Thanksgiving Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am grateful for Ethan and his desire and strength to live. He has been through so much in the almost 5 months that he has been on the earth and he continues to smile through it all. Even before he smiled with his mouth, you could see his eyes light up with joy when mommy and daddy were near. He is my hero and my example of strength and happiness.

I am grateful for my husband Michael who is an amazing dad. He loves his family and treats me and Ethan with such loving tender care. I love his love for our son. He is precious when he plays with Ethan during lunch, when he carries a sleeping Ethan in his arms, when he changes a diaper, when he vents a g-tube, when he cleans up after a spit up, when he gives Ethan his meds, when he wakes up in the middle of the night to change Ethan's feeds, and when he gets up at night to calm Ethan and relieve him of a very wet diaper. He is the best dad. I am grateful for his determination to provide for his family both temporally and spiritually. I am grateful for his worthiness to hold the priesthood and to give our son a blessing of healing during Ethan's first open heart surgery and several times after that. I am grateful for his love as my eternal companion and how he puts my needs before his own every day.

I am grateful for my mom who has been my cheerleader and guide. She has been a powerful influence in my life to keep me positive and recognize the Lord's hand in my life, especially during the last 5 months. She was there when I found out about Ethan's heart defect, she was there to take me to the temple to find peace when Ethan's surgery went terribly wrong, she was there during the darkest moments of both our lives, she was there to provide relief from the ICU with a meal a smile and a laugh, she was there to watch Ethan while I slept, she was there for me when I needed her most. I am so glad she and I are so close. She has been the best grandma for Ethan too. I am grateful for her love for her grandson. She's the best grandma.

I am grateful for my dad who has supported me and my new family. He, with my mom, opened their home to Michael and I so we could find a new house without locking into an apartment contract. He was there to "camp out" with Ethan at the hospital so Michael and I could go home to do laundry and sleep. He was my father and my bishop when we gave Ethan a name and a blessing at the hospital. He came down from Seattle every weekend to spend time with his first grandson in the hospital and wouldn't miss his "Sunday visits." He is a great Father and Grandpa :)

I am grateful for my family who has been fasting a praying for baby Ethan. I love all my in-laws, grandparents, aunts, uncles and especially cousins, nephews, and niece who have been praying without fail for "Baby Ethan." Their sweet prayers mean the world to me and Ethan. I enjoy facetime/skype to reach those who are far away - your love and encouragement travel far to touch our hearts. We love you!

I am grateful for my friends who have messaged/commented on facebook, dropped off goodies or a meal, sent a card or package, called me or texted just to let me know they care and are there. The love and support have helped me and Michael tremendously. The words have lifted my spirits. The stories shared have touched my heart. I know when things don't go my way that I have a whole support system right there to lean back on and I am so grateful for each of you.

I am grateful for Ethan's team of doctors and nurses who have worked miracles with their hands. I'm grateful for their devoted time and effort to keep Ethan alive and treat him like a child rather than just a patient. I am grateful that the doctors take the time to schedule follow up appointments with Ethan and continue to help him each week.

I am grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ that has helped me my entire life, but especially these last few months. I know that Christ lives and that he is the only one that knows what I went through in the hospital on July 6th because He experienced all my pains, fears, and sorrows. I am grateful I could turn to him during the darkest moments of my life and feel peace to know that He was in control.

I am grateful for my home that not only keeps me warm and safe, but is a place for my son to grow and develop. I am grateful for the warmth my home brings to my life and the memories we are already making in it. I am grateful for the opportunity to decorate my home and make it my own. I am grateful for my own bed and shower, I'm grateful for my own kitchen. I am grateful for a washer and dryer and for a dishwasher as well. It is such a blessing to own this beautiful home.

I am grateful for the temple where I can go to feel peace. It has made such a huge impact on my life. Because of the temple, I am sealed to my family for time and all eternity. While in the hospital I knew that no matter what happened, I can be with my family again.

I am grateful for Michael's job that supports our family. I am grateful for his manager who worked with Michael and allowed him to be at the hospital during Ethan's open heart surgeries. I'm grateful for the company's bonding leave that helped our family be together at the hospital for a majority of Ethan's hospital stay.

I am grateful for health insurance that helps pay for Ethan's hospital bills and medications. I can't believe how much the insurance has pitched in to help our family.

I am grateful for our car that was given as a gift from mom and dad Chamberlain. I don't think they realize how truly grateful I am that it is reliable and safe to transport my son to the emergency room or to the hospital for his follow up doctor appointments. We wouldn't be able to keep Ethan safe from disease using public transportation so I am so grateful for a car.

I am grateful for Randall's Children hospital that is so close. We are so blessed to live 30 minutes away from the hospital that best fits Ethan's needs. I am grateful I was able to stay with Ethan 24/7 at the hospital and that I could be such a large part of his care.

I am grateful for medical technology and equipment that keep my son alive. 

• Surgical proceedures
• IVs and PICC lines
• Medicine
• Breathing tubes and respirators
• bi-pap machine
• My breast pump so I could maintain my milk supply and have milk to feed my son after his heart surgeries.
• feeding pump and g-tube

I am grateful for my education that has taught me to love learning. Because of my education I was able to learn about Ethan's condition. I was able to ask questions and talk with the doctors on a level I couldn't have without my college education. I learned how to problem solve and I appreciate critical thinking. I am grateful for my practice in a difficult major that taught me how to handle difficult times and stress so when faced with 4 months in the hospital, I could take care of myself and my son.

I am grateful for modern baby things like disposable diapers and wipes, pacifiers, toys, baby shampoo, Desitin, cribs, changing tables, bouncers, swings, vibrators, baby clothes, burp rags, bibs, bottle warmer, and so much more. They have made life with a cardiac kid so much easier so I can focus on his medical needs and development. These items are such a blessing and I'm grateful to live during this modern age. :)