Family of Six

The Russell Family

Today was another long day.  I was able to get over and visit Stephen for a few hours before they discharged me from the hospital around 4.  He is still stable and doing well.  He is on the lowest setting on the respirator and will hopefully have it removed tomorrow...we shall see.   The best part of the day watching the kids meet their brother for the first time.  We had pre-warned them about the wires, etc and even showed them a picture of him before bringing them in.  It was great.  They new that he was okay and that he was just being monitored.  They all got to touch him but Audrey sure liked it the most =0)  They didn't want to leave but we promised they could come back tomorrow. 

Here are a few pictures of the kiddos and their baby brother 

On another note we had a huge praise.  After being told there was no room at the Ronald McDonald house we received a call at 5pm saying they had an opening for us!  It worked out so well.  This place is amazing!  As soon as our kids walked in the door they were given gifts...I couldn't believe it.  Lizzie and Audrey got Build A Bears and Michael got some cool shoes and glasses.  The facility has a great outside play area with scooters, bikes, basketball hoops, etc.  They had so much fun playing!  We ended the night appropriately with Happy Meals =0)  This will be a great place for them to come and visit us and maybe even eventually stay a few nights.

Please continue to pray for the surgery and recovery.  The hardest part to deal with is the fact that it doesn't matter how well he is doing now.  We were told his condition before surgery is not an accurate predictor of how he will do during or after the procedure.  That was tough to hear because we want to grasp at any hope we can.  The thought of loosing him is unbearable.  It kills us knowing we have to hand him over soon to an unknown outcome.  I know God is in control of all things but that doesn't guarantee us the answer we so desperately pray for.  I am not saying this being we feel hopeless or pessimistic but to share with you the reality we are living with.  So please continue to get on your knees before our heavenly father and ask that he protect Stephen.  Pray that he will remain stable, be able to fully breathe on his own, begin eating and get to be held by his mommy and daddy.  And pray for that future surgery...that it would result in the best case scenario and that Stephen will get to live a full life.

In Him,

The Russells