I guess I'll call it, Day 1

What a wonderful day. To not miss anything....what a blessing. Naps at our house, Miya and Jayden playing, Melanie doing all the things that she does best (I can name them: Eat, sleep, poop...in that order, however, she might throw a curve ball in there from time to time where its eat, sleep, poop, and then poop again immediately after we change the diaper). Today was the first time in a long time that I 'saw' us as a family. Everyone home, everyone doing their own thing...right or wrong, we were all here.

Im gonna throw a few pictures at you again, but let me say this...the hospital did cause for extra driving, however, to have to wake up at midnight, 3:00 and 6:00 am to do an hour care time at home....makes me appreciate even more what those nurses did for us. (Kelly, Im thinkin youre workin tonite....thanks, we'll be missing you again tonite :) I just got done feeding Melanie...Mom, Miya and Jayden are at the hotel with the Wassinks for a Christmas get to gether in Holland...and I kept thinking to myself what a wonderful journey God has put us through. Every single member of this family has grown up through this process. Mom and Dad mentally and spiritually, Miya and Jayden emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and literally, and Melanie...I guess just literally. Ive always heard that the journey is more amazing than the victory, and we got to experience that 1st hand.
Im so proud, especially of how this family handled this journey, as well as everyone else that was associated with it. Our immediate and extended family was brought closer, seeming to be a bit more relaxed as well, taking little problems in life, and making them to what they are....little problems. Our friends, new or existing, Ive never been so proud of each and every one of you. You've all been a part of a family, lifting them up in prayer, supporting them in so many ways, between babysitting, meals, cards, gifts, cleaning, hugs, tears, and so much more. Doctors and nurses, seeming to do their jobs, but taking the extra time to get to know a family (even though this family's dad seemed to be a pain in the rear at times) and doing more than required...All of you, I can picture the small children who said your prayers for Melanie at night, the adults that shed tears, the grandparents and other family members who felt distant, the pastors who prayed in their churches, the widows and widowers who gave to us more when they had plenty of thier own needs, and the families in the NICU who took the time to pray for our child, even when you had one or more of your own in there as well...all for a family in need.
I'd love to bring this story to a news station, and tell them the things they continue to produce on television are GARBAGE! This town, this state, this country, is full of people who do good...who go out of thier way to help others, who love, who pray, who trust in God for all things. Forget all their stupid news media making nearly every person of this world out to be a forsaken bunch of horrible, ignorant idiots. There are many...who witnessed to, prayed for, devoted time to, sacrificed for, cried for, and gave to a small family (getting bigger)in a small town called Bentheim Michigan. To me, as fast paced as everything seemed, it also seemed that time stopped for all these acts of goodness from all of you people to be fit in. You have so much to be proud of. I know we all blunder at times, and we do things we arent proud of, but looking back over the last while, Gods graciousness to us, through you, has been amazing. Surely God is in control, and we thank Him daily for you. We love you, and many times, I consider our little Melanie, to be yours too. Youve all been a huge part of her life for the last 77 days, and she hasnt met most of you.
Im so proud of each and every one of you...thank you again, and here are some more pictures of the little girl and the family you have loved on so much over the last while: