Are They Twins? Yes...and No

Today is the 4th Anniversary of our sweet Brady's death.  So much has happened in those 4 years, but it is a day that Andy and I will remember vividly forever.  We had decided the previous day to have Brady baptized (not because we thought he needed it to enter Heaven, but as a wonderful way to celebrate his short life before he died) and then to remove him from the ventilator that was breathing for him.  Pastor Mark, and many of our family were able to be there that day and we video taped his baptism.  I usually watch it today every year, and will again as time permits later today.  After he was baptized, our family went to the waiting room, and the medical staff helped us get Brady unhooked from all of his machines.  They used a bag to keep him breathing so that we could go to a private room and Andy could hold him before he passed away.  I had the honor of holding him once during Kangaroo Care before he got his infection.  Once we were in the room, they unhooked the bag and gave him some extra pain medicine, because I insisted that I did not want him to suffer at all before he died.  He only lived for a few minutes, and it was awful, and wonderful all at the same time.  After Andy and I said goodbye to him, we dressed and wrapped him in a tiny blue blanket, and let Eli come in and see him.  He reacted like any 2 year old-with interest for about a second. :)  Then, other family who wanted to, came in to hold him and say their goodbyes.  We did footprints and bathed him off afterwards, and I will forever cherish that time with him.  It was so hard to let them take him, but thankfully, God, in His grace and mercy, gave us two other blessings who needed our care and attention (3 counting Eli)! 

We truly felt then, and still do today, that God saved Brady's life long enough for Jordan and Drew to be the healthy, happy kids they are today.  He also answered our prayers.  He always does.  While we prayed for his miraculous healing and for time here on Earth, we also prayed for Brady to not have a life of pain and suffering.  God healed him by taking him to Heaven, and it is with HOPE that we await getting to see him again.  That is what Easter is about.  The hope that was created through Jesus' death and resurrection.

When people ask if Jordan and Drew are twins, we all usually say "yes".  Because for all practical reasons, they are.  They will grow up together, in the same class, be the same age, and people will notice that.  So, when someone in the grocery store asks if they are twins, I say that they are.  But sometimes, when I know that I am meeting someone who is going to be a part of our lives in some way, I reply, "Well, they are actually surviving triplets."  That allows me to share Brady's story with them, so that he is remembered and his story can still bring someone to Christ, through the help of the Holy Spirit.  During my quiet reflection time this morning (while rocking Luke), I imagined Jordan and Drew when they are older.  They go on a first date, and as they sit in a restaurant talking and getting to know their love interest, they share Brady's story and share what a huge part of our life he was and is.  He will never be forgotten, and while we do not understand it all, we do trust that God is in control.  He healed Brady one way, and Luke in another.  Andy and I are forever thankful for both of these sons; for the time we got with Brady, and continue to get to spend with Luke.

God's Healing Touch

The three big kids and I went to church for the first time I a long time on Friday night. Since Luke has been home, we have really limited our exposure to the germs of the outside world. But as Luke gets older, stronger and healthier, we are able to do some of the things we love once again. Yes, church is one of them. We LOVE our church home at Acts 2 UMC. When Luke first came home and was in the hospital, Eli would get upset when he had to miss church and would ask us each week if we could go.

It was wonderful to worship God again! It always renews my soul. This weekend, the sermon was (and is for those reading this today), about healing. God's ability to heal anything. Our job is to pray for healing and accept that we do not and should not understand the how or why of who God heals and who he doesn't. The other point I want to share is that it isn't related to "how much faith you have". People of little or no faith have been healed throughout history, and saints and disciples of Christ have not.

On Friday night, those who wanted to could kneel and ask for specific healing after communion. We all went and knelt together. Eli asked for "Luke's veins" (meaning lungs) to be healed. We also asked for the kids' allergies and Jordan and Drew's asthma to be healed. They get weekly allergy shots and we all would love to be done with them! I asked for healing of my endometriosis so that I don't need surgery in the future.

Our prayers for Luke have been answered!! I know god has been healing his body completely since he got sick in December, but He answered our specific healing prayer this weekend. LAST NIGHT, LUKE WENT ALL NIGHT WITHOUT NEEDING ANY SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN!! Not only did he keep his oxygen levels up while he slept, they actually are staying higher than they have ever been, even when he is awake! Praise God and thank you from all or us!!!!

Happy Birthday Times 3!

I can't believe that it's been 4 years since I was in the hospital on bedrest carrying triplets!! Tomorrow, I have the joy of hugging Jordan and Drew and smothering them with kisses to celebrate their special day. Their Daddy will be home on Friday, and I am sure he will do the same. We also will light a candle and sing Happy Birthday to our Brady Thomas, who we remember and talk about often at our house. All of the kids mention him more around this time of year, and even more so this year because of Luke Thomas' birth and near death episode in December. Drew asked me at bedtime recently if Brady was still a baby in Heaven, or if he was older like him. Eli has shared how sad he is that he doesn't get to play with him. Jordan talks about how she can't wait to see her triplet brother when she gets to Heaven. Eli even asked what day we could watch "Brady's video", which is a slideshow of photos put to music that we played at his Memorial Service, and which we watch every year on the anniversary of his death. These are the ways we celebrate him and it warms my heart when I hear my children talk about him so openly.

We have been blessed beyond measure! The kids are being spoiled rotten by having several birthday celebrations. One on Sunday so that Grandpa and GG could be part of it, dinner out tomorrow night, and then with Daddy this weekend. All if the kids really have grown up so much the last 6 months, and we are so proud of them and so thankful that God chose us to be their parents!! I have lots of fun photos to share, but that will have to be later because its time to sleep in our house. Being a Mommy to these 4 kids is awesome and exhausting! :)