tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-539351641920910144.post8925947373257350331..comments2009-04-06T16:55:02.120-04:00Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07314686996551683137noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-539351641920910144.post-50461408792075306502009-04-06T16:55:00.000-04:002009-04-06T16:55:00.000-04:00awesome post, mandy. i've wanted to comment for a couple of days, but i can't really find the right words. here's my attempt!<BR/><BR/>as i'm in the middle of mourning the loss of "normalcy" i can't help but think there's no where else i'd rather be. actually, i'd rather be at home with a perfectly healthy baby, but that's not our reality anymore.<BR/><BR/>the comment about the yiddish proverb really stuck out to me. when i think about how "bad" we have it, i remind myself of the 3 sets of parents who have lost their babies in the past 4 weeks. we still have ours, and like you said, you'll still have baby #2.<BR/><BR/>you're an amazing mom to brayden, and you'll be the same to #2, regardless of his health. will it be stressful, hard, painful, sad, scary? heck yeah. but it will also be beautiful and perfect in its own way. <BR/><BR/>i'm praying for you and this precious baby as much as i know you're praying for me and mine. love you girl!Joyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430260308766122280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-539351641920910144.post-25879893117934217242009-04-06T12:57:00.000-04:002009-04-06T12:57:00.000-04:00Mandy- you inspire me as a mom and a woman. You have so many wonderful and great qualities. You and I both know that you can handle anything! No matter what the outcome your family and community are welcoming that perfect baby boy! Remember, no worries :)Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12488291002023823876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-539351641920910144.post-28953130562415644142009-04-06T10:44:00.000-04:002009-04-06T10:44:00.000-04:00Mandy, <BR/><BR/>In reality I think that being "abnormal" is more normal than you think. <BR/><BR/>I am reading a book called The Faith Club (about a Jewish woman, Muslim woman and Catholic woman). The Jewish woman told a story that her dad always told her (Yiddish proverb).<BR/><BR/>Think about putting all of your problems in a paper bag. And everyone else put their problems in a paper bag. And everyone put all of their paper bags in a pile (mountain). Then they told you that you could go pick out any bag you wanted. Would you?<BR/><BR/>This story has really helped me deal with these difficult things in my life. It made me realize that no matter how bad it is, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Because with those really hard things also come really good things.<BR/><BR/>Keep your head up and know that even if things change, you have a wonderful husband, amazing children and a great community who will do whatever they can to help you all!<BR/><BR/>Lots of love, <BR/><BR/>Jen McLaughlinjennynareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11364418052674667575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-539351641920910144.post-83957300848234713682009-04-06T08:55:00.000-04:002009-04-06T08:55:00.000-04:00Your heart is beautiful Mandy.<BR/><BR/> I echo Kim's comments and pray for ya often.tracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719462618314913629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-539351641920910144.post-712709523031075112009-04-05T14:52:00.000-04:002009-04-05T14:52:00.000-04:00We haven't talked about this in awhile, but I know that it's on your mind (and Daniel's) often. Just know that I do pray for you guys all the time. Whether God calls you to live a "not-so-normal" life or not, you are going to honor Him in your parenting. And we will be here to support you every step of the way! Love ya girl!Kim Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065377003219905709noreply@blogger.com