Then and Now

Wow, how a year has already passed and we are so very, very thankful with where we are now. I cannot help but be a bit emotional when I think to this time last year. I remember all that I wanted for Christmas was for Reed to get his new heart. I did not care about Christmas shopping, holiday open houses, seeing Santa, wrapping gifts, or really being excited about Christmas at all. When we went to Vanderbilt this week, my heart hurt for those families that I saw in the hallways and waiting rooms. I remember walking down the hallways speaking to all these doctors and nurses that we had come to know by first names...a place that I did not want to be and never want to be again. Even though Christmas is a time to be thankful and joyful, it is a very hard thing to do when your child is sick. I have learned so much about my faith this past year but it is still a constant work in progress. I am so thankful that we have Reed at home this year but I cannot help but be reminded of the family who lost their son this past year and gave our son a chance at life!
I say all of this to just ask you to please pray for all those families who are spending their holidays at a hospital instead of celebrating Christmas at home. It is hard to understand what those families are going through, but we did see a glimpse of what it is like. Be thankful when you wake up at home with your loved ones by your side and say a prayer thanking God for how he has blessed you and for the health that he has bestowed upon your family. (I am talking more to myself than anyone because it is very easy to get caught up in your own circumstances!)
Braden and Reed with Mr. and Mrs. Claus this time last year. Reed was not a hapy camper but who would be with all those tubes. Braden was such a little trooper being drug back and forth in the freezing cold every day to sit in a room to visit with his brother.

Braden and Reed with Santa Claus this year! How thankful I was to stand in line at Bass Pro to wait for a picture. This picture was actually taken the night that my parents watched the boys. I about killed mom for taking them in their pajamas but she thought it would be cute!

Ryan and I have gotten our picture made with this Santa ever since we have been married and it is a tradition that I plan on continuing.

My sweet Reed this time last year. He doesn't look to excited :-)

This picture does truly show our sweet Reed this year. Thank you God for answering a prayer that we never even knew to pray and that was to give Reed a new heart instead of having to have three surgeries that sometimes lead to a heart transplant anyways!
Oh Braden, you were so tiny and so good every day you were at the hospital.

Our fun loving child that loves to make you smile. He is Mr. Personality once he warms up!

My attempt at getting some good pictures for a Christmas card was a bit harder than I expected. I have a new appreciation for photographers! It would have helped too if I would not have waited until the day that I needed to send them to take their pics!!

Gotta love this look!

Reed out in the freezing cold trying to smile for mom.

Reed was not having it anymore!

I am not going to write much for the pictures below. This is just a small glimpse into the day that we had trying to get a decent picture of the two of them together. Needless to say, there were only individual pictures on the card!

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! I will update with new pictures after Christmas.