And we're waiting...

I knew today would be a day of waiting; I just expected to be in the hospital while doing so. Instead we're back home today waiting for next Monday for Jake's surgery. Yesterday we checked in the hospital at 7:30 in the morning and spent about 4 hours having tests done on Jake. He had an EKG, chest x-ray, a nose test, a blood test, and met many nurses, a nurse practitioner, and a PA who all said he was ready for surgery. About 11:30 the surgery nurse came in to let us know Jake would not be having surgery the next day. Apparently, there was a baby who was in need of a heart transplant and another baby who needed immediate surgery on Tuesday. In the second case, they had been waiting for weeks for an instrument needed to do the surgery and it came in on Monday. At first we were a bit heartbroken since we were emotionally prepared for the surgery to be on December 11th. But we soon realized there is a bigger reason why he was not to have surgery today. If we believe God is hearing all the many, many prayers offered on Jake's behalf, we also have to believe that He did not see fit for Jake to have surgery today. He knows why we must wait. We also are so thankful that Jake is not so critical that it was mandatory that he have surgery today. So the new plan is that he go in the hospital on Sunday and have surgery Monday morning. We have a number to call on Friday to verify this all and we will of course keep everyone posted if anything changes again. Monday is my 31st birthday. I was hoping to bring Jake home from the hospital that day, but instead we'll get him "fixed." We'll have double the reason to celebrate December 17th in the future! We are also so thankful for all of our family and friends and the support and prayers. We are blessed.

The pictures above are Jake at the hospital yesterday. The first is in his hospital gown and the second is him asleep with my dad. My parents had already come into Oklahoma for the surgery, but they went home this morning and will come back on Sunday.

The pictures below are of Jake at the Lanier Law Firm Christmas party we went to on Sunday. In the first picture Jake is with Clutch, the Rockets' mascot who was at the party. In the second picture, he and Ty are in the Luminarium. It is a huge blow-up sculpture that has really cool lighting. Apparently, there are only three of them in the world and they tour the country. This was my first year to go to the Lanier party and it was spectacular! I taught two of Mr. Lanier's daughters at Northland. They have a huge party every year at their home with a big band. This year's entertainment was Brooks and Dunn. The party has a petting zoo, many blow up moonwalks, a train ride, wonderful food, and many other activities. I got to see many of my former students which is always fun too. Jake enjoyed the lights in the luminarium and listening to Brooks and Dunn.