29 and 30 DONE!!!

29. I am thankful for modern everything. How hard life would be without electricity, medicine, warm showers, cars, microwaves, dishwashers, phones, computers, curling irons:), air planes, etc..... I am very grateful to live in today's world!!! I would have been a horrible pioneer.

30. Whew... I made it all the way to 30. I am thankful for pictures. I love taking pictures and they are so awesome to look back at. I am grateful for this blog and the memories it creates for my family. These are some of my all time FAVORITE pictures..... I have so many more favorites, but here are a few!!!!

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28. I am thankful for Laynie, her medical equipment and supplies, and how she has taught me things I didn't know I needed to learn!!!!

Of course, I am extremely grateful for her medical equipment. It is crucial to her and gives her a chance at life. Without it, she couldn't survive on her own. Therefore, I am so grateful for all of it... ALL OF IT.... I am even grateful for the loud alarms that go off all night long, suctioning all day and night, and taking apart her vent to take it with us if we stay over night, and putting it back together, just to take it down and do it all again when we get home:) I am grateful to get our 10 huge boxes of monthly supplies from Norco. These are actually all things that I often curse about, but I am STILL sooooooo thankful for them!!! All of it is a love/ hate relationship. Love it because it helps Laynie, but hate it because it is such a pain mentally, physically, and financially. I dream about being able to hold my girl and just run with her.... far away from all of this stuff. One day I hope my dream will come true, but for now her equipment is what keeps her alive and well, so there will be no running far away. My dream will remain a dream for now!!!

This little girl is just the biggest sweetheart on the face of the planet. Everyone that knows her knows this. Her light and beauty just shines from her. She has brought so much joy and happiness into our lives. I can't even begin to explain how much she has taught me. She has taught me so much that I didn't know I needed to learn, and continues to do so. I have a new perspective on life and I will always be thankful to Laynie for giving that to me. I know she is here to teach me and I know I have so much more to learn. I am honestly so thankful for the challenges I have faced being Laynie's mother, because it has made me so much stronger.

Medical equipment and supplies..... and this isn't even close to all of it!!!

This girl just melts my heart. All the hard work and sleepless nights are so worth it when I get to spend every day with this sweetheart. She seriously melts my heart!!! Thank you for being my baby girl... I am so grateful for YOU!!!

Dear Santa...

He's making a list...

 

Checking it twice...

He's gonna find out whose naughty or nice...

 

 Santa Clause is coming to town!!!

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26. I am thankful for things that make me happy!!!! Such as.....the smell of a clean house, Dr. Pepper with a straw, laffy taffy ropes, romantic comedies, flip-flop tan lines, wearing comfy pants, rocking a sleeping baby, watching my favorite shows, dancing with the kids, group hugs as a family, taking pictures of my kids, listening to Drake say his prayers, just looking at Laynie and giggling cause she is so funny, when Trevor comes home from work, a full night sleep, sunlight shining in my house, getting a package at my door, the feeling when I do something nice for someone, an unexpected phone call or text, watching funny videos, chips and salsa, date nights with my husband, weekend adventures, and watching my kids play together.

27. I am thankful for my healthy body and my families healthy bodies. I never realize what a tremendous blessing it is to have a healthy body until I am sick. It really makes me thankful for my good health. Although Laynie wasn't really born with the healthiest body, I am still thankful that she is healthy enough!!! She is healthy enough to be home and enjoy life. I know what it is like when she is not healthy and that mental image makes me extremely grateful for her health today!

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24. I am so thankful for the love my kids share for eachother. For the longest time Drake really stuggled showing any type of love to Laynie. He was never mean to her and he never hurt her in any way, but he was extremely distant towards her. He would basically freak out if she touched him. It has gotten 100 times better in the past year or so. I remember being so upset about it and I had no clue what to do. I talked to Drake a lot and I figured out that he thought if she were to touch him or get close to him then he was going to get some of the stuff that she has (trach, o2, feeding tube, etc...). We talked A LOT about this and explained to him that he wasn't going to get the same things that his sister has. I tell him that he is so lucky because he was born healthy and Laynie is just special and needs a little bit of help so she can be healthy too. Then he asks me if he is special too!?!?!? He also asked me the other day if he had a tube to eat when he was a baby. I am sure it is complicated to understand for a 4 year old.

I am grateful that Laynie has Drake as a big brother. I have complete confidence that Drake is going to be the best teacher and protector for her. Over the past year I have watched him go from being afraid of her to absolutely adoring her. He talks to her in a sweet voice, lets her follow him everywhere, teaches her everything without even knowing it, puts her oxygen back on when it falls off, and gets me a kleenex whenever I need it to wipe her nose. He always asks when Laynie is going to wake up from her nap and likes to call her princess. I know he was made perfectly for our family, just like Laynie was. Laynie signs Drake all day long and absolutely loves her brother to death. There is nothing that makes her happier than playing with him.

