Love is all around us

When I was in the hospital on Friday, completely harried and totally exhausted, I received a surprise visit from one of our new neighbors and it completely turned me around for the rest of the day.  She drove all the way down to deliver a beautiful basket filled with various contributions from pretty much every single neighbor in our development.  It brought me to tears when I began going through the gifts after she left.  And, of course, nothing gets Ty more excited than "pennies" - which is what he calls "presents" (he especially loved the Easter book that we've read about 100 times by now). On top of that, I learned that while I was away from home for more than three weeks, our neighbors rallied together (thank you so much, Marilyn) to  provide home cooked meals and non-stop groceries for Gavin, Lou and our amazing babysitter Amela.  What a tremendous help this was to my family.  I can't wait to get to know our neighbors better, we are very lucky!

When we arrived home, Ty had the biggest package waiting for him that I have ever seen.  I think the entire state of Georgia contributed to this care package, and it was FILLED to the brim with LOVE.  Ty really turned around yesterday and he was being such a good boy (sharing with his little brother) so we decided to pull out the box for him when he least expected it.  OMG!!!  I wish I thought to video tape his reaction.  He lost control to non-stop giggling.  There were toys upon toys (a dream come true to any three-year old); you just wouldn't believe the array of amazing things.  Lou and I were in just as much awe as Ty was.  When we began going through the cards together I couldn't believe how many people who we have never even met took the time to send such amazing words of encouragement.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you (Mary, you are amazing).  

"For you I bleed myself dry…"

Mary, who was responsible for pulling together that amazing package, also included a CD of fun music for Ty.  This was huge for me because I can't tell you how much I HATE the one CD of completely awful kids songs that TY otherwise makes me listen to over and over and over again.  I wasn't even sure he would allow it, but as soon as he heard the first song he was totally into it, and so was I!  What a treat to listen to some new music. 

In the middle of some of our favorites from Disney movies and SpongeBob was a song just for me… Coldplay, Yellow. I always thought that song was a beautiful love song but I never thought of it in the context of my love for Ty and I haven't listened to it in ages.  Coldplay is one of my all time favorites, but I rarely listen to any music these days because I can so easily fall into sadness.  As soon as I heard the first chord, I started weeping, but it was such a good cry!  A river of tears streamed down my face because every word rang true to how much I love my baby boy, and how much the world around him loves him, too.  I needed that, it felt really good and I listened to it over and over again while Ty slept quietly in his car seat.  How cute that the following song is Hakuna Matata from the Lion King J

Arbonne!

I recently received two "pennies" for myself, as well.  A set of super "comfies" that were delivered to my hospital room (what a treat!!!) and an incredible array of products from Arbonne.  I never used that line of skin care products before, but after just two days I swear I am a lifer!  I don't look like I'm 100 years old anymore, I actually feel a little refreshed!  Of course, sleeping at home the past two nights helped, but I swear I love this stuff and I am hooked.  The gift included baby products as well, like lotion and sunscreen, and I can't wait to try it.

Terrific Ty

Most importantly, Ty is doing terrific.  He is definitely going through an emotional adjustment because we came home only to return to the hospital for hours on end each day, but he is getting stronger every day and making amazing strides.  He can hold his fork again, he can hold his head up well, and he is actually eating and drinking a little bit throughout the day.  The radiation is working Y'all!