The past couple of weeks have felt somewhat normal until we ended up in the hospital. With JC’s condition, any significant fever requires hospitalization and precautionary antibiotics. Simply put, her body does not have enough white blood cells to fight off infections correctly.

I think every time we end up in the hospital, it feels like a gut-punch. As a family unit, we work hard to balance safety for JC and emotional health for our entire family. When a hospital visit occurs, we are reminded even more loudly how fragile JC’s life currently is. This time around, she is doing well and will likely go home soon; we are so grateful for that report.

She did receive a blood transfusion last week which was a bit earlier than I had hoped for. We are so thankful for those who are willing to donate blood products. It is not something I take lightly, and I am forever grateful for the many people whom I will never know that have donated to assist JC.

We continue to await the March MRI appointment. This will be the appointment that will tell us if the last 6 months of chelation therapy has produced the anticipated results. This will confirm how much iron is in her organs and if she can proceed to the next steps for transplant.

Finally, we request prayers for a healthy recovery for JC from this current illness, wisdom and discernment for my husband and myself, knowledge and wisdom for the doctors, continued strength and support for each of our family members, patience for all involved with JC’s care, and ultimate healing for JC’s whole body. It is a long list, however, we are so grateful for all who lift us up before our Heavenly Father.

In early January, we had unseasonably warm weather, but the cold returned as it eventually does. Thankfully we also received some perfect snowman building weather. Snow is one of JCs favorite things, so she was very elated to build a snowman. JC is also a fan of Elsa, so she equates snow with one of her favorite princesses. It is so fun to see her light up at the sight of snow!

It really is true that we take the small things for granted, like the sheer joy that a snowman brings a child. I have been guilty of only looking at all the problems and not seeing the goodness of God that continually surrounds us. Even in this trial, we continue to have much to be grateful for. Every smile is so precious and the beauty in it truly reminds me to look past the seen world and towards the creator that holds it all together.