Sunday, August 9, 2009

Home Sweet Home!

Last night I was able to finally leave the Women's Hospital of Texas. It was a bitter sweet feeling for Thomas and I. Yes we are excited to be back in our Home and sleeping in our own bed, but it is extremely difficult to be home with out our precious daughters and son. In a way it will feel like we are still residences of the hospital because of how often we will be up there. As of this morning all the children are still stable and going strong. We have been truly blessed through all that has gone on. I know that there is a loving Heavenly Father and Saviour Jesus Christ who through our darkest hours when we felt we couldn't go on has carried us through. We are extremely blessed to be a part of a great ward. The Summerwood Ward has been there for us the whole way. They have shown their love and concern for us in many ways. They have served us so much, and we will be indebted to them for all that they have and continue to do. We love each of you so very much. We love our Bishop as well, Bishop Hales has been there every step of the way. We are grateful for his leadership and his love for us. We are grateful for all our friends and family who love us and want to always help us. We are overwhelmed with emotions because of all the kindness shown to us even from strangers we do not know.

25 comments:

  1. Thank goodness everyone is hanging in there! Soon the 4 of them will be home hanging out in your bed, too while their angel brother and sister (and twins) are watching over all of you.
    Megan

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  2. Amanda and Thomas,
    I just heard of your story today. Congratulations on the birth of your sweet six. How beautiful it is to bring life into the world. Also, I'm so very sorry for the loss of Dallin and Kaitlyn. I know well the pain of losing children and am praying for you as you wade the murky waters of grief and joy.

    Kindly and with deepest sympathy,
    Bri Morrison
    (Mommy to sextuplets, 1 on earth, 5 in Heaven, and sweet baby Ivy)

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  3. Bless you! and those babies!!! thank you for sharing them with us. As sisters in Zion we do all work together... my heart just bursts with joy when i think of you two and the magnificent work you have done and the attitude you have! love and joy as the babies grow and progress.
    Dallin and Kaitlyn have joined the other celestial children. i hope they meet my Trudy. its not so bad having a celestial child.
    lovingly,
    Erma

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  4. It's so hard to leave a baby behind at the hospital! I know that you know that they are in good hands, though. Our little girl stayed in the hospital for 4 months and 1 day. At the time, it seemed like forever, but as we get farther and farther away from it, it seems like a blip on the screen - a blip that changed her life and ours forever, of course. I remember the day that she had been home longer than she had stayed in the hospital - it was another day for celebration! I'm so glad that you've got great support for the long haul, as I know your journey of grief AND joy won't be short or easy. Hang in there!

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  5. Amanda and Thomas, I am very happy for you to be back home! I know the feeling of "home sweet home" and I am proud of both of you for all the determination and strenght. I continue to pray a lot and I can't wait to see everybody at home living together as a happy family! Each day, you get closer to that! May God bless both of you, and your precious babies. Again, please let me know if I can be of any help.
    All my love,
    Claudia

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  6. That is wonderful that you are able to be home! It will be even more wonderful the day you get to bring those sweet babies home with you. Christ will carry you through the difficult times. You must be very special people to be chosen for such a remarkable experience.

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  7. Amanda, I am so glad to see a post from you today! If you or Thomas is able, would you be willing to share a few more details on the health of each baby?

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  9. So glad that you are able to enjoy the comfort of being home and the love and support of all those who care and are praying for you.
    I am so glad that your four angels here on earth are doing well and am sure that their brother and sister are looking down on them and are helping them to be strong and fight.

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  10. We have been following your story and were so very sorry to read of the departure of Dallin and Kaitlyn so soon. They were always God's children and continue to live in the Father's love and protection. How wonderful to be home and we pray you will soon be reunited with the other children as they grow and are ready to leave the hospital. Very best to your beautiful and dear family.

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  11. I am so saddened by your loss and can only imagine your emotions as you try to balance the high highs with the miracle of life... along with the low lows of losing two precious, perfect little ones. Our hearts, prayers and thoughts are with you.

    The Washburn Family

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  12. Though I haven't had the privilege of carrying six at a time, I am familiar with the loss of a child and what sorrow accompanies that loss. And how wonderful that you now have the opportunity of saying you have taken part in bringing Heavenly Father's little spirits into the world! Surely the sweetness of that knowledge bears you up during the difficult times. The Spirit will be with you, as I'm sure it has this past week. My prayers are with you.

