Even though it's Tuesday...

I am stealing the idea for this post from my great friend April. :-) On her blog each Wednesday she spotlights an amazing woman and describes why she thinks this particular woman is great.

Rachel, my sister-in-law, has been on my mind lately.

Rachel is an awesome mother to her daughter and a wonderful wife to my brother.

Patient and put together describe her very well.

She has her head on straight, so to speak.

She is a balanced person, hard working and is always striving to reach greater heights.

She keeps my brother in balance.

She is extremely courageous and stalwart.

She is calm and collected.

She always has a smile on her face and always has something funny to laugh about and share.

Whenever I talk with her I always end up laughing about something.

She is a beautiful person and extremely photogenic.

I always said the person who marries my brother is a saint.

She is that saint.

She has tamed my untameable brother.

This past month she has dealt with much more than I could ever imagine in my lifetime.

She gave birth to two beautiful twin girls, and in the same month, lost them both.

While her new daughters developed kidney complications in the NICU in one hospital, she developed an infection from her C-section and had a week long stay in the ICU at another hospital.

While in the hospital they brought Katelyn, one of the twins, to Rachel's hospital so Katelyn could pass away in her mother's arms. Little Carly fought hard to live but within a couple more days Carly passed away as well.

During this rough time Rachel has remained in control of herself and brought comfort to my brother.

She inspires me everyday to laugh more, smile more, work harder, and to enjoy the journey more.

You can read her amazing story on her blog at

http://www.alexiabruschandfamily.blogspot.com/

The twins funeral will be in Salt Lake this Thursday at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers she has set up an account at Zions Bank under Rachel Brusch

or online by clicking on this link.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=4968467

Thanks to everyone who has been so helpful, supportive and caring to our family during this time.

(Rachel and Lexi)

Rain

I love waking up to the sound of rain.

These three weeks

Here are some things that have happened to us the past three weeks:

-I am now 19 weeks along in my pregnancy and am getting bigger. Sometimes at night I think I can feel the baby move or kick, but I can't be quite sure.

-Taylor joined an expat frisbee league and is tearing up the field. He's getting used to playing frisbee with rules, and it's great because now we know where there's an accessible running track in Shanghai.

-Taylor took a long business trip to India and even met the missionaries undercover due to the current presidential(?) elections. Apparently it can get quite dangerous.

-I took a trip home to the U.S. using my mom's flight benefits and was able to spend lots of time with my wonderful family and beautiful nieces.

- I've finished up the second of three intense Chinese language courses right before I left for America. I'm now able to buy, barter, and get around much more comfortably. However, once I got back from America I feel like I'm starting new again, or atleast a couple steps back. It seems to go easily...

-My brother's beautiful twin babies, Katelyn and Carly, were born on his birthday, April 3rd, and sadly developed kidney complications. It was such a blessing to be in the U.S. at this time so I could meet them and be with my brother and sister-in-law. Complications became greater and they were switched to Primary Childrens Hospital for better care. Despite the great care Katelyn received, her small body couldn't handle the stress and she passed away just yesterday. Although her small body couldn't bear the stress and wasn't able to recover, I believe her spirit was strong and smart and that she knew more things than we can understand, fresh from heaven. I believe she knew her purpose on Earth, that she knew her family, and that her parents loved her immensely, and was peaceful with the fact that she had gained a body and now can rest peacefully and perfect in joy. Though I still do not fully understand why she had to leave so early, I believe one day we will understand. I believe God has an eternal perspective and vision, and of course, with our earthly vision, we simply can't comprehend. I do know that he is mindful of all his children, knows us individually, and has a plan for all of us. I greatly admire the strength of my brother and sister-in-law.

-Carly is quite the fighter and we are praying and hoping that she will be able to heal well enough and develop strong enough to be released from the hospital and return home with her family.

-It was a blessing to be with their 2 year old sister, Lexi this past week and get to know more of her wonderful personality. She loved to hold my hand and talk with me, and I can't wait to spend more time with her in the summer.