Emmie had a joyful heart until we got to the back and distraction got hard. She was the bravest four year old I have ever met. They did a great job of getting her through quickly.
Once she went back for surgery, Mark and I had to wait. Her last surgery took over eight hours and we had several people to distract us. This time, it was just us…which, I supposed, meant we got into a lot of mischief.
Reading comments on silly posts had Mark and I both in tears. That picture is Mark crying in laughter. At that point, Emmie was done with surgery and we were waiting to see her in the PICU waiting room. I suppose it was a lot of nervous laughter being released. The other picture is Mark’s impersonation of the kids at a touch screen.
Nothing at all beats holding this sweet girls hand and seeing her snuggle with her daddy.
After we got in good snuggles, I headed back to RMH and met our friends to get Tobin. The next day, Mark and I swapped up. Emmie had such a hard time the day after surgery. But soon after I got there, they started taking IVs out (she had four total) and she started to perk up. I got to see more of my Emmie when we looked at pictures of her friends and our family on Instagram and then “shopped” for clothes on Zulily. And, I got to hold her.
Holding my babies in my arms is the best thing ever.
Mark got some Tobin snuggles in too.
Child Life came in with a bunch of fun things which brought our Emmie girl into some big smiles!
Out of Emmie’s window was a little garden. I peeked out one time and saw a hummingbird. If you look closely, it’s hanging out to the left of the plant.
By the second morning, I was able to braid her matted hair and play princesses. And then she got to leave the hospital! She was so glad to be out!
The resilience and joy in Emmie’s heart is overwhelming. She is so strong and has such a sweet smile despite all she has been through. God has taught me a lot through her but more than anything, when I look at her, I can always see God’s hand of protection and guidance.
