The 30 Day Journey For Hope

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Bubble Wrap Bonanza.....4 days and counting

Tonight's celebration included taping bubble wrap to the floors in our great room, kitchen, and entry way. Hope (and the big kids) stomped all around popping with each step! Isn't that every kids dream??? They enjoyed it so much, we decided to leave it down through tomorrow too (at least until all of the bubbles are popped).

Also, we met with the surgeon today at Hope's pre-op appt. We didn't learn anything new; however, he drew a picture of Hope's heart condition and then described (on our level) what he intends to do during surgery.....his "plan of action". Thankfully, it made some sense to us.

Finally, Sunday will mark our very last "March for Hope" around our house. 30 days have flown by. We will be marching at 6pm on Sunday evening if anyone wants to join us. We will end the march with a prayer for our baby girl.....thank you, again, for all of your many prayers.....we continue to expect BIG THINGS!!!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Toilet Tissue Tousle.....5 days and counting!

We are getting ready to go to Vanderbilt this morning for Hope's pre-op work and to meet with her surgeon. I'm not looking forward to it at all. To be honest, I have thoroughly enjoyed being silly with the kids the last several days. The kids and I have been spending alot of time in the house together since Hope is limited from outside activities and from being around heavily populated areas at the moment (Dr.'s orders), so planning nutty things for us to do together as a family has been fun! Meanwhile, unfortunately, "REALITY" has also been busy........busy preparing to force itself upon us.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Stair Surfing......6 Days and Counting

Yes, we did.....While this will probably freak the grandparents out when they see it.....the kids had a total blast! They slid down the stairs over and over and over again. As soon as Caleb slid down the stairs with Hope, she jumped up and started climbing the stairs again......living life and loving it! Ain't it grand?

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Mattress Mania.....7 Days and Counting

Tonight, we pulled 5 twin mattresses from the kids' beds and covered the rec. room floor with them for "jumping WITHOUT the bed" instead of " jumping on the bed"!!! We continue to march in celebration for our little "Happy Hopey"! The love we have for this little gal the Father has placed in our lives is just overflowing.....more than our hearts can handle.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Spaghetti Bath.....8 Days and Counting

Hope began her "Spaghetti Bath" all tidy and lady-like.....it ended QUITE different than it began! ENJOY the video.....it starts slow, but ends with Hope (and everything else) covered in noodles. Such fun!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Dancing at Half Time...9 more days

Hope had a big time this evening at big brother, Caleb's, football game......at half time, she went out on the field and danced until her little body was exhausted. She LOVED it (and so did the spectators who watched her).

In addition, today, we had some special visitors.....Kelley and Ali drove all the way from Cleveland, TN to sign Hope's Love Shack and have lunch with us, Liz stopped by to join us for lunch, Gi Gi and Poppy came from out of town to visit and attend the football game, and Alex spent the day with us, signed the Love Shack and joined us for the football game as well! Busy day with loads of love from alot of people!

Please feel free to stop by to write a prayer or thought in the shack....you do not have to call first. I am a true Southerner when it comes to guests: "Ya'll come by anytime, ya hear?"

We are having so much fun thinking of "out of the box" stuff that a 4 year old would enjoy....stay tuned for some pretty goofy stuff. The kids are particularly excited about tomorrow's surprise!

Still marching for our little Hope....marching forward with Joy....feeling like the most blessed family in the world to have "Hope" in our lives. (literally and figuratively)