Gratitude.

Piper is on the mend and has been fever-free for five days. She still has a pesky cough and runny nose, but we are so thankful that the flu was brief.

Watts, mercifully, seems to be in the clear from getting the flu. He has been having some diarrhea as well as diaper rash due to the combination of Tamiflu and his weekend antibiotic, but has otherwise been happy and wild and thrilled to be home. I went to check his counts locally yesterday and his ANC is currently zero which makes him severely neutropenic and incredibly susceptible to infections. His low counts are expected after his hospital stay and he will be getting neupogen shots at home until his counts recover. Until then, we are holed up at home and praying for no infections or viruses.

Lately I have been feeling a little like the wandering Israelites, gripping in the wilderness over the monotony of manna. Being cooped up with two little ones for days on end makes me feel like a crazy person sometimes and there have been moments where my heart has been less than grateful for our current situation. The Lord is patient with my fickle heart and when I step back with a little perspective, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness.

We just made it through a bout with the flu WITHOUT WATTS GETTING IT!

We are home. Period.

I have the privilege to stay home with my children while Michael works...

which is SO necessary during this season. I know not everyone has this ability.

Watts is still in remission and doing great.

My marriage is surviving this cancer hurricane... 

although I wish I could have a month away with my man, 

even in the midst of it, I love him SO much more than I did 8 months ago.

The Lord's faithfulness and goodness to us daily... He has never left or forsaken us.

And to end, I read this hymn verse this morning and am loving it:

Crown Him the Son of God, before the worlds began,

And ye who tread where He hath trod, crown Him the Son of Man;

Who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast,

And takes and bears them for His own, that all in Him may rest.

(Crown Him with Many Crowns, Matthew Bridges)