heading in {surgery day 1, morning}

It's 6:30 am.  I'm drinking a cup of coffee and adding last minute items to our hospital bags.  In just a few more minutes Matt will load the bags in the car and we'll wake John Paul and get him ready to head to the hospital. 

Friends will be here all day caring for our other four children - they arrive at 7am and we'll hopefully be rolling towards the hospital at 7:02!  (and it looks like our other children might sleep through our departure!)

Last night we spoke at length with some friends here who were with their foster son for his palate repair.  It was super helpful, and that conversation, on top of all the things we've read and researched leave us feeling confidently prepared (as prepared as we can be, that is!  still many many unknowns!)

I'm hopefully expectant that walking through this traumatic experience together will be a significant part of our growing relationship - learning to love and be loved by John Paul, and he learning to love and be loved by our family.

We're so thankful for your prayers and encouragement.  I'll come home from the hospital this evening and Matt will stay with John Paul through the night.  If all goes well John Paul will be in surgery tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.  I'll be back tonight with an update.