The Two Hour Season Finale

Almost two years ago, June 2010, Susan and I traveled to China and adopted Jacob, a sweet boy with a grin that could make Hitler stop and giggle. Two or three months later we discovered Jacob had Fanconi anemia, a rare genetic disorder that, among other things, causes bone marrow failure. His platelets were already very low and we knew it was only a matter of time before Jacob would need a bone marrow transplant. We just didn't know it would be so soon. Jacob had a turn for the worse while we were in China adopting Sophie and Samuel. We learned two weeks ago that there was no match available for bone marrow transplant and that he would need to be transplanted with umbilical cord blood, and fairly urgently.

Yesterday evening, we all said our goodbyes and then I drove Susan and Jacob through the rain to the airport. It was a long day. Hannah accompanied me. When we arrived home, the others had made dinner and were beginning to eat so we joined them. It was more quiet than usual when James opined, "if we had our own TV show, today would be the two hour season finale." We could all agree on that. Later in the evening our power went out for a couple hours (of course it did), causing much unhappiness with Sophie and Annabelle. Susan and Jacob got to tour the country in the plane to Minnesota, apparently going well into the deep south to avoid some huge thunderstorms.

'Twas a rough night.

The first day of the "new normal" was... hard. Susan effortlessly does so many things. Even when we all pitch in, it still feels like a whole lot of work. I managed to get the kids fed and on the bus, then took Samuel to day care (my first child ever to have the need for such). This evening, we took advantage of Apple's FaceTime technology and everyone got to see and speak with mom and Jacob. Amazing.

I am so very thankful for my colleagues at work who are allowing me to just work the day shift for the next several months. I am also overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from my church. The fine folks at the Reveille United Methodist church are feeding us and praying for us daily. Today we had Sally Thompson's tasty lasagna! There is literally nothing I could ask for that they wouldn't find a way to provide. God is good (all the time), and so are his children, my brothers and sisters in Christ.

FaceTime with Susan and Jacob