I fear so much for both of my kids as they get older. The world is such a cruel place sometimes. Of course I fear more for Laynie's future and how she will fit in. I know that Drake will help her and look after her. He has the kindest heart and he is a perfect big brother for Laynie.... and I am so grateful for that!!!!

 

25. I am thankful for Trevor's job. It is a blessing today to even have a job!!! I am grateful that Trevor works so hard for us and that I am able to stay home with the kids. Trevor actually got a new job and is going to be starting his second week of work this week. He is doing accounting for an engineering company. We are really excited about the change and I know Trevor will do awesome. He really does great at whatever he does!!!

21, 22, 23, and Thanksgiving!!!!

 21. I am thankful for my basic needs. This is something that I probably take for granted more than anything. I have food, water, clothing, and shelter. Some people don't have these blessings and I am so grateful that all of my basic needs are met.

 

22. I am thankful for family. My family is the most important thing to me. I have such great relationships with those in my family. I am really lucky to have such a great family.

We spent Thanksgiving this year at Trevor's parent's house. The food was delicious and we had a great time.

My mom came over the day before and we baked a bananna creme pie and a jello salad. It was my first time ever making a pie. It turned out really yummy!!!

I had a spatula in my hand with pie filling on it and I asked my mom to take a picture with me. I put it in her face right as I took the picture!!! haha

 Drake loves his grandpa

 Getting ready for Black Friday. Drake had his list for Santa all picked out:)

 Me, my mom, and her friend Shelley went out in the madness on Thursday night. We went to Walmart, Kmart, and Old Navy. We had fun and I got a great start to my Christmas shopping, but the line at Kmart was the slooowwest moving line in the entire world.

22. I am thankful for family fun time. Something as simple and out of the ordinary as phase ten just makes me smile!!!

19 and 20

 19. I am thankful for my in-laws. I certainly married into an awesome family!!! My mother-in-law and father-in-law are so kind and giving. They are always there when I need them to watch Drake, and Drake's favorite thing to do is go to McDonald's with Grandma Maureen, they doggie-sit and never complain about it, they provide enormous amounts of food whenever we go over there, they host the best backyard pool parties in the summer, and they are such a good example to Trevor and I. And I am one lucky lady if Trevor turns out like his dad.

 

20. I am so thankful for progress, Laynie's progress to be more specific. It is so amazing to see how far she has come. Even some of her doctor's are shocked if they haven't seen her for awhile to see how far she has come. To see these pictures of her in her first few months of life is crazy. She was still only 6 lbs when she was 2 months old (and she started out at 5lbs 13oz).  She was so incredibly sick for her first 2 months of life. When someone hears that she has had 13 surgeries, has a trach, is on oxygen 24 hrs a day, is 100% tube fed, uses a ventilator at night, and is deaf........ I would assume they would think that she would be largely effected by everything and would be hugely delayed. It is amazing that she is where she is today. Yes, she is delayed in certain areas, but it really is a miracle that she has come so far. She knows about 50 signs, she can work my iphone and play games, she copies whatever her brother does, she can get wherever she wants, she can walk along furniture, and she is close to walking independently. I am so impressed with her progress and I am so thankful she has the mental capabilities, strength, desire, and fiery attitude to work hard at what she wants.

Her progress is truly inspiring!!!

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16. I am thankful for friends and neighbors. I always love having a girl's night!!! We went to Breaking Dawn part 2 on Friday. I loved it:)

17. I am thankful for weekends. I love having my husband home. Trevor always says I have such big expectations for Saturdays. I am always wanting to get a bunch done or go out and about. I really enjoy busy Saturdays, but nice relaxing ones are nice too (on occasion). I talked Trevor into putting the lights up outside and I got busy inside getting all the decorations out. Our home really feels magical now. I love having the tree up. Drake and Laynie thought it was so cool to help decorate the tree. Apparently they still do, because I keep finding Lightning McQueen and Mater in the tree. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Petersen home!!!

18. I am thankful for the gospel in my life. I am grateful for Jesus Christ, the Atonement, my faith, our prophet, temples, and my religion.

14 and 15

14. I am thankful for Primary Children's Medical Center. I have spent the worst and scariest days of my life inside those hospital doors, but I am so grateful for the wonderful medical staff that saved Laynie's life. We have only great words to say about the care that Laynie has recieved there. I feel normal and comfortable at PCMC. I don't feel weird to pull out the suction machine or feed Laynie in the hallway.

My heart aches, but is full of gratitude when I see someone fighting harder than Laynie.... like when the brave little girl with an almost bald head (only strands left), wearing a mask walks onto the elevator with us.

I am a veteran-mom in the surgery waiting room. I don't enjoy waiting for hours while I hand over my daughter's life to someone else, but they always make me feel so comfortable and at peace. I know what happens on the inside of the 2nd floor PICU. It is a heartbreaking place to be, but I am so grateful for the amazing doctors that deal with life-threatening situations.

