"This Is Dedicated to the One(s) I Love"

My real motivation for creating this blog is Joseph, our fourth child. Of course, all of the family will be included, but I want to dedicate this site to my little Joe.
People often ask how Joseph is and this provides a great reference tool as well as an opportunity to share my son's life and his defect with those who care the most.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

For Deyton

It's been a little over a month since my last post and all has been well for Joseph and our family. We've felt rather normal this past month which is an awesome feeling!! All looked well at Joseph's last cardiology appointment. His cardiologist adjusted a few of his meds and took him off his daytime oxygen but was cautious. As he put it, since Joseph doesn't "play by the rules", we need to watch him carefully. Joseph has never played by the rules. He should have died at birth, but lived. He died for a short time at 3 months, but came back. After the cardiac arrest, his heart shouldn't have been strong enough to receive his second open-heart, but it was. I could go on and on- Joseph doesn't play by the world's rules, he plays by the Lord's.
Joe has been a regular 4-year old these past few weeks, time-out's and all. I never thought I would ever have to give my sweet, little, darling boy a time-out but I'm grateful that he's here and needs a time-0ut every once in while. We joke and say "well, now he's a 'real' boy".
So... we are good, thank you for all your prayers.
I would like to tell you about another heart that has been occupying my emotions lately. His name is Deyton Kash Sorensen. He was born on July 21st in St.George, UT to Derek and Krystal Sorensen. Deyton is their first child and they didn't know before his birth that he had Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. So... soon after birth, he was life-flighted to PCMC where he was diagnosed. Because his heart had more wrong with it then just the HLHS, surgery was not an option. His parents were faced with the decision of letting him go or waiting for a heart transplant. They fasted and prayed and made the very difficult choice to let him go back to Heavenly Father. There couldn't be a more difficult choice for two parents to make.
The Sorensen's are in my parent's ward and my dad is their Bishop. My mom called me on Saturday to let me know about Deyton and his situation. Although I have never met this family, I felt as if I knew them. I cried several times that day as I spoke with my mom and then later Brad. It's strange to not know someone but feel so connected because we know exactly what they're going through. On Sunday, I was at church and at about 11:15, got up to take my fussy baby out of relief society. I walked through the halls for a few minutes and then stopped in the foyer to sit down. I was overcome with emotion- so much that I had to leave the building and walk outside. I couldn't control my sobs and I had no idea why I was crying with such hurt in my heart. I held my little Lainey tight for comfort and my mind raced to search for the purpose in my cries. I thought of Joseph but peace came to my heart that all was well with him. So then I went through each one of my children in my mind to see how I felt. I knew my family was fine. Then I thought of Deyton. I knew it was for him that my heart was full. I continued to sob knowing the hurt that his sweet parents were feeling. I later found out that he had passed away just moments prior to all of this happening to me. It's so amazing how the spirit works.
Please pray for their comfort in this difficult time. Deyton's funeral was on Wednesday. I wasn't able to attend but heard the details about the wonderful service. I know the Lord's spirit is with them and will get them through this trial. If you'd like to read more about Deyton, visit his blog at http://babydeyton.blogspot.com/
I want to express my love for his family and let them know that our prayers are with them.