My October Gratitude List

Since things have been less than ideal in our lives this month, I thought I should share some of the things we are grateful for these days... (in no particular order, and most likely not a very complete list)

• For Primary Children's Medical Center - that the hospital is only 2 1/2 hours away, for incredible doctors and nurses that really care about Sarah, for specialists and cooperative teams trying to solve her problems, special teams like Child Life and Rainbow Kids, and that one of its purposes is to keep kids happy while they have to be here
• For the love, prayers, support and visits from our extended family, friends, ward family, and acquaintances
• That Steve's boss has been so understanding and flexible to help get us through this and keep his focus where it should be right now
• For Steve's friends that have helped with his city council campaign in his absence
• For home teachers that have mowed our gigantic lawn more than once
• That my mom is retired and has been able and willing to "move in" to take care of my kids so Steve and I could both be here as much as possible, and for my dad for helping and supporting her (and us)
• For Steve's parents for providing us with room and board, and wonderful meals, and company
• For Relief Society leaders that have completely taken over my calling so I could focus on my family
• For all of the "love" that has showed up on our doorstep... hospital snacks, presents for Sarah, meals, treats, Halloween surprises, cards, and money to help us through this stressful time
• That we have good insurance and Medicaid for Sarah so the hospital and doctor bills haven't caused any extra stress
• For social workers that arranged a room for us at the Ronald McDonald House and other reimbursement programs to help relieve some of our other financial burdens
• That my sweet sister-in-law sewed Bryson's Halloween costume so I wouldn't have to
• For our patient children at home that haven't complained, but pray every day that we'll be home together again soon
• For technology (like videocams and skype) that allow us to "be with" our kids sometimes
• For Steve's sisters that planned a "surprise Hawaiian luau" to brighten Sarah's otherwise frustrating and disappointing weekend
• For the family members and friends that have come to visit, bring meals, do crafts with Sarah, and brighten our prolonged stay at the hospital
• For our sweet daughter Sarah, and her incredible example of faith and long-suffering
• For our Heavenly Father's love and care, His plan, blessings, and tender mercies
• For our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His infinite love and atonement that grants us the strength to endure and the grace sufficient to overcome