Congrats!

Tom and I want to say a huge CONGRATULATIONS to our friends, Brad and Christy, on the birth of their daughter, Sarah Elizabeth. Many of you may remember that we met Brad and Christy when our journey at Levine Children's Hospital began. Their son, Jake, was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. He was in the room right next to Peter. In fact, when we were given a tour of the cardiovascular ICU before Peter's surgery, we noticed a quote they had up in Jake's room, "A faith that hasn't been tested cannot be trusted." We thought of that quote many times throughout Peter's experience. We shared a few "delicous" hospital breakfasts with Brad and Christy in the CVICU waiting room. They were a great source of encouragement to Tom and me as we were so overwhelmed by all we were dealing with.

Sweet Jake went home to heaven on March 3, 2009. I am sure that Jake holds such a tender place in so many hearts that even this birth could not possibly fill his place. But I'm thankful God has given them this new joy! His mercies are new every morning and GREAT is His faithfulness!

We love you Brad and Christy!

Almost A Year

Today marks 11 months since Peter's heart condition was diagnosed. It's hard to believe it's almost been a year. These next two months will mark many milestones for our family. One year from diagnosis, one year from open-heart surgery, one year from ECMO, one year from coming home from the hospital, etc. A good friend has suggested that I journal my memories from all those days - not necessarily the big things (those we will NEVER forget), but the little things, the details. Those things that the lens of time will cloud over the years. So I've decided to heed her advice through this blogspot. Over the next couple of months, I'm going to journal on some of those anniversary dates. For now, though, I've posted these "before" and "after" pictures. The first picture was taken just a couple of days ago. The second is from one year ago this month. Peter was in mild congestive heart failure and we didn't even know it.

Big Foot

Tom and I have had to face that fact that our son...................... has FAT FEET!!! Those red marks on his ankle is from a pair of socks that was too tight. Peter is on the small side in all the rest of his body, but he makes up for it in his feet.

The First Post

I've decided that I should try something new this year. I've never been a blog person before last year, but our caringbridge site got me in the habit. I found it to be a way to get information to many people quickly, but also it was a great vent for my feelings or just thoughts that needed expression. So, I'm now a "blog mom." Also, I wanted a place to post pictures of my two sweet children that are growing up right before my eyes.

The Scripture at the top of our blog was one I read just this morning. The high priority of the family has been a theme that God has been laying on my heart recently. The family is of utmost importance to God as is evidenced from Genesis to Revelation. I love the thought that God named our family. In our individualistic culture, we often place emphasis on the fact that God knows each of us by name (not wrongly so because indeed He does), but God also knows each and every family by name. Every family - with all of their hurts and sorrows, joys and triumphs, heartaches and laughter. So, for this reason, I too bow my knees before my Father, from whom the Ellsworths have been named. Thank you Lord!