Stephen's Heart

Well it is almost here... in 18 days Stephen will go in for his second heart surgery.  Last Friday morning we had his last cardiology appointment before the big day.  Everything is looking great and the doctor thinks we are timing it just right.  On one hand we dread August 17th and on the other hand we can't wait to get it over with.  When people ask how I feel about it I simply say "I don't think about it".  I can't...it is too painful.  The day will be here before I know it and we will live through it and pray through it just as we did before...but thinking does this mama no good.
Stephen will be in a less fragile state once it is over and will soon be able to be around more people...I will even get to go to church!  He won't go into the nursery, and we will do our best to avoid people who are sick, but it sounds like life will be getting a lot more "normal" soon.  This summer has been a little hard on me.  I usually tag along to youth events with our kiddos, go to the beach, visit family, etc., but this summer we have mainly stayed in.  I have felt like we missed out on so much but thankfully it is only for a little longer.
Please continue to pray for Stephen.
Pray that he remains healthy before the surgery
Pray for the surgery- that it would go well and "uneventfully"
Pray for his recovery- that it would be quick and as painless as possible.  There is a chance of bad headaches and we have been told they sometimes come back a completely different child until they go away.  Please pray that Stephen is spared from these and his body quickly adjusts to the new system of flow.
Pray for our family- that God would continue to give us his peace and strength through it all.

We sure do love this little guy!!!