We're in This Together

No matter what comes our way, what obstacle we face, what illness tries to overcome our baby, we are in this life together, and I wouldn't want it any other way. Yesterday turned into last night and last night turned into this morning and all of it is a big blur. We finally laid down about 5:45 this morning and we didn't wake until 10:00. So I am feeling blessed to have gotten such a long nap. Just think if I laid down in the middle of the afternoon for 4 hours that would have been a wonderful nap! Yeah for us to get to sleep for 4 hours uninterrupted.

I laughed and laughed last night as things continued to get crazier. The later it got the more delirious I became and once Ash finally drifted off to sleep around 11:00 all I could do was look for the humor in the situation we found ourselves trapped in. Dave crawled up on the bed and finally gave up. Nan took a couch in the waiting room around 1:30 this morning, and I sat in a recliner of all things and thought about how wonderful life truly is. 14 years ago I could have never seen Dave and I sitting in a transplant treatment center with our third child as she was receiving chemotherapy. I would have never imagined that 2 years after we said "I do" that the Father would have blessed us with a son just as wonderful as his dad. His character, his personality, his talents, his heart, his compassion. Two and half years later I would have never imagined being given the most beautiful girl in the world to call my daughter. Everything about our Allison is beautiful. It took many, many years of consistent hard work to mold that little attitude(that happens to match mine) into something wonderful, but I can see the makings of an amazing young lady taking shape. She is my daughter,but she is also my friend and I love to sit and talk to this silly little girl and listen to her heart spill out into our conversations. Eight years after the birth of our daughter Allison God gave us another amazing gift. She came in the form of a 2lb 12 oz baby pickle, and the moment we walked into that hospital room I knew which one was mine before they even told us. There was something about this little gift that drew us to her. When I looked and saw the face that had been absent from my dreams for the last 13 years I was overwhelmed by the blessings that He had allowed me to receive. I reached in and touched her tiny hand and she wrapped those bitty, bitty fingers around my index finger and gave me a squeeze. It was the first time she told me how much she loved me and I have never been the same.

What did we do to ever deserve such a life? Nothing. He gave it to us because He loves us and He wants to bless us.

The day that Dave walked into that restaurant and asked me out on a date was the day that the Father brought to me my very best friend. A friend that He hand chose for me to walk this path with. The last 14 years have been amazing and as we enter into this next year the best thing about it is that "we're in this together".

Thank you for choosing to love our baby, to love our family, to love our God. Your support, your encouragement, your prayers, your friendship, your presence has made an impact on the life of our family. What an important role each of you play in our Ashley's story. We are better people for "knowing" each of you. Have a wonderful day and may the God who created our Ashley Kate shower you with blessings. Trish