Written: June 15, 2011 - - Well... truly it has been an amazing last few months. Things definitely don't always go as planned, and this year for us has shown that. Elias was supposed to be born just a few weeks ago, but he's already almost three months old. During my spring break, Ape went into the doc for a routine check. The doctor measured her and thought she was not quite as big as she should be. So... an ultrasound was ordered. Soon I arrived just in time for the second ultrasound. Both showed that Elias was not receiving proper blood flow. That's not good! So... next Ape is admitted into the hospital with nurses and doctors basically saying that she won't leave pregnant. The next few days (and months really) are a blur. April gave birth (C-section) a few days later. Elias was born (2 pounds, 9 ounces), and was doing well. Although, I'd never seen so many tubes and wires connected to such a small little guy. He was a trooper though... strong! The next biggie was that we soon found out the Elias had Downs Syndrome. We were both shocked, and basically in disbelief. Nothing about this is what we had planned. I yelled at God when I heard the news. "No, no, no!" It was short... I realize I'm not God and His ways are not mine. Soon after this news April really started to struggle with both panic and depression. I think it was probably pretty normal under the circumstance, and with what she had just gone through physically. I now understand that depression is very real and can be very paralyzing. Ape is really the strongest girl I know... so to watch her struggle... I knew it had to be bad. Well, next Jordan broke her arm doing a backbend in the living room. Seth got strep throat. And, that was about it for a while. We got used to the daily trips to the NICU to visit Elias. He was there for a couple months... thankfully. I am so thankful for the NICU nurses and... really for modern medicine. Elias would not have survived this a few decades ago. God is good. We took Elias home from the hospital the day after my responsibilities at Valor were done. What amazing timing! He is the most mellow baby I've ever seen. He basically never cries... just eats and sleeps and sometimes poops. We continue to receive help from so many people. We've had either Ape's mom, my mom, or Kathy Garwood with us for almost three months now! We've had dozens of meals delivered to us... many from people we have never met. We've had numerous cards and gifts sent to us as well. It's been overwhelming... in a good way. I've learned that the Body of Christ is beautiful when it serves in love. I've felt humbled by people's sacrificial giving, and ashamed at my lack of love that I show others in their time of need. I hope I don't forget all this, but learn to love as we have been loved. Lastly, I really praise God for how He has continued to show His faithfulness to us. His perfect timing of events... His provision... His strength for each day... and His hope that He has given to us. That's all for now.