Giving Thanks

I don't really know how to start this post, or how to write it. I debated posting anything about it, but decided that the more prayers we can get at this point, the better. We had quite a week. And don't get me wrong, our Thanksgiving was happy and the time spent with my dad was wonderful. It's been too long since we last saw him.

But Mike's mom has been in the hospital since Wednesday. They spent a few days trying to figure out what was wrong before rushing her in for major heart surgery on Saturday and then another on her brain Sunday. Basically it could go either way at this point. Hopefully she'll wake up and they will know what they are dealing with. One doctor said that she should have opened her eyes by this point, but the other doctor said that he's okay if she goes three or four days before waking up. He says her body had been through so much and it needs the rest.

We hopped on a plane Sunday with the help of some wonderful friends. It feels so much better to be here where we at least feel like we are doing something, even though I know there is nothing for us to do. Except pray. I know it is all in His hands.

I'm thankful though, for my wonderful family-in-law. They are all being so strong through all of this. Especially the girls that are still at home. They amaze me.

I'm thankful for my family, who have been an outlet for me to talk through all of this.

I'm thankful for my in-laws' ward members who have brought tons of food, offered so much help, and even brought us a pack 'n play, stroller, and a booster seat for Andrew. Someone even loaned us a minivan to get us all where we need to go.

I'm thankful for the family & friends who have gone to so much trouble to help get all of RaNae's children here to be with her. All 10 kids are here, 4 daughters-in-law and half the grandkids too. We're still working on the rest. ;)

It's so strange to be here in these circumstances. It's not the happy trip we had planned when we found out where they would be serving their mission. But there is a hopeful air in the house. We eat together, laugh together, play cards together, and we spend some time in the evenings singing for RaNae and praying for her on our knees in her hospital room. Hopeful is definitely the right word. We have no idea how this is going to all play out, but we know miracles happen. We've seen them over the last week. And we fully expect to see more of them here, in one way or another. Please pray for a miracle.

He Walks

Just a little video for the grandparents . . .

School Stress

So the other day after the kids were all in bed, I heard Peter yelling at me, "Mom, come quick! Charlie needs you!" I ran up the stairs thinking the worst, and I get to their room to find Charlie sobbing uncontrollably.

Me: What's wrong Charlie?

Charlie: (sobbing) I think I'm going to get in trouble at school tomorrow.

Me: Why would you get in trouble?

Charlie: Because I wrote 100% and put a star on my paper . . . two times!

Me: Why would that get you in trouble?

Charlie: (still sobbing) Because only the teacher is supposed to put hundreds and stars on our papers.

Me: Well why did you do it?

Charlie: Because I've LOST MY MIND!! (And then he was practically in hysterics about the thought of getting in trouble.)

Come to find out this happened on like Wednesday of last week. It took me about 15 minutes to convince him that if he was going to get in trouble it would have happened already. And then we had to sing two songs together to calm him down. I'm about ready to call his teacher and ask her to actually get him in trouble. It would be traumatic for him, but at least he'd learn that life goes on! But I am grateful that he works so hard to do well in school and to follow the rules.

Picture of the Day