Thank You.

This is the letter I sent to my family and a few friends yesterday: the one year anniversary since my pulmonary embolism. The 'thank you' extends much further than those I emailed. I want to thank you all for your prayers and support that literally spared my life. Thank you all so much.

_______________________________________

Family,
One year and six days ago our family welcomed precious Ellyotte. To me, life couldn't get much better than it was holding her in my arms and being surrounded by all of you in the hospital room. But it could get much worse....

One year ago today, 27 July 2010, was the most frightening day of my life, thus far. And having to watch my mom go through it all again (since her brother died from the same thing I had: a pulmonary embolism) was agonizing.

This has been a long, but blessed year. The prayers that Mrs Lucy McKee (who has since gone to become a member of that glorious host of angels advocating and praying on our behalf from above) sent up on my behalf days before the clot even happened, and because she was listening to the Spirit, saved me.

And because my mom also listened to the urging of the Holy Spirit and walked into Noahs room and caught me trying to breathe and forced me to the ER, we were able to catch the PE in time.

The support and prayers lifted up on my behalf after it happened sustained me. I am so thankful to no longer be on blood thinners and able to exercise and travel and enjoy life to the fullest. And it is because of you - blood family and friends - that I am here.

I was at my lowest point ever in that hospital bed in the heart unit - having just spent 3 days in the labor and delivery unit celebrating our new life. Dan had to take new Ellyotte home and be with my mom and noah while I got injections and blood work done all night and several days following. One of my best friends, Amy Hall in Nashville, let me wail and sob and fall apart on the phone while she just listened and prayed for me. She will never know what her quiet strength did for my breaking spirit at that dark hour in my life. And having my dad and sister get right back into the car after having just returned to Alabama following Ellyottes birth, meant the world to me. Then my mother in law and sister in law, Annie, selflessly sacrificing their time and love to come take care of me and the babies while I healed was exactly what I needed.

Most of all, my husband and my mom's support - emotionally, spiritually and physically - through those days following the clot was what initially brought me through and allowed me to get on the road to recovery.
Thank you all for your love and support; you have no idea how much it means to me and Dan. He was facing being a widower and father of two babies - God clearly had a different plan than Satan and I praise him for that. He is worthy and greatly to be praised.

Love,

Katie

Service

Make a Smilebox slideshow

This weekend has been a long one. Noah and I went to a playdate earlier in the week and both ended up with a raging cold/cough that really did us in (well, me more) for a good 72 hours. Then after Dan's 2 weeks straight of working, he finally got some time off. But within 2 days, we had committed ourselves to 5 PARTIES across this island! Whew. We are worn out - especially Noah who continues to sneeze everywhere. Poor baby.

But despite the back-to-back events of the weekend, there is so much to be thankful for. First of all, we got our orders that make official our transfer to Louisiana so that is an answered prayer. Now we are in the sticks of the moving process with tonnnnns left to do yet. But, we are able to start really scheduling the move, flights, out-processing appointments.

This weekend has also allowed us some much needed time with friends. We have been able to celebrate those we love most here on the island: my girlfriend, Lori's little girl, Tessa, turned 1 and had a fabulous island style birthday party at beautiful Bellows Beach on the east coast. Then we went to spend some time with Dan's work friends and their families. And today, after church, I was able to help celebrate my dear friend, Christen, as she prepares for the birth of her firstborn, Lexi (due in September). We have been truly blessed in our 3 years here with friends who really do love us.

Today in church, our sweet pastor called for those serving in the military to stand up - along with their spouses - so the congregation could lay hands on them as we prayed for the service members. Of course, Dan and I stood along with several other couples. It was so moving to have hands of fellow believers laid on us as they lifted us up in prayer. I often take for granted that my sweet husband gets up at the most random of hours, puts on the uniform of an active duty service member and goes into a job that is very stressful.... and NEVER complains. Not once. He just serves and for that, we should all be grateful.

Memorial Day isn't about politics or where we stand on this current president's policies; it is about being thankful for those who have given all that they have in honor of our country. Aside from being a mother, wearing the uniform of an active duty service member was the absolute highest honor that will ever be afforded me. Serving this country both as an Air Force officer and now an officer's wife is extremely humbling and I am very grateful for the freedoms that my family experiences because of the brave men and women of this country: both on the front lines and on the home front.

Today, I am thankful for my brave husband, for our friends and loved ones who have sacrificed so much and continue to sacrifice for this great nation. Soon, Dan will inevitably be heading overseas to once again fight for the freedoms we hold so dear. When that day comes, Noah and I will be very proud to help him pack his bags and stay behind to pray for him.

My sweet friend, Meryl, is about to send her husband Rob off for 6 months and I thank her for her service in Virginia as she not only stays behind to raise their boy, Rowen, but she does what she does best: save lives as a doctor (she's one incredible woman! I encourage you to read her awesome blog.)

You will never understand what it means to be thanked for your service. So today, I encourage you to thank a member of the military or a family member of a military man or woman who has sacrificed so much. I cannot describe the gratitude one feels when they are thanked for their service.