Tori's Tiny Miracles Fundraiser

This may be the hardest post I've ever had to write.  Normally I post teacher related ideas, but today I will take a moment to reflect on the past several years.  Thank you for staying to read as I try to share my story :)

It all started about six years ago on February 5th.  I was sent to the ER after a visit to the doctor for a cold.  My blood pressure was through the roof.  I was just shy of 28 weeks pregnant.  They quickly admitted me to the hospital and was told very little about my condition.  They said, "Oh you will go home on Friday."  Well Friday came and they said, "We are sorry to tell you this, but today you will be delivering."  This was just three days after being admitted to the hospital.  It happened that fast.  

I had a condition called Preeclampsia.  This condition is severely dangerous for both mom and baby.  It wasn't until I got home that I realized how dangerous.  If it were not for modern day medicine, ultrasounds, monitors, and that visit to the doctor for a simple cold, my son nor I would be here today.

Our first child, Michael, came into this world at just 2 pounds 6 ounces.  Yes, tiny.

We called on so many people for prayers and we spent 75 days in the hospital NICU watching him grow ounce by ounce.

Anyone who has had a premature baby can tell you that the NICU is a magical place.  The doctors and nurses there are simply a gift from God.  I have a special place in my heart for them all.

We were so lucky to be able to watch Michael grow up to be a wonderful six year old- strong- smart- loving and caring.  It is amazing now to think of how his life began and all the challenges he (we) have overcome.

We used a small white dog to chart his growth.

Now fast forward to January 2014.  I was pregnant again (and scared to death!) and told by the doctors in the beginning to expect another early bird.  As much as I prayed, it did not hold off the inevitable- delivery.  Almost to the exact day that Michael was born at 28 weeks, we met our newest son, Mason, weighing 2 pounds 8 ounces.

You would think, oh, she has done this before, piece of cake.

No, actually knowing the long process, knowing the ups and downs of NICU life, knowing the heartache of having a preemie, makes it ten times worse. 

We are currently on day 70 in the NICU and it has been a long road for little Mason.  As you read this today he is having surgery to repair a hernia.  We are also waiting for his lungs to develop properly.  We can't wait until the day we can bring our little man home!

  

We are so blessed to have two tiny miracles.  We are blessed to have so many praying for us and the boys.  We are so blessed to have the extra time with our sons.

This is the part that is the hardest for me. These boys of mine are so precious and so worth every single penny of any cost.  

Unfortunately, the time that I had to take off to care for Michael has caused me to go unpaid for Mason.  And it took us several years to pay off the cost of Michael's hospital expenses that we are left with very little to help pay for Mason.

I can't even tell you what it means to me that two of my best blogging buddies have decided to have a fundraiser for my boys.  Their kindness and amazing gesture has filled my heart with so much joy.  

Jennifer and Angela you are my angels! 

I am also thankful for the many wonderful teacher bloggers offering their products for the fundraiser- it has given me so much happiness that words just can't express.

Please feel free to share with others- I so appreciate it!

Thank you for being here for me.  Thank you for your support and love. 

I couldn't do it without you! 

Click below to check out the fundraiser.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

click to check out the TpT fundraiser store