The Power of Prayer is so Mighty!  On Wednesday, August 28th I was driving to the hospital with Mike's morning coffee in hand. Like normal I was listening to WCSG Christian radio station. Jeremy and Amanada came on telling a story of a man named Bill who had recently recieved a heart transplant from Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids. He had a dry run and needed a heart very very soon. The radio station prayed for him over the air and the surgeon ended up telling his wife that he heard the prayers on the radio. That next day he got his heart. I of course started bawling and called the radio station and was patched through to Jeremy and Amanda. Not holding it together very well, I told them about Mike and told them how encouraged I was to hear about Bill and his story. Everyone has their own heart journey, but I just felt like God was telling me it was going to be okay.  I went in to visit with Mike with a renewed hope and feeling like anyday would be the day. We enjoyed our time

 If you have been following along you would have read about what a dry run is...if you haven't, let me sum it up. You think you have matched heart...and then you don't.  On Tuesday, August 20th I couldn't sleep in the middle of the night from 3am-5am. I stood outside on the patio looking up at the full blue moon in an air that felt crisp, like fall was on its way. It was mezmerizing, so big and full and it was truly blue casting a bright light over all the yard and into the field behind us. I prayed so hard for a heart that night. I snoozed my alarm as it rang and woke up at 7:15am. Realizing that I was a little behind schedule, I jumped into the shower before the boys woke up. With shampoo dripping down my head my phone rang and it was Mike. He put the doctor on the phone and I heard the most amazing words 'We have a Heart' The tears started flowing as I quickly finished my shower and called my mom. I couldn't believe that it was happening, I don't think I

 Starting a new school year can be daunting in itself, but starting when your dad is about to get a new heart can be really hard.  This year Blake is in 5th grade and Easton is in 3rd. We went to their classroom open house to meet the teachers, find their desks, and test out their lockers. We took pictures and talked to dad afterwards but it just wasn't the same. Blake said he is 'dad sick', like home sick but just missing dad instead. Mike is an amazing dad and is all in on their lives, events, and school. We can just feel the difference this year.  With all that is going on the boys school has been amazing in helping us and Blake and Easton walk through this journey. The principal, Blake's teacher, Easton's teacher and speech teacher, and the school counslor sat down with me before school started to walk through Mike's heart journey and how the boys are handling it. We are so lucky to have a school with a principal and team that cares so deeply for the well be

 2 weeks after being admitted and 1 week after surgery, Mike is finally getting into the groove of living in the hospital.  His pain comes and goes and he is learning how to manage it before his physical therapy sessions and walk about the unit floor. The pump is put in through a bunch of nerves and muscles on the right side of his chest and then dropped down into his heart. The doctors are saying his heart is doing minimal work now and the pump has pretty much taken over. Because he is getting better blood flow he has been getting headaches more often and experienceing some different pains. He still doesn't have an appitite and eating has become more of a chore. The doctors said I could try bringing in some of his favorite foods...so ramen is on the list to make this weekend.  Mike also got a room upgrade, since he will be staying for quite a while they gave him a nice corner room with a great view, we love the sunsets at night. They moved in a couch as well so that has been nice

 The last couple days have been frustrating, exhusting and long...but so good at the same time!  After waiting a day and a couple pushed back surgery times Mike got an Impella Heart Pump placed on 8.7.24. This is the world's smallest heart pump and it helps to maintain blood flow and pump his heart. So far it is pumping triple the output that he was doing on his own. He will have this in until he gets his new heart. With help from a nurse he will be able to do laps around the unit floor and keep up his muscle tone, physical therapy is scheduled for everyday at 11am. Mike is thankful to be able to work from the hospital until he gets a heart so he can keep his mind busy. We hope to settle into a better rountine and schedule by the end of this week/beginning of next week. Of course I am sure we will be thrown curve balls, but at least all the tests and inital visits for the transplant list is over.  Mike's first walk after getting the Impella: Mike has been moved to a different p

 As we celebrated 7 months off the heart transplant list we quickly found ourselves back on the list. Many of you will be shocked by this news...and I won't lie...we were too Mike came down with the tiniest of colds and a little cough at the end of June 2024. His appetite dwindled and he just wasn't interested in being super active. By the devine grace of God and His perfect timing Mike's doctors office called and randomly wanted a blood panel completed. The results caused them to call and Mike expressed his concerns about his little cold and other small symptoms. They had him come into the office gave him an IV to help get some fluid off his body. He lost 10 pounds in less than 24 hours...and his cough went away. They set up a right heart cath for the next day to see what was going on. The results came in a bit worse than the previous November 2023 cath, but not too alarming and they released him to go home.  We took the boys to SpringHill, enjoyed some alone time, picked

 Mike turned 40!  To celebrate this amazing man we gathered our dear friends and family to have a Bourbon, Brews, & BBQ party. Complete with a Bourbon tasting bar, make your own cocktails, a slushie machine, yard games, and tons of fun! Pork Fat Slims Food Truck served up some amazing BBQ and we ended the night with a campfire...I only wish we could have had s'more fun! 'pun intended...Easton loves it when I do that LOL' To add a little fun to the evening Cristie and Dan work tirelessly to collect beer bottle caps for the party...and maybe a few friends as well!!!! Guests could enter to win a bottle of Bourbon with how many bottle caps they thought were in the cooler and on the tables....the winner...Nicole Barber! With a total of 1,634 caps! I love to plan a good party so I have to share the inspiration behind my centerpieces. The tables were anchored by empty bourbon bottles that had fairy lights in them...they glowed as the evening went on. They also had pictures of