Hardship, really?

We have had some "hardships" this past month and a half.  We are in the midst of trying to figure out how to get Emma's (who is our oldest) asthma under control.  She has had an asthma attack every school day for the past 13 days.  We have tried many different medications and nothing seems to work.  The asthma attacks are so bad I have to bring her home from school.  We go to a pulmonary specialist at Hopkins this week.  To make matters worse, Emma gets so upset when she has to miss classes.  And I can't possibly go into town or run errands for fear I won't make it back in time to give her medication during the attacks.  

Della gets surgery next week at Hopkins on her right foot.  She's making awesome progress with her physical therapy.  But, her foot being turned gets in the way when she walks.  We knew surgery was a possibility even before we met her.  We are excited to get this corrected, but it's difficult to put her through it.  She'll be in a cast for about 6 weeks. Thank-you for all your continued support and prayers!

To top it all off....last weekend Eli (our second oldest) hit his head pretty hard and has headaches every day.  I'm sure he probably has a concussion.

 hardship 

a condition that is difficult to endure; suffering; deprivation; oppression.

Never mind......according to the definition I don't have hardships.  I have obstacles.

 obstacle 

something that obstructs or hinders progress.

I need to be thankful that I live in a country like the U.S. where we have the best medicine and doctors to care for my children.  I need to be thankful we have enough (and more) food to feed them.  I need to be thankful my husband has a stable job, and I'm able to stay home and raise my children.  I need to be thankful my children are crying because "he hit me first", not because their bellies are hungry.