God, are you sure this isn't more than we can handle?!

WOW! 
It's unbelievable that Tristan's surgery was only a week ago.  At times, it has seemed like weeks have gone by and by that I mean, each hour of recovery seemed long and drawn out.  I have determined that watching your child recover after a major surgery takes a significant toll on a parent as well.  You are on hyper alert every moment of the day and night, studying each grimace, tear, sigh and even snore. 

Thankfully, those hyper vigilant days seemed to have passed us by now.  On Friday afternoon, last week, Tristan finally made a considerable turn for the better.  He began to get up on his own and wanted to walk around.  The joy that filled this mama's heart as he stepped out into the sunshine is difficult to put into words. 

By Sunday night, Tristan was asking if he could go to youth group!  Both Kevin and I were hesitant but eventually decided this might be a good trial run before attempting a half day of school on Monday.

(IN THE MEANTIME:
On Sunday afternoon, we found ourselves back at Helen DeVos, this time in the ER with Wyatt who had taken a hard soccer ball shot to the eye on Saturday.  (I joked with the staff asking if they had a punch card for regular guests.)  Wyatt's eye had looked irritated on Saturday but by Sunday morning there was blood running through his iris which concerned both the Urgent Care and ER doctors.  Their concern was iridodialysis. (Don't google it.  The pics are gross and his wasn't anything as severe as those pictured.)

Monday morning we went back to Grand Rapids again to see a pediatric opthalmologist who allayed our fears, assuring us the iris was not pulling away from the eye and all should heal up on its own.

Sigh of Relief.)

BACK TO TRISTAN:
The Monday half day went very smoothly.  It was just enough time for him to catch up with friends and touch base with his teachers.  Thanks to his youth pastor, Jason, Tristan was picked up and dropped off at home before Wyatt and I even returned from his appointment in GR.

In addition to Jason, we send our thanks out to SO many of you: 

• Those who visited Tristan in the hospital
• Those who sat with Kevin and I and "just waited" in the hospital
• Those who sent sweet gifts and cards
• Those who took care of Tristan (and us) in the hospital (Dr. Schlatter, Gina, Grace, Mary, Holly...)
• Those who took care of food and meals for our family
• Those who transported our other kiddos (since our second car "puked" right before Tristan's surgery.  I know, great timing!)
• Those who extended us such grace as we had to manipulate and rearrange our schedules to miss some events and attend others
• To Noah, Gideon, Wyatt, Tehya, Shelby and Johnson, who had the patience of Job through all this craziness.  We love ALL of you SO much!!

Last, but most importantly, an ENORMOUS THANKS for all your prayers!  Tristan and Wyatt are healing well and for that we are unceasingly grateful.

We serve an AMAZING God who sustained us throughout each step of this journey, giving everything we needed at just the right time!