With Easter approaching this weekend I am thinking about the sacrifice that was made for me.  It is hard for me to comprehend that God gave his only Son to die for me.  

When I look at Brooke and Hailey and think about how much I love them it can be pretty overwhelming.  I would do absolutely anything for them.  Anything.  And I know all the other parents out there feel the same way about their children.  If it came down to it, I would give my life for Brooke or Hailey.  But to think about me choosing to give one of their lives to save someone else- no way.  That is not going to happen.

But that is what God did for me.  He gave his only Son to die.  For me.  It is hard for me to understand that God loved me so much that he was willing to let his Son die for me. Wow!

And that?  Is why I am thankful this week.  Happy Easter!

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Last week we were able to visit my parents (check out pictures of Hailey’s first toboggan ride if you missed that post) and we had a wonderful time.  I am thankful we were able to visit. 

While we were there, one evening my parents told Rich and I that we should go out on a date and they would watch Hailey for us.  Since we don’t live near our families and I am just a little bit overprotective of Hailey we never leave her with anyone so we can go out.  So, the last time Rich and I went out without Hailey was in July for our anniversary when my parents made a trip all the way to our house to watch her for us.

So, after strict instructions that I did not want Hailey falling down the stairs or choking or getting hurt in any way, Rich and I went out on our date.  We had a really nice dinner at the Olive Garden.  After dinner we went to see The Bucket List, which in my opinion was excellent.  I thought the movie was so good that I forgot all about eating the candy we had bought at Wal-Mart and then hid in my purse to sneak in with us (and don’t try to pretend you don’t sneak food in with you).  If you happen to go see The Bucket List, my only recommendation is to bring some tissues with you.  It’s probably not exactly attractive to have to wipe your running nose on your sleeve.  I’m just sayin’.

Anyhoo- I am so thankful for the nice date that Rich and I had.  It was so nice to be able to spend some time with just Rich; I had such a great time with him.  Thank you Mom and Dad!

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This week I can not help but to think about BooMama’s trip to Uganda as I write my Thankful Thursday.  For those of you who do not read her blog, she went on a trip to Uganda with Compassion and I highly recommend that you read some of her recent posts (you could start with The Village or The Faces but really- it would probably be good for you to read all of her recent posts).  So this week I am thinking about some of the basic things that I have that I take for granted that so many of the children she visited to do not have.  Things like- indoor plumbing, running water, electricity, a home that is bigger than 6 feet by 8 feet, more than enough food- you know very simple things like that.  I just can not stop thinking about how fortunate I am and how much I really have.  We are all very wealthy when you consider how little so many others have.

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Many of you have been following along with the problems that Hailey has been having with her eyes and the unusual rolling her eyes do.  So I thought I’d update that this week the eye doctor called us back after watching the video we had left with him.  He told us that he really thinks that she simply has a childhood tic.  He said that tics are quite common in children and most of the time they go away as they get older.  He told us the same thing the neurologist had told us- this is just something that some children do as their brains mature.  So, now that I have heard the same thing from two different professionals (who did not discuss it with each other) I really feel a lot better.  I am so thankful that this is nothing to worry about and that Hailey will out grow it.

Since it is Valentine’s Day I thought it would be appropriate to say that I am very thankful for Rich.  He is a wonderful man, the love of my life, and an awesome dad.  I am truly blessed and I am so thankful to have him in my life.  Check out my Thursday Thirteen on Our Happy Happenings to read 13 of my favorite things about him!

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This week I am thankful that the neurologist finally called Hailey’s pediatrician back.  He had looked at the video we had taken of her rolling her eyes.  He said that this is something that some children do as their brains are maturing and that they out grow it.  He said it did not look at all like a seizure or anything to be worried about.  He said he didn’t even feel that we needed to do an EEG because he is so confident that it is nothing to worry about.  The neurologist who looked at the video has been working with children and specializing in seizures for many years and I trust his opinion.  I am extremely thankful for this news.  Even so, while it did make me feel better I had kind of hoped to have the EEG just to be totally sure.
 
We also left a video with Hailey’s ophthalmologist to look at.  He is very specialized in this area and can refer us to a neurological ophthalmologist if he thinks it’s necessary.  So, we are waiting for him to call us back with his opinion.  When we described to him what Hailey has been doing he had the exact same opinion as the neurologist- while it’s not common it is something that some children do when their brains are maturing and it is something they out grow.  If he calls us and tells us it’s nothing to worry about even after he has seen the video I’ll be fine with that as it will be two different very specialized professionals giving us the same opinion.

I am thankful that the area will live in has some highly professional doctors who are specialized in these fields.  I know many people do not have nearby access to such wonderful professionals.

If there is any new information I will certainly post about it.  Otherwise, I am hoping this worry is behind us and I can concentrate on worrying about the the trigger thumb we found out Hailey has that she will need surgery for.
 
Once again- I am so thankful for all of the kind comments and emails you all have been sending me- and of course- I’m especially thankful for your prayers.

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I am thankful that we have electricity.  A few of weeks ago our power went out because of high winds.  It wasn’t out all that long- only about eight hours.  But, it reminded me that we take so much for granted.  There were several times that I flipped light switches, expecting a light to come on.  At one point I thought, “Oh, I’ll go do some laundry since the internet isn’t working.”  And then I remembered the washer and dryer wouldn’t be working either.  Anyhoo- it made me realize that I take a lot of that kind of stuff for granted.  We had very high winds again yesterday and even though the lights flickered and the internet didn’t work for most of the morning (gasp!) the power stayed on.  For that I am thankful!

I am thankful for the nice time we had last weekend while we took a little trip “home” and stayed at my parents house.  As always we had a blast.  We were also able to spend some time with some of Rich’s family and had a very nice time with them too.  We love being “home” and if we could we would just pack up and move back “home” tomorrow.  We don’t like it where we live and we hate being away from our families….. ooops this is supposed to be a thankful list.  So, I am thankful for the nice visit we had and I will continue hoping for the day when we can move back ”home.” 

I am thankful for the nice distraction it was to be away visiting family.  So many days I just worry about what is going on with Hailey (you can read about my concerns here, here and here) and feeling worried all of the time can get pretty overwhelming.  So, it was very nice to have some distraction from all of the worrying I am usually doing.

I am thankful for all of the kind comments and emails I have been getting regarding Hailey.  It means so much to me to know you all really care about what is going on.  I don’t have any new information yet as the pediatrician still hasn’t heard back from the neurologist.  I will post any new information as soon as I have it.  Thanks again for your comments, emails and prayers! 

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