Thoughts...

I have been thinking for a while now how grateful I am for my kids. It was a long and hard road to parenthood for us. Starting with our first miscarriage at 6 weeks back in 2004, another at 6 weeks in early 2005 and yet another at 6 weeks at the end of that same year. Each loss was hard on us and made us the parents we are today. We've always had the thought that each of those pregnancies was Brady just waiting for the right time to come to our home. Steve was always so sure that we would have children, even when I struggled. He truly is my perfect match. When we finally got pregnant the fourth time, we kept our fingers crossed that it would be the one to stick. So many events that happened and made us sure this was "the one" kept us going during the first few weeks after we found out. You can imagine our absolute JOY the first time we saw the baby on an ultrasound, the first time we saw the heartbeat, the first time we heard the heartbeat. Each week brought us so much hope and happiness, and to make it past the first 6 weeks was an amazing accomplishment. It was such an easy pregnancy and Brady continues to be an easy going kid. He is my miracle baby. We feel so blessed to have him in our lives. He brings us so much happiness! We are always laughing at everything he does.

When Brady was about 9 months old, we worried that it would take another 3-4 years to have another baby if we were to suffer more miscarriages so we started trying again. After 3 months, when Brady turned a year old, we found out that Jackson was on the way. Again, with certain events that occurred, we were sure that this baby would make it too. Many ultrasounds showed us this new baby's growth and we saw and heard his heartbeat too. Brady loved going to see the baby on the TV. I think he knew that his best friend was on the way. Another easy pregnancy and an even easier (and crazier) L&D brought Jackson into our home. I still marvel at how blessed and lucky I am to have 2 healthy and happy children.

I know of some people and have some friends who have lost their new little babies. Some stillborn, some to genetic disorders, some to heart problems, and I can't imagine their grief. It makes me so grateful for Brady and Jackson. I know some of their heartache after losing 3 pregnancies, but these strong and faithful women had to let their babies go after holding them, getting to know them, and loving them in this life. How grateful I am for the Plan of Salvation. To know without a doubt that we can be with our loved ones again.