Home

Greg was discharged Tuesday morning around 10am.  The hospital goal was to have him out by noon, but he was doing so great things moved along much faster.  I had to rush out of the house and head to the hospital so that he would not be discharged with no where to go (not that the hospital would have done that without me there, but it just would be sad to be ready to go and no family there to get you).

We were home and starting lunch before Jackson got back from VBS.  To look at Greg you'd never know that he just had open heart surgery.  He is doing remarkably well, still needs to rest and is on lifting/driving restriction for another 5 weeks.  However; having been through this surgery before, it is almost night/day the difference in how quickly he is back to himself.

It is so great to be HOME!  The kids are happy to have their daddy home and I know while there are moments of crazy around here, it is better for Greg to have them around while he recovers then to be alone in the hospital.

Thank you for covering our children in prayer throughout this experience.  Jackson has matured so much since the surgery two years ago and is able to articulate better with words what he is thinking and feeling.  One night when I was getting him ready for bed he asked, "How many more times does Daddy have to have surgery...?"  I assured him that it would be a very long time before we would need to discuss surgery again.  Jackson then followed up by stating, "like when he's 100!"  I agreed that waiting that long would be great with me.  And each night he prayed for Greg to get stronger and come home.

We are blessed!  I just don't know how else to say it or express the gratitude we both feel by the support, prayers, calls, and texts from all of the amazing people that have been put into our lives.  Our family, friends, Everett's teachers, the Ryan house staff, our life group, our church, our neighbors and Greg's co-workers.  All have checked in on us ready to address any needs that may arise.  We are blessed!  Thank  you!

This pillow was made by Everett and the Ryan House staff as a recovery pillow for Greg.  Look at those heart feet - my boy is growing!  

Good things....

If I were asked a week ago to share three good things - I likely would have hesitated to find the good.  What a difference prayer makes!  All the stress and worry I had last week melted away - a praise for sure!  Today I have nothing but GOOD to share.  Little God moments everywhere I turn.  Pulling into the hospital today I heard "Every Good Thing" by the Afters and the lyrics couldn't be any more true.  These lyrics in particular stood out:

There will be days that give me more than I can take 

But I know that You always make beauty from my heartache 

Don't wanna forget or take for granted 

That it's a beautiful life we live 

It's our family, it's our friends 

It's the feeling that I get when I see my children smile 

You're the reason for this life, everything we love ...

- The Afters 

So today was filled with GOOD and I was reminded that this beautiful life I have is a gift from God - some of those reminders include:

* Started my day off with an upbeat and positive text from Greg.

* Shared cuddle time with Jackson and Ellie before heading back to the hospital.

* Greg's chest tube was being taken out just as I arrived.
* I made it back to the hospital in time for morning rounds.

* Greg and I had our regular Monday afternoon "lunch date" in the hospital cafe.

* Picked up Everett today and he got to visit Daddy - he was full of smiles and kisses.

* Jackson started vacation bible school today and was super excited.

* Feeling overly blessed by our family and friends.
* Greg will be discharged tomorrow.
* In less than 24 hours I will have my family back under one roof.

Feeling excited, thankful, exhausted and ready for our summer norm to begin.  It will be a bit slower paced and not filled with vacations, but a time to enjoy my family, spend time with my kids and love on my husband as he heals.