Their Home and We are Not

I just talked to Dave and the kids. They have finally made the long journey home and they are preparing for bed. Dave is exhausted because unlike the children(who had long, long naps throughout the day) he is running on the 3 hours of sleep he got last night. Traveling all day is even harder on you when you haven't slept. He is anxiously waiting on them to finish brushing their teeth so he can tuck them into their beds and then go climb into ours. How I wish Ash and I were there with them. I always feel a sense of lonliness while we are here, but it is magnified a thousand fold on the first night after our family visits come to an end. Someday soon I pray that it will be in God's plan to allow all of us to lay our heads down on our pillows in our own home together.

Our visit could not have ended any better. Last night was magical. As I sat in the car and watched my husband play with the children in the snow all I could do was say Thank you over and over and over again. My heart was so full of joy as I listened to them giggle and laugh and play in the middle of the night. It was 26 degrees and it was freezing, but no one seemed to care. A little after 1:ooa.m. the kids began to load there jackets and boots into the back of the Explorer. As they were preparing to leave, I jumped out of the car and grabbed a sled and began to run up the hill as fast as I could. Blake looked up and saw me making my way up the hill and started hollering for Allie to grab the other sled. They were so excited to see me ready to go. I was freezing, but boy was it fun. The memories we made together New Years Eve 2006 will last forever in our hearts. I wouldn't trade last night for anything in the world. It was a perfect end to a year and a perfect beginning of another. As I watched Blake and Allison lay in the snow and make snow angels I pictured a tinier version next to them. I tried to imagine how wonderful it would be to see my sweet Ashley making her very first snow angel. I can't wait for the day that she will be out there tromping up the hill hand in hand with her daddy ready to "sleigh" down (as Allie says).

Nan has agreed to stay with Ash and I until Friday. How thankful I am to have her here with us. It makes it a little easier than having everybody leave on the same day. She is going to sit with Ash tonight and I am going to go back to the apartment and do some laundry. I dread walking into an empty place without Dave, Blake, Allie and Ashley at my side. How lonely it will seem without the kids there. Ash looks so good today. God has blessed us. I think she is feeling better and better, and I can tell the infection is leaving her little body. All of the numbers on her monitor are stable and beautiful ( It has been so very long since I could say that). I feel encouraged by the progress she has made over the last 2 days. Thank you for your continued prayers for our Ashley. I think He has big things in store for us this year, and I am looking forward to living it. Good night guys and may God bless you and your families as we all start this new year together. Trish