This is My Life

At random times it hits me that the life I'm living every day is MY life and I just have to smile because it's really an awesome one, one that I feel is just what I "ordered".  Today it "hit me" as I was sitting on a park bench with my oldest son who turns 9 this week.  We were just talking while we watched the younger siblings play.  As we just sat there talking about nothing too exciting or important, I put my arm around him and gave him a squeeze and said, "I love this, just being with you."  I am so grateful for my kids.  They are my world and have challenged and change me into who I am today, (and who I still am YET to become).  I feel so much more complete because of them.  Another realization I'm coming to is it hasn't been from piano lessons, or art classes or karate, or soccer or reading "how to mommy" books that has made my kids the awesome kids they are, or that have made me the mom I am.  It's been from just spending time together, listening, talking, cuddling, laughing....I'm so grateful I have those moments to cherish, that those moments haven't been missed because we were rushing off to the next activity that is going to "shape my child".  My kids are already pretty fantastic.  It's such a privilege to just get to know who they are already by just simply being with them.  Yep!  I'm pretty lucky.

The Rest of the Story

My husband had unexpected back surgery yesterday afternoon.  It was one of those things that helps bring life back into focus and you remember what you know already but seem to forget, that life is precious and beautiful. 

The whole story starts a long time ago.  My husband first injured his back while lying our daughter down in her crib.  Just one of those weird things that happens.  His back hurt for awhile and then seemed to get better, but it really wasn't and over time, the problem got worse and worse.  He tried everything, trying to avoid surgery, but nothing helped.  Therapy, chiropractors, exercises, inversion tables, massages, essential oils, diet, ice, heat, bio freeze, magnets, even volcanic ash.  (Yes... I'm not exaggerating.)  His pain was getting so bad over the last 4 months.  In fact, the last week, he was in agony.  Not to compare his pain to the pain of the Savior and His incredible atonement, but I've never seen someone "tremble because of pain" until my husband had this pain.  He was trembling all over, unable to breath, think, feel, function.... it was horrible to watch and I can't imagine how he felt having to go through it. 

Anyway, we finally had an MRI done which the results from that proved that he needed surgery.  The doctor said there was no amount of therapy that could fix it otherwise.  So there we were... not wanting surgery, not knowing that was what we would need, but knowing it's what needed done. 

Surgery is always scary and makes you nervous.  But things like this, again, always bring life back into perspective.  Not only that, it makes me thankful.  As I laid by my husband on his hospital bed before surgery, I was thankful for him.  Thankful for good friends and family that were praying for us and whose hearts were close to us even though we were far away.  Thankful for the power of the priesthood on the earth and blessings.  Thankful for good health and that we didn't have to be in the hospital for long.  Thankful for our sense of humor and the laughter we were able to keep.  Thankful for my phone constantly beeping, (even though I didn't answer it always) with text messages and Facebook posts of people telling us they were praying.  Thankful for the beautiful day and mountains outside the window.  Thankful for our Heavenly Father's promise that he will never leave us comfortless, he will come to us.  For modern medicine, for the little miracles that happened all along the way that led us to this wonderful hospital to get help, for cute kids at home who kept "bugging" us to see how daddy was.....The list goes on and on.

I'm happy to report, he's doing fabulous!  He feels great.  The doctors say the surgery went perfect.  He has already been up and walking and few times.  It's wonderful to see him with a smile on his face instead of pain.  SOOOO grateful!!

So, thank you to all who prayed and cared and helped.  We are so very grateful.  Heavenly Father lives.  Miracles are all around us.  We LIVE in a miracle.  Seriously!  The fact that we live in a world where back surgery is possible.... miracles!  It's unbelievable.  Prayer works.  Prayers are heard.  I know that. 

We send you our love and our thanks.