This Post I would like to focus on the things that I am grateful for. I like to look back at the end of the year and reflect on the events that have transpired, both for me and those close to me. I like to think of all of things that I am thankful for and then look ahead to the next year and all that is to come. So here it goes...
I am so thankful for my family. I am blessed with an amazing husband that is kind and motivated and would do anything for his family. I am so very thankful for my two healthy, sweet, and loving kids; Jack and Reese. They're individual personalities make me smile every day. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't stop and think of how blessed I am to have them. I am thankful for the opportunity we have to be here in Arizona, experiencing new things, meeting new people, and going to school... what a blessing.
Jack was happy to see snow... he said, after I wasn't in the mood to get cold for the second day in a row, "Can I just touch it". Ah... broke my heart... so we went out and played in the little they had. It didn't snow ONCE the whole three weeks we were there!!!! Crazy!
My dad helped Jack make a snow man... He said, the morning we left to come to Utah, "Mom we are going to go to Utah and we are going to build a snowman with a snow-carrot. It is going to be fun and it is going to be exciting". So the day we got there my dad gave Jack a "snow-carrot".
I am very thankful for my parents and brother and sister. They have had their fair share of "hard" this year, but they keep fighting. They love us and our kids so much. I am so blessed.
I am thankful for a wonderful "in-law" family that is very supportive of us "making" it and loves our kids and always has something fun planned for us to do.
Here we are on the Heber Valley Polar Express!
Blake and Braxton came too...
Protein Shakes with Grandpa...
Next I am thankful for my extended family. I have a very, VERY close extended family. We talk about things and share each others burdens and share each others joys. They aren't just my cousin's... they are my brothers and sisters. Well after the events of last year where we almost lost my cousin Jess after she lost her sweet little boy, we thought we were in the the clear for a while. Unfortunately that is not life and so, once again, we got to share each others burdens. Jess's sister, Kim, was pregnant with her (and Jay's) twin boys, we were all elated. Soon after we got to Utah Kim's water broke with baby A. There was a very small chance that he would make it so they sent her home on permanent bed rest. Before she got there the family, including the little kids, cleaned Trudy's house like crazy! Disinfecting, mopping, vacuuming and making posters to hang on the door of the restroom Kim would be using. Kim's risk of infection was very high and so everything had to be super clean. It brought tears to my eyes watching this young kids frantically clean because they wanted to keep Kim healthy. Unfortunately, exacting one week later Kim gave birth to sweet baby Kimball (named by Jess and Jay after Kim). We were all filled with such sorrow and we felt so helpless. Baby B was still holding on though, and thankfully the doctor admitted Kim, permanently, to IMC hospital on strict bed rest. Everyone rallied to and helped with watching kids, and visiting Kim. Back rubs, toes painted, hair curled, movies, games, meals, lots of love and encouragement were just a few things administered during her hospital stay. The goal was 24 weeks. Well after 14 days at IMC our sweet Baby B, McKay, was born at 23 weeks. Like his brother, he lived about an hour and a half before leaving this earthly life. I am reminded of the importance of our body. Gaining a body is one of the main reasons we come to this earth... how important, how sacred this is. Because we are all so close we have mourned the loss of these two little boys. "Why, Why, Why" and "What if" has frequented our minds. Among the heartache has come these words, however, "Be Still and Know that I am God." Through strife, trajedy, and broken hearts, we are reminded that our loving Heavenly Father is all knowing and not only all knowing for the world, but all knowing for US as individuals. He knows us and hears us and loves us. He has blessed us with a Savior that knows all of our sorrow and all of our woes. He has suffered FOR us and because of Him we get to be an eternal family...
I suck and forgot our camera so here is a poor picture of Santa's presentation on Christmas morning.
All of us waiting at the hospital...
New Year's Eve
Lots of visits...
Beautiful Kimball... what an honor we felt to be able to hold this perfect little boy.
So, last, but most definitely not least... I am thankful for my Savior and for his atoning sacrifice that makes it possible for us to heal, to find peace, and to be a family forever and ever. I am so thankful that this is not the end and that Jess and Jay get to be a forever family. What a sweet reunion it will be one day.
We are commanded to "Mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort" I have never understood this more than I do now, for it is not just of the mourners, but for those that love the mourners. May we all seek out those that could use a hug, a note, a word of encouragement. May we never take what we have for granted... big or small. I find that we are most happy, when we are most grateful...
"We need to be more grateful. It's one of the marks of strong character, to have a feeling of thanksgiving and gratitude for blessings that are ours. We need more of that spirit in our homes, in our daily associations, in church, everywhere. It's so easy to cultivate the spirit of appreciation."