An unexpected blessing

God is so good. And I know for sure that He uses people to do His work. Even if they don't always realize that is what they are doing.

I have some wonderful friends I met online about three years ago. I know, most of you are probably wary of that sort of thing, but I can tell you, that these friends (and others) I have met online have touched my life in so many ways. From phone calls, flowers, and food (Pizza Hut gift card!!!!!! Do they know me or what??) after Benjamin was born, to lavish and *very* useful gifts, to an email sounding board where I can ask for prayers or just say what it is I really want to say without fear of being judged. In the group, we are all ages and from all over the country. We are very diverse politically and religiously, yet we are more alike than different. I "talk" with these friends almost every day, way more often than any friends I have "in real life." I don't even refer to them as "my online friends" anymore; they are my friends. Plain and simple.

I say all of that to say that they came through for me today in a BIG way. Let's just say that when we arrived at our hotel today, we had a suite and it was paid for. So now we can reserve the same room tomorrow night and pay less for one night in a suite than we would have for two nights in one room. Matthew and I are hanging out in the living room, watching TV and relaxing, enjoying a break, while Benjamin is sleeping peacefully in his pack-n-play in the bedroom. When I feed him in about an hour, we'll move his bed in here and sleep in the bedroom, with a heavy door separating us from our noisy baby. :) Oh, and there's a king bed. Yummmmmmm..... I love stretching out!!

I have debated whether or not I should call them by name in reference to this. I know it would never be their intention to gain any glory from this. Here is what one of them texted me:

I can't do anything to lift your burden right now. If we lived closer, we'd all babysit and cook and clean for you. But we can't do that, and this is something we can do.

Wow. Just wow. This is one of the few times in my life when I could physically sense others taking life's burdens from me. And it wows me. (Yes, I used "wow" three times in that paragraph.)

I just want to say thanks, girls. You can't know how much you helped us out. I love you girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had a fabulous trip here. Andrew was THRILLED to be at my parents' house. When we left, Andrew was checking out my dad's police car, and they were going to walk down to see the neighbor's two dogs. THEN they went to CiCi's Pizza. The night was rounded out by a bath with Curious George bubbles. Ah, the simple joys of life.

Benjamin took a nap that was over an hour, then he just sucked on his fingers and looked around. He was happy to get out of his seat and roll alllll over the king-sized bed before eating and going to bed.

We have to be at our pre-op appointment at 8:00 central time, which is 9:00 our time. We are going to eat breakfast (free!) at the hotel before heading to the hospital, which is less than two miles down the road.

Here are some pictures before I sign off:

A beautiful Tennessee view from the road



A car snooze



Couldn't you just gobble up those chubby baby feet??