Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, all! During this season of celebration and throughout the coming year, I pray you know the peace and hope that only God can bring. No matter what season your life is in. He sure loves you so!

that grin

I love her adorable, two-toothed smile, but this sweet little grin? It gets me. every. time.

PT progress!

I'd say this is progress. BIG progress! 

Somebody loves the stairs. 

And somebody is getting a gate 

for the bottom of the stairs for Christmas. ;)

discharged

On this day last year we were leaving behind the comforts of this familiar place...

with this familiar view...

and taking this sweet baby girl "home" for the first time... 

We left the hospital that evening grateful, yet unsure. 

Grateful for where God had us. 

Grateful for how well Brooke was doing just 21 days after her first open-heart surgery at six-days-old. 

Unsure of what the coming days, weeks and months would hold. 

Unsure of caring for our fragile little one three hours from what had been home to us for her little life and those who had become family and provided amazing care and support 24/7. 

But, off we went, so very excited to be together at home home as a family of five.

Trusting that God would cover us in her care and protect her through the Winter months in anticipation of her second surgery in the Spring. 

First stop...our St. Louis apartment for an overnight stay before we headed home home the following day...

a heart hero

Every heart hero needs a costume and a cape!

sister love

On this day last year, after a 20-hour wait, we had our first photo as a family of five and these big sisters got to really meet their baby sis. Abby was completely smitten from the moment she laid eyes on Brooke. That day, and every time she visited Brooke in the hospital, she rubbed and rubbed and rubbed Brooke's little forehead. Got me every time. Still does. Emily? She thought Brooke was hilarious. Laughed every time she made the slightest movement or sound. :) And was fascinated with all the monitors and beeps as well as all the other NICU babies. 

It's been so sweet to watch these two love on their baby sister. So grateful they have each other. And so grateful we have each of them. 

fun at the orchard / pumpkin patch recently

happy birthday, little one ... an open letter to my Brooklyn

My Dearest Little Brooklyn, 

You're turning one today. Oh what a year it has been, sweet baby. You are a warrior, Brooklyn. You are sweet and happy and even a little bit feisty. You bring such joy to our lives, just like your two big sisters. And just like them, you are "fearfully and wonderfully made," special heart and all. Incredibly, He "knit you together in [my] womb and ordained every single day of your life." (paraphrased from Psalm 139) Every single day, Brooklyn. The easy ones. The hard ones. The fun ones. The sad ones. All of your days. 

Your life. Your little life has touched so many people already, Brooklyn. God has shown Himself faithful and mighty in power in so many ways. God used the prayers of many wonderful friends and family and the minds and hands of several amazing medical professionals to hold you up and spare your life. And through those same prayers, God carried your daddy and me through some dark days. There are lots and lots and lots of people who love you, Brooklyn. They are rejoicing with us today as we celebrate you, your life and all God has done. 

From the time we received your diagnosis four months before we met you, I believed God chose you, chose us, to walk this road and endure this trial for a purpose, or many purposes. Only He knows that full picture, but be assured, His plan and purpose are for your good, for our good, and are so much greater than we could ever imagine. 

"And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." --Romans 8:28

God loves you so, Brooklyn. He is for you. And He is good. No matter the circumstances. My deepest desire for you (and your sisters) is that you come to know Him and His love for you at an early age, fall in love with Him and follow hard after Him all the days of your life. In Him, there is life. The only life worth living. 

I consider it an honor to be your mama, sweet baby, and I can't wait to tell you your story, the one that God wrote for you, someday. I have no doubt you'll see God's fingerprints all over your life. I can't wait to see what He does with you and in you in the coming days, months and years. 

Happy Birthday, Brooklyn Hope.

I love you more than I could ever fully express in words. 

Your Grateful Mama

the first of many hands to touch your sweet life

very proud mommy and daddy meeting you for the first time