So much joy to come

When trials are going on all around, it's so easy to get caught up in it and not see the whole picture. However when the trails are much less and there is more joy, it's so easy to forget some of the hardship that has occurred. In the past month, Brian and I have been reminded so many times of what we have gone through. Just today I was speaking with a woman who had tears in her eyes as she looked at the boys. She is an ex-nurse, so for her, watching us walk through the boys lives was more than just a story, it was real life. It was really sweet. Then she said the most amazing words to me, "How does it feel to know that you have encouraged so many people?" I laughed it off at that moment, but I've been thinking about it all day. I am so honored to have been able to share our story, and if people are encouraged by it, then I am so thankful! There is no one to blame for what our family has endured. It took me a long time to get rid of the Mother's guilt, but I know that I did everything I could to keep my babies safe. We don't blame any of our doctors or nurses in any of our four hospitals. Each person did the absolute best that they could and we are so thankful for that because neither boy would be here if they hadn't. We are so honored to have had so many friends and family who were praying for us. I don't even know how many times prayer gatherings were happening that we didn't even know about. Or when people showed up at our house to pray for Isaac because he was so sick. We really hope that our family has encouraged perseverance when there is a trial and for any family that is enduring preemie life, we really hope that we can speak hope into your family.

This coming week is the biggest week that we have ever gone through in the sense of joy. I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am! On August 21st, we are moving....Yes I know, again. Currently we live in Berlin and love being so close to friends and family, however it is really just not a 'safe' place for us. Emotionally, spiritually and in a sense, physically. I don't think Brian and I have ever been so excited for a new home as we are for this one. We are going to be renting a condo in Avon. It has so much to offer our family. Not only is it in a great school system, and close to some of my friends from home, but my Mom is the only grandparent living in CT and we want the boys to have experiences with her that I had with my grandparents. Some of my greatest memories are with my grandparents. But we are still praying for both my Dad and Step-Mom and Brian's Parents to move back here soon :)

On August 23rd at 2AM, I will get up and get ready to leave, because at 3AM Isaac and I have to be on the road and heading up to Boston for his 7th and final surgery!!! This is the most amazing news that I could be sharing!!! For 2.5 full years, he has had tubes and iv's in so many places. Now for the first time in his entire 2.5 years, we will be able to hold him in any position, not have to change dressings, put tubes back in when he pulls them out and not have to freak people out when they are trying to play with him. Isaac and I will have to stay over night, and I'm pretty confident when I say he's going to be cranky because they won't let him eat before or after surgery. I remember what it was like for CJ....boy was he loud!

I'm so thankful that this is the last scheduled surgery where I will have to hold the gas mask over one of my sons as he drifts off to sleep. If you've never had to do this before, then I am so thankful. It doesn't sound like much, but when your baby is looking up at you with scared pleading eyes and then they roll back in their head and they are as limp as I would expect someone who is lifeless to be...it's pretty sad. But Isaac's surgeon is amazing! We love this man and would have him do surgery on anyone in our family. And this is a pretty routine surgery...the only real issues are making sure that Isaac doesn't catch anything while he's in the hospital, that no abnormal bleeding occurs and that he doesn't get an infection after.

Now the tricky thing that we are going through right now, is that Isaac gets monthly shots of vitamin B12. He had blood work done in July just before his dose, and his numbers were off. So after they did his shot, we got more blood work. They were still low. So then Isaac got a mega dose and they were up, but not that great. So we just had more done, and then another shot. When we go to Boston on Thursday for pre-op and a Neurology behavioral study, they are going to do more blood work. Needless to say the poor thing has had 3 shots and 4 blood tests done in just over a month. We need to figure this out because B12 is very important. Possibly something is keeping him from absorbing, but we aren't sure what.

Christopher is doing so well! He's had some wicked sinus infections lately...for 2 full weeks. He's on another round of antibiotics that are not making his intestines so happy. But at least he is getting back to himself. We are praying against any asthma or eczema break outs going into the fall. They both tend to get worse, but we are praying for them to be gone.

If anyone is free around 8AM next Saturday, we'd love some help moving so that we can be all settled in by Sunday afternoon so I can get some sleep before surgery. Once we are settled in and home from surgery, we will let you know how everything went. Thank you all for your continued love and support!