Deep Heartfelt Gratitude

I can't even begin to express how much the love and support we have received as of late has touched me. People have been crawling out of the woodworks to offer their time, prayer, hope, financial support, babysitting, ears and shoulders, anything and everything I could ever imagine. I am shocked and overwhelmingly moved by all of this. This has been such a difficult and soul crushing few weeks. I know for a fact I wouldn't be where I am mentally and emotionally without all of you. The weight of these days are too heavy for our little family. Luckily we have legions of kind souls willing to each take some of our burden. I am forever in your debt. Below is a very incomplete list of just a few of the kindness we have experienced as of late.

My mother has spent weeks on and off caring for my boys while we tend to Linus and all of his needs. She even made the 6 hour trip in the middle of the night when Linus crashed last week. My father came to support us at the hospital during Linus's surgery and drove in immediately when Linus went down. He stayed the weekend and made sure we ate and drank and slept properly. He even went out and bought us camping pads so we were more comfortable sleeping in the waiting room on the nights that we didn't get a bed at Ronald McDonald. My sister has watched the boys several times throughout their lives and more recently has taken care of them while Trina and I switch out for our shifts at the hospital. All of my siblings put their bosses and lives on notice that if we need them in any way, they would drop everything and come.

Trina's mother and sister have both flown in and worked themselves ragged helping us care for the boys, the pets and the house day and night. Her other siblings are scheduled to come visit at separate times so the help is spread out over time giving us better long term coverage. Her family also chipped in to hire us a maid to help us with the house so we could focus on our boys.

My coworkers know we have to make the 2-2.5 hour round trip to the hospital every 2 days so we can switch out so they passed around the hat and collected money to help us pay for gas.

The Erika Kate Foundation , an amazing charity, has provided us with both emotional and financial support during these trying times.

Several very good friends (Fiona, Kasey, Vada & Stacey to name a few) have come by the house to help us care for the babies, have come to the hospital and helped us care for ourselves and have made themselves available day and night to listen if/when we need to talk.

Friends and family have started a FaceBook event: A day of prayer for Linus & group: Linus Prayer Circle. To my complete shock and amazement more than 900 people have joined one or the other. My inbox is filled daily with friends, family and complete strangers alike wishing us well.

So many of my family, friends, blog friends, fellow triplet mamas & heart baby mamas text, call, email, message me, leave comments or write me daily. These thoughtful words help me through the hard times. I cherish every single one.

My friend, Hope, made 3 gorgeous blog buttons to share with anyone who wants to post them. They'll help spread awareness for CHD and Linus's fight. Not to mention plaster my adorable child's picture all over the internet for everyone to admire. How can you not fall in love with that face?

My dear friend Traci sent me the most perfect painting of a Robin's nest with 3 blue eggs and made a donation to the Erika Kate Foundation in Linus's name.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry of Bath United Methodist Church sent Linus a beautiful handmade shawl. Betty Harris, a woman dear to my Aunt's heart, prayed for him as she crocheted it. It was then passed around the congregation so they could all touch it while they prayed for comfort, love and compassion. Since it arrived, we have received so many compliments on Linus's "blue blanket." I can picture him curling up with it for years to come.

Dozens of doctors, nurses, techs, therapists and volunteers at Texas Children's have made it their personal mission to care for Linus and keep him as comfortable and healthy as they possibly can. They continually go above and beyond what is in their job description. So many of them have stopped by his room to check on him and chat with us when they were off the clock or not "assigned" to him. You can really tell how much they love our little guy.

I could keep writing all night, but I won't. It's late and past my bedtime. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone listed and to everyone who's not. You all have made the last 5 1/2 months bearable and we would be completely lost without you.