Mountains and Mustard Seeds: On the mend

Things are a looking up around here! Although we are still going through about a box of tissues a day, the fevers are gone and we've spent some time outside this week. So much has happened over the past several weeks it's hard to keep up with my own thoughts, much less get them down in writing.

Abby got a special baby-doll from Grandma and Papa for Christmas and it came in the mail last week. She is designed to look just like Abby; feeding tube, scars and all. She even has little hearing aids and can suck her thumb. She is lovingly made by Karen's Kids. She is called a "special angel doll".

Abby seems to like feeling her hair. It's fun having a look-a-like doll for our little sweetie! I'll try to take some pics of her G-button and scar to share.

Last week as Papa was having his big surgery, Patrick and I took a walk down memory lane to the hospital where Abby spent the first 6 months of her life. Papa was actually in the same hospital that Abby was born in. It was strange being back there again... the familiar sights and smells took us back to that day.

East TN Children's is right across the street. We walked down all the same hall ways we spent so much time in, 7 years ago. Some things have changed, but over all it felt the same. It's strange how a physical place can hold so many heavy emotions... you can actually feel the weight of it. But being there is somehow comforting too.

We spent some time on the 5th floor (NICU) lost in our memories, until we saw a family mourning in the hall way. Too much sadness. We quickly left with familiar heavy hearts to give them privacy.

I remember taking Abby to that window (above), once she was big enough, to show her off to family in the hallway.

NICU Entrance (below)

Lots of family and friends showed up to support Papa and Grandma that day!

Although it was a heavy day of waiting, Josiah loved having special time with Aunt Connie and Uncle Matt.

This past weekend we enjoyed a visit from Bill and Maddie! We had a great time together and Josiah especially loved having his cousin here to play with. They got to visit the aquarium, the space museum and go for a short hike on our property. (Thanks for flying out here to hang with us!)