1 Month!

Today our little Stephen Joseph is a month old...and what a crazy month it has been!   I went back through all of my old posts and reflected on this little guys life.  He truly is extraordinary and God has blessed us all immensely =0)
This week has been packed full of appointments.  He has been seen by a nurse or doctor every day since we have been home.  On Wednesday we wen't back to children's hospital and when we pulled up it felt like home.  As we walked to his appointment we saw so many familiar faces...faces that we have missed.  At first I didn't understand why I felt such a deep connection to a hospital, or to people who I hardly knew, but a friend put it best.  We went through a crisis there and these people lived through it with us.  The doctor, nureses, technicians, janitors, etc...they were with us in room 3214.  I know that feeling will fade but I think it also reflects on what an amazing team cared for us at Rady Children's Hospital.  One special lady was Manuela.  Every night she brought me joy.  I always looked forward to her smile and she faithfully asked how Stephen was doing.  The night before we left we gave her a gift.  It was so sweet.  We hugged and she cried.  To most people Manuela cleaned their room.  She emptied the trashcans and mopped the floors.  To us she was more and it such a special moment to people able to thank her for being apart of our life, even for a brief moment.
This has not been an easy road.  Stephen's scars have served as a daily reminder of what we have all been through, but they are also a reminder of God's grace.  God has held us all through this past month.  I am so thankful for a heavenly father who is bigger than us all and can see us through anything.  My heart goes out to all who don't know him.  Joe and I prayed for each little baby in the NICU.  We watched so many be brought to and from surgery and we prayed for each of them and their families.  I truly don't know how one could cope without faith yet so many are without it.  I wanted to share these lyrics to  "Holding You"  by Matt Hammitt

Mother in a waiting room

Wondering if she'll hold him soon

In the darkness searching for some light

People say, "It'll be alright"

People tell you to hold on tight

But what do you have to hold onto tonight?

Where will you find peace when you cry?
In these hard times it's not in what you hold on to
It's in the one who's holding you tonight

It's like staring down a wishing well

The voice inside cries out for help

But you've never felt so helpless in your life

And time becomes the enemy

'Cause you just got to wait and see

While all the world is simply passing by

Where will you find peace when you cry?

In these hard times it's not in what you hold on to

It's in the one who's holding you tonight

You are safe in the arms of the Father
You are safe in the arms of the Father
You are safe in the arms of the Father

You are safe in the arms of the Father
You are safe in the arms of the Father
You are safe in the arms of the Father

Where will you find peace when you cry?

In these hard times it's not in what you hold on to

It's in the one who's holding you tonight

Where will you find peace when you cry?

In these hard times it's not in what you hold on to

It's in the one who's holding you tonight

We found our peace in God.  We have been hugely supported by family and friends and have covered by prayer literally throughout the world.  We started this blog so the people we love could be updated on our life and would know how to pray for our son.  It has become so much more.  To receive notes and cards that this little guy is an inspiration brings tears to this mamas eyes.  God has given us sweet glimpses of how he is using our sons life for his kingdom.  

We never woud have thought we could make it through something like this but God is bigger than our greatest fears and if you put your trust in Him he gives you the grace and strength to make it through.  

Thank you for being a part of this journey =0  

Here are some pictures from the past few days.

His first bath

Such a handsome little guy!

Not the best picture...but he has started to smile =0)