Thankful

Thanksgiving

a time to reflect what one is thankful for.  I am Thankful for so many things,

but this Thanksgiving I am Thankful for the opportunity the Lord has

given me in crossing my path with Josh & Ashley Bradley.

Unknowingly we were chosen to be parents to children with a Congenital Heart Defect.

Not something that we would have chosen on our own, but chosen by God.

God has a plan, a plan only He understands........

 

   Kirby Faith Bradley

was born April 10th, 2012

and spent every day of her life at MUSC fighting for her life. 

I really didn't know Kirby,

or her parents Josh and Ashley very well, but I knew them. 

When you are apart of a "family" like ours,

you reach out.  You reach out to those you hardly know, because 

we are all associated by someone

that knows someone that knows someone, that knows you.  

 

I met the Bradley's back in May

when we went to Charleston for Charlotte's surgery. 

Charlotte was in the bed right at the entrance to the unit,

so every time Ashley and Josh came to visit Kirby, 

we would always chat for a few minutes, 

catching up while they washed their hands. 

After Charlotte was moved to 8D, I didn't get to see them anymore,

but they stayed in my heart and prayers as the days and weeks passed by. 

I would send Ashley a message or two on her blog,

but I never really kept in touch

 because I knew how busy she was trying to get Kirby home.  

I knew that once they got home, which is about 10 minutes up the road from us,

I could hopefully visit and stay in touch. 

I NEVER once thought that Kirby would never come home. 

I was heart broken, I was devastated

when I got the news that Kirby had passed. 

I immediately called Brian and broke the news to him, he cried, we cried. 

It was close to home for us.  I don't mean distance, I mean it could have been us.  

Kirby was someone we had come to know, and talked about daily. 

I would read Ashley's blog to keep updated on how things were going

and Brian and I would pray so hard that this little miracle would make it home. 

Kirby had been through so much and had made it through so much......

She was a fighter!!! 

Kirby Passed away November 11th. 

She was 7 months and 1 day old.

 

 I went to see Ashley after they had made it home from Charleston,

she told me that she knew God had a plan,

that He had a reason for taking Kirby home. 

It was a blessing to be with Ashley,

she was such an encouragement.  

Ashley showed how strong she was in her faith!!! 

I was an emotional wreck, I felt terrible for being an emotional wreck. 

I had come to comfort Ashley, but she was the one comforting me! 

I can't imagine the pain, the emptiness, the loss that they are feeling.  

All I could do was hug Ashley and tell her how sorry I was and I loved them.  

After seeing how Josh and Ashley have leaned on the Lord for help and support,

it makes me THANKFUL for friends like them.  

Makes me THANKFUL for knowing GOD,

knowing He is helping them through the most difficult time in their lives. 

Makes me THANKFUL for my husband, that we are on this journey together.  

Makes me THANKFUL for Charlotte,

blonde hair, brown eyes, loud about

everything and into everything.  

 After realizing just how fragile

life is and how close we came to not having her

makes me even more

THANKFUL to have her. 

Our lives are definitely MORE with her in it!!!    

          

Updates

          Sorry it has been a while 

but life in the Cooper house hardly ever slows down

and when it does,

I usually fall asleep :)

 Charlotte had a cardiology appointment on Oct. 9th

and it went VERY well. 

Her O2 was 98% and that is the highest it has ever been!! 

Charlotte did great for her echo, nothing had changed. 

As far as Dr. Horne is concerned he will see us in 6 months. 

Thank you Lord for a good check up. 

Now if we can just make it through the winter without any hiccups,

(like hospital stays, which Charlotte is know for)

then things will be good.

 

Charlotte

has made a move over the last month,
a move out of my bed!!! 

I never thought that night would come. 

I thought that she would be in my bed til she left the house,

but daddy had other plans. 

I must admit that it has been nice to have my bed back :)

Not being woke up by feet in my face or being nudged off the bed

has made a difference in my sleep for sure. 

Charlotte moved to the bed with Emma and Lily and they love it. 

Every night they get into trouble talking and giggling after the lights go out.  

Brian and I sit and listen to them laughing and talking,

and get tickled ourselves at how silly three little girls can get. 

I must admit it is nice.  I want to take a minute to thank the Lord

for what he has done for Charlotte, and our family.

The Lord listens to our prayers and He has been so gracious in answering them.

It truly is amazing to see Charlotte, to see how healthy she looks,

how great her color looks,

to see her act like nothing has ever been wrong.

Thank You Lord!!!
    

Stellah

is growing like a weed, 5 months old and the sweetest thing ever. 

Stellah is such a pleasant baby and Charlotte loves her so much. 

The minute Charlotte wakes up in the mornings

I hear her little feet pitter patter across the floor into the bedroom

and I hear her asking if Stellah is awake. 

For the most part, Charlotte is pretty good with Stellah. 

Charlotte wants to hold her all the time

and when Stellah is laying on the bed I have to watch them like a hawk

because Charlotte is right there beside her the whole time. 

I think Charlotte is afraid she's going to miss something. 

Last month when I took Stellah for her 4 month check,

the Dr asked if she was rolling over, I laughed. 

I told the Dr that Stellah probably will never roll over,

probably will go straight to walking, 

because every time I lay her in the floor 

she gets swarmed by her

sisters :)
 

Just want to ask for prayers for a few heart families. 
The Bentley's
are in Charleston with their
daughter Anna Grace,
she had her 3rd surgery, the fontan on the 9th. 
Please pray for this family
as they have made it over the first of many hurdles
 these next few weeks.

(This is Anna Grace) 

The Bradley's,
they  have been in Charleston for seven months. 
They have been there since their daughter
Kirby was born April 10th. 
Kirby REALLY needs to be lifted up in your prayers. 
Thank you for your prayers!!!

(This is Kirby)