The Good

The sun is shining and the tulips are in bloom.  {We didn’t even know we had tulips.}  Our front tree is covered in white blossoms and we’ve been treated to beautiful weather for weeks now.  Hello Spring… I’m glad you decided to visit us early and even stay a while.  How refreshing.

I’ve written so much about Lamp–her physical problems and the ensuing emotional and mental toll–that I thought I’d focus on the good.  Because there is plenty of good.

First, we’re having a baby.  Yay!  Isn’t that exciting news?  And it’s a girl.  Another sweet, precious little girl…just like I was hoping.  Maybe it’s wrong to hope for a girl, but I don’t care.  I did.  So there.  A couple weeks ago I bought some fresh new pink and white onesies, and matching pink and white pants.  So many of the fun aspects of having a baby have been put on the back burner that the simple act of buying some onesies and celebrating Lamp’s imminent arrival has helped bring some of the previous excitement back in focus.  We’re looking forward to meeting our darling little girl.  And Beanie CAN NOT WAIT to be a big sister.  She still insists that Lamp is her baby.  Apparently, I’m just the surrogate.  Good luck with that one kid.

Second, many people have asked if we’re glad we know ahead of time about Lamp’s condition, because it wasn’t that long ago that something like this wouldn’t have been revealed until after the baby was born.  The answer is yes.  YES.  I’m very grateful for the time we’ve had to prepare.  I’m so grateful to live in a time and place that affords us not just the knowledge of her condition, but additional medical attention and care.  While we don’t know a lot, we’ve been really fortunate to meet with top doctors and specialists and we know that we will have plenty of resources available after she’s born as well.  We feel that we are in good hands.  The blessings of these medical advances and having the availability to such care is a gift.  

Another reason to celebrate? Family fun time.

Two weeks ago it was watching a movie in the tent in our backyard …

and last week it was visiting the Cincinnati Museum of Art followed by a picnic on the lawn.  Picnics have become a frequent family activity these days and I love it.  

I love our little family and the fun times we have together.
It just doesn’t get any better than this.

The past few weeks have been tough and we know the road ahead will be hard as well.  But as I’ve continued to reflect on our life and even think about all the different trials and difficult circumstances people find themselves in, I know we’ve still got it pretty good.  And while I really have no choice in our circumstances, it feels good to look around and see more good than bad, and more hope than despair.  It’s not the road I imagined for my family and my life but when the blessings continue to outweigh the burdens, it’s been increasingly easier to say to myself and Heavenly Father, OK I’ll take it.

And there is the good.