Thankful

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and we have so much to be thankful for:

 Our sweet boy has made it almost three years since his first diagnosis in January 2012.  He has been on the transplant list for over two years now and has remained hospital free.  I can't tell you what joy it brings me to see some of you still faithfully wearing your bracelets.  Eric Twisselmann I was brought to tears the other day when I saw you on stage sporting your faded bracelet. I love how worn it was.  It was so faded the words were washed away but I could still tell what it represented and was so beyond grateful to see the support. I know so many of you are still so faithfully praying and we can't thank you enough.  We are so thankful Noah has remained well.  His pressures are stable for now but we don't know for how long so we celebrate today and the last few years knowing things could dramatically change tomorrow.  Really it's how we all should be living, thankful for today not knowing what tomorrow may bring.  Can I get an Amen?  Our sweet boy still needs a new heart but only God knows the timing.  He remains on the transplant list and we remain hopeful that it's in God's control and not our own.

I'm also thankful for the gift of driving and for the muscles in my body that still work.
As this muscle disease continues to progress it brings me more and more thankful for an amazing husband who carries his bride and lessens her load, supportive friends, family, adaptive equipment, and God's grace.

I'm thankful for our sweet girls successful surgery.  She is doing amazingly well and there have been no  surprises.  She loves that her momma has a pacer just like her.  She has regular check ups and positive reports.  So thankful.

Last we are thankful for all of you that would care enough to read our words and receive our updates.  It means so much to us.






Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Bittersweet

Yesterday our sweet girl turned six.  It was a birthday to remember.  She has been in love with horses for a while now.  She was super sad when Jason, the boys, and I went horseback riding a few months ago.  She did not meet the age requirements and was unable to join.  She wanted a horsey birthday so mom began the hunt  to find someone who had a pony or a horse.  A sweet friend I grew up with had a connection to a ranch close by.  The people had never done a birthday party before.  After hearing about our family from our friend they were willing to host a party for us at their ranch.  This ranch holds several horses including ponies, a pig, chickens, and several peacocks.  It was the perfect place.  The hosts went above and beyond and truly blessed our sweet girl.  It was such a joy seeing her ride a horse for the first time. Hannah will always remember this special birthday.

At the end of the day looking back through all the pictures my heart began to break for Hannah's birth mom.  I think and pray for her often when she comes to mind.  She always comes to mind on this day in particular. We are so blessed to have Hannah's birthdate.  Since children are abandoned they don't often know a birthdate and are given one based on weight and other criteria.  Her birth mom felt like her daughters birthdate was significant or she wouldn't have taken the time to pin it to her clothing.  She cared enough to let me know and I will forever be grateful for that and so many other things.  I can not imagine the loss she must feel not knowing if her sweet daughter is alive and well. Oh how I wish she knew what an incredible gift she has given us and how brave we think she is for leaving her in an elevator of a hospital in hopes of her getting the care she needed.  I wish she knew how healthy and beautiful she is and how much we adore her.

 Lord please wrap your arms around Hannah's birth mom and give her the love and comfort that only you can give.  Lord I pray that if she doesn't know you already Lord I pray that you would make yourself known to her.  Lord thank you for choosing us to be Hannah's parents. Lord I pray that she would grow up with a desire to love and serve you all her days.  I pray that she would put you first above all things.  Grow in her a compassion for the fatherless, give her a gift of humility, patience, and self worth.  Thank you for saving her life and for continuing to heal her body.  Thank you for the fighter that she is and that you made her perfect created in your image.