. Daniels is here with us. Please continue to pray for our family. We will try to update again as things progress.

Labor is in Process

Aimee wanted me to update our progress. Sophie is doing fine as far as we can tell. Aimee is doing great, she is the strongest woman I know! The nurse told us that Aimee is dilated to 4 cm. She is progressing great. Please continue to pray for us. Pray that we can be the face of Christ to those with us during this trial. We love all of you, and we trust that our Father has perfectly planned this for our good and His glory!!! We will update again after the birth if possible. May His name and renown go out through all the earth.

Mathew 18!

Sophie is on her way..

Due to complications with my blood pressure and fluid build up, Dr. Daniel has said it is time for our sweet Sophie to come. We covet your prayers during these hours of trial. We ask that you contact us only through our web page. Carlton will be updating the page at the hospital.



Just thought I might add how God's timing is perfect. Today, January 22, 2008 is the 35th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision. Our little girl Sophie, wants the world to know that every life matters. All the speeches and rallys will send a message but no message speaks louder than the 8 month journey of our sweet baby.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow..

Many people who I know and even more that I don't know have e-mailed me during this time with Sophie. The e-mails have been so precious and have encouraged me more than you know. I find it truly amazing that so many people have been touched by my daughter. Knowing her little life is having eternal impact, is so encouraging. I have to say, I am humbled by your words about my strength in this circumstance. It seems so strange the read this, because I know that I am not a strong person. Only God has gotten me this far. Trust me, it is NOT of me. Sometimes, I catch myself looking at myself in the mirror and thinking, "Who is this person?". The Aimee I know should be curled up in a ball somewhere, throwing a fit, screaming about how unfair this is. I admit, the thought has crossed my mind, many times. But, during these dark moments, I feel Christ's presence and know that He is holding my hand and carrying me. Some of my closest times with Christ have been during this time of trial. These past few weeks, I have had to cling tighter to Christ than ever before. My mind wants to wander and fear can take hold easily. I am struggling right now with all the "what ifs". I like to have things in order and have a plan, but I have zero control of this situation! I have to remind myself of God's complete sovereignty over this situation. Please pray for us this week that fear would not take hold. We have our next Dr. appt. next Tuesday. This is just a regular check-up. We will also be meeting with the nursing staff at the hospital next week. We pray that God would send the right nurses to us.

The Lord was so sweet to me yesterday. For the past 3 months, I have been praying for snow. (Yeah, I know, its crazy to pray for that in Alabama!) I have been driving Carlton nuts about taking the kids to see some snow this year. So, two days ago we watched the weather forecast and saw that north Alabama/north Georgia was going to possibly get some snow this weekend. We decided we were going to get in the van after church on Sunday and drive until we found snow. Yesterday, from out of nowhere, (not even James Spann predicted this), snow began to fall and it didn't stop for 3 hours. I have never, ever seen snowflakes like this in Alabama. I ran upstairs and got Noah up from his nap (you have to understand how excited I was....Noah's nap time is precious time to me, its called "peace and quiet time"). I was so excited, I sent them outside without coats, then I realized it wasn't going to stop, so I bundled them up and they spent the next 3 hours enjoying our sweet gift from above! I couldn't help but smile and think that this was snow was sent just for me.

From Beside Still Waters, Charles Spurgeon

" This is how to deal with God. Praise Him before you are delivered. Praise Him for what is coming. Adore Him for what He is going to do. I do not think there is a sweeter song in God's ear than the song of one who blessess Him for grace that has not yet been tasted, who blesses Him for answers that have not been recieved but are sure to come."

Habakkuk 3:17-19

17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,

18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.

Thank you for sending me your e-mail addresses this week. I am compiling a list of viewers over the next few weeks. I appreciate all your sweet e-mails, its really amazing and humbling to know how many people are praying for our family. Words can never express our gratitude. We will have our blog open probably until Sophie's birth, then it will be private. I hope you can understand. We would like to share our adoption journey with friends and family. Actually, I don't mind if I don't even know you, just send me a short e-mail letting me know who you are. I am currently following many adoption blogs of people I don't know personally, but we share a heart of adoption! Please continue to send your addresses to aimeeweathers1@yahoo.com

I have added some pictures of when my dad came to visit after Christmas. YEP, the grandparents outdid Santa and Noah has not gotten off the John Deere tractor in days! (Don't you love the CAT hat??, Thanks Mr. Don!) He has scooped up every bit of sand/dirt/rocks in our backyard! Hannah Grace got lots of new clothes and shoes from her Paw-Paw. Dad made it just in time to watch the football game! It was great having my dad and sisters here for a visit. I wish he lived closer.

This past week has been hard. Plain and simple. I am just being real and honest. Knowing that our time with Sophie is drawing shorter, makes this whole thing seem like a true living nightmare. Can this be real? Is this really happening to us? It's in times like these that the ONLY thing that brings peace is our hope in Christ. I am constantly reminding myself that God is faithful to His children and He will bring us through this. One of my favorite verses is "The Lord keeps all those who love Him. " Psalm 145:20. And although I would like for things with Sophie to be different, deep down, I only want what His will is. How could I not? God is God and I am not. It may be months from now, years from now, or maybe we will never know... but I feel certain we will look back and be able to see God's hand at work through this trial. Sophie Ann and all that we have learned during this time will bring a gentle smile to our face, and we will praise God for His faithfulness!

I have been reading a great book all about God's sovereignty and I highly recommend this book! Its by Kay Arthur, "As Silver Refined". It's one of those books that you just can't put down. It has been great encouragement to me. I find so much peace when studying and reading about the sovereignty of our great God! I can find joy amidst a trial knowing that nothing has "surprised" God, He has known and ordained this before the beginning of time. I find rest in that. However, I hope you see that I am real, I don't like this, I cry, I think about Sophie and want to throw a tantrum, as a matter of fact... this is pretty much the worst thing that has ever happened to me....BUT. I know I am a child of God, I trust in my God, He has always been faithful to me...And He will carry me through... I will be changed and He will be glorified!!