The Best and the Worst

The WORST:

-hearing my own "worst case scenario" come to life -- my daughter needs a valve replacement NOW, not years down the road; that she was, in the doctor's words, a ticking time bomb over the past year.

-watching them take her away, feeling my empty hands.

-visualizing what a heart-lung bypass must look like on MY daughter.

-walking to meet the surgeon, hand in hand with my best friend, holding our breath, hoping beyond hope, also fearing the worst.

-sleepless nights and the inability to provide comfort to a sad and restless little girl.

-witnessing the open wound of grief.

-seeing babies hover between life and death.

-weariness.


The BEST:

-feeling hundreds of prayers lifting us up, bringing God's peace.

-hearing the best possible news, hugging my best friend, telling each other she's really okay.

-forging instant friendships in the strangest and most difficult of circumstances.

-reconnecting with old friends.

-knowing how much we are loved by our families.

-cuddles and snuggles and lots of I love yous from the two greatest kids on the planet.

-enjoying the rain washed air, lush greenery and delicious food of Seattle.

-celebrating the removal of each tube and wire.

-knowing that God is making me into a much more loving and much less selfish mommy.

Goodbye ICU!

After a wonderful morning snuggling with my little girl, we got to move to a cushy private room on the peds floor! I am so excited to take one step closer to home. Noelle is sleeping peacefully right now in this sunny room with a beautiful view.

Goodbye to the ICU! She gave us a little half smile for the occasion.
A room with a view!

If you think about it, could you pray for a grieving family? As I walked out to the ICU waiting area to call Joel with the happy news of our move, I passed a family grieving the news of their lost little one. Their pain was so raw. It was heartbreaking to witness. It could so easily have been us a few days ago. I am thankful for more time with our sweet girl but have a fresh awareness of how fragile life is. I am praying that this family would somehow be aware of God's loving presence and peace in their darkest hour.

Ready to Go

I just finished packing for our trip to Seattle!

Please pray for Noelle on Monday morning. She will go into the cath lab to have the balloon dilation done at 11am.

I have felt so loved during the past few days by the many people who have been praying for us and thinking about us.

God is giving us peace and strength.