Two birthdays, Christmas, and a very happy New Year!!

We woke up in the hospital on Gracie's 4th birthday to be told that we would be there for awhile. The tears flowed! I knew she didn't need to be there, but they were awaiting the results of her blood work. Gracie's amazing, kind, compassionate cardiologist stopped by for a visit--I asked him if we could go home. He answered with the three letter word I wanted to hear--"yes". After visiting with the doctor on the pediatric floor and throwing out his name a bit, we were released in time to make it home when the kids arrived from school. All of the Opps were thrilled...especially a newly turned 4 year-old!! The hospital so kindly celebrated Gracie's birthday with her in style--cupcakes, gifts, balloons--super, super sweet. The celebration when this little sweetheart was home however--A VERY BIG DEAL!! Gracie wanted to drive the little cars at the hospital so very badly, but was on strict isolation and couldn't leave her room. I called Curtis to get her a car for her birthday, thinking a little cozy coupe, he picked out a battery operated convertible--truly appropriate for a princess of this magnitude!!

Soon it was Christmas...

Gracie continues to battle whatever bug she has. She is still getting headaches and has quite a cough. Just not herself. The way this child lives her life is inspiring, that's for sure. At 4 years old, she can teach most of us a lot about life. She has been dealt a tough hand according to this world--lots and lots of pokes, she can't play outside, she can't play with other children this time of year, she tires easily and can't do normal things other children can do. Yet, she always has a smile on her face, she has a determination to live life well, enjoying everything. Her world is very, very small--yet she makes it so big!! I just wish everyone could know this little being--she's truly amazing!!

Our Christmas was fabulous--this past week of spending long, restful days with the ones I love most is time treasured. Many days, we haven't even gotten out of our pjs. I think Selah has worn her jammy pants from gramma every day since Christmas. They have been washed in between, but right back on her they go! A couple of days, she had them on over her other clothes!

2010 has been a terrific year for our family. Today I have been making a digital family photo book and have been taken down memory lane. Our Make-A-Wish trip, the cancelled surgery, a huge summer road trip, a graduation, a scary car accident, a hospital stay, , sending a child to college, some fun sporting events...yet what we treasure most are these quiet days at home with all seven of us curled around the fire watching movies, playing games, laughing about the latest antics of a particular 4 year-old--life is good! What is 2011 going to bring? How thankful I am that I don't even know!! Life is full of surprises, of twists and turns. It's not always how I would write my own story, I could never be this creative...but what an adventure God has given us. I rejoice in the fact that His story is the best one ever written and how thankful I am that I get to play a small part in it!

Resolutions? None. This family will just continue to seek out the Lord's plan for our lives and live accordingly!

Happy New Year, friends!!

Gayle