I am so thankful for everything Primary Children's has done for Laynie. I just wish I could close my eyes, snap my fingers and it would be in my own home-town!!!

 

15. I am thankful for Drake's preschool and sweet little children. They are so innocent. I love listening to Drake talk to his friends or imaginary play with his toys. Children are so sweet! Drake had a Thanksgiving program at preschool today and here is a snip of it.

10-13

10. My mom... I am thankful that my mom and I are so close. We always have been and I am certain we always will be. I am thankful she is always there to get advice from and chat to when I need a listening ear. She is a great example to me. We made these super cute candy jars on Saturday together!!!

11. Technology... I am so thankful for my phone, computer, tv, appliances, and all the awesome stuff I get to enjoy because others are so smart:)

12. Laynie's therapists... She has an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, a speech therapist, and a deaf consultant. They have all helped her get where she is today. They set big goals for her and I appreciate that. We went to the mall for physical therapy for Laynie to use her walker in a big open area. She rocked the mall. She walked so far and she was so tired when we got home. She was quite the attraction at the mall. Everyone would stop and look at her and comment at how cute she was. There were 3 little old ladies walking the mall and they were so sweet to her. They came up to her and said, "Isn't she the sweetest thing you have ever seen?" "Oh my goodness, bless her little heart." and "She is just an angel!!!" It was pretty sweet!!!

13. My husband... It just happens to also be his birthday today! Happy 29th Birthday!!! He is just perfect for me and I am so thankful for all he does for me. I love him so much it is almost gross. When he was sick for 3 days last week he stayed in the spare bedroom and never came out because he really didn't want us catching the flu. Even though he was in our house and I could talk to him and bring him in soup from time to time, I really missed him!!! When he was better I was so excited for a hug!!! He is my best friend and I am so grateful to have such an awesome husband and father to my kids!

 

Happy 29th Birthday

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07. I am thankful to be a stay-at-home mom..... so I can enjoy my kids and do things like this.........

It is the hardest job, but the best job in my opinion!!!

 

08. I am thankful for nice fall weather. Yesterday was so nice and we took full advantage of it, because today it is snowing.

 

09. I am thankful for pajama days. Poor Trevor has been super sick with the flu for the past 3 days and we have been hanging out and lounging. Every day is pajama day, but I usually put on a cute shirt and wear sweats or yoga pants. But today is a real pajama day... huge sweat pants and my husband's old t-shirt:)

Love them...

6

06. Can you guess what I am thankful for today????? I am thankful for this country. For my right to vote. For the freedoms I enjoy. And for the men and women that serve and protect our nation. I am so blessed and grateful to live in this country!!!!!

Romney/Ryan 2012

Thankful 1-5

 I know I am a little late, but oh well. I thought I wasn't going to do THANKFULL posts this year because I did it last year and I would probably end up posting the same things. I was afraid I couldn't come up with enough thankful posts for every day of November. That is the reason I am doing this. I have sooooo much to be thankful for and I better be able to come up with many more than 30 things I am thankful for. So here it goes.....

 

01. I am thankful for my home..... having electricity and warmth. I am still praying for those affected by Superstorm Sandy!!! We painted a wall in our living room and it is amazing the difference it makes. I love it!!! It is sort of a rust color.

 

 

 02. I am thankful for a boy that makes me laugh every day. It makes me smile that he pretends to be a pirate in the tub....

 and he lines all of his stuffed animals up to watch Dora with him. He makes my life at home interesting and awesome!!!

 

 03. I am thankful for my doggies. They drive me absolutely crazy with all their barking, but they still take up a piece of my heart:)

Ernie and Elmer

04. I am thankful for sleeping kids. There is something so peaceful when the kids go to bed!!! It is an accomplishment and a time that I love to spend with just Trev and me!!! I also love that Laynie is wearing a necklace to bed and that Elmer loves to lay by Drake.

 

05. I am thankful for Laynie's nurse, Holly. She fits perfectly in our family and loves Laynie so much. She does her job so well and I trust her with all my heart. I am thankful that we have her to help give us sleep and let me go out once a week for errands and an occasional date:)

HaLlOwEeN

 Happy Halloween!!!! We weren't sure if we were going to be home sick on Halloween or not. Drake had pink eye the day before and around lunch time on Halloween Laynie starting vomitting multiple times. I though for sure she had the stomach flu. I borrowed some pedialite from my neighbor and put her down for a nap. She woke up as happy as can be with no more signs of the stomach bug:) So we got all dressed up and went to Blake and Amy's house for a delicious dinner and trick-or-treating!!! Then we went to visit some grandparents and headed back home. I feel bad we weren't home to hand out candy. I don't remember when Halloween night was so warm. It was awesome! We had a great Halloween!!!

 Watch out...... we are SCARY!!!!

 Laynie and Grandma Maureen

I am glad I got pictures of the kids earlier because there was way too much going on to get any good pictures of them in their costumes!!!!