It's been eight weeks since Rees' first surgery.  So much has happened ... as I'm sure you all know.  It seems like such a long time and, yet, for all the things that we've endured with our little guy, it also seems that we could not possibly have experienced so many challenges in such a short amount of time.  Truly, friends, one thing is certain ... I have never been more tired in my entire life.  

During this time, we have been overwhelmed by a flood of various emotions but the one I'd like to address in this post is ... GRATITUDE.

The definition I just found by "googling" the word 

is this:

the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

That we are ... but so much more!  

We never expected or even imagined that there would be kthose who would come around us and alongside us in the capacity that has occurred.

Denise, Jodi, Brad, Heidi, Carol, Amy, Kim and Inita

Your gesture was so unexpected, a wonderful surprise!

We are so grateful for your kindness!

Lauren, Jane, St. James Prayer Shawl Group, Cindy and Sam, Diane, Joyce, JenJen and Dave, Pst. Tom, Pst. Bob and Becky, Rose, Della and Gerry

All of the gifts, toys and balloons for Rees are so appreciated and have helped to keep him busy and cheerful!

Nicoleta, Kathy, Amy, Kate, Amy, Connie, Betty, Kerry, Mary, Laura Inita, Kristin, Brad, Jodi, Jennifer, Kathy, Ellen, Deb

We have really enjoyed all the wonderful meals and the gift cards have been so helpful!  We are amazed at the generosity and humbled by the "love".

... and a super-duper-extra-special THANK-YOU goes to those who donated PTO to my account so that I will be able to receive a paycheck soon!!  I don't get to know who you are but you will always hold a special place in my heart!!

Sue and Martin 

...your gift is such a blessing and is a beautiful reminder of how God has been with us and is our Helper in times of trouble and despair.  It means so much to us to have this link to you and the place that is ultimately how he was given his name. 

It has been especially amazing to us how the internet and these simple blog posts have linked us to so many beautiful strangers who have been touched and moved to bestow gifts to us ... 

... Rebecca, Laleh, Joanne ...

Each gift has meant so much and always comes at just the right moment to encourage, to bless, to lift us up!  We are in awe at how God has 'shown up' and made His presence known to us through the kindness of beautiful strangers who are forevermore our friends. 

Bob and Donna, Stu and Janet, Bill and Pam, Wayne and Cleo, Jackson Elementary Staff, Aunt Joan, Carol, Lori and Grant, Mary Ann and Richard, Della and Gerry, John and Gladys, Aunt Mary Kay and Uncle Jim, Diane and Chuck, Jerry and Rose, Andrew and Ishbel, Bob and Elaine, Grandmas and Grandpas, and quite possibly there's more ...

The meals, The money, The cards and The prayers have meant MORE than you know, MORE than we could have ever imagined!  We never knew how much a simple meal meant ... until we were given one ... at a time when preparing food was the furthest thing from our minds.  The monetary gifts are an incredible blessing and have helped us tremendously as we incur a mountain of medical fees and expenses.  The cards have encouraged us and put a smile on our faces and a hug around our hearts.  The prayers ... they have meant the world to us ... your prayers have been what we have counted on when it became too difficult to pray or when the words would not come easily.  We are forever grateful and we PRAY that each one of you will feel God's presence and be blessed abundantly in your time of need just as you have done for us.  

When we have made it through to the other side of all this, we will do our best NOT to fall into a miserable pit of despair as these wonderful gestures come to a screeching halt!!  

I have decided that I must be a princess because I could very easily become accustomed to all this "royal treatment"!!!  

Okay, so there's your bit of humor to start off your weekend ... BUT SERIOUSLY ... we will never be able to thank you all enough and this period of time in our lives will become a 'memorial' to the Greatness and GLORY of God by YOU who were literally His Hands and Feet.