Sarah and I want to thank you for praying for Bowen today. God looked after our little man and everything went exactly as we hoped for!  We also want to thank the health care team at MOTT Children’s Hospital for their care in coordinating his procedures.

Because of our troubles with regulating Bowen’s blood sugar, we knew that placing him under anesthesia, and the fasting associated with it, could be our greatest risk. Our team at U of M actually coordinated it so that he could have three procedures under one sedation. So today, the doctors took out his sternal wires, put in ear tubes, and performed and echo cardiogram all within a couple of hours. We entered the hospital at 6:30 this morning and left at 2:00 this afternoon with a happy, healthier little man!

Again, thank you for your prayers;  it means so much to our family!

Ice cream moustache!

Claire told us that one her friends from preschool informed her what Easter is all about. She struck a pose, and with a valley girl voice said, “It’s about fancy shoes and fancy dresses!” We had a good laugh, but didn’t hesitate to remind her of the true meaning of Easter. Oh, how I pray my children experience the fullness of God’s love in our risen Lord. What a hope we have in Him!

“Because I live, you also will live.”

John 14:9

Please Pray

A few weeks ago, we noticed that the lower part of Bowen’s sternum scar was “angry red,” as the doctors say. We didn’t want to jump to any conclusions, but also didn’t want to take any chances. Our pediatrician recommended that we take him to Ann Arbor to get checked out.

They saw in his X-Rays that one of the sternum wires that had been used to close his chest (after his second surgery) was protruding outward instead of laying flat. As a result, it has been poking into his soft tissue and causing him pain. They would have removed the sternum wires during his third surgery, next year. However, due to the circumstances, they have decided to take them out next Tuesday.

Please keep Bowen in your prayers leading into next week. Pray that this minor surgery will go smoothly and that his recovery will be swift.

I Couldn’t Love You More

One last thing. Don’t forget that my children’s picture book “I Couldn’t Love You More” is in stores. Again, a portion of all proceeds go to help Whole Hearts Foundation. We’d really appreciate your support!

It feels so good to write again to you, our Bowen’s Heart family. Even though we haven’t had as much to report, so many of you have remained faithful in praying for our family and posting encouraging messages. Thank you!

As you can see by the sign Bowen is holding up, we’re excited to announce to those of you who may not have heard, that Bowen will be a big brother! Hammitt baby number four is on the way! We’re expecting in early November.

Matt and I had been going back and forth on whether to have another baby. We were definitely leaning toward being done with three, but something in our hearts just didn’t feel our family was complete yet. We had considered so many things before having another. I mean, could we handle it with Matt being gone so often? I love being a stay at home mom, but I’m not great at some of my organizational responsibilities that come with the job. Also, even though