God answered our prayers….

Little Gideon, at 7 months, underwent open heart surgery to repair the large hole in his heart that had been discovered a month before he was born.

Our entire family has been praying that God will protect and care for Gideon, that God would guide the surgeon’s hands, that Gideon would have a successful surgery to repair his heart, and that the doctors could preserve his thymus.  We prayed that Gideon’s recovery would be quick and with as little pain as possible.  

Please God let Gideon survive this difficult surgery, we prayed.

This is the same surgery that my dear Danny had when he was 68 years old.  I was beside his bed as his surgery was completed and he entered the Intensive Care Unit.  I was by his side the entire week in the hospital….day and night.  So both Dan and I know how grueling this surgery and recovery is.  But at least both Danny and I know that he had lived a good, long life, not like our dear little, smiley grandson who is only seven months old. 

Our hearts went out to Gideon and to his Papa and Mama, Owen and Mila.

The day before surgery, Mama and Papa got ready to take Gideon down to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital for his open heart surgery.  Grandpa and I, and Owen and Mila’s three older children, Hannah, Vernon, and Robert, waved goodbye and blew kisses to Mama, Papa, and Gideon.  And then we prayed.

The next photo is early morning before surgery….this little innocent baby trusted his parents, who trust in God to care for their child.

Mila never left Gideon’s side and slept beside him in the hospital the entire time he was in the hospital.  Gideon is just a little tiny baby and was still nursing.  And Owen was either in the hospital with his dear wife and precious baby or bringing healthy home-cooked food to Mila.  He slept a few hours each night nearby at our Leisure World home.  

Here is our little Gideon….he looked so similar to how my Danny looked when he had his open heart surgery—Gideon looked like a little tiny Grandpa.  This is what I saw when Danny was brought into ICU.  This is what Owen and Mila saw when Gideon was brought into ICU:

In the evening on the day of surgery…..

Morning of the day after surgery….Gideon’s first smiles!!!!

Evening of day after surgery.  Mama talking to Hannah, Vernon, and Robert…oh also talking to Grandma and Grandpa, who were honored to stay home and care for them.  In fact, we had a blast.  Not many grandparents get to spend five days caring for their three little tiny grandchildren….without any parents around!

Day four after surgery….Papa, Mama, and Gideon are coming home!

The cleaning crew getting the cabin ready for Gideon’s homecoming….what hard workers.  The cabin was spotless!

Of course Hannah, Vernon, and Robert had presents for Papa and Mama and Gideon.  They also had lots of stories to tell about their adventures with Grandma and Grandpa!

They are an amazing family.  They have such deep love and gratitude for each other, and their entire family.  Their faith in God and prayers were answered.  Our little Gideon is on the road to recovery.

Thank you God.

Our Big Strong Man is 4 years old!

We celebrated Vernon’s birthday early, because in ten days his little baby brother, Gideon,  is having surgery to repair his heart defect.  Gideon will still be recovering from the surgery on Vernon’s actual birthday.  

And Vernon, who will be turning four in a few weeks, deserved a birthday party just for him with all of us there to celebrate this thoughtful, caring, sensitive, sweet, and very active little boy.  But don’t let him hear you calling him a little boy!

For most of the summer, Vernon’s Papa was driving a logging truck in Washington and continuing to build their log cabin on his one day off each week.  Owen was doing what a man does….providing for his family, although he missed all of them terribly, and Mila and the children grieved his absence every single day.  

So for several months during the summer, Vernon let us know that he was “the man of the house,” and “a big strong man!”  And Vernon took this responsibility very seriously.  He said the blessing before every meal, protected his family, and helped Mama out with chores that required “a big strong man.”

But now that Papa is home, Vernon was just a VERY Happy 4-year-old Birthday Boy!

Here is Vernon’s new Ninja obstacle course…a gift from Sebastian and Grandma and Grandpa.  (We had asked Sebastian what Vernon would like for his birthday, and this is what Sebastian chose.)  Sebastian was right….Vernon (and Hannah and Robert) love it!  

Sebastian had planned to be spend his school fall break here.  He wanted to be with his Grandma and Grandpa, his Aunt Mila and Uncle Owen, and his little cousins….and to celebrate Vernon’s birthday with us.  And we were all so excited that we were going to have Sebastian here with us!

But due to the upcoming heart surgery for Gideon, we had to make sure that none of us are exposed to any sickness a month before the surgery.  We have all been staying home—no church, no grocery store, or even playgrounds. So, sadly, we had to cancel Sebastian’s visit.

We all wish that you could have been here, Sebastian, but you were with us in spirit!

Little Gideon starting to crawl and do push-ups as he eats a chicken bone!

Presents, and more presents!

Hannah’s present to her brother…..bought with money that she had earned!

Papa liked Vernon’s presents too….

Vernon wanted to be a knight in shining armor…..and he is!

Vernon, the knight, in the midst of a sword fight with Hannah and Robert.  (And, yes, Robert is clothed in a four-leaf-clover instead of a fig leaf….)

Doesn’t every Big Strong Man need a green dinosaur birthday cake….well Mama made him one!

As you can see, not only Vernon had an amazing birthday party….but so did all of us!!!

Here is a little video to show you all the fun that we had with this very precious Big Strong (grandson) Man….whom we love so very much!

Our little granddaughter has grown up….and is studying abroad!

 Dear Stella,

You have filled our hearts with joy and given us memories that we will cherish all our lives.  Thank you for your spirit, curiosity, and generous love.  You are so very special to us, and we love you very much! 💗❤️Grandma and Grandpa

Mom has returned back to the USA, Stella is living in her dorm, and classes have started.  Despite the fact that it was her first week of college life in Ireland, Stella was excited to talk with us.  

Although she is all grown up, it was just like talking to dear little granddaughter….she is kind, generous, full of ideas and interests, and super loving.  

We are so very proud of you, Stella, and you can always know that your Grandma and Grandpa will love you to the moon and back again!