Sweet Summertime

Before the broken collar and surgery we were actually having a great summer. Logan visited Gigi & Big Daddy at the lake where he met his great-grandparents on my side of the family and went on his first boat ride. Much to everyone's disappointment he wasn't a fan of the boat ride but he also ended up with an ear infection on the day we went home so I can't blame him for not liking the boat.

On the dock with Gigi

Big Daddy & Logan all ready for the day

Hanging with his great-grandfather (and of course, Hurley)

In June Logan & I went down to St. George Island, FL with my Dad's side of the family My Nana & Paw-paw rented a house on the beach where we were able to spend lots of time with aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins. With so many people around to hold and entertain him I'm pretty sure it was the best week of Logan's life. He rarely cried and loved having so many friendly faces around looking out for him. He also loved all of the ice pops and ice cream. :)

For me the week was more relaxing than I would have ever predicted. Thanks to all of my family I somehow managed to spend hours on the beach, go to dinner and oyster happy hours all baby-free. Who knew how great that could be!?!?! I enjoyed spending time with family and it was nice to have so many people looking out for and loving on Logan. It made our trip home getting stuck overnight in Memphis because of a canceled flight (diaper-less and formula-less) well worth it.

While Logan and I have been having lots of fun this summer Matt, unfortunately, has been working. He started second year on July 1st and is on ortho trauma at the county hospital. He's enjoying what he's doing but works LONG hours. We've missed having him around and can't wait to get more time with him when he starts his next rotation in 7 weeks. It feels a long way off. :(

He was made for the beach (as long as he's under the umbrella or wearing SPF 90).

Thanks to my Uncle David for so many great beach pictures!

Relaxing in his sand chair.

Just missing his Daddy (who never would have survived the Florida heat in June).

Such a great week!

Update!

My last post was entitled “Worst Day Ever” and although the broken collar bone incident was pretty sad, I feel certain that I stand corrected – since then, we’ve had a few days that might take over the “Worst Day Ever” title.

I’m sure most everyone knows, I had unexpected heart surgery on Friday, July 1^st. I was debating about posting anything on here since I’ve really been using the blog as more of a tool to keep up with Logan. I was also a little hesitant to post anything on the internet for everyone and anyone to read. After talking with a friend, however, I was reminded of how many people prayed for me and our family and would be interested in hearing how we were doing. So . . .

First and foremost, a huge and enormous thank you to all of you who prayed, called, texted, emailed, sent flowers, dropped off food and visited. I know I didn’t get back to everyone but I have loved reading and listening to all of your messages and sweet notes over the past few weeks. It made the entire situation so much easier not only on me but on Matt and my parents as well. We are all so appreciative of the overwhelming love and support we received from friends and family all over the country. I’m starting to tear up thinking about how many wonderful people contacted us. J

I’ve been back home for 3 weeks now and am feeling much better than that first week post-op. I’ve been walking once in the morning and again in the evening averaging about 2 miles a day. My energy is slowly coming back and some days I’m ready to go – like on Sunday when I went to Trader Joe’s AND out to dinner (big day). Other days I’m perfectly content sitting on the couch for an entire day. Fortunately those days are becoming more spread out and I’m slowly starting to do more.

Logan’s collar bone is all healed up and he is back to sleeping through the night. I’m still not able to lift him yet but fortunately both my Mom and Matt’s mom have been in town to help care for Logan. My Mom came up a couple of days before my surgery and stayed for three weeks and then Matt’s Mom came into town and will be here for a week. I can’t even put into words how wonderful they have been. It’s exhausting to go back to being a full-time caretaker for a baby when you haven’t done it in 20 years but they have done an amazing job. And not just with Logan – they are cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping and taking care of me and Matt as well. We would have been completely lost without the two of them.

Since being home I have had the hardest time comprehending how merciful God has been to me and our family. Considering the situation, things could not have gone better. It seems as though the Lord had his hand in everything and I am still amazed at how well things went. From my own past experiences as well as watching the role prayer has played in the lives of friends and family, I believe that intercessory prayer is such a powerful tool. I feel so blessed to have had so many wonderful friends, family and churches seeking and pleading with God on my behalf through everything. It was both comforting and humbling to know that there were so many people, even some I have never met, offering prayers. I truly believe God was listening and am so appreciative to all of you who prayed. I cannot thank you enough for those intercessory prayers.

Before surgery, a (older and much wiser) friend gave us a little advice. She said, “Turn this over to the Lord and He will weave it into something wonderful for you and your family.” Some days it’s more difficult than others but for the most part we’re trying to follow her words of wisdom. As God continues to bring everything together, we are continually praising him for his mercy and love. Another friend (not so much older, but still wiser) referred me to Psalm 116 and as I continue to thank God for all of his blessings, this Psalm has quickly become one of my favorite prayers.

Psalm 116

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;

he heard my cry for mercy.

Because he turned his ear to me,

I will call on him as long as I live

. . . The LORD is gracious and righteous;

our God is full of compassion.

The LORD protects the unwary;

when I was brought low, he saved me

Return to your rest, my soul,

for the LORD has been good to you.

. . . What shall I return to the LORD

for all his goodness to me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation

and call on the name of the LORD.

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD

in the presence of all his people . . .

Feeding Logan on my second day home.

"So Big" with Grammy

Feeling better and hanging out. :)