Thankful Thursday #9

Today has been a great day! Here are the things I'm thankful for this week.

1. A friend who sent me a very sweet birthday present in the mail. It included a card that still makes me laugh when I think about it. I love you Kimberly!

2. I have completed 30 sets of diapers, blankets and hats for my first delivery to be made next Monday. That's 60 diapers, 60 hats and 60 blankets! I can't wait to deliver them.

3. My first sewing day is coming up and I'm super excited about the help that will be there and the things we will get accomplished to bless families in the area.

4. I'm meeting someone for lunch tomorrow who has been reading my blog and is coming to help on the 22nd. This is totally God working and I can't wait to share more about it.

5. It's STORMING!!!! I love thunder storms and we need a good rain.

Thankful Thursday #8

I haven't done a Thankful Thursday post in a while. I decided this evening that it was once again time to list what I am thankful for. I have had some really really hard days recently with my grief and pain almost being as raw as it was in the beginning. It really does help to remind myself what I am thankful for so here goes.

1: I'm thankful that my friend's baby is healthy and doing well despite being born early.
2: I'm thankful for a husband who hugs me tight and understands when I am upset.
3: I'm thankful for a job that I love where I get to impact children and families lives.
4: I'm thankful that I have a beautiful son that has inspired me to be a better person.
5: I'm thankful that I have found a way to help other grieving families and that I have friends and family members who are willing to help me.

Thankful Thursday #7

1. Thankful that my sweet friend Amanda's baby boy Liam was born full term and healthy today after being on bed rest since 14 weeks. She is a miracle as are both of her precious babies! You can follow her story here: Ardill Family

2. My best friend Allie is 28 almost 29 weeks pregnant. We were enjoying being pregnant together until Grant was born, however she has continued to be a super supportive and understanding friend. I love her like a sister and am thankful for her healthy pregnancy.

3. My job. I love my job and the lives I get to help.

4. The ability to exercise. I have to say that I traditionally hate exercising. However, Jonathan and I are on a quest to get healthier and I have found that I enjoy swimming laps. I don't know that I've lost any weight but my clothes fit better and I feel better.

5. The ability to grieve knowing that one day I will see my sweet baby again because of the wonderfulness of my God. I am sad. Some days are still really really hard. I wish I was finishing nesting and would be bringing home my sweet baby in a few weeks but I'm not. I am thankful for the time I had with him and the wonder he brought to our lives. I am more thankful that one day I will get to spend eternity with him.

I Am Blessed...Thankful Thursday #5

I am blessed. I have seen countless posts recently on my Facebook feed of people saying they are blessed because good things have happened or because God answered their prayers in the way that they wanted. I however almost never see people saying they are blessed when things don't go the way they wanted. I also hardly ever see people saying God answered their prayers when God says "no" or "wait". But aren't we still blessed and doesn't God still answer our prayers? We prayed that Grant would be healed and we would get to keep him here with us, but that didn't happen. That doesn't mean God didn't answer, it just means He didn't answer the way we wanted. God heard our cries, he still loves us, and he does have a plan for us.

God didn't answer our prayers the way we wanted but he still answered. He is still working in our lives. I see him all around me and I feel him closer than ever before. I am blessed. I am blessed to have gotten pregnant with Grant at all. It took 3 years to know what life growing inside me felt like. I am blessed to have those 21 weeks with him. I am blessed to have gotten to hold and love on him. I am blessed to be the mommy to foster children. I am blessed.

Thankful Thursday #4

Here is my Thankful Thursday for this week. I missed last week because we were spending time with D and A before they were scheduled to leave on Friday so this week will include stuff from last week also.

1. I'm thankful that we got to go to the Ranger game last Wednesday with D, A, Andrea and some of my family. The kids had so much fun and to see the amazement in their eyes was beautiful.

2. I'm thankful that D called me on Friday after they left and arrived at their biological parents house. She called to "let me know they were home" but I think it was more because she was missing us. I'm glad that her mom will allow her to call us.

3. I'm thankful for my job. Last week was my first week back and it went better than I had expected. Some cases were more difficult for me to deal with than normal but I think I handled it pretty well. I love my job and am glad to be back at work.

4. I'm thankful for my husband. Jonathan and I have been married for 6 years now and I am so thankful to have such a loving, supportive husband. I couldn't do life without him.

5. I'm thankful for the chance to be on the bereavement committee at the children's hospital where I work. This is all because of Grant. I was asked to be on the committee as a parent who has lost a child and I can also speak from a physician's perspective. I am so glad to be able to help make other parent's experiences better, even though the situation totally sucks. I have to say my experience at our hospital was wonderful but if we can help even 1 family it will totally be worth it.

Thankful Thursday #3

I'm really enjoying doing these. It helps me to focus on things I'm thankful for instead of always on things I wish we're different and I feel it really helps me in the grieving process. This is especially true when I think of things I'm thankful for about Grant or D and A.

1. Taking the kids out of daycare last week. This has allowed us to spend so much more time with them this week and I am loving it!
2. My vegetable garden. We have some yummy veggies that have contributed to dinner this week!
3. The time I've had off work. I have the greatest colleagues. I am ready to go back next Monday though, I miss my job.
4. Our neighborhood pool and afternoons spent there with family and friends.
5. Our appointment with the geneticist today. We were told the chances of us having another baby with the same diagnosis is just as rare as it was with Grant, 1:50000. I'll do another post on this a different day.

Thankful Thursday #2

Here are the things I'm thankful for this week. I'm posting a little early because I'll be on a plane or at the airport most of Thursday.

1. My wonderful family and friends that acknowledged that I am a mother on Mothers day. It was a really hard day for me and their love and acknowledgement was special.
2. Heading home from vacation today. It has been nice to get away and spend quality alone time with Jonathan but I miss home.
3. I get to see D and A's smiling faces today. I can't wait to surprise them. They don't think we are coming home until tomorrow.
4. Our amazing friends the Stillwells. We loved spending a few days with y'all.
5. My blog friends that I've met because of Grant. Y'all are such a blessing in my life.

Thankful Thursday #1

Another blog I follow does a thankful Thursday post. I decided I would start doing this too. This blog of mine has changed so much in the past 3 years and the most over the past few months as we navigate a new life without our son. Although I often talk of how hard this road is and how much I miss my Grant I am also still thankful for so many things. Yes, we have a son in Heaven but God has given us so many blessings. Here are the things I'm thankful for this week. 1. My husband. I am blessed to have him and he is amazing. 2. Vacation with my husband. We have needed to get away, more after the events over the past few months. This vacation has been so special to us. 3. The couple we met last night while the rain was falling at the Oriole/Ranger game. Now we are going to sit next to them for the double header today. 4. D and A staying with us 6 weeks longer than we expected. June 1 is quickly approaching but I am so greatful to get to love on them for a few more weeks. 5. My parents for watching D and A while we are on vacation.