Thanksgiving brought on some thoughts and emotions with the year that we have had. I am so grateful for Ryleigh and how far she has come. It was the day after Thanksgiving last year that the bleeding started. (Not counting the intial bleeding after the Pap Test) In some ways it seems like an eternity ago, and it some ways it seems like yesterday. There are days out of no where that I will cry about Ryleigh, her birth, her journey, etc.. I will find myself nursing her in the middle of the night, then coming back to bed, and tears of happiness will fall. Or, tears of blame and guilt that still sometimes creep back. I will not ever forget her first 24 hours of life outside the womb. She is truly a reminder of what God can do, and the miracles he can work through some incredible doctors. In honor of Thanksgiving, and I how much I am grateful, I have written something for her..
I Thank You Lord
I thank you Lord for the gift of Ryleigh's life,
Even though the first few days brought us such strife.
You have a plan for Ryleigh, and the life she will lead,
We all got down on our knees for her and plead;
Lord please save this child.
I thank you Lord for bringing us through this hard time,
You helped our faith grow, and our light to shine.
We learned to turn to you and lean on you too,
We learned there is nothing you can't do.
I thank you Lord for helping this child grow,
She is a happy child, as you well know.
You have given me a chance to parent this baby,
Hopefully one day I will see her become a lady.
I thank you Lord for the blessings of family and friends,
They helped our hearts to heal and mend.
As we got down on our knees unto you in prayer,
And we lifted our hands unto you in the air;
Lord please save this child.
I thank you Lord for giving Ryleigh a second chance,
You have made my heart rejoice, sing and dance.
I cherish her more than words can say,
I am grateful for each and every day.
I thank you Lord for Aubrey and my wonderful husband too,
Without them I don't know what I would do.
I love this family you have given me.
They make me the best that I can be.
As I write this and tears fall down my face,
I want you to know Lord, I am so grateful for
Ryleigh Grace.
-Kam
Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Thanksgiving with the Tate Fam did not feel the same without Rod and Ryleigh. However, I didn't have to worry about Ryleigh's early bedtime which was nice. It was great spending time with everyone.
Aubrey, Kate and Isabelle
Aubrey, Will and Kate
All the kids minus Ryleigh
Aubs and I
Laci, Ellee and Breanne with Aunt Sandra
Tam and I
Mom and Dad
Aubrey having a good time!
Our trip to Longview was great. We got to all be together as a family, since Aubrey and Ryleigh are the only kids on the Cox side. It was wonderful having a few days together to eat, hang out, and relax together. Aubrey had a great time too.
This coat used to belong to Candice! It came in good use while we were there.
Granny Cox and Ryleigh
Papi and Aubrey
Sweet Thanksgiving pic of Aubrey and Ryleigh
Papi and his Mom Granny Cox
Candice and Jose got a new addition to their family....
Candice and Ryleigh
This was our attempt at a family photo on Thanksgiving..
This one turned out better!
Sweet Baby
Aubrey has started sleeping in Candice's bed really well. She know calls it "Aubrey's bed."
I love this pic of Mimi and Aubrey
Ryleigh is loving life!
Candice and Jose
Candice and Rod (You can tell these two are related)
Ryleigh drove us home...
