It's been awhile...

Well, it's been about a year since I last updated the blog. I intentionally haven't updated because I decided to keep our day to day life private for now, but rest assured that we are doing great! In fact, we are awaiting a new arrival to our family very soon. Field is going to have a baby sister! We are excited and blessed and grateful that she looks healthy so far.





Field continues to grow and learn and challenge us with his strong willed nature and high (VERY high) energy level. He is nonstop and it's exhausting but a blessing at the same time. He is doing very well in preschool, is very social, on track developmentally, and loves superheroes, cars/trucks, and trains. His heart health has been fantastic and we are very blessed.





I do plan to keep the blog up and running so we can update everyone during Field's upcoming Fontan. We go to Texas Children's Hospital on April 29th where we will consult with our cardiologist and most likely make a game plan for the last and (hopefully!) final surgery which we are expecting to be in the Fall of 2014.

Open heart surgery...again...on our sweet boy who will most likely be 4 years old. I can't even begin to describe the heart ache I feel about this. I can't think about it without tearing up. The last surgery was tough, tough, tough, and I know this surgery will be harder. We COVET prayers for our sweet boy and for his nervous, worried, and anxious parents.

One thing I do know, we have a great God who is SOVEREIGN over all things. He loves us very much and will not leave or forsake us during this time. He will meet us where we are and will bring us the comfort and strength we need to get through each day. And as for Field, he's a tough little fighter and I know God will give him the strength and courage to persevere through yet, another surgery. When Field gets scared, I always tell him that Jesus is in his heart and will protect him. Oh Lord, please hear that prayer and protect our boy.





More to come later!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Christmas 2012 Recap

Hello to the blog world!

I can't believe I have neglected the blog so much lately but we have been BUSY!  (I have said that before, I know!)

The Christmas holidays were wonderful to us this year.  We loved celebrating the birth of baby Jesus and spending time with friends and lots of family.

Here are a few holiday favorites of 2012:

Meeting Santa in Devine.  It took him a minute to warm up but he became a fan of Santa this year!  

Playing music with his girlfriend, Anabelle (in the pink).
Field LOVES music and we hope to continue to tap into this interest of his.
This kid can strum a guitar like a natural at 2 years old!  

Annual family photo with Santa at Oak Hills Country Club.  

Day School class Christmas party - having fun with his teacher, Ms. Lisa!

Loving Santa at the Meabon Santa party

Hi Santa!

Group Trip buddies!  All born within a few weeks of each other.  

With mommy and daddy in front of the Alamo

All of Field's loot on Christmas morning.  A blessed little boy indeed!
 Favorite gift - his mini kick scooter and motorized train set from Uncle Dude.  

Field with daddy's cousins and Uncle Dude

The Johnson/Arnold clan that was in town from all over the US!  

on being afraid...

Last week, I attended bible study and found that my usual small group of young women was placed with another group because our leader was gone.  I don't prefer this because it's hard to jump in and feel comfortable talking when you don't know the group well.

As we went around and answered questions, we came to a personal question asking how are Christian blessings worth what Christ requires us to give up for Him.  The first person to answer shared that she has a hard time giving up her children over to the Lord.  They are her children and if they were to suffer, she feels that she wouldn't be able to handle it.  She shared that life has been very good to her and she has not ever dealt with tragedy and so she hopes and prays that when her time comes, that it wouldn't involve her children.

I totally get that and if Field wasn't born with a CHD, I would probably say the same thing.  But after hearing that, my heart hurt.  I am living out her worst nightmare.  No, Field is not sick.  But the reality is that his heart is not whole, he will require another serious open heart surgery in the very near future, his cardiac care is for life, and one day, he will say things like "why me" and "this isn't fair."

Am I afraid?  Of course.  Do I carry that burden and worry alone.  Of course not.    

I have every reason to have hope for Field.  I will not allow my fears to take away my joy.  Receiving His peace, joy, and hope is so much greater when I allow Jesus to carry my fears about Field.  I will not store my treasures in earthly desires.  I will live by His grace and I will trust in His promises.   

I will be strong.  I will be courageous.  I will not be afraid.  I will not be discouraged.  (Joshua 1: 3-9)

Atlanta

We went to Atlanta back in October to celebrate the life of Nanny, Brad's grandmother.  It was a wonderful weekend with the very fun Johnson family but difficult to say goodbye to an amazing mother, grandmother, and friend.  We will miss you, Nanny! 

Field did as well as can be expected.  We kept him out too late, skipped naps, and ate meals off schedule but he adjusted wonderfully and was such a great sport.  I loved being with the Johnsons - those southerners know how to have a good time!  

He did great on the plane!

Field met a new friend at the restaurant during our family dinner.  LOVED this piano player.  

Family dinner in Atlanta.  Me with my sweet Mother and Father-In-Law!

Nanny's children and grandchildren  

Johnson family bonding.  Telling stories about Nanny.  

Bittersweet.  On the bus to attend Nanny's funeral service.  

Celebrating Nanny at the reception after the funeral.

 

Cheers to you Nanny!

Long day!  We are DONE!

3 Whitfields!

Field with cousin Tyler (who was so SWEET to him) saying "Bye Bye to Nanny."

Georgia Aquarium with cousins Carter, Drew, and Lyndon.  Amazing! 

Not so much into that scuba diver.

Easy entertainment at Aunt Carol's house

Eating at the infamous Varsity in Atlanta.  

Bye Bye Atlanta!  

Halloween 2012

I am way behind, but wanted to update with a few ton of fun pics from Halloween.  

It was busy as ever but so much fun!  

Oak Hills Country Club Halloween Party:

Mr. Policeman

Aunt Tara, Cousin Sadie, Mommy, and Policeman Field 

Momma and her policeman

Cousins at Oak Hills

Neighborhood Halloween Party:

Checking out each other's costumes.

Daddies taking their babies to the party.

Harper, you are such a cute T-Rex!

Field, AKA "Mr. Social" wanted to be like the big boys and help behind the fishing booth.

Boerne pumpkin patch playdate:

Crockett and Field

Cheese!

Halloween Night:

Officer Field and his inmate

With Uncle Bubba and Cousin Sadie

Ready to trick or treat with the fun crew!  

Field and Elvis Anabelle

1st house - they walked right in like they owned the place!  

No fear with these two.