Discharge is a scary word...

Well, I'm tucking this little guy in tonight for the last night before (another) discharge.  He has been stable and looking good for several days in a row now, so it's time to go home.  We are thrilled he is doing so well, but so very anxious to head down the path we have started down what seems like many times before... leaving the hospital with a seemingly stable boy, only to head back in a downward spiral.  Our hearts are filled with hope that this time will be different.  We now have 5 medicines on board whereas in the past we have gone home on only one or two.  With the help of the medicine, Ty seems to be managing his heart failure enough that they feel he can at least try to safely grow and strengthen at home for exactly 3 weeks.  We are scheduled for open heart surgery on June 29.  As parents we want the best for all three kiddos, of course.  We want the girls to get to do fun summery stuff like swimming and playing outside and spending time together as a family of 5.  We also want Ty well and safe and are ready to get this repair done in the hopes that afterward we can start a healthier, less-stressful childhood for him and all of us, really.  He is the sweetest little boy and we feel like he is already wise - you can see it in his eyes.

I am so thankful to so many people, I can't even being to express our gratitude.  The Facebook friends (and strangers) who have supported us in prayer.... the countless donors who have contributed to Ty's medical fund... the family who have pitched in, come to see us, done things for us and for our girls... the friends who have been there in prayer and in support in so many ways.  We are so humbled.  God has worked through each of you - you have literally changed our lives.  

I have to specifically mention a few people on my heart tonight that fall into a special category.  Those of you who have come, at some point or another, to love on and rock and play with Ty when Chris and I couldn't be there.  Through the loss of Chris' father that kept us away for two days and through today when we had a special church service with his mom and then Lily's birthday celebration that kept us away all day.  You have impacted our lives with your gift of time - which I know is so precious.  I can't wait to tell Ty about all the special people that loved on him when we couldn't be there!  So, thank you Lauren, Megan, Natalie, Sarah, Anne, Linda, and Donna.  Also to Cindy, Sheron, and Jennifer - I know we had discussed y'all coming this week, but it looks like we won't be here.  Thank you for the offer and there is a very good chance when we come back at the end of the month for surgery #2 we'll be calling on you again!

We feel so loved.  God has put so many people in our lives and provided in so many ways that we are overcome with gratitude.  Our situation and the outpouring of support has truly revealed that Christians really are the hands and feet of God.  The Good far outweighs the bad.  The Light outshines the darkness.God is good - all of the time.

My friend, Kristin, asked for a picture and some information on Ty today.  She designed and printed the following pictures for something her church is doing.  I was honored.  She also asked for a Bible verse for Ty.  For a split second I felt like I was put on the spot and my mind went in 100 directions searching for verses.  Suddenly everything in my mind went empty except for Jeremiah 29:11, which was LOUD and CLEAR in my thoughts.  I have no doubt that God decided which verse I should claim for Ty and made it perfectly clear.  "For I know that plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  I claim this verse for Ty.  Our hope is in the Lord and he will take care of our precious son - for he is really just on loan to us and is truly a child of God.