Things to be Thankful For...

One year ago today, I was waking up in a hospital bed after one of the most difficult nights of my life. I was in a blind fog, smiling, chatting with my mom and Ryan who were there with me... trying to pretend that life really hadn't taken the turn that it had. Trying to pretend that our baby wasn't gone.

Over the course of the night, we had said our first of many goodbyes to our tiny Brody.

Today, the fog has lifted. I am blatantly, undeniably aware of everything that happened to us. Everything that came crashing down in a few quick moments--and everything that has happened since that day. These are the things I will never forget.

I'm thankful, today and always, for what this life experience has taught us. I'm amazed at how WE came out of such a terrible thing. I am thankful that the emotions are no longer raw and unbearable, thankful for the friends I have met along the way (especially you, BC Girls), for the opportunity for growth that I was able to find in something so unnerving, and finally, thankful for this new little baby of ours, who we will hopefully be welcoming to the world very soon.

Celebrate your friends and families today. We never know how precious things are until we cannot have them anymore.

Jen!

Sweet Jen, I knew this was coming... I just KNEW it! I'm so completely over-the-moon thrilled for you!

My dearest Carly...

There are no words to express how I feel for you today. I wish I could take away your pain, take away these recent events... I can't, though, so I just want you to know that I love you to pieces.

Friends...

In honor of some of the best friends a girl could ask for... I'm writing this special post to acknowledge my friends who live in my computer. So... Becca, Jen, Melanie, Eve, Rose, Dee, Cristina, Gretchen, Jessica, Heather, Tara, Sue, Meagan, Stephanie, Katie, Tori, Becky, Anne, Amy, Dreama, Carly, Tam, Traci, Amy2 and Nell; Here's to YOU!

You, my Base Camp friends, have been an extreme source of support and encouragement since the day I joined you in December. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined so many of us would come together under such circumstances, but I'm grateful for each of you every day.

And Becca, just for you... how about a nice serving of Pad Rash?

Now, if you're reading this and you've got NO clue what I'm talking about... well, that's ok. These ladies, my Base Campers, have seen me through what has been the most difficult process in my life. So just be grateful for them.