Our Miracle Celebration

We couldn't let the one year anniversary of Rachel's miracle go by without a celebration.  I got up early that day and wrote my blog post through tear-filled eyes...the Lord and I had a mighty fine time together reflecting on all that He has done and continues to do.  The memories are so fresh...it seemed just like yesterday.  After my time with the Lord, He and I set out to decorate the house for Christmas.  Even though, I really wanted to decorate on my birthday, the week before, His timing was perfect.  I was thankful to have all of my Christmas decorating to do on the date of Rachel's one year anniversary.  The girls woke up a few hours later and helped me finish the decorating.  We still have our large family tree to decorate and the outside lights too but the rest of it is done. 

We called the family and invited them all over for a good old fashioned shrimp boil.  This is one of Rachel's, and Hannah's, favorites so it seemed fitting.  This was a day to celebrate!

Rachel wore her Cook Children's Hospital jersey (thank you Grandpa!):

I LOVE my girls so much.  I thought this was a special picture.  My girls have grown so very much since their 1 year pictures.  I should have had them switch seats though.  Hannah's 1 year picture is on the left and Rachel's is on the right.  And the dolls in the  middle belonged to my precious Aunt Faye who I miss so very much!  On the day of Rachel's surgery I felt "surrounded by such a crowd of witnesses."  I can't explain it but I felt like they were cheering us on to keep the faith throughout Rachel's pain, surgery, and recovery.  God is amazing!

The house was decorated, cleaned up, we showered, got ready for company, and then began boiling the water for a shrimp boil.  The black pot on the left belonged to my grandmother who use to can in it.  I am so thankful to have it and I think about her every time that I use it. 

I've posted the recipe for my "Low Country Shrimp Boil" but just in case you have forgotten it, here you go.

10-12 whole small red potatoes4-6 small ears of corn (I use the frozen ones)

1 pound of cleaned, de-veined shrimp w/ tails
2 links Cajun smoked sausage cut diagonally
2 T Old Bay Seasoning (I use a lot more!)

Boil 8 quarts of water, with salt and Old Bay Seasoning. After your water is boiling:
Add potatoes and cook for 10-12 min.
Add sausage and corn on the cobb and cook for 7 minutes.
Now add shrimp and boil another 3-5 minutes (just until pink).
Drain and pour contents onto your newspaper lined table(now that is an easy table scape....newspaper that's it!). Sprinkle w/ salt and serve w/ butter, Old Bay Seasoning, cocktail sauce and lemon wedges.

Since we were having 12 over for our shrimp boil, I used 2 different kinds of sausage:  andouli (cajun~spicy) and regular smoked sausage that is a bit more mild.  I had about 12 links cut up in this bowl:
 

I like to use Green Giant's Nibblers~they are sweeter than others:

And I used 3 sacks of red potatoes:

I found this shrimp at HEB and it was on sale....so I bought 12 pounds....yum!

Then it was time to gather in a circle to pray and to thank God for all that He has done for our family...and for Rachel....Mr. Incredible started to cry....and then we all heard "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch" playing in the background (we had Christmas music from Sirius playing in the background when our guests arrived but I forgot to turn it off before the prayer~oops).  It lightened the mood a bit as we all chuckled and then it was time to eat!

The shrimp boil was delicious...the company was fantastic....God' marvelous work was definitely celebrated!

We finished the meal with the Cheesecake Factory's Red Velvet Cheesecake and Starbucks coffee.  It was a day to reflect and treasure. Thank you, Father for your glorious gift!  To You be all of the glory!