Here is to a Happy and HEALTHY New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

So I had intended to do a blog entitled "2010: Year in Review".... seriously it would be way to long and I have no clue where to even begin. It seems like yesterday that I was pregnant with Jacob and telling my husband that we just needed to get through 2010. We did it! 2010 was quite a roller coaster for us. We have felt fear, heart ache, anxiety and cried many tears. We have also felt love, compassion, strength, courage and so much HOPE. Most of all we have been blessed.

This year we had an amazing little boy named Jacob. In his short 9 months Jake has been through 3 heart caths, 2 open heart surgeries, 1 g-tube/nissen surgery, more tests than I can count and so many x-rays that he and I should both glow in the dark by now. 3 months of the year our family was split up as Jake was recovering in Philadelphia. We have been lucky enough to have the best doctors, nurses and specialists both in Philadelphia and here at home looking after our son. We also have the BEST family who has been there for us more than I could have ever asked for. Our friends and even perfect strangers have shown us so much love and support which I hope to be able to pay forward one day.

We have also gained a new family... our heart family. We have met so many amazing parents and children. We have also felt the pain of others who have had to say good-bye to their sweet angels, yet we have witnessed their continued support and love for the CHD community. This is not a group I ever imagined joining but I am so proud to call my self a Heart Mom. They have shown me strength and compassion like no other. I am more than proud, I am honored to be a part of this family.

I sat here tonight watching my two boys laughing together while banging pans and tooting their New Years horns and I felt so blessed. I remembered being pregnant with Jake and saying that I looked forward to the day where I can watch my kids laugh and play and I would know that I have made all of the right choices and that I could finally breath a sigh of relief. Well I am not sure I will ever breathe that sigh of relief but it did melt my heart as I knew that all of the heart ache, fear and tears were nothing compared to the joy that I feel today.

Josh Wilson wrote a song for a friend of his who has a son with HLHS. Anytime I need some courage or strength I listen to this song and it pushes me through. This song puts into words exactly how I am feeling. Our fight is far from over, but the pain can't compare to the amazing joy that Jake brings into our lives.

Josh Wilson- Before the Morning (Chorus)
Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

so hold on, you got to wait for the light
press on, just fight the good fight
because the pain you've been feeling,
it's just the dark before the morning

Our New Year Resolution:
NO INPATIANT HOSPITAL STAYS....

From the bottom of our hearts we wish everyone a very happy,
HEALTHY New Year full of blessings.
Here is to 2011!