Nearly three years has come and gone since the birth of our only son Easton James. What a HUGE impact that tiny little baby had and continues to have on so many people. I am eternally grateful to my Father in Heaven for the opportunity I have to be his mother!
I was pregnant with my third child and so excited!! My mom, sisters, Jim and my two little girls were anxiously awaiting to here the news at the ultrasound! I still remember the look on Jim's face when we were told that we would be having our first boy!! That excitement quickly would turn to fear and despair as the doctor explained that there was something very wrong with our childs brain. An MRI quickly revealed our worst nightmare. He had a large tumor in his brain. We hoped and prayed that there was something that could be done to remove or shrink the tumor. A team of several neurologists at Primary Children's Hospital studied the MRI. They came to the agreeance that there was nothing that could be done to save his life. I remember in those first nights waking up sick thinking I had just had a very bad dream only then to realize that this was my reality. All the while I felt this little tiny human being constantly kicking inside of me and so full of life. Several times through this the doctors reminded us that terminating the pregnancy was an option, and we politely told them it was NOT an option for us. I would carry him as long as possible and give him every chance possible, even if only for one reason... to recieve his mortal body. I quickly came to realize that was not even close to his only purpose! I had prayed and prayed in previous years that somehow Jim would see the importance of attending the Temple regularly among other things. That very day after finding out that our son may not live a long life he wanted to learn everything he possibly could about the plan of salvation. He went to Deseret Book and got a book called "Doctinal Details of the Plan of Salvation" by David J. Ridges. He studied and studied. He also immediately had the desire to return to the Temple again. I also began to study and pray harder than I ever had before! I can't say it was easy when I would go places and people would ask...."So what are you having a girl or a boy", or "When are you due, how exciting." Sometimes I would just answer and leave it at that, other times if I had the time I would explain my situation. I always felt bad though, because what can you say to someone in that situation? I found myself worrying about every little detail...would he have pain (my WORST fear), what will he be able to do or not do? As weeks and prayers went by I found myself realizing that I could not worry about everything. I had to be as brave as possible, do everything in my power for this baby, and put it all in the Lord's hands. On March 14, 2007 I went in for a weekly ultrasound. They were watching the size of his head very close by this point I was 34 weeks. His head was growing at such a rapid rate due to the tumor growing that the doctors strongly advised that I be induced that night. Jim and I went home and prayed about it and decided that the time was right. After 15 hours of labor Easton James was born on March 15. At first we were not sure he was alive. The doctors had warned us that there was a large chance that he would be born still. I remember looking over at the pediatrician holding my son. He looked at his watch and was taping it, I then new that he was alive!! We were so overjoyed and grateful to Heavenly Father that we had some time with him!! What we felt for those hours are completely undescribable. The Heaven's opened up for us that day and we had the opportunity to feel of his GIANT spirit. At that moment I new he could not stay here for long. But what a blessing it was to be able to be in his presence! He weighed 6 lbs. even. He was even kindof chubby I thought for being born at 34 weeks!! He was absolutely perfect!! The signs of his tumor were extremely apparent. His head was heavy from the tumor. Everything else about him was adorable though. We didn't know how long he would live. The doctors said at that point it could be hours or even days. We had tons of family and dear friends gather in the room as Jim gave him the most beautiful priesthood blessing I have ever heard! I was so filled with the spirit that I was rambling on and on, bearing my testimony that I was ok, and that I new we would be together forever! It was a moment in my life that I will NEVER forget. Not only the moments, but the spirit that was completely undeniable. This sweet baby boy came here to help us all. I grew up in the gospel and always had a testimony that it was true, but it wasn't until that time in my life and that day that I NEW without one doubt that our Heavenly Father lives and answers our prayers! That our savior died for you and I. It is only through him that I will be able to hold that sweet baby boy again someday. As hard as this trial was and still is, I can't even begin to count the blessings that have come to us!
