Pre-op

Finally gave up, relaxing on his ride around the unit.

New smile #1

Tomorrow we begin the journey of Jack Nathan's cleft repair surgeries. One of many. This first will be a bilateral lip repair. The surgeon will have to "undo" the healed side so he can properly connect the muscle and tissue across the entire upper lip. By this time tomorrow Jack will have a new smile. I have to say we will miss his cute, wide smile. We are looking forward to helping him learn to speak after the initial repairs over the next 6 months.

 

We appreciate all prayers!  Little sweet heart has had a rough surgical history, so we hope he doesn't experience any additional trauma tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Josiah!

Josiah turns 7! from patty hull on Vimeo.

Sweet boy,
It's hard to believe it was 7 years ago that we first held you in our arms.  After what seemed like a very long time of waiting, you were such an incredible gift to us!  We'll never forget looking into your beautiful eyes for the first time.  You have amazed us ever since!

We love to just watch you.  As you sing and dance, as you draw, as you talk and ask so many questions... we just adore you!  This has been a year of lots of changes and some really hard days.  We hold you a little closer to us since your sickness in China.  

This post is over a week late... you know why.  Life is more than just a little crazy these days!  You are a wonderful brother and we are so proud of you.

Happy Birthday Josiah!

We love you to the moon and back,
Dad and Mom

New Beds

Patrick has always wanted to build bunk-beds for our kids.  About a year ago he found plans that we both really liked!  Finding the time to tackle the task proved to be a challenge.

After Jack Nathan came home we started considering more seriously how we needed to arrange the kids for optimal sleep, privacy and special Abby needs.  During this discussion Patrick decided it was time to jump into the bunk-bed project!

Several months of measuring, cutting, sanding and staining...
Voila!

New BEDS!

They are so beautiful, and the boys love them.  For now they are not actually "bunked" but serve as great new sleeping spots.  Some day the boys will go upstairs to a bigger room, but for now everyone is cozy downstairs.

One more goal on our to-do list... CHECK!

Me and Abby at the McWane center, B'ham

Made my DAY

One year ago...

A very difficult time for our family.  Our precious Papa and Dad went to be with the Lord.  How we miss him!  Thinking back one year ago, our hearts are heavy.

In those same moments Abby was lying in a PICU bed, after one of the worst seizures she's ever had.  Torn between two precious people...  some of the hardest days for us.

There are times in life when heartache overcomes and the trivial melt away.  When the presence of God is palpable and life sustaining.  The hope of eternity becomes a reality... and we long for heaven like never before.

This has been a year of firsts... 

First birthdays, Fourth of July's, Thanksgivings, adoptions and Christmases missing Sammy.

So many times we've reached for the phone to share some good news, some bad news or just to hear his voice.  Josiah writes him letters and asks questions about things he liked.  He wants to know all about Papa's childhood and what he was good at.  Levi thinks he's going to see him the next time we travel to TN.  He misses Papa's hugs.  I'm sure Abby misses him too...  and Jack Nathan will know him through pictures, stories and video.

Today is a day of missing.