Gratitude

Ah, where do I start?  We have had one crazy week.  One week ago tonight I was busy rushing around, trying to get us ready for a trip to St. George.  We spent the weekend there watching Kyle ride in a 100 mile bike race.  I could tell something was not quite right with my Krissy.  She was drinking and going to the bathroom a whole lot more than she usually does.  Based on past experience, this made me very nervous.  By the time we got back to Orem I was sick to my stomach.  Literally.  We went straight to my parents house to check her blood sugar.  We did a quick test on my dad's monitor and when the results came back as CRITICAL HIGH  we knew our lives had changed forever.  We (me, my Mom, Dad, Tiff, & Kyle) all stood there for a minute and cried.  After that we went straight to the hospital.  They quickly admitted her and we spent the next three days in Pediatrics.  Everyone was surprised at what good condition she was in, as we had noticed the symptoms very early.

So, now we are home, feeling pretty in control of the situation one moment and wondering if this is just a bad dream the very next minute.  Krissy is amazing!  She is quickly adapting to her new life.  Of course this won't be easy, but we truly have the most supportive family & friends that you can imagine.  Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for you.  It is amazing how much strength it gives us to hear that people are thinking about us and praying for us.

We are determined to control this situation, not to have it control us.  When I got home from the hospital I read this post on my sister Hollie's blog.  It completely sums up how we feel...

"I guess we all understand that the only thing we can count on is change.  Everything is always changing and we learn to find new normals.  Yesterday, our family had more change.  My super cute, three-year-old niece Kristen was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.  Unfortunately, this disease is far too common in our family.  We already know the ins and outs of living with this disease and appreciate how normal lives can be.  It just doesn't seem fair when it's a child.  When I was thinking about the changes my sister would have to make and the changes that lay ahead for all of us, I realized that some things will never change.  The way I respect the calm and always perfect example of my older sister, the way my younger sister is always willing to help, the positive outlook of our mom, the quiet strength and constant concern of our dad, and the humor my brother-in-law always finds in situations.  It is so comforting to know that while life changes around us and we are always searching for new normals-the support and love of our family will never change.   We love you Krissy!"

As crazy and emotional as this has all been, there is much good that has also come out of it.  We have been the recipients of the so much kindness.  When Krissy was in the hospital it truly looked like she had just celebrated Christmas.  Her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins have been so gentle and concerned.

We have felt the love of an understanding, compassionate Heavenly Father.  Even sitting in the emergency room, pondering what we were about to face, we knew that everything would be okay.  One thing that I have always been certain of is that each of us have a plan. Challenges will come to each of us and it is our job to do the best with what we have been given.  We have felt the comforting reassurance the Spirit brings.

So, now it is one day at a time...