Jeepers, Martini's & Dinner in a Pumpkin?

 No we didn't buy a jeep. :) 

A few days before my surgery, Weston's car was in the shop being repaired and 

I took the boys for a fun cruise in our rental. 

I wanted to squeeze in a date with them before the big day.

We had a blast! 

 Warren has always been a pretty serious kid but the older he gets the more his sense of humor and playfulness shines brighter. This was one of those moments I accidentally caught on video.
He makes me smile.
(Video only available on the blog)

 We drove around for over and hour and a half rocking out. Then, 

went through the drive through at Chik-Fil-A for ice cream. :) 

Just before my surgery Weston snapped this picture just in case I died. 

Nice, huh? 

Even though I passed my stress test prior to surgery we were both pretty nervous to say the least. 

I am smiling only because he was being a goof and told me he thought 

I looked hot in this hospital gown. 

I am so grateful for all his support through everything! 

Speaking of cheerleaders? This 3 month old little boy has been an ANGEL sent from heaven! 

I think I gave him about 1 million kisses this day. :)

Getting surgery is a funny thing. I have had three c-sections but was always awake during each. I had never been put all the way out before. I was way nervous of course because of all my heart stuff but man once the anesthesia set in..... life was AWESOME!! The anesthesiologist said he was going to give me a little martini and then they'd roll me into surgery. Well, that is the last thing I remember! They claimed that I was talking and moved myself onto the surgical table and all...but I don't remember any of it! I just remember waking up in recovery with the most peaceful feeling EVER. It was fantastic! 

I have actually dreamed about that moment, since. Is that bad? ha ha

Well Dr Quast, my 79 year old surgeon, said the surgery went well although it did end up taking about an hour longer than he had expected. He said that my gallbladder had many adhesions from having MANY gallbladder attacks therefore he had to do a lot more cutting to get the darn thing out! Well, all I can say is I think that thing was acting up for a long time and it was sucking the life out of me! I also didn't have any bradycardia (heart rate dropping) issues during the surgery which is a HUGE relief! All I can say is I feel SO much better since having that darn thing out! My back pain is gone and my energy has quadrupled! I am so grateful for a healthy body! 

This is where it gets ridiculous. You know how they say trouble comes in threes? Well, the day after my surgery Warren ended up at the ER getting stitches from cutting the bread that we asked him not to cut. This was the picture Weston texted me as I was trying to figure out how I would pick up Benjamin who had just cried "mommy I'm not feeling very good"....

This was him for the next two days. I have never seen him so sick. 

I guess it was a blessing?  Despite the continual fever and vomit, he was more subdued than usual those days. Weston was back at work and I just sort of hobbled back and forth with the bucket. 

We were a pathetic site! lol I am so grateful this is all over! 

Speaking of gratitude, over the last 4 months my life has been filled with blessings and many angels around us to help us through a physically and emotionally exhausting time. My husband to name the first, a few family members and lots of wonderful friends. 

The Lord has taken care of us. I worried before I had the baby about having the help I needed, when I needed it. As people have visited, baby sat, brought delicious and creative meals, smiles, hugs, a listening ear, baby gifts, flowers, encouragement, yummy bread & elbows ready to clean....I have been absolutely filled with gratitude. Each time I have a baby I keep a "Thank You" list so I don't forget to send off a note to each person. It is humbling to look at the list as it grew...day by day. I had a large box of Thank You's and ran out of cards! I am so grateful for the wonderful examples of integrity, unconditional love and support around us. It is these Christlike examples I want to follow and pay forward throughout my life. We are blessed.   :)