Counting Our Blessings

Counting Our Blessings

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Hannah's Surgery


Hannah’s Surgery

Today we met with Hannah’s surgeon Dr. Gates.  I have to admit it was a little overwhelming to sit across the room from the man who played a big part in helping save our little girls life four years ago.  We discussed the process of the Fontan operation Hannah needs to have and what it would entail.  He mentioned that it should be done this summer and we told him we would like to schedule it as soon as possible.  We explained that Noah was expecting a call for a heart and they could not take him off the list for this surgery. He looked at his books and said he could do it this Tuesday.  So Tuesday it is.  This will be an open heart surgery where they will go in and put in a conduit shunt. We are feeling many emotions right now.  We have dreaded this surgery for the last four years but also know how necessary it is. We are eager to get it behind us.  We are fearful of getting a call at the same time and having to split ourselves up to care for two of our children across town from one another.  We are scared of the actual surgery, we are concerned how Hannah and the rest of our kids will process this all.  Concerned how I will keep up physically and so much more.  We do know and are confident though that God has been in control and has known the timing of this all.  He will give us the strength we need to face whatever comes our way.  So thankful we do not have to walk this alone. The song thats ringing through my mind tonight is   “His power Will Prevail.” The lyrics are below.  Please continue to lift our family up in prayer.  We would love more than anything to be a light at CHOC where so many people are experiencing darkness.  Thankful for you all.





Rest assured today that the Lord your God 
    is the One who goes ahead of you
He will put the enemy to flight; 
    what He’s promised He will do
Like a raging fire, He consumes the foe; 
    making Satan and his forces go
We don’t have to fear, God is on the throne, 
    His power will prevail

God’s deliverance is as good as done; 
    who could ever count the victories won?
With a watchful eye He protects His own; 
    He’s the Shepherd, we’re His sheep
When we go to Him with an urgent need 
    He is always there to intercede
We don’t have to fear, God is on the throne, 
    His power will prevail

Each temptation here, every trial we face 
is surrounded by His awesome grace 
Supernaturally strength is given us 
    so that we might persevere 
God is never late, help is on the way; 
    He is faithful in the day-to-day
We don’t have to fear, God is on the throne, 
    His power will prevail

Monday, June 9, 2014

Summer Fun


Summer has started and I officially have a Middle Schooler, a Third Grader, and a Kindergartner.  It is so hard to see my blessings grow older.  Every Summer we create a  list of fun things to do.  Since we will have a surgery (possibly even two) this summer the list is short.  We are determined even in the midst of a hard season to have some fun.  We will miss our favorite family vacation up at Hume for the third year in a row.  It breaks our hearts but we know one day it will happen again and are thankful for great friends who help us pull off Camp Lietzau as an alternative. We are thankful to live in a place that offers so many fun things to do.  Heres what we have planned. We look forward to hearing how you all spent your summer. Thanks again for following us on this journey.



Smoothie Making Contest
Video Scavenger Hunt Competition
Angels Baseball Game- come join us
Smores
Backyard Movie Night
 Shaved Ice
Beach Bonfire
Splash Water Park
Kids Make Dinner
Camp Lietzau
Individual dates
Fishing
Vacation Bible School  
Swimming With Friends
Homemade Ice Cream
Game Night
Reading Program
Movie Theatre
Baseball Camp
Lego Engineer Camp

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Heart Cath Procedure on Monday

Some days are just so incredible that you never want the day to end.  Then there are some days that are so incredibly hard you think to yourself how did I make it through the day.  Well Friday was one of those difficult days.  Two doctors appointments, several errands, and our youngest blessings recital.  Two extra kids added to the mix that were suppose to spend the night but ended up going back home late that night because our youngest boy started throwing up out of the blue.  We think his body did not like the goodies and jumping on the trampoline.  It was a non stop, just take a breath, and press on kind of a day.  I'm thankful that I can look back and laugh at how crazy it was.  I'm thankful that God does not allow me to be defeated by these hard days or moments.  Instead he reminds me that he is carrying me through and has a plan in all this.


Friday we met with Hannah's cardiologist Dr. Chang.  We were there to discuss her upcoming heart surgery. It is now time to schedule it and there are so many emotions and concerns that are flooding our minds.  Tomorrow she will undergo a heart cath to take a closer look at her heart and check the pressures.  They will put her under anesthesia and either go though an artery in her neck or groin.  It's never easy when your child needs to be put out,  and it's even harder when your child has a heart condition.  Based on what they see with Hannah's heart will determine how soon they will schedule surgery.  We are thinking July.

Please pray for Hannah tomorrow.  Pray that God would protect her, and that the doctors would not see anything alarming or that surprises them.  Pray for Jason and I that we would not be consumed with fear but that we would have faith resting assured that God is working all things for good.