This is our belated Christmas letter

I'm not sure I had everyone's address so I thought I would post it here.

The Year 2013, where do we begin! This year has been full of surgeries and recoveries for our family. Timothy has been the best baby ever through it all and such a blessing to our family. He has gone through four major surgeries and one minor surgery in the first year of his life but has handled them amazingly.

Many of you know, He was born with an imperforated anus, meaning no bum whole. He had his first surgery three days after birth, the reconstructive surgery four months later and he was supposed to have his last surgery to connect it all last May but during the intubation they discovered he had Tracheal rings. This is where the bone of the windpipe forms a complete ring instead of forming into a horseshoe shape, which prohibits growth in that area. For Timothy’s case this would have been fatal if not repaired. This of course was a much bigger surgery so they canceled his last bowel surgery and we immediately went to work to find the best ENT surgeon for his condition since it’s a very rare birth defect.  Only 600 births a yr and then only 30% of those children need to have it repaired. We found that the best Doctor was in our back yard basically, at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

 To make a long story short, we had a very hard open chest surgery performed in June. Three weeks later Mom and Timothy came home and where thankful to be back! It took several months for him to heal after each of his surgeries but this recover was by far the worst It was the beginning of Sept before life came back to normal and Timothy started to act himself again.  He had his last major surgery to repair his bowels 5 days before his first birthday in October.  Sorry to say, his birthday was very parallel to the first year of his life. Ruff! His Daddy was amazing and made him a Monkey Birthday cake and an amazing meal while Mom took care of Timothy.

Timothy continues to amaze, as he has been able to endure such hard trials. He’s been such an example of persistence and strong will. He has complained very little with all he has gone through and just smiles and enjoys life! We have been so thankful to have him in our family. He teaches us every day!

Aaron has also been stellar! God has blessed Aaron with a great deal of patients and majority! At the age of three-years-old he is able to go on average to four doctors appointments a week with his Mother and brother. Many of the Doctors say, “You realize that most children don’t act this way don’t you? He is really an amazing boy!” I completely agree with them. Aaron always ask which doctor we are going to as we get into the car. He can remember most of them and what fun things they have in their buildings or rooms. That is pretty impressive considering we visit around 18 to 20 different doctors.  He is especial fond of water, so he can through in coins.  Aaron loves puzzle, games and playing with Timothy. He really enjoys having his company!

As for Mom and Dad, it has been a very difficult year but we have seen the hand of the Lord in our family’s life! Just one example of this was when we decided to move to Indiana from Utah, we had no job here or home to call our own. We now know we moved mostly because of Timothy and the Doctors he would need. We have felt the power of prayer and received tremendous support from family, friends, therapist, and good doctors and staff. How we have needed every one of you! Many of you have watched Aaron during appointments and surgeries. You have made us meals, cleaned our home, given us money, called or showed up at just the right moment, and offered countless prayers for our family in the past year! You have helped show us the true meaning of CHRISTmas this year!  We hope you know how grateful we are! We never could have done it without you. Thank you each very much and a MERRY CHRISTMAS!