Let it strengthen you

It's been a busy (nearly) month since I've last updated on Simon and our family.  We've continued to feel at peace with the decision we've made about Simon's care.  In a recent sermon, our pastor talked about peace.  So many people feel like peace is "world peace" or a perfect resolution.  But there's another peace, the kind that we have.  Peace is finding that even when things aren't right, there's a belief that everything will be okay.  While the pastor was talking, I felt like the peace I feel is a "God's got this" sort of feeling.  And he does.  So that is what is making us go along, knowing where Simon will be when he isn't with us and knowing God will comfort us and share in our heartache.

We have also finished our birth plan and much of the planning for Simon. We have a few things left to do, but for the most part, we just get to enjoy every moment of the pregnancy.  I think I'm one of the few (or only) 8 1/2 month pregnant women you'll ever know that doesn't want her pregnancy to end.  But I don't.  I know when it does, I'll miss every kick, roll, punch...and maybe even the heartburn because I know who is causing it.

Also in the last month, I've passed my nurse practitioner boards.  I'm not going to lie-I'm proud of myself.  I was a teen mother and I didn't let statistics define me.  I hope that I am able to serve as a role model for someone else who statistics are against.  It hasn't been easy, but I always knew what my goal was.  I also have to say a huge thank you to my husband who has stepped up the last 3 years so I could achieve my goal.  He's cooked, cleaned, done the laundry, the dishes and made so many other sacrifices so I could work on homework, study or go to clinicals.  And he's listened to me when I needed to cry, vent or just talk about how frustrated I was with school.  He's allowed us to go into more debt and allowed me to not have to work full-time on top of going to school full-time.  He's been my biggest fan and one I couldn't have done this without.  I'm a lucky girl.

There should be pictures coming soon.  Simon has been busy.  He celebrated his first Thanksgiving, went to see Santa last week, has been Christmas shopping, helped decorate the Christmas tree and will soon be getting his first Christmas presents.  I'm very much looking forward to spending Christmas with him and our family, making memories that we will cherish forever.  And I can't even begin to say how thankful I am that we get this time with him, that we get to spend more days and have more memories with him.  

Here's a picture I found shared on Facebook.  I encourage everyone to read it and really think about it.  I know I've had so many people say that they don't know how we can be handling our situation the way we are.  I guess I'm not sure what I really answer but I do have two answers. The first is God and the second is this message.  So read, think about it and enjoy.  Leave the little worries to the side and even the ones that may seem big and enjoy the Christmas season with a little less stress.