Joy in Giving!

We spent the evening at the CHOC NICU Mission Viejo. The exact hospital, floor and unit where Ryder Jeremiah spent his first week of life. I get SO emotional every time we walk down those hallways and into the NICU area. I can feel myself starting to tear up the minute the elevator doors open to the fifth floor. I distinctly remember walking those hallways the week July 10-17, just last year.  Such raw emotion takes over me. I promised myself I wouldn't get emotional....I have still yet to keep that promise. 

We visited with a couple of Ryder's NICU nurses - nurse Rhonda and nurse Maureen. Both nurses couldn't get over how big Ryder had grown and also gave rave reviews on his cleft surgery. They were amazed at how great he looks! We love showing him off....not gonna lie. 

We also dropped off some stuffed animals, books and goodies for all of the NICU and PEDS babies. We prayed over each item, hoping they'd bring a little sparkle to the families and children who currently occupy those hospital beds. It's tough being on those floors, let alone during the holiday season. How our hearts break for each of those families. We know the feeling of hopelessness and despair as you have to travel back and forth to the hospital to hold and see your baby. It truly is heartbreaking but we have no doubt that God has mighty plans for those little ones, just as he does for our super Ryder Jeremiah! We included Ryder's special verse on every goody we delivered, praying that this verse touches many hearts, just as it has our own. 

"Before you were in your mother's womb, I knew you; before you were born, I set you apart" Jeremiah 1:5. 

We had such JOY in giving and are continuously amazed at how many hearts our Ryder Jeremiah's journey has touched.