Gratitude

Let me start off by saying that I have been working on this post for weeks now. It's has taken me hours upon hours to get these words down and this post it not something I take lightly. This is my heart, written with passion, tears and an believable amount of humility.

I am a thankful person, at least I think I am. My life, at least up until lately, has always been easy. I've never been in need of anything. My parents have always been there. I don't remember a single football game (I was a cheerleader), softball game, badminton tournament or band concert my parents haven't been at. I always had more than enough "stuff" and never needed anything. Someone once told me I was "born with a silver spoon in my mouth", maybe I was, but my parents worked VERY hard to provide more for my brother and I  than what they had. Yes, I got a car when I turned 16 and my parents even paid for my insurance. Never once have I taken any of the previous for granted. I am beyond thankful for all of it and my parents know that. Im sure, in my selfish teenage years, I had my moments of entitlement. Who doesn't? I'm sure I have forgotten to send my fair share of thank you notes. I am human.  Despite my flaws, I do believe, I have ALWAYS shown gratitude.

When Josh and I decided to adopt Malachi we had a very realistic understanding of what we were "getting ourselves into." We knew it wouldn't always be easy, what ever is? We encountered those who thought Malachi would be a "burden and a mistake" but we also encountered those who whole heartedly accepted him into our family as our son. In the first few weeks after we brought Malachi home we struggled with the nay sayers. Our hearts ached for people to see Malachi the way we did. We KNEW he would prove them all wrong (and he has). What we never saw coming was the unbelievable amount of support we would receive over the next year.

Recently Josh and I were talking about Malachi and his heart surgery. We had decided to have Malachi dedicated in church the weekend before surgery. The dedication was beautiful. All of our family and friends were there to celebrate. We were over joyed and soooo thankful that so many people came out to show their love and support. Surgery ended up getting moved back a week so we were able to attend church one more Sunday. After the service a older couple came up to us and handed us $150. We have never seen them before and haven't seen them since. We have no clue what their names are or why they chose to give us money. I cried all the way home. I have never had the opportunity to give them a thank you note but my eyes well up with tears when ever Josh and I talk about them. Our thankfulness goes deeper than words on a simple piece of paper.

Then I think about Elijah and his heart surgery. We couldn't get into the Ronald McDonald house and didn't have the money to stay in a hotel for a week. We had a complete stranger from a church we have never heard of come to the hotel and pay for 2 nights. We have countless stories like this, of people stepping up to help, just because. They never expected anything in return.

Before we left for Boston friends of ours held 2 Benefits for Malachi. We were able to raise enough money for 2 trips to Boston. Family, friends and complete strangers got together to help not because they had to but because they wanted to.

Our gratitude is much like those who have chosen to help us along the way. We are not bursting at the seams with thankfulness because we have to be, but rather because we WANT to be. It's a choice we make daily, to be thankful for every situation in every circumstance. Please know that just because we don't say it daily or write it as often as we should, we are forever grateful for YOU! For sharing your love, your friendship, your time, your talents, your homes, your, money, your gifts, your wisdom and your life with us. From the bottom of our hearts, WE ARE THANKFUL!

All about Eli

We got some VERY exciting news today. Friday we go to adoption court to make Elijah an official family member! Thats right friend, he will now be the proud owner of our last name! He has always been our son and have never thought of him as anything other than that. However, court on Friday will make it official!! We are so excited! To celebrate all things Eli, here are a few newer pictures of him!

John Stamos

Donald Trump

Not sure who this is...

parted down the middle

mohawk

Oh my sweet smiley boy

Laughing at daddy

Oh how he melts my heart!!

1,2,3,4,5!!

Yesterday was Josh and I's 5 year wedding anniversary! We had big plans to celebrate with a movie and dinner, but our plans were sideswiped when we both woke up with the flu! So instead of going out, we sent the boys to my parents and we celebrated with hours of laying on the couch watching cake boss and drifting in and out of sleep. We sure got the "in sickness and in heath" portion of our vows down pat!

All day I was remembering back to our wedding day. The excitement, the nervousness of being the center of attention (not such a fan), the joy, then fun and for those of you that were there...the heat! Yes, just like yesterday, our wedding day was HOT, ridiculously hot! In our wedding album there is a picture of all of the wedding party in the limo and my feet were in the cooler! Very lady like, I know. In all our wedding was perfect.

