Isaac9

Last Tuesday, my eldest child turned 9 years old. He hasn't let us forget it either, since we've heard a few times, "Hey, you know what? I'm 9 now." The title from this post comes from a cute thing Isaac started when he was 7, as he signed everything that year (notes, schoolwork, logins on computer games) as Isaac7. Then, it progressed to Isaac8 last year, and he immediately made the upgrade this past week to Isaac9. It makes me giggle. And, I guess that is how it should be with a child whose very name means "laughter." The son I didn't give birth to, but who made me a mama, sure has brought a lot of joy to our lives. I think that sometimes it's incredible how I love him so much and forget he doesn't contain one shred of my DNA - so much so, that we have at times made comments about quirks or personality traits, saying, "Well, he must get that from you." Then, we chuckle at how we don't know where he gets anything from that's like us, but because God is just cool like that, He makes similarities, habits, likes, and dislikes remind us of ourselves. We even hear how much he physically takes after us at times. None of that really matters, but it sure is sweet to hear. They're just bonuses, we say.

We tried hard to make this past week a happy one, full of fun memories for Isaac. It being his birthday week was only part of the reason. The other part is that this Thursday he'll have yet another surgery to help correct the ever-frustrating club feet that his particular set of genes have determined as his lifelong (so far) struggle. We'll be at Children's for a few days, in the care of our very capable Dr. K, the orthopedic surgeon who knew Isaac even before we did. This surgery will be nothing compared to the last one, which was nightmare-ish in its severity. Only his left leg will be operated on, right at the ankle area, as Dr. K will remove a section of bone in a wedge shape, so that his foot will finally rest flat. Because of the nature of a club foot defect, the body continually wants to revert back to its original form, even if it is incorrect, so his left foot is the stinker, and has always been the one to turn in the most. Now bone has fused together where it should be a flexible joint, so that will have to be undone, with this section removed and pins placed in to keep it at the right angle. He has no range of motion in that ankle joint currently, so it will be a great thing to see him eventually walk normally, not on his tiptoes, and to run without that left foot causing him to occasionally trip and stumble because "it's not working right," as Isaac says.

I could get emotional and worried, I guess, over seeing him go under anesthesia again, facing more pain, and dread the weeks in casts where he'll be pretty limited in activity. But, I'm actually looking forward to the end result enough that I'm ready to get moving on this next phase of his life. He is too. It's so cool to hear him calmly ask questions, admit his nervousness, but say he "want(s) it to just be better." What a brave, precious boy he is. As much as I've hated it for them, it's been helpful to us to have Graced's family walk through a similar pain/healing time too, with their son, so we've had some good conversation about how both boys are facing some physical trials, but how God knows and is able to meet our needs. What good reminders for these adults too.

Anyway, I'll update later in the week on his progress, but we do appreciate your prayers for the surgeon and our family as we'll all be kind of crazy for a few days. It's James' work week, so I'll be in the hospital with both boys, James will check in on us when he can, and my parents will take Abigail home with them till we are ready to all head back home.

We went bowling on the 15th, Isaac's actual birthday, with my family, and that was hilarious. Next time, a few of us adults may bowl on the kids' lane with the bumpers! We had a yummy dinner at Macaroni Grill and it was a really enjoyable day. Then, on Saturday, we had dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant with family and friends, and then went to play at a local park and have dessert. It was a gorgeous day, and was extra fun to watch the kids run and play, knowing that activity will be limited for our son for a while. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and we were touched by all the sweet folks who shared the evening with us and are very special to our family. The highlight of the party was when we brought out a toy that Jacob and I had enjoyed many years ago, and James just found in our attic. Let me just say, the little General Lee has even more power than I remember. We all agreed toys aren't made nearly as well anymore!

Thank you Lord, for Isaac9!