Home Sweet Home

SUNDAY - We worked hard all day to help Ian drink all the required fluids and to eat more food, but the poor little guy never was a very big eater to begin with and has been forced to drink so much that he told me he no longer even likes Sprite and when he gets out of the hospital he's "never taking another drink of anything again". Despite our efforts, by afternoon, we were far enough behind the amount they wanted him to drink that I thought we would have to be staying another night in the hospital. But, luckily the head doctors decided that they didn't think we should be stuck at the hospital just for this reason and there was no other reason we couldn't go, so they gave the approval for us to leave.

I was so happy to be leaving, but I hoped Ian was truly ready to be home. Though he has improved so much, his appetite was very small and getting him to drink plenty of fluids so hard. Plus, he has seemed sullen and more quiet than normal. We packed up and left the hospital anyway, hoping for the best.

About 6:00 PM, we loaded Ian in the car and began to drive away. As we began to leave the city I was so tickled to hear my little Ian jabbering to himself. Ian LOVES to talk and this is something he has often done before while playing or when we are riding in the car. Talking and talking and talking. I loved hearing it!

When we arrived in our town, we stopped at Albert's grandparents because we knew they'd like to see Ian and also to pick up our other boys. As soon as we opened the door and helped Ian out of the car, he walked into the house -all by himself- and began telling everyone his stories about the hospital. He liked being the star. He liked that everyone was interested in all he had to say. He moved around the room without any problem. (At the hospital he didn't walk anywhere without holding on to Albert and I and mostly rode in the wheelchair or stayed in bed.) I was again amazed and so grateful for the miraculous healing effect that being in our town and being together and with their cousins has on my boys.

Ian soon tired and we went home and got ready for bed. Joy and gratitude filled my heart as I pulled my children close and thanked my loving Heavenly Father that we are all home together tonight. I have felt the Lord's hand in our lives this week and feel he has truly blessed us.

It had been raining outside and when I went out to gather some things from the car, I saw the sky was filled with the biggest, brightest, most beautiful rainbow I had ever seen, and it seemed to be right over our house, lighting up our home. I felt it was God smiling down on me, reminding me that He loves us and is watching over us. I am happy.