Ordinary Miracles

When I look at Adilyn I'm amazed to think she's here, healthy and strong and ours forever. We prayed and cried and hoped she'd come someday. We worried and hoped and prayed through the pregnancy, and did the same while she was in the hospital. We celebrated every one of her victories--staying alive her first couple of days, breathing well with machines, breathing only room air, staying warm on her own, learning to eat on her own; gaining a handful of ounces and even filling diapers. I cried when she'd have a bad day or fell back a little. I was amazed as I watched her adjust to life--starting to make sounds, recognizing our voices, opening her eyes, and even seeing her little eyelashes and toenails grow in.

Now she's twelve weeks old and doing so well--just like a normal baby--an ordinary baby...and it got me thinking how wonderful ordinary miracles really are. This week she learned to copy our gestures, follow us with her eyes, and she figured out exactly how she likes to be held -- it's opposite of how we hold her when she falls asleep :)I just marvel at her. She is just a miracle. I am so thankful that I have been given this blessing in my life.

Adi's middle name is Grace, and it's because everything about her has happened through the grace of our Heavenly Father. I want her to always know that. I felt it so strong when we were in the hospital especially. I know He was there with us and with her, and that He was so aware of us. We felt so much comfort through the entire thing, especially the hardest moments. I know it was because of Him. Even our little Hudson handled things better than we expected. I learned so much about faith and patience and love just from waiting for Adi, and only beginning the adoption process, then following sweet promptings that led us to finally getting her here, at just the right time to keep us both safe.

Something else happened today that reaffirmed my faith in His involvement in our lives. Four weeks before Adi was born, Brent's hours at work were cut in half because of some ISU budget cuts. So the last little while has been interesting financially. And hard. I knew there had to be a purpose for it, though, and that it didn't just happen by chance--especially because of the timing--when we finally had Adi, and when the bills and expenses were going to be astronomical. Brent and I have discussed it a lot. We haven't understood it, we've just felt like it would be okay (not having any idea HOW)and that it would eventually make sense.

Since then we've had more blessings than I can list. I had a couple of weddings scheduled for August--seemingly bad timing. Brent & Brian even shot one of them because it was the weekend I had Adi. But the extra money actually couldn't have come at a better time. We had help from family with food, gas and lodging while we were in Logan. I've had people who have owed me money forever calling and asking if they could pay me. I've had overdue invoices I was able to collect. I prayed and prayed that I would be able to start pictures again when I could handle it because I knew the money would help, but I refuse to put work before Adi. I'd rather eat ramen and park the car for six months. Slowly I've felt ready to work again, and the work has come, with little or no advertising on my part, and Brent's been home to watch Adi when I've been working. He's also been able to find extra work in the most random circumstances.

Last week our bill was significantly reduced through assistance through the hospital--because of Brent's hour cutback. This morning we found out he gets to go full time again. I paid my tithing yesterday, and we've been paying it all along. You can't convince me it's a coincidence. None of this is. We've been able to spend most of two extra days a week together--the three of us, during Adi's first few months, we've learned a lot about a lot of things and we've grown.

It all may sound like no big deal, like just ordinary coincidences, but we know we've been blessed with miracles.