Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is coming up... until this year I was thankful for your normal things. You know: family, the food on the table, health, etc. Now it almost seems like a habit more than anything.

But this year... it's different. This year I am thankful for so much more. I'm thankful for my infant son, that though he was not exactly born healthy they caught the problem early and have worked to correct it.

I am thankful for all of the people who fought for us in getting his surgery done. Only God knows what kind of damage could have been done to his little brain in the two weeks they wanted us to wait.

I am thankful for all of the people who have been so kind to us over the last few weeks. Those people go from the lady at church who sent us a check out of nowhere, to J's co-workers who have been so understanding when he doesn't meet his quota, to the hundreds of people who have said prayers for us, to our good friends who just listen when thats what we need the most.

I am thankful for my oldest son. He never fails to make us laugh. He loves us even when we can't be 100% for him because our energies have to be elsewhere.

I am thankful for my husband. He is the only one who knows exactly where I'm walking right now, and has never left my side. I am thankful that I have his hand to hold when I am mad, when I am scared, when I am happy, and when I am drained. That when I just don't have anymore to give, he steps in and takes over.

But most of all, I am thankful for answered prayers. There have been hundreds if not thousands of prayers said by us, and for us over the last few months. We feel the power of those prayers and have seen firsthand what can happen when you pray freverently.

If I didn't believe in HIM before this, I certainly believe in HIM now.. and my boys are in HIS arms.

This Morning

I am sitting here watching Sesame Street with my 4 year old son while my infant son & husband sleep in our oversized chair.... this seems mundane, I know. But lately our lives have been in complete chaos and this morning, we are grateful for the mundane.

THIS MORNING, we aren't worried about bills, where the food will come from, my infant's impending brain surgery, court dates, insurance (or lack thereof), jobs, allergic reactions... really I could go on.

THIS MORNING we are your typical American family watching Elmo dance & sing and dozing in a big comfy chair. This morning our lives are normal.

I wish it would stay that way.

But THIS AFTERNOON I have to call two different Dr's and the hospital and talk to them about the money we owe them. TOMORROW I have to go to DHS to try and get my infant insured before his surgery. NEXT WEEK I will hand my sweet baby over to a surgeon so that he can have a shunt put in his head to drain the fluid off of his brain. NEXT MONTH we will go to court for what I hope is the last time.

But none of that matters THIS MORNING. Because, THIS MORNING we are counting and singing and doing laundry & making lunch plans. THIS MORNING we are thanking God for the peace & quiet, and that things seem to be in control. At least for THIS MORNING.