Perks

I've had a few days in a row where I've felt very sad about Lizzie and this whole situation and so I forced myself to think of the blessings or perks that have happened as a result of everything...so here goes my list:

1. A Handicap Parking Pass - I've always wanted one of these to be able to park in the front row of Costco and now we have one...the only down side is that we can only use the pass if Lizzie's in the car with us and since she only goes to therapy or school these days, it doesn't get used a lot - but, I'm looking forward to the day where we can actually use it at Costco or the grocery store!

2. Food - I think since we've been home from the hospital that I've only had to cook dinner twice - we have been so blessed with lots of yummy meals that people have brought in - that alone is worth all this sadness and suffering :)

3. The blog - I was a horrible blogger before this happened and now I actually enjoy writing stuff down and I am planning to make our blog into a book for our family to remember this experience.

4. Closeness - Ben and I are closer to each other, we are closer to our kids and we are closer to the Lord - a definite blessing.

5. Guiness Book of World Records - we are very close to winning an award for most stuffed animals and gifts received - each one is special to Lizzie and she loves them all...now we just need to find a place for all of them!

6. Sleep - before this happened I was really reluctant to have any more kids just because of the lack of sleep that comes with the little bundles of joy, but now the lack of sleep with a newborn would be nothing compared to our lack of sleep now so maybe we can have more kids (and no this is not an announcement!)

Okay there are a million more blessings that we've received from this experience and it's good for me to remember a few - it just makes this experience more bearable and we know that there are reasons for everything and blessings from even the most negative things in life. The Lord does not leave us comfortless in any situation.

P.S. We leave Saturday morning for Primary Children's and we're still accepting donations for the parents and kids down there. For parents, we're collecting cases of water, juice, individually wrapped snacks, crackers, etc. For kids we're collecting bingo prizes, blankets, books- just little gift items for their bingo days. Thanks!