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  13. Amanda and Thomas-
    We love you so much and are thinking of you constantly. Thank you for the updates on your blog. We grieve with you the loss of Dallin and Kaitlyn and pray daily for you and your sweet babies.
    The Hylton Family

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  14. I can't even begin to fathom the mixed emotions that you both must feel. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who looks after his children and has a wonderful plan set forth enabling families to be eternally united. Your family is in our prayers.
    My baby was in the NICU of Woman's Hospital of Texas for a few days after birth. I was impressed with the nurses that work there. They really do a great job looking after and caring for the babies. I felt that the main nurse assigned to our baby looked after him as if he were her own. Your children are in good hands.

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  15. Congratulations on your sextuplets!! Sorry to hear of your loss of Dallin, and Katelyn. I am saying prayers for your other 4, soon they will be home and in your loving arms. I also wanted to share with you if you ever need an online support group to help with the loss of your precious angels. There is an online support group that I personally belong to and have saved my life from loosing my precious angel.

    www.angelmoms.com

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  16. Hurray for your own bed! But NICU parents always say that going home without your babies is the hardest thing. Even when you know before-hand that your babies will need to stay longer, it's not any easier. I hope you have a good week and those little girls and boy keep on fighting and growing.

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  17. Amanda, glad to see you are able to rest in your own bed. Sorry to hear about the loss of your little girl Katelyn and son Dallin. I continue to pray and keep your family in my thoughts through these difficult weeks. Your little ones are fighters and have lots of people praying for them. Thomas, thanks so much for your twitter updates on your sweet babies. Take care and God Bless, Sherri

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  18. You are both examples to me of how an understanding of the Lord's Plan of Salvation can help His children even while on Earth. My wife and I will continue to pray for your family and the health of the rest of your teeny crew. I've been told before that those who lose little ones must have demonstrated an extra measure of faith in the Preexistence in order to be able to bring someone so faithful from Our Heavenly Father's presence even if only for that moment to gain a body per His Plan. Bless you both.

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  19. You will definately be in my prayers. I have twin girls born at 26/0 - 1 pound 7 oz and 1 pound 13 oz and they are healthy and amazing now!!! We were at Women's for 3 and 4 months. Prayer is so powerful and everything will work out for your little miracles too!! The best thing another mom in NICU told me was try not to get too upset about the bad or too excited about the good; that is hard but take it day by day. My girls just turned 1 - you will be here before you know it!!
    C. Deaton

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  20. Amanda & Thomas,

    We just want to send our love and support your way and add our testimony that we know God lives and know he sees ALL things. He is there, arms extended. What a tremendous strength to have your family, ward family and Bishop there pushing you along also. We can't wait to meet your new little family! HUGS to you all!!! Love, The Halls (Weston, Emily, Warren & Benjamin- KW1)

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  21. I am glad you are home Amanda, but having had twins that spent several months in the NICU. I know how hard it is to leave them and hope for no bad phone calls during the night. We will continue to pray for all of you.

    Wendi :)

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  22. Amanda and Thomas,

    I saw your interview on channel 2 last night. You both look well. Remain strong together and I am sure your young ones will be home with you before you are truly ready for all those hands and feet.

    Remember you have many people willing to help hold and sing to your babies.

    Virginia and Frank

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  23. I don't even know you but you have been on my mind since I heard about your story. I remember what it was like, both times. I found this GREAT site about photographers (who have photography businesses) donating their time and supplies to people who lost babies. Look at it, you will be touched even if you don't use their services.
    http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/

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  24. I'm so sorry for your losses. Hang in there mama. It will be a tough road ahead for the next few months. I have 20 month old quadruplets born at 26 weeks- who are all now healthy toddlers. The months my kids spent in the NICU was the hardest thing I've ever endured. I know what you are going through and my thoughts are with you.

    -Nicole mom to Kurt and his quadruplet siblings (Mark, Andrew, Lorelei, and Tristan)

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  25. Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and feel your pain. I currently have triplets in the NICU in Austin that were born at 25 weeks and have been there 3 weeks so far. Every week gets a litle easier. Goodluck to you!

    Lindsay

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