The last five days have been such a roller coaster! Lots of highs and lows. Today has been a high. They have finally taken Ashley off the oxygen. The fluid seems to be off her lungs and she is breathing much better. They will keep her on antibiotics for a couple days to be sure pneumonia doesn’t set in. Her contractions have been much less through a majority of the day. They have picked up again somewhat this evening. 

I was able to slip out for a couple hours this afternoon to run home and cut the jungle that was my grass. (In the process my dog ran away. Don’t feel like getting into that madness at the moment. Don’t worry, we found him.) My mom stayed with Ashley while Dad and I did some upkeep at the house. It was hard to leave for even that brief a time. In my mind, I need to be here. I want to be here. I want to know and see for myself that Ashley is alright. I want my face to be just a turn of her head away when she needs support and assurance. My presence calms her, and hers calms me. 

Thanks for all the prayers. Thanks for all the phone calls and text messages. We are blessed to have some awesome friends and family. Thanks for being there to lean on during times like this. Thanks for being people who believe in a God who listens and standing in the gap for us.