Finding Joy in the Journey. Part 1

Even though Phil and I had to work some, the kids Spring break was packed full of fun. Katie had a soccer game the last day of school before break and we picked up Nana Patti at the airport. The kids were thrilled and a visit with Nana Patti is always filled with laughs. The first full day of their break we headed out to Chimney Rock in the North Carolina Mountains.

The last time I remember going the kids had not been born. But I was wrong. One beautiful day in October of 2008 we decided to go apple picking with my parents. We had packed a lunch and found ourselves at the bottom of Chimney Rock along a beautiful creek ready to eat. There were picnic tables along the creek bed. We ate lunch and took in the sights and sounds of the bright Carolina blue sky, the sun shinning, listening to the water flow.....nothing else really mattered. In an older post I said it was the last time my life made sense.

We had no idea that our life would be forever changed by Madelynn's heart defect diagnosis and her incredible journey. I have made peace with the fact that my life changed forever. I don't remember much of life before her diagnosis. What I was not prepared for was when I realized exactly where we were when we crossed the bridge to make the climb up the mountain to Chimney Rock. 

EVERY SINGLE DETAIL about my life flashed like a movie and stopped dead like the movie was stuck to the day we were last here. It was almost like someone knocked the wind out of me.Then everything about Madelynn's journey started the movie back up again as we made the climb up the mountain to park our car. That day we walked somewhere close to 10,000 steps. Yes, my CHD Warrior walked close to 10,000 steps without complaint. I savored every moment of that day and just watched in awe as Madelynn tackled the mountain.

I didn't realize it at the time but as we were getting ready for Easter Sunday, God fulfilled a promise. He showed me that He did not leave my side through this entire journey. So many times I felt alone and carrying the world on my shoulders, but that day at Chimney Rock I was reminded my new normal wasn't quite so bad and He always had a plan for us. I don't want to call it closure because Madelynn's journey will never be over. But we have found utter JOY in the journey.

Madelynn was only about 9 weeks old and my mother was holding her.
I had Jackson and Kaitlynn pose for this picture at the bottom of Chimney
Rock after lunch. October 2008

Kaitlynn and Jackson at the bottom of Chimney Rock  April 2017

My whole world. Chimney Rock April 2017

We had a great day. Chimney Rock 2017

I love them to pieces. Chimney Rock 2017

One of my favorite pictures of the day. Chimney Rock 2017

A fun day. Chimney Rock 2017

I love them even when they make me crazy.
Chimney Rock 2017

Married 18 years this year. Chimney Rock 2017

The Phil, myself and the kids had a wonderful visit with Nana Patti for the first part of Spring Break. Thank you for coming to visit and always helping us find Joy in the Journey.

TTFN~