Thankful. Thankful for today.

Last year at this time, I was lying on the couch, fighting for the life of our beautiful daughter.  I have been thinking a lot about this time last year, and am again, so thankful for so many things.

I am just so thankful to be on this side of it.  So thankful for the family and friends who brought us meals, prayed for us, and encouraged me through those dark days!

April 29, 2010-went into ER in Pullman because of the incredible amount of pain I was in (now, having been through childbirth, I can say it was worse than giving birth!)

Transferred to Sacred Heart, monitored for the next day and night

April 30, 2010-21 weeks pregnant, pain not getting any better

May 1, 2010-exploratory surgery.  No guarantees that our baby would make it, but she did!  For those of you that have met her, you know where she gets her little "fighter" personality!  She had to fight for her life!  Found that my right ovary and tube had twisted and were "exploding."  They were removed.

I then spent the next 5 days in the hospital, on lots of medication, trying to slow my contractions down.  I am so thankful for my Doctor.  Dr. Peter Fern of Northwest OBGYN.  He is incredible!  He has been an OBGYN for over 30 years, and never had do that surgery on a pregnant woman.  So thankful for the knowledge that the Lord gave him (and the other two doctors) so that they could do the surgery that would save our lives!!

After I came home, I was overwhelmed by the support of family and friends during this time.  Jenny Lingle came and spent a week with me, taking care of me.  My mom brought us meals, and stopped by to encourage me almost daily.  My sister came as much as she could.  Taryn and Cathy came to visit from Boise.  Several people stopped in just to say hi.  They were long days. 

Our church family provided meals for over two months, and bathed us in prayers.  My mother-in-law came and spent a week with us.

My husband.  My best friend, the love of my life, my better half.  Nursed me, took care of me, kept our house clean and "running," all the while, working to continue to support us.  He sacrificed so much of "his" time, to serve me.  Words can't express the gratitude I have.  The Lord has blessed me with an incredible, selfless man.

I can't even begin to name everyone on here who rallied behind us.  People that I haven't even met were praying for us.  THANK YOU.  Thank you.  ThAnK YoU!!!!!

August 27, 2010 (38 weeks)  Taken completely off all bed rest.  I can't even being to list all the the things I did...one of the last being a batch of jelly I didn't get to finish because...

September 1, 2010-Kayla Grace arrived at 8:52pm!!!

Apparently, God still has some plans for Kayla and I here on this side of eternity.  I am thankful for all that He has brought us through, and pray that we will live each day with eternity in view.  Realizing that we don't know when our last breath on this earth will be. 

So are we living like tomorrow might be our last?  Are we taking in the moments and making the most of them?  Are we loving those around us and leading them to Christ?  Or are we too busy with our "to do's," our lists, our projects, our deadlines, our hobbies?

Thankful.  Thankful for today.  The gift He has given me. 

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!