Home at Last!

We were able to come home on Thursday night. We just couldn't take being away from the kids any longer. We didn't tell them we were coming. They were playing Wii when we walked into the room. Ben jumped up and hugged me. He said its an answered prayer.."because I prayed you would come home early" (we thought it would be Friday after we weren't able to make the Tuesday date). His teacher told me the next day that he told her his prayer was answered as well. He kept it together but he looked like he could burst into tears at any moment. Lizzie looked shocked. She got up and hugged us and hasn't got far from either of our sides since. Sweet little Isaac saw Jason, said "Daddy" and started laughing and running around crazy :) It is so good to be home with them.

They have all three had lots of questions and concerns about my "ouchies". At first it was lots of looking at my throat incision and asking if it hurt. Lizzie has lectured me about all the things I am suppose to do and NOT suppose to do. She was also concerned because I am no longer having to use my crutches and asked if the doctor said that was ok. I love that little girl...she is typically not the rule follower of the house but she certainly knows how to boss everyone else into following rules! lol! In fact she just handed me my head pillow "to keep my head straight".  Ben has been telling all of his friends about my neck being cut. I laugh because of the motion he uses while telling them. It is like in an old movie when the villain looks at the good guy and does the "cut your throat" sign across the room. So funny! All of them are so tender with me and have each, independently came and cuddled up next to me declaring their love.."momma, I love you so much", "momma, I love you to infinity and beyond", "momma, I'm so glad your home". I of course, can't hug, kiss, and cuddle them enough. Jason and I have been working hard to reassure them. They are all three a little concerned that we are going to leave again.

Yesterday I was able to go to Benjamin's Jump Rope for Heart. He raised $130.00. Thank you to all who supported him. He is a great jumper! I am proud of his kind heart and how he really wants to help sick people. This is where I watched him tell his friends what happened to my neck. I was worried he would be embarrassed and asked him if he was sure he was ok with me going before he left for school that morning. He handled their questions so well. Sweet, sweet boy!

Today Jason took the kids for donuts in their PJ's. They love this Saturday morning tradition that had been put on hold. He also has an afternoon of bike riding planned with them. He is going to try to get Ben to ride without training wheels. Then hopefully, since I am still not able to participate in the action, we will have a movie night this evening and I will get some cuddling in :). Meme bought them a special movie to watch as she is here helping me.

A couple other things I want to remember are that I came home on Thursday to about 30 minutes of card opening. I can't believe the amount of people who have been there for us and prayed for us. It is still overwhelming to me. Some were from people I went to college with, some were from people from the church I grew up in, some from people I don't even know- from here or other places, some from church people here, some from family, some from friends...tons and tons of cards. Then yesterday, I got even more. You wonderful people! I have not felt alone a single step of this journey! Thank you so much!

This last picture is of Jason shaving. He started growing out a beard sometime in November when everything started unwinding for us. If you know my handsome hubby very well, you know it takes him a while to grow one. :) He shaved it just before we left Boston. He told me he thinks that he will grow it every year around that same time to remind him of what God has done for us. I love that man so much. I am so blessed to have him in my life.