So some of you are probably wondering why I titled this post thanksgiving. Am I right? Although I do love me some Thanksgiving (the turkey, dressing, and cranberries…umm yes please), this post has absolutely NOTHING to do with the actual holiday of Thanksgiving. So why did I name it that? It is quite simple. I’m talking about another type of thanksgiving, and that thanksgiving is in our hearts.
Yesterday Sadie had a cardiology appointment. This was a big one for us. I wasn’t worried about what the outcome might be because I know I don’t have any control over what happens (contrary to what I might believe sometimes), but I was just anxious to get some information. The day before her appointment her doctor’s office called and told us she was getting a full diagnostic done. So naturally this got my mind on the subject of Sadie’s heart. You see, I forget all the time that she has a heart condition. She is such a normal happy smiling baby that it is super easy to forget that she has something under the surface that isn’t okay.
I feel like that is how people are a lot of the time. We see their outside appearance and we think that they must have it all together, they are the best wife, or they must be really happy. The truth of the matter, is that we all have something going on under the surface. That is why it is so important to be there for each other and pull each other up when we fall down. I love my group of girl friends that I have. I am so incredibly thankful to God for them. They support me when I need it, cry with me when I am going through a rough time, and they challenge me to want to be better. When I leave their presence I always feel like I can conquer the world. That is how it is supposed to be. Remember that people are always struggling and that they need support and kindness. Then maybe you can help someone else feel empowered.
Now, back to Sadie. We got to Mansfield a little early so we go to Taco Bueno (my absolute favorite). As we are sitting down eating Sadie decides she wants to grace us with a gift. She has been on antibiotics now for a few days so her bowel movements are what I would call not even remotely solid. So as I am sitting there eating my delicous Muchaco, Sadie goes. And she doesn’t just go easily and it is a nice cleanup. Oh no. That would be too nice. She goes so bad that it blows out of her diaper and lands on my arm, shirt, and upper lip…..#momlife. So I take her, her carseat, and diaper bag to the bathroom to clean her only to find that they don’t have a changing table. So what does a mom do when she is in desperate need of a changing table?? She improvises. I got Sadie cleaned up (of course she got a new onesie), and then we went to her cardiology appointment.
Her appointment went really well. She had an echo done on her heart. We got alot of amazing information. We had so many questions regarding what her future could look like and her doctor was really great in answering them all. She will more than likely have surgery when she is about 4-5 to fix her ASD and her pulmonary stenosis, but neither one of those issues is causing her any harm right now. She is thriving! Her doctors are so impressed with her. Here is my little Sadie Bugg , who has a whole in her heart and a narrow artery, and she just smiles at the world. God made her perfectly. Her problems are scary, but they are fixable!
On the way home, I just sat there thinking about everything the doctor had said and you know what I realized?? God is always faithful. You would think that I would have already realized that with what we went through when Sadie was born. And the truth is that I did realize it then. But then life happens. and you get stressed and you worry and things seem crazy. God is faithful. Is there a chance that Sadie will need surgery? Absolutely. Does that scare me? Yes and no. Yes, because I just want her to be okay and healthy. No because I have a God who loves me and who knows what is best for my Sadie. He made her in his image. He tells us “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7). This is exactly what He has done for my husband and I. He has given us a peace about all of the situations we find ourselves in regarding Sadie’s health. He is faithful always.
So today, I want to talk about thanksgiving. I am thankful for my Sadie’s health. I am thankful for the strong amazing man that God gave me to go through life with. I am thankful for the amazing beautiful daughters that I have been blessed with. But most of all, I am thankful for a God that loves me in my flaws, keeps me comforted even when I doubt His goodness, showers me with his grace, leads me towards His greatness, and is forever faithful.
Postpartum is a very difficult time for moms. I just want you to know that it can and 
does get better, but you have to put in the time and effort for that to happen. Make time for yourself (even if it is just 5 minutes) to sit down and gather your thoughts. When you have children, a house, a husband (or maybe you are a single mother, in which I say you are amazing!), and a job or school your thoughts run everywhere and that adds to the chaos your emotions are already wreaking all over your mind and body. Take a mommy break. It’s okay, I promise. It will help you to feel like yourself again!
Raising Arrows 