Thank You, Mom and Dad

Having a preemie baby, Ralanda spending half of July in the hospital, and making daily trips (one hour each way) to Albany to the NICU were not the ways we intended to spend the month of July and the first part of August.  Needless to say, this has resulted in one tired and weary family.  We are so thankful for the prayers that have been lifted up on our behalf, and the help of some special people.  Two of those people are Mom and Dad Pagano (Ralanda's parents).

After Scott called to ask for prayer for Ralanda the afternoon of Leah's birth, Mom and Dad dropped everything and headed to New York.  Simply having them here as Ralanda recovered from surgery proved a special blessing and was a comfort that was much needed and appreciated.  Mom had planned on coming up for a week when Leah was scheduled to be born, under planned circumstances, the middle of August.  Instead, she found herself here with no advance notice or planning.  She graciously committed to stay for two weeks as Ralanda began her initial recovery and for the first while after she came home from the hospital.  It was then that Ralanda was readmitted to the hospital with complications and Mom, without hesitation, said she was staying longer - until Ralanda returned home and settled in again.  She stayed with us for nearly a month, watching the children, doing laundry, dishes, cleaning, and simply encouraging and being a mom/Memaw.  Her loving presence helped to lighten the load of a very stressful July.

We are also very grateful to Dad.  For it was he who had to sacrifice being without Mom for the whole time she was here.  We don't know how he did it, but we sure appreciated his great sacrifice.  We are thankful for the time that he was able to spend here before needing to head back home as the other children love any time they get to spend with Bumpa!  We think Leah liked the time she had with Bumpa too :)

Thank you Mom and Dad for your love and encouragement during this very hectic time.  We will be forever grateful for the love and sacrifice you have shown.