The past 5 years have been perfect as well. We have fought, we have laughed, we have welcomed 2 children home, we have had family members pass away, new ones born, we have been through more surgeries and hospitalizations than we like to talk about and through it all we have battled it together. There is no one else I would rather laugh with, no one else I would rather cry with...I married my best friend and that is the best happy ending ever!!

Sew fun

We are home from Boston and settling in quickly. We have had a flood of visitors stopping by since Friday, they all want to lay kisses on Malachi. Everyone has commented on how good he looks and can't believe how quickly his recovery way! We can't believe it either and are still at a loss for words at what truly happened 2 short weeks ago.

Malachi has been getting a lot of attention lately. 2 large incisions on your head will do that for ya. Everyone wants to see him, squeeze him and marvel at his strength. Poor Eli has been coming up short in the snuggles category. Yes he gets ample hugs and kisses through out the day, but family, friends and strangers flock to Malachi and often bypass Eli and his squeezable cheeks. Do any other moms out there with medically frail children struggle with attention given to them? Ugh, it makes my heart sad, but I know one day soon Eli will be stealing the hearts of many. My littlest superstar has started getting on his hands and knees! Yes, at 8 months old. Eli you will one day have your spot in the lights, thank you for so humbly allowing your brother to own it right now.

Before we left for Boston, I got a sewing machine. I made a few pillow cases and a little blankie for Eli. I enjoy sewing but as a beginner I am limited in the things I can do. However, today I tackled a taggie blanket. I think it turned out pretty good!! Eli loves his new soft snugglie!

Im this many...

Malachi-
       We can hardly believe another year has passed!! Your life thus far has been nothing short of a miracle and your dad and I are so proud. We love your smile, your giggles and the way you pose to have your picture taken. We love that you are stubborn and that you let nothing stand in your way. We love the joy you bring to each person you meet and love you set upon their hearts. We love that you have no idea just how special you are or that you are changing the world with your gentle presence. We love how you splash in the bathtub and how you sign along to the itsy bitsy spider. We love how you wobble across the floor in an attempt to walk. We love how you throw your arms around our neck when we ask for a squeeze. We love everything about you!! Thank you for teaching us unconditional, self sacrificing love. We can't wait to see what the next year holds!!! Keep fighting our little peewee!!

Love Mommy and Daddy!
Happy 2nd Birthday Malachi!!

Today we are celebrating all things Malachi. I cant believe he is 2! This year he has learned about 25 new signs, how to crawl, pull to stand, cruise, walk independently, stack toys, draw, do lacing beads, puzzles, put things in and take them out. His brain is a sponge and he soaks in all that we say and do. He is growing way to fast...Praying for a marvelous year!!!

An update

Malachi continues to do well. He is slowly getting back to normal and we are seeing more and more smiles. I still can't believe that he was discharged after only 3 days!! He is on tough little man! The last few days have been very hot here in Boston so we have spent most of our days relaxing in our hotel room and swimming in the pool. 

Eli is liking the water more and more. He has enjoyed spending so much time with his Grandma too. We have been so thankful she is here to help. 

Another one of my little peanut. We need to work on the looking at the camera business.

We took Malachi's bandages off a few days ago. It was the first time we got to see the incisions. It was difficult to see them for the first time. 

 This was the side the Dr. Scott did and the side that Malachi had his stroke on. Don't mine the tape residue that he refuses to let us clean off.

This is Dr. Smiths side. Whoever shaved his head must have been a new at it because they nicked him a bunch. Each incision is about 4-5 inches long and he has about 30-50 stitches in each side. Yikes. Im guess  they will be pretty nasty scars! 

They both appear to be healing nicely. We will go back in to see Dr. Scott before we leave so he can check on them and also check he neurological function. We have seen a few periods of memory loss which could be a few small TIA's. His memory seems to come back after a few hours. We continue to pray that he will have no further strokes!!!

Give me a D

We have been discharged!!! I can hardly believe it! I dont have time to post a lot now. I will write more later.