Well, here we are at one week old and I don’t know where to begin. I have moments that I am so overwhelmed with the what if’s that it almost paralyzes me. Then I realize I truly do not know how this will all work itself out and the details I need to leave in God’s hands. I remind myself that “ALL of Claire’s days were ordained by Him,” and a sense of relief floods my heart. Billy and I have been in total agreement since the diagnosis that we are going to handle this with arms wide open, with as much joy as we can muster, and obtain all that we can from this journey.

I am surprised, the toughest times SO FAR seem like hiccups. For that I am thankful. Everywhere we turn, we truly do see a divine plan unraveling. My faith has been so bleak at times, but isn’t it amazing that He said it takes only the size of a mustard seed and POW, look what He will go and do in return! If you would have told me a week ago that I would be strolling with my husband and little baby around my neighborhood, I would’ve thought you were silly. I wouldn’t want this situation for anyone, BUT we ARE each given difficult or trying situations; and are any really any worse than the other? I look around me and think WOW; this is nothing in comparison to …

Being married to my husband has been my greatest achievement in life so far, and I can confidently say I understand why God said it is better to be together than alone because you have a good return for your work. If one falls down, the other will pick him up. I think we get so busy running our own race that we forget what our true destiny is. We have a 3lb 4oz angel that is created from love and when she locks eyes with me or smiles at me as she’s beginning to do, nothing else seems to matter. The “what if’s” melt away and we are so overcome with emotion that we are able to experience her in a way that I thought would never be possible. Isn’t that what being a parent is about?

Thank you again for all the wonderful emails and for joining us on our trip with Claire. I only thought it was an honor to carry her for 9 months, to think how sick her little body is and she has fought like a champ to be here.
Being the Rolling Stones fan that I am, ole Mic was ever so right when he belted out “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might just find, you get what you need.” Our family indeed needed Claire.