Eleven Days of Gratitude: Day Eleven

11. Ok, so I can't count. Hey, I am an ENGLISH person, not math. (that's my excuse.)

What I am MOST grateful for is best conveyed in this song.

You did not wait for me to draw near to you, but you clothed yourself in frail humanity.
You did not wait for me to cry out to you, but you let me hear your voice calling me.
And I'm forever grateful to you, I'm forever grateful for the Cross.
I'm forever grateful to you that you came to seek and save the lost.

Eleven Days of Gratitude: Day Eight

8. I am grateful for HOPE. I have a friend who is expecting a baby. They have faced some pretty bad stuff with other pregnancies. I was praying for her and the word that kept popping into my head was "HOPE". I pray HOPE for her, that with this baby, a new beginning would occur.
I thought about our lives and the horrible ordeal we endured this last year. (Monday will be one year ago that we got the devastating news that Rachel would not live.) Yet, in it all, we were given HOPE and we held on to that hope. We still hold onto that HOPE for Rachel and the rest of our children. So today, I am grateful for HOPE.

Eleven Days of Gratitude: Day Seven

7. I am grateful for our extended family, most of whom we will see in a few days. All of John's family and most of mine live in the area and we are very blessed to have a good relationship with all of them. They are involved in our kids' lives and in our lives. Josh LOVES to go down to Ma's house (Grandma Mischler) and have lunch with Baba (Grandpa). Seriously, that is his FAVORITE thing to do! Too cute!!

Eleven Days of Gratitude: Day Six

6. I know I didn't write yesterday.That's because I was too busy with my family. We had a nice, leisurely morning, then we all went to Wal-Mart. We came home and ate lunch. I made milkshakes. We played Battleship. We had a great time and that it what I am thankful for #6...FUN FAMILY TIME.

Eleven Days of Gratitude: Day Six

6. I am grateful for TODAY. This past summer my mom had some really hard days fighting her cancer. There were days she'd say to me,"I don't think I'll make it through this." My response to her was that I couldn't promise tomorrow, only today. Today was a hard fight, but she would live.
I am reminded of that as I look at Rachel. I do not know what the future holds for her, how the Spina Bifida will affect her tomorrow, but for today, she is doing great.
I think about it as I look at each of my other kids. I do not know what tomorrow holds for their health, but I know that today, they are healthy and strong.
I think about it for myself and John. I do not know what tomorrow holds in store for us, but I know that today is a good day.
I can spend my time worrying about what may happen tomorrow, and, though preparation is good, it often leads me to frustration and doubt. All I know is that TODAY is a good day!

Eleven Days of Gratitude: Day Five

I am grateful for my miracle-baby, Rachel and her sweet, gentle spirit. As the youngest, Rachel is the brunt of her siblings' love. In fact, I am not sure who pokes and prods her more, her doctors or her siblings, but she bears it all well, never complains, never fusses. She is such a joy!

Eleven Days of Gratitude: Day Four

4. I am grateful for my younger son, Josh. Now that the older two are in school and Rachel is an easy-going baby, I get to spend time with and see a whole different side to Josh. I am really enjoying that. He makes me laugh, too. When I was pregnant, I walked with a limp, often holding my back. Josh loves to walk like that and say, "I be mommy." He has a good heart and is very easy-going.