happy heart day.

two year ago we got up early and talked to a bright eyed little.  we prayed over her.  we sat anxiously.

we walked with the nurses as they wheeled her from her home of two months to the operation room.  we kissed her goodbye, and sat for nine hours, waiting to see her again.

afterwards there were more tubes and wired than there had been before, and she was on a medicine to paralyze her because her sternum was still open.

but, much to everyone's surprise she did great, and they took her back to surgery and closed her sternum.

a week later, after nine weeks and one day, she came off of the vent.  for the first time in over two months she no longer had a tube in her throat. 

...and it would be really easy to focus on the hardness of that part of our lives.  but, two years later, i'd much rather share who shilo is today.  a two and a half year old, full of life, joy, and orneriness.  she can communicate very well, by signing.  she is strong willed.  she has learned to use the potty all the time.  she is madly in love with her big sister.  Jason and I took some time this year to go back and read all of the messages we got that day, all the people who were praying, and sharing our story so that others could pray.  and instead of feeling sad, all I could feel was the love of a community who surrounded us beautifully during the hardest time in our lives, and continue to do so now.  so today, we celebrate two years with a fixed heart.  and we rejoice at the little God blessed us with.

happy heart day little.  we love you greatly!!