Thankful

  I saw this video a few weeks ago and wanted to watch it, but didn't get to it at the time. I saw it again this morning and really believe it was the timing that was ment to be. To say Riley has been fussy would be a little bit of a understatement. The last few days have been one of those I feel like she is fussy and screaming more than she is happy. She has a top tooth getting ready to poke through so she has just been miserable. The one night she screamed from before midnight to a little after two am before we could get her to sleep. Then last night it was at bedtime until almost ten. It's days and nights like that are frustrating as a parent. She doesn't feel well, you're trying anything, you're not getting good sleep and then can't get anything done during the day because she just wants to be held. At the end of the day, I always try to tell myself it could always be worse. At least we have for the most part, even on her worst days a happy, healthy baby. I am always so thankful for that.

  It takes me back to before Riley was born when Tim & I went to my doctor appointments. I was always so nervous going and would make myself sick with worry on the way there. Then after the doctor came in and would say "She's normal and growing so well." It's just this relief you get from knowing your child is ok. I know growing up, my parents didn't get to hear that always. I can only imagine how hard that was to go through. Even growing up I always just assumed something was wrong to make the news easier. I am thankful for everything I went through though, because without it I wouldn't be who I am today. It makes me appreciate each day even more and try not to take it for granted. I know others whose lives were cut short, they don't get to graduate college, have the joy of getting married and raising children, but I have been lucky to experience those things. Riley has helped me to appreciate even more the gift of having a child, a healthy child. Even if she does have something some day, I will try to help her understand it's God's way of shaping us into who he needs us to be, not just for ourselves, but everyone else in our lives.

  So in saying all that here is this inspiring and beautiful video: