November Blessings

Everyday we should remember our blessings… but sometimes it is easy to forget.  In November a lot of of us try to make it a point to post what we are thankful for daily on Facebook.  I think it’s a great idea… and I am seriously considering starting a gratitude journal in the new year.  I do think that even on my hardest days I can find something to be thankful for.

Days of Gratitude 2012

Day 1 Today I am thankful that Katy's line was just clogged and didn't need to be replaced.

Day 2: Thankful for friends that know just what to say and a husband who is always there to pick me up and get me through the rough days!!

Day 3: I am so thankful to be a mommy! For so many years I feared I would never have the opportunity. Now I am blessed with two amazing babies. A boy & a girl perfection!

Day 4: I am thankful for my handy husband. There is nothing he can't do! My scrap room has new lights and an awesome peg board to help me organize!! It's the little things!

Day 5: Today I am thankful for Boston Children's Hospital! Thankful I live so close to the #1 hospital in the country!

Day 6: Today I am thankful for kind and generous friends!!

Day 7: (a little late) I am thankful for a warm home!

Day 8: Today I am thankful for pain relief! After 22 days of a pretty much constant headache... I am headache free and I feel like I can function.

Day 9: Today I am thankful to be planning Katy's 5th Birthday Party!! She is such a miracle...each and everyday and every child's birthday is special...but when you wonder each year if your child will make it to their next birthday... its HUGE!

Day 10: Today I am thankful for a fun filled day of girl talk, craftiness with my 2nd mama Kris love you and am so thankful you are a part of our life! XO

Day 11: Today I am thankful for my dad & Tracy for always being there... and doing whatever they can to help. It's nice to know that we can always depend on them. They are doting grandparents, and Katy & Patrick ADORE them.

Day 12: Today I am thankful to get the chance to talk to a friend... I have never met, but I feel like I have known forever. XO — with Tammy .

Day 13... Today I am thankful for sleep aids. I was reluctant to take anything for so long and now I know it is the only way I get any rest... I hope someday I won't need them but for now I am thankful I have them.

Day 14: Today I am thankful for my sensitive, funny, kind, handsome boy! I can't imagine my life or our family without Patrick! He keeps us laughing and always knows when his mama needs a hug! I love you sweet boy! XO

Day 15: Today I am thankful for my girl. She is sweet & sassy...has a smile that will melt your heart and strength like no other. She is funny, and smart. She is beautiful inside and out and I am so thankful to be her mommy.

Day 16: Today I am thankful for my husband. He does it all even on days when neither of us wants to do anything. He is the kindest, sweetest most caring man I have ever known. He is funny and intelligent and brings out the best in me. I am so thankful he is my husband of 10 plus years and the most amazing daddy to K & P. We are all very lucky

Day 17: Today I am thankful for Laughter... sometimes you just need a good dose of funny! Tonight on the way how Cole and I were saying yo mama jokes and it was funny to just laugh out loud with Cole, Dad and Tracy.

Day 18: Today I am thankful for quiet Mornings... everyone is still sleeping. I am cuddled up under a quilt sipping coffee and once I get off of FB I have pictures to upload.

Day 19: Today I am thankful for the generous gift from my dad & Tracy A reliable ridiculously awesome new (to us) Honda odyssey ... yes I know a minivan but for a minivan it is pretty kickass! (Actually, I love minivans and I can't imagine not having one... there I said it!)

Day 20: I am thankful for the town we live in. It is a great community that has embraced our family. We have met some amazing people... we love Kate's school...and dance studio! Great parks and of course the lake!

Day 21: I am thankful for Patrick's Preschool. It's such a great little school, with kindest teachers and staff. They have been such a blessing during this trying time...and knowing Patrick has a consistent, fun place to go.

Day 22: Today I am thankful for Boston Children's Hospital. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of that hospital and the amazing team of doctors and nurses who have been such a huge part of our life for over 5 years. I am so thankful so close to the #1 Children's Hospital. I hate to name names because I risk missing someone but some need to be said... Dr. Marx who cared for Katy long before she was born and for the first three years of her life and is still an important part of her team. Dr. Blume and the amazing transplant team for guiding us and trusting us and allowing wait this wait at home. Our most beloved child life specialist Lauren the nursing staff on East 8 East and 8 South.

Kathryn continues to be responding to the Milrinone fantastically well and we couldn’t be happier.  It is still so hard to believe that we have been waiting so long 857 DAYS at last count…it’s even more unbelievable that we get to wait at home.  I can’t imagine it any other way.  I seriously don’t know how we could survive a long term admission… although Katy is so very sick… she is living a pretty normal childhood and that is a huge gift.  To be able to give her the best of both worlds… the ability to keep her status so high on the list and doing just about anything an average almost FIVE year old would do is amazing.  It hasn’t always been easy… but we have a great team, and Mike is pretty amazing caretaker of the line and would make a great picc nurse/pharmacist so it has worked.  I know that it may not be the best choice for every family, but it was the best for our family.  I can say that without a doubt when I think back on all Katy has done since July, all we have done as a family, all the memories we have made. It was one of if not the best decision we have ever made regarding Katy’s medical care (other than the choice to continue our pregnancy which wasn’t really a choice…there was never a doubt.  I am still offended I was asked. ( Yes, I know it is there job…moving on)