1 Year Ago Today...

This was us a year ago today.  Those smiles were only skin deep, it was a very difficult day for us and our families.  One year ago today Allyson had heart surgery to fix her VSD (ventricular septal defect).  It was a very long day full of waiting, nervously waiting for the surgery to start, for Allyson to come out of surgery, waiting to see her after surgery, and waiting for her to wake up (you can read more here). 

I am so very thankful for the surgery and the fact that Allyson's congenital heart defect (CHD) was able to be reversed with one surgery.  It was still a very scary day, venturing into the unknown and holding tightly (desperately) with faith that everything would turn out all right.  I have learned so much from that experience and I continue to learn from it.  

 I know we have been blessed to have a very healthy and rambunctious little girl.  One who never had to experience side effects of her heart defect,  one who will not even remember the surgery and all the doctors visits we had to go through.

While it was a very hard time for our family I know we were so very fortunate that Allyson's heart defect was a very standard and treatable defect.  I am so grateful for modern medicine and skilled surgeons who made her surgery and quick recovery possible.  I am especially grateful for a supportive family and loving Heavenly Father who helped our little family through a hard time.  The blessings of having to endure the fear of the unknown have been so very worth  it.

Our little girl isn't so little anymore.  She even eats her sandwiches like a big girl now.

She loves to run and play in the sprinklers and lives life to the fullest.  

As much as I hoped and prayed we could avoid surgery I am so grateful that she was able to have the surgery and can now live her life without a a single thought about how much her heart can handle.  I know we have been blessed.