Finding Blessings

On November 30, we got a call in the night letting us know that Cody's Sister-in-Law, Katie, was in labor and that she would be having an emergency C-Section.

Little Dawson was born soon after, six weeks early, at a nice 4 lbs. 12 oz.

 

A few days later we learned that Dawson had been born with a Chromosome Syndrome, Trisomy 13.

He passed away peacefully on December 8th.

 

We've noticed God's hand in our life several times over the last twelve days. Events like these are when living so far from our families is so terrible, hard, exhausting, and frustrating.  We want nothing more than to be there. We have felt like we've spent our days wishing we could so something to help. We've prayed, long and hard, but sometimes it doesn't seem good enough. I personally would like to clean someone's house, or bake them bread, watch their kids, or buy them groceries. The sitting and waiting has been brutal.

 

We were decorating Ginger Bread Houses when we got news of Dawson's passing. Cody and I finished with tears in our eyes and our kids gathered closely. We explained to our kids what had happened and when Kevin said our bed time prayer, he said, "Please help Katie and Logan to know that Dawson is okay, because he's in Heaven." His strength, knowledge, and tenderness, was testimony strengthening for me. I'm happy that we do know where Dawson is and that we know that we will be with him again.

 

Our original plan was for Cody to fly to Idaho to be with his brother, but after talking a little more, we decided to all drive to Idaho together. There are several events (read as blessings) that have made this idea come to life. This past summer we bought a suburban in Idaho and drove it home. We've since had our Acadia for sell, and it just isn't moving. We've had very little interest in it and we have had it listed for waaaay less than it's worth. We have a pretty good feeling that it'll sell for more in Idaho. So, we will be driving that out. Cody had a few extra vacation days he hadn't used yet, which is allowing us to leave sooner than expected. Cody also has hotel rewards points saved up from work that will make our hotels free or close to. Not to mention the large drop in gas prices as of late. We had also decided months ago that we were going to do a very small Christmas this year, so before we leave, Santa will come and the kids will open a gift telling them we are going to Idaho. (This has been the hardest secret I have ever kept! I've almost blown it at least 25 times.) I am the Young Women's President in my ward and my girls will be out of town the same weeks I am, so we are having our Christmas lesson tomorrow. So many small things that have added up to one great big blessing. We are so excited to go see our families and I can only begin to imagine the joy on our children's faces when they hear that they are going, too.

Although there have been trials in our lives, we can't help but recognize the amount of blessings we've received in return.
We are blessed and we know it.