We're Back!

Oh my.... what a wonderful vacation we had. We went up to New Hampshire for the week and it was just bliss. We headed out last Saturday morning, which happened to be July 4th. And during our drive Adam and I reflected about how on July 4th of last year, we were being admitted into the hospital for a transfusion Ethan needed. It was a transfusion that lasted almost 8 hours, so we sat and waited with our little man, still not knowing what was going to be in store for us during the cord blood transplant phase of his cancer treatment. Amazing. It's the only word we could come up with.

Amazing that one year after that lonely July 4th in the hospital, we were heading out on our very first family vacation.

Amazing that we are one month away from Ethan's one year mark since his cord blood transplant in Boston.

Amazing that God has protected Ethan in ways we deeply hoped and prayed He would.

Amazing.

This vacation did so much for us. Not only did we enjoy stress-free time together as a family, but it was a much-needed refreshment for our spirits. To watch Ethan play at an amusement park, to take him to see a bear show and watch his excited expressions, to take him up to the top of a giant mountain and watch the wind blow in his face, to be able to treat him like any other healthy kid his age, to have sweet time together with my husband without work or other obligations getting in the way. It was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

And I'm so thankful to our friend who opened up her beautiful condo for us to use while we were there, enabling us to actually take this trip. Such a generous heart. Such a wonderful family! Thank you!

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And thanks be to God for all He's blessed us with. I'm such a moron sometimes. And I can easily sink back into discontentment, fear, or worry IN SPITE of all the blessings and generosity God has given us. You'd think I'd be an expert at leaving my cares with the Lord, but alas I am not. I often fall short. I still trust He's not through with me yet, though, so I have hope that one day I will be such a person. But in the mean time, I need a good splash of cold water in the face and remember just how far we've come.... by the grace of God.

I wanted to also let you know that we had Ethan's baby dedication last night at our church. When our pastor held Ethan in front of the congregation and said, "this is our miracle boy", try as I might I couldn't stop the tears. He prayed a beautiful prayer over Ethan's life and over me and Adam as we strive to raise Ethan God's way.

Amazing.

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