2008 Pickin' for Preemies at Billy Bob's Texas with Charlie Pride

http://www.hemifoundation.org/

Today's blog isn't about Jessie, but about Jake and Josh, two of her older brothers. Jake and Josh are twins and will turn 9 in December. They were born 10 weeks (or almost 2 1/2 months premature and both weighed right at 3 lbs. They weren't much bigger than a rat when they were born, and kinda resembled one. We'll, they're OK now, but we attended an outstanding event tonight that took our focus off Jessie and helped us to remember Jake and Josh and what they went through...and made them feel special. The spotlight was on them tonight.

Here is what they looked like in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit).

This is Jake. He was in better shape than Josh, but required caffeine shots to keep his heart pumping. At one point, day one, the nurse ask me to put my hand in the incubator and massage his chest while she went and got more caffeine. Talk about getting a quick relationship with God...


This is Josh. He had the same stuff as Jake, only Josh couldn't breath on his own. Neither had full lung function, but Josh required a ventilator to breath for him. Kristi and I didn't think that Josh was going to make it. He did.

So, fast-forward almost 9 years. Here they are tonight at the 3rd Annual Pickin' for Preemies acoustic jam to benefit the D/FW March of Dimes (Pre-mature babies). Of course they're not happy, because we wouldn't let them play video games on the way in to Billy Bobs. Oh, did I tell you there fine now...just normal, well mannered, straight A student, athletes, that are just like every other ungrateful little 3rd grade boy. Do they have ANY idea what they put us through??? The little turkeys !! Oh well, we love them.

This is the "Why didn't I get to play video games" look.

"Matt and Jessie...You aren't helping !"

The Pickin' for Preemies event was GREAT, and we felt honored to be there. Our friends Jamie and Melanie Adams were the Chairs this year, and they did a SPECTACULAR job! Way to Go Melanie and Jamie!!! Their son Jared was premature as well.

The entertainment was all popular country acts from around the US, and one fella from Canada who held his own. The Entertainment included :

Charlie Pride - Yes, THE Charlie Pride, Stoney Larue, Randy Rogers, Wade Bowen, Brandon Jenkins, Sonny Burgess, Corg Lund, Jamie Richards, Cory Morrow, Roger Creager, Brandon Rhyder, Blue Edmonsdson, Bart Crow, Bobby Duncan, Casey Donahew, and Josh Abbot. The event was hosted by local country radio personality Justin Frazell, who also had two premature daughters.

We saw lots of Aledo folks there, including Marcus and Shannon Gleaton, and Tracy Tomlin, and Jay Stringer (who did all the printing for the event). We met the Fambrough's and lots of other Aledo people out to show their support for The March of Dimes.

Kristi talked to Charlie Pride's daughter...well, she asked her "Have you seen my Dad?" and Jake and Josh got to hang out on stage some. It was a great time for a great cause. We can't wait until next year.

Here are a few more pictures:

The man, himself, Charlie Pride.

A few of the boys up there having a good time and playin' some good music.

The twins trying to sneak some camera time on stage.

You turn your back for one minute, and THEY become the entertainment!!

God Bless all the committee members, volunteers, entertainers, donors, sponsors, and attendees. This is a great cause, and we felt blessed to be in attendance.

Cris