Next update!

Here's the next random catch-up from summer. :)

First off, my cousin Brandon got married this summer! We are so happy for him and his wonderful new wife! The wedding was so much fun and everyone had a blast! We are keeping the newlyweds in our prayers as they start off their life together and deal with all the struggles and separations from him serving our country in the Marines.

My pictures from the wedding are horrible, but it's the best my phone would do.

John, Ethan, and Brandon waiting for the food :)

Family picture

Brandon and Nicole :)

the dance floor - the DJ was amazing, so everybody was out dancing and having fun!

We've also spent time cooling off from this heat at the lake and some local shooting fountains!

The kids at the lake

Ethan playing in the sand

Callie playing in the sand

Callie and Ethan at the shooting fountains

Ethan still gets his headaches. :( He had one at the park and had to lay down to try and feel better.

Yesterday we had Ethan's pneumonia recheck with the pediatrician. I went in hoping for good news but bracing for more of the same. The past two rechecks showed no improvement in his lungs. Yesterday, the doctor listened to his lungs and said she's never heard them this clear! There wasn't a single crackle and his left lung seemed open! I was so thrilled I could've cried! We picked up his x-ray results from radiology after the appointment and headed out to celebrate!

The kids after eating ice cream at Hastee Tastee. We stopped here after eating at Hot Dog Heaven. I used to go to these places all the time when I lived in this city, so now it's such a treat on the occasions we can make it there!

Ethan's cardiologist wants us to schedule his next appointment for early August. That way both of the cardiologists can meet with us and figure out the next step. I'll call tomorrow and schedule that appointment.

We also discussed Ethan's lack of sleep. We've been struggling with sleep his entire life, but this past year has gotten pretty out of control. I put him to bed around 9pm. We go through the whole bedtime routine (book, song, prayers, kisses). Unfortunately he doesn't actually fall asleep until somewhere between 2 and 4 in the morning. Usually that's after coming downstairs with excuse after excuse and being put back to bed multiple times. Then he'll finally break me around 3 in the morning and sleep on the floor of my room. It's not AS bad in the summer since he doesn't have to wake up at the crack of dawn, but I still get him up between 8:30-9am to try and tire him out for the next night. It never works, but I have to at least try. I just know this can't continue when school starts back up. He certainly can't make it through a day of school after only having had 3-4 hours of sleep!

Either way, we got a referral for a sleep specialist. This is at the neurology office he goes to for his ADHD. Hopefully we can be seen soon and get something figured out to help him! I hope to hear back from neurology with an appointment date in the next day or two.

Last but not least, today one of our heart friends that we follow online got his new heart! He is the same age as Ethan and just was admitted inpatient waiting for his new heart a month ago. Thankfully a new heart came quickly for him and we pray that his recovery goes extremely well and his body accepts the new heart! Ethan watched the video of him getting the news that his new heart was on the way. I explained to Ethan that this new heart would make Owen (our heart friend) feel better. Ethan then asked me "When can I get a new heart? I'm tired of being sick too." He broke my heart with that comment, but hopefully we can figure out a way to make him really start feeling good.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. I'll keep you updated with our activities and upcoming appointments.