A big fat giant Thank You

Sometimes things happen in your life that force you to evaluate certain aspects of yourself.  Sounds like a pretty logical "no duh?" statement, but what I'm getting at is sometimes occurrences have you evaluating  things that may or may not be directly related to the occurence. It's like a chain reaction through the parts of yourself until you finally end up on the part that must desperately need some upkeep. The pre-term labor issue with the twins being my most recent analytical crisis.

I personally never first hand experienced the amount of care and generosity that people can express when someone they care about is put through stress or a life changing event.  This is a first for me.  Did I expect my friends and family to show such a complete overwhelming response to our bed rest dilemma?  Yes, actually I did expect it, because I know who these people are.  It is not a surprise to me, but instead it makes me very uncomfortable. The discomfort doesn't come from having people do things for me when I am a master at making sure I do EVERYTHING for myself.  This I thought might be an issue, but I've been fairly accepting of the offerings of meals, help, babysitting, etc.  The part that makes me uncomfortable is that I am not sure in the situations in the past where my friends needed me, that I've stepped up to the plate.  In fact, I'm pretty sure I haven't.  What the hell was I doing?  Am I by nature that selfish, or just lazy?  Now maybe its just part of my Catholic upbringing to be able to take a situation and turn it around to make myself feel guilty.  But honestly, I think I could be a much better friend when it comes to helping people out in their times of need.  So instead of beating myself up about doing too much physically, to send myself  into pre-term  labor, I am now beating myself up about how crazy generous everyone is and how I really don't deserve it.

What this is really is a wake up call - in more ways that one of course - priority being the babies.  But these things happen for reasons, and I believe this is part of the reason for me.  I need to learn to be more selfless, to contribute and to think of others first when it's their time of need.  I promise, my friends, that I will get better about this.

On the lighter side of 'thank you'... I was to have a small shower the Saturday after I ended up in the hospital.  My more than lovely sister- in-law had to cancel everything at the last minute.  Fortunately for me and the babies, she could not cancel the cake.

I love cake when I'm pregnant and this was such a treat to have in the hospital - chocolate with butter cream frosting.  If you never visit Dolce Bakery in the Prairie Village shops, I suggest you do so.  You will not leave unhappy.  I used to relish my maternity leave mornings with Lillian when we could walk down to the shops, I could grab a tea or coffee next door at Starbucks, and every now and then treat myself to an amazing cinnamon roll or fruit scone.  I do miss the Village...

Let me get back on track, cake can do that to me... In anticipation of my shower on Saturday I designed and started printing the 'thank you' cards from me and the boys.  I knew I would be writing a lot of them, but I think that list just doubled or tripled!  I'm going to need more printer ink.  Inspired by baby smileys, they are a simple design that I think turned out fairly cute.  I love doing this kind of stuff, and hopefully I'll have time to continue my fun projects and post them on here fairly frequently.

This one is posted as a general thank you to EVERYONE who sent me a message, sent us a prayer, picked up the phone, signed up to make a meal, brought me cake! or simply asked "how are you doing?"
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.