Reunited and it feels so good :-)

What a glorious reunion! The kids didn't know that Grace had been discharged from the hospital, so the plan we told them was that we were going to drop our bags off in the hotel room and then head to the hospital to see Grace and David.  They also didn't know about Marriott's generous upgrade, so they didn't expect a hotel with 2 rooms. I had them set down their suitcases and explore the awesome room...

....So bummed the iPad won't let me post the video :-(. I will be sure to post it when we get home.

Here are some pictures of our sweet reunion after a long 2 and a half months...

Soooo grateful for a large hotel room for many reasons, but one benefit I hadn't thought about is the extra space for when these two wrestle (as they love to do), I can worry a little less (just a little less though :-) about someone going to the ER.

It didn't take long for us to be reminded that our lives are still far from normal. Grace is toward the end of her methadone wean and the Dr's and nurses weren't kidding when they said that the weaning process at the lower doses is the roughest! Poor Grace, in a 24 hour time frame she hadn't slept more than 3 hours because she just can't settle herself, so she's fussy from exhaustion and discomfort (it doesn't help that she's getting two new teeth too), but can't rest.  Therefore, David and I got little to no sleep last night, but it's so worth it!  The joy that Grace exudes with her precious smile, twinkle in her eye, and endless waves and kisses can melt even the most sleep deprived mommy and daddy's hearts. We called the hospital to see if they thought we should slow down her wean schedule and to make sure there isn't anything else that we should be concerned about. They just called us back and said that it all sounds like withdrawl symptoms, so we are going to slow down her wean schedule.  I'm so grateful that we are still in Boston to troubleshoot these types of issues with the medical team that knows Gracie best! Please pray for wisdom, comfort, and rest for Grace and the rest of us. 

When we arrived to the hote, we were blessed to find that some friends of friends had sent us the most beautiful Christmas basket. Also, a sweet friend from high school and his colleagues pulled off a movie like blessing.  They sent beautifully wrapped gifts for the kids to our hotel and to our home in Texas, as well as a gift certificate to Cheesecake Factory (a family favorite that is in the mall that our hotel is attached to, so we don't even have to go outside). It felt like a movie to arrive to the hotel to find that Santa had already came, making it look very special and festive. The decorations that David repurposed from Grace's hospital room (thanks to the sweet care package our friends sent him) and the cute table top Christmas tree that he purchased actually make it feel like Christmas! 

I have more amazing details to share about Abby's sweet Christmas Party at school yesterday and the amazing staff and families at Campbell Elementary, but I'm going to hold off until I have more pictures to bring the story to life :-).

This journey is far from over, but as long as God goes before us and you continue to walk along side of us, we can do it! Thank you for all of your prayers and support, sweet Village!