A Visit Home, A Celebration and really, REALLY BIG News!

Yes, this post contains possibly the biggest news we've ever gotten...but you'll have to wait until the end! :)

We had a wonderful few days visiting family back in Owensboro. We were able to visit with lots of family and get in lots of squeezes and hugs! Since Owen is have surgery on December 6 we will miss Thanksgiving with our families. In an effort to keep him nice and healthy before surgery, we won't be going home. :(

Here are some pictures from our visit. Owen's personality is coming out so much and is loving visiting with friends and family!


                                                                     Visiting with Nanny. :)

                                                Tummy Time with his BFF (and cousin) Axell!

                                                    Playtime is the best with Uncle Will!

                                                       The boys dressed out for UK. :)

In honor of Owen's 1 year Anniversary of his homecoming we took Owen to see his favorite friend, ELMO!!

Owen has fallen head over heels for that silly, furry, monster. Before I had kids, I never wanted to be a part of the whole "licensed character" thing. I just wasn't a fan of the T-Shirts and paraphernalia. BUT Daddy blessed Owen with a Rock n Roll Elmo while he was in the hospital and it was love at first sight. There was no going back....Owen was smitten! Now Owen will reach, grab, and cry to hold anything with that red critters picture on it. We have Elmo books, stuffed animals and PJ's. All in the name of love, right? :)

Well, Owen LOVED Elmo Live! We had very close seats and his eyes were GLUED to the stage. The show was quite long and I was impressed at how well Owen made it through the show. He got a bit wiggly after intermission, but then the characters started coming into the audience...and Owen went crazy! He LOVED touching and hugging them. He wasn't scared one bit. :)

 So we had one minor major meltdown....the confetti canons were WAY too loud for sensitive Owen!

Celebrating the year anniversary of Owen's homecoming warms my heart like no other. When I think back to our 3 1/2 months in the NICU, for the most part I think of happy, joyous moments. EVERYTHING is a big deal in the NICU and we celebrated every tiny, little accomplishment Owen had. And when I say "we" it wasn't just Michael and myself. It was our wonderful doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners. All of which fell deeply in love with our sweet boy and still remain in contact to check on his progress.

We are ever so grateful for the care Owen received in the NICU. Those first months were hard, but we made it through, gliding on the prayers of so many and being "trained" to care for our boy by some of the best in the nation. Our house is filled with laughter and giggles from a sweet miracle who is changing so many lives. A lot has changed in one year, but one thing remains: I continue to daily be in awe of the greatness of our God and the miracle that he performed before my eyes. I fall in love all over again every time I look at those big blue eyes. :)

Leaving the Hospital. November 15, 2010

                                                         First time sleeping in his own bed!

                                                       One year later and such a HAM! :)

Okay, so you've been patient thus far, so I guess I can share our *little* bit of new with you....

    WE HAVE AN APPROVED DONOR!!!!!

The day we have been waiting for has arrived. Michael's sister, Carrie has been approved for kidney donation! Carrie matches as well as a parent (in theory) would match, 3 out of 6. She has been through the initial testing, CT scan and physical and she received that long awaited phone call last week. We are SO blessed to have such a loving family, with many who were willing to give Owen a new life.

Words cannot describe how grateful we are to Carrie and her willingness to make a sacrifice for Owen's life. Donation is harder on the "normal" life. She is giving him the gift of life that he would never know, had it not been for her decision to be tested. Our hearts are overflowing with joy for her decision and we are forever grateful to her.

Having Owen has truly showed me the love of Jesus. I can say in confidence that if it would save Owen, I would give my life for him. It breaks my heart that I am unable to donate my kidney to Owen, I would have done it yesterday if possible. But praise God for His mighty plan. That before even Carrie was created, he specifically created her with a kidney that would be perfect for Owen.

Please be in prayer for Carrie and Owen. That the Lord is preparing Carrie's body for donation and that she will remain healthy and steadfast in her decision to donate to Owen. Pray that the Lord is preparing Owen's body to receive her kidney and that our doctors and family we be able to schedule the surgery quickly and the healing and recovery time will go smoothly.

Thank you for your prayers. Continue to pray for wisdom for our doctors, in decision making and scheduling the transplant in making sure Owen's body is completely healed after his upcoming surgery. Continue to pray that Owen will remain healthy until surgery and will heal quickly and be on the fast track to transplant. :)