More Than Wonderful

There are no words to describe how truly wonderful it was to have Ashley Kate back home with our family. From the moment we walked into the door(it was 8a.m. on Saturday morning) she started smiling. Ash knew she was home. It was her home full of the familiarity she knew. Just seeing the recognition on her face warmed my heart. Our time spent there with Dave, Blake and Allie was more than wonderful.

I love our little yellow house. I love the feeling it brings to my heart. I love knowing that inside its walls my children grow. I tiptoed into Blake's room and snuggled in next to him on his bed. His eyes didn't open as I kissed that handsome forehead, but a smile came across his face. I love that child! My heart was so full at that moment I could actually feel it. Next I began to look for my beautiful Allison Brooke. I eventually found her snuggled up under the blankets on my side of the bed sleeping with her head on my pillow. She often sleeps there when she is missing me. She was so beautiful! Instead of waking her I just stood there and stared. Her hair was all messy and she has never looked prettier to me. I kissed her on the forehead and immediately her long lashes began to flutter. A smile broke out across her sleepy face and she said, "Hi, mommy." I snuggled in next to her and smelled her yummy hair.

My time home was too brief, but I held on to every single minute of it. I enjoyed my children and all they had to share with me. I heard story after story about anything and everything. Allie and went I Christmas shopping. We bought package after packaged of lights for the house AND the yard. She tried her best to get an inflatable snow globe for our yard, but I just couldn't go there. Not in Texas. It just doesn't look right when the mums are still in bloom and the geraniums are looking better than when I left. We settled for a family of deer. Blake and I hit baseballs in his cage(I hadn't even had the opportunity to see it. This was his big birthday surprise.) He laughed and laughed at me as I would exclaim with every single hit, "That one WAS a home run!" Dave sat on the rooftop(pausing from his job of hanging the lights) and laughed along with Blake as he would say,"Yeah, right mom." I didn't care what those guys thought about my hitting. I knew I was good and I loved having the opportunity to enjoy my son's favorite past time with him. Later on Blake joined Dave on the roof top to help and they treated all us (along with our neighbors) with a holiday dance show that had me laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. I would have bought tickets to see it. We did things like decorate Christmas trees, enjoy lunch dates, play board games, cook dinner, attend basketball practice, wrap gifts, watch movies, hang out on the couch, play with Ashley Kate, giggle at our bundle of HOPE who honestly believes she was born to be a lion but somehow got stuck with her little 1lb body. We enjoyed the simplest of things. Warm chocolate chip cookies had never tasted better. Holding Dave's hand had never been more meaningful. Goodnight Moon being read to Ashley Kate by her big brother or her big sister had never sounded more interesting. Family life is a gift. The everyday, mundane is a gift.

I stand by our decision to push for this visit home. Ash needed it as much as the rest of us. It was the BEST thing we could have done. We are a family and we need each other. We need Ashley Kate to come home for good. She is happier there and everything that she knows and loves is inside our home. I will not cease to ask the Father for this. I don't know if He will allow it, but I am asking.

We arrived back in Omaha this morning around 5a.m. Our clinic appointment is scheduled for 1:00. We also have a biopsy scheduled tomorrow. By Saturday we should know if our sweet Ashley Kate has slipped back into rejection. Her stool output has started to improve the last 48 hours and is actually under 800ccs in 24 hours. Its not ideal, but it is better and I am encouraged. Other than her stooling issues she looks amazing! She is happy and beautiful and excited about the white stuff falling outside our windows. You wouldn't believe how cold it is outside for these Texas girls.

Thank You for continuing to check on Ash and for praying for her during my absence. I took advantage of all our time together and actually neglected her journal. Would you please remember the families of the victims here in Omaha from yesterday. I have shopped in that very store many times over the last year and I am so hurt for those who will not celebrate this holiday season but will now mourn. I can't understand the depth of their pain, but I can pray for them.

Have a wonderful day as you prepare for the season. I just love Christmas time and knowing that you are all in you homes with your families preparing for your own celebrations warms my heart. This life is more than wonderful. Wouldn't you agree? Your are loved. Trish