You've come a LONG way, babies!!

So, I am sitting here... thinking about the 8 years that we have had triplets... I remember that we were so very worried. 8 years ago tonight was the longest of my life so far. I was up all night, counting the minutes between my contractions, wishing and hoping and praying that the times would lengthen. But they didn't...
I had been given a blessing by Kary, with my Dad, and my brothers Brian and Chris. I had seen my Dr. and he said "Bed rest!! Only get up to go to the bathroom!! You don't have a bedpan, do you? Lay down, feet up, relax!!" But those contractions kept on. All night. Getting closer, stronger. WHY???
I finally woke Kary up and told him at 4 am. Max was with Brian and Kristen camping at the sand dunes in St. Anthony. Lance had to go to school so he was home... We left him there, called Kris to come and stay with him, get him off to school etc. Kary and I headed to the ER. At 4 am, my contractions were not more that 5 min apart, I can't remember now how close they were, maybe 3 min apart, too close for babies to be born at Bingham... They could have been born there if they were 1 week and 2 days further along, but 30 weeks and 5 days of gestation was not enough. So I got a ride to Pocatello in an ambulance with a great nurse (not Kary, but she was great). In Pocatello, the birth was not to be stopped, delayed as much as possible, but not to be stopped. My Mom and Dad came and supported us, we had alot of prayers offered... and believe me I KNOW they were answered, just not how we had hoped, but answered YES!! Late in the afternoon, just before 5 pm the Felt triplets were born by c-section. Ysabel born at 4:57 pm, 3 lbs 3 oz. Rex Thomas born at 4:58 pm, 3 lbs 2 oz. Olivia born at 4:58 pm, 2 lbs 13 oz. All together they weighed 9 lbs 2 oz!!! That is just 5 oz more that Lance weighed when he was born!! I was put on the maternity floor to recover, the 3rd floor, and given polaroids of the kids, they were in the NICU, on the 2nd floor. And that was that, they were here. Now what?!!
We did survive right? I mean here we are 8 years later, that must mean that we made it!! Right? Is that what you call this? Survival?!!
No way!! We did way more that survive, maybe at first that is all that we COULD do, but no, we have done way better than mere survival... They have done PHENOMENAL!!! They are absolutely amazing!! They grew and grew and learned and learned, and no one would ever guess that they were preemies!! My heart is so full of gratitude for the prayers, the love and support, the hours of hands on helping, the meals, the gifts, the CARE that was ours, given so lovingly. I will always first and foremost be thankful for Kary, he is my rock. He supported me, explained medical terminolgy, talked frankly with the kids' caregivers and me. He kept me going, and kept me from going crazy! I will also love and appreciate the NICU nurses, they were and are the best!! They weren't supposed to get attached, but they had their favorites... They are all my favorites!! My life was also changed for the better by Raini... you started coming over to play with babies, and now you are family!! I cannot name all those who came over to help, but a few have meant too much to me, and you helped more than you can know! Laura, Becki, Donna, Ann, JoAnn, Sandee, Lanette, Julie... Bless you all. Look what we did, together! We HAVE come a LONG way!!!