Updates....

Evie is doing really well.  She has her breathing tube out now and is only awake briefly.  She is still on pretty heavy meds for pain and they are trying to keep her blood pressure under control.  One of the nurses said she may be able to go to recovery room either late tomorrow night or Saturday, but probably Saturday.  They are just really watching her blood pressure right now and once they get it stabilized to the point of being able to give her the oral meds instead of intravenous then they can move her to a recovery room. The nurses reassured me that it doesn't mean she isn't doing well and that if she stays longer in the icu, that doesn't mean she won't leave around the same time.  We might have less recovery room days in the hospital.  Either Zach and/or I are always with her, while we take turns showering and eating.  She did wake up and while it was just me and looks like she is in a lot of pain.  It was beyond heart breaking.  If ever there was something that could have me switch places, I would do it in a heart beat.  Zach and are holding up as best we can.  Today, has been the roughest so far.  We will keep you posted, but please keep praying. 

Keep the prayers coming...

The prayers are working.  We just found out that the operation is complete.  The blockage was worse than they ornigainlly thought, but that actually helped because then they did not need to bipass and use the heart and lung machine, which would have meant a blood transfusion.  This is the best possible senario in our minds.  She will be moved to the ICU in the next 30 minutes and will be another 30 minutes until we will be able to see her.  We are trying to prepare ourselves seeing her with the breathing tubes and all the other machines, but we know she is in the best care possible.  They sounded possitive to have the breathing tube out tonight, which is great.  Keep the prayers coming and thanks again friends and family for everything.  The out pouring of love has made this so much easier to cope with.  

Keep praying...

We dropped off Evie in the operating room at 7:30 this morning.  She was giggling because of some medication they gave her to relax...Zach and I were wishing we had some too!  We had her anointed by a priest that- thanks Grandma Brown for calling. After he did it, she shouted 'yeah'!  It made everyone laugh and helped us get through getting her into the operating room.  We just heard they made the first incision at 9:12 and will be updated as it progresses.  Please keep sending those prayers!

Praying...

please keep the prayers coming!
The surgery will be starting for Evie at 7:30 (Thursday)tomorrow morning.  We had a wonderful meeting today with the team that will be 'fixing' Evie.  She has what is called Coarctation of the Aorta.  Basically put, she has a blocked aorta that should be about 1.5cm and is only 2mm.  They are going to be doing surgery to fix that problem.  Because of this condition she has high blood pressure about 170/90 when her normal pressure should be 90/50.  Tomorrow will start at 6am check-in and the surgery will start at 7:30.  They estimate it to take 2-3 hours depending various factors.  She will be in the ICU for at least 24 hours after.
I will try to post something as soon as we hear. Thanks for praying and all the support!

Our Life these days...

has been a little crazy with school starting

and the garden winding down.

 I had to take a picture of a perfect dinner in my opinion...

-fresh sliced tomatoes

-hummus made from my canned garbanzo beans

-celery stalks

-carrots from our garden

-homemade ranch dip

This meal is what I dream in the Fall, Winter, and Spring!

 Here are my little ones(not so little anymore)

ready for the first day of school.

They are enjoying homemade cinnamon rolls

made by Grandma...thank you Grandma!

You know the meal is a hit when the kids ask me to

get the recipe:)

 My tomatoes are still going strong.

I think this was the last big pick,

but I'm putting these up as I type this.

 Here is My Big Girl and I picking tomatoes and having fun.

 What I've been doing all day so far:)

I started with grape jelly and am on to tomatoes.

 I just had to take a picture of my newest splurge...

the Ball, collection elite, half pint jars.

They make me smile every time I look at them. 

They only negative is they come in packs of four!

I would by them by the case:)

My Big Girl took this picture today. 

She is getting to be such a big helper,

while I was busy canning she occupied herself by painting and coloring.

As you can see I picked up pears and am planning

on canning as soon they are ripe.

I will probably do that tomorrow before they get

eaten all up:)