Back in 1997 on the smoking hill behind Alton High I met this guy. He had the best eyes. I thought he was so cute and I just had to meet him. I was afraid to say anything to him because I was preppy and well; he was not. I told a mutual friend of ours but told her not to tell anyone. But like most teenagers they can't keep a secret and she screamed across the hill that I liked him. After the embarrassment I was glad she did because it got us talking.
I asked him out. I am a really blunt person. I also threatened a girl that liked him. Not one of my best moments but I was determined to date him. Romantic huh!?!
After a few months of dating in August of 1997 I found out I was pregnant. I went to the doctor because I was having some issues and I wasn't feeling well. I didn't suspect I was pregnant because I still had a cycle. When the doctor came in he told my Mom and I that I was pregnant. I asked him how that could be I still had a cycle and he said that I also had uterinedydelphus or double uterus. He said even though I was pregnant that my other uterus had a cycle which is why I didn't know I was pregnant. He then told me that I should consider and abortion because I wouldn't be able to carry to term since I had the double uterus. He said I would probably miscarry at 3 months. My Mom said that wasn't an option and we would let God handle it.
At this time I wouldn't have called myself a christian. I believed in God but didn't understand the personal relationship with him. After leaving the doctor's office I wondered to myself why abortion wasn't an option? I didn't understand what that really meant. I started thinking about abortion and about adoption. I didn't know how I would finish high school? I was only in the start of my junior year. I didn't even have my license. How was I going to go to college? Support myself and a baby? Would Brian stick around to help? All these things ran through my mind.
I remember having a talk with my Mom about what I should do. She told me that abortion was out of the question and so wasn't adoption. She said she would help and walk me to school everyday if she had to! Brian and I were scared. We were children having a child.
A few months rolled by and in January of 1998 I got sick with a terrible flu. I called my Mom and she picked me up from school. I explained to her the pains I was having and she rushed me to the doctor. I was in labor at 24 weeks. At first I was so disconnected with the pregnancy. It wasn't until I thought I was going to loose him was when it hit me that I was going to be a mommy and I loved this child. Remorse coursed through me. I couldn't believe for a minute I thought about having an abortion. I cried as they showed me a picture on the sonogram. I couldn't believe how tiny he was moving around. I asked God to save my child.
My labor finally stopped after a week and a half in the hospital. Fears from the doctor that I would loose the baby they put me on complete bedrest until I delivered. That was when I was introduced to homeschooling. The school sent out a teacher since I couldn't attend school. I loved the idea of homeschooling. Since I had a lot of time on my hands I made straight A's that year.
On May 12, 1998 I gave birth to my son Gabriel. He was 5lbs 12oz and was perfect! We were scared to death! We managed to figure it out. We had a lot of help from our family. Brian got a job and started going to college. My Mom and Brian's grandma watched Gabriel so I could finish high school. We graduated high school in 1999. Brian and I got married in 2000 and now have 8 children.
As I look back I am so thankful that the Lord had his hand in my life. I can't imagine my life without Gabriel and the pain and grief I would have if I let myself succumb to the temptations of the flesh. It's amazing that God took something so wrong and made someone so beautiful.
Gabriel is now 17. He is an amazing person! He is outgoing and optimistic about life. I thank God everyday for him!
1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 118:1 Give thanks to the Lord; for He is good. His love endures forever.
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