Our Christmas Miracle

Well, as most of you know our Christmas vacation got off to a somewhat rocky start. We were planning to head over to Arkansas on the Friday afternoon before Christmas but unfortunately we found out on Thursday afternoon that my Uncle Robin, my dad's younger brother, had suffered a heart attack during an out patient shoulder surgery. So, needless to say we dropped everything, threw our clothes and presents in the car and headed to Arkansas that night. We got frequent updates from my mom during our 5 hour drive. At about 9:00 Thursday night Uncle Robin went in to emergency surgery where they were going to attempt an "advanced" repair of 2 blocked arteries. One was 90% blocked and the other was 60% blocked. During the surgery they were able to place 3 stints in the 90% blocked artery, but ended up having to shock him with the paddles 2 or 3 times so they were not able to repair the other artery. However, most times surgery is not done on an artery unless it is at least 70% blocked. We were very pleased that the surgery went well but were pretty scared by what went down in the operating room. Fortunately that was the last of the bad news. From that point on Uncle Robin made a VERY speedy recovery. On Friday, less than 12 hours after surgery he started writing us notes from his hospital bed in ICU. He was telling us that he loved us and thanking us for being there. He also told us when he was hot or had an itch:) At one point he even reached over to feel of the baby in my belly. It was so sweet! By Saturday he was off the ventilator! In order to get off it he had to pass a breathing test and he passed it with flying colors. He later told us he would have sucked the TV off the wall if it meant he could get that nasty tube out of his throat sooner! Then on Sunday he was moved out of the ICU and on to the floor. Which meant that more than 3 of us could visit him at one time. I don't think the hospital knew that we would eventually cram 19 people into his room!! But, it must not have done any harm because by Christmas Eve Uncle Robin was on his way home to spend Christmas with his family. From what we have been told by the doctors, if he hadn't already been in the hospital for the shoulder surgery when he had the heart attack he probably wouldn't have ended up in the positive situation that he did. It is so amazing to all of us how in control God is of our lives. He knew what was in store for Uncle Robin and knew that under most circumstances he would be the farthest thing from a hospital when this happened. He was actually in the woods the day before the surgery cutting down a hickory tree!! None of us will ever take for granted the divine intervention that saved his life this Christmas. Please continue to pray for him as he heals. If you know him at all, you can imagine what kind of patient he will be. He isn't very good about letting people do things for him or taking it easy. Also, please share this amazing story of God's love with anyone you think would benefit from it.

ICE ICE Baby!

Ahoy squirts!  Garrett here,

Tara, Jesse, Dustin and myself just got back from ICE and it was pretty cool!  (Sorry)  With over 2,000,000 pounds of ice kept at a muggy 9 degrees it is quite a site.  The only experience that even comes close to this olympic size meat locker is a winter in Chicago.  It was amazing to see what the artists were able to with colored water and lights.  However, my favorites used clear ice and special lighting.  

But perhaps the most impressive display was the 2 story ice slide.  There were 3 different shoots to choose from if you had the courage to use your tush as a sled.  

See ya down the road!

G

It's a...GIRL!!!

We had our 19 week doctor's appointment on Friday where we got the exciting news that we are having a GIRL!!  We are so excited!  We were both actually surprised at the news since we were both convinced she was a boy.  It is so much fun now that we know and can start seriously thinking about names.  Now, back to the doctor's appointment...It was actually quite entertaining watching her during the sonogram.  The nurse commented on how unbelievably active and busy the baby was.   At one point the baby actually reached up and pinched me!!  We also got the amazing news that my placenta previa has improved dramatically.  Five weeks ago my placenta was completely covering my cervix.  Now it has moved to where it is now 1 cm away.  Dr. Cope is looking for it to be 2-3 cm so we are well on our way.  Thank you so much to all of you for your numerous prayers during the last several weeks.  God is so good to us and has graciously given us exactly what we asked for!  Please continue to keep us in your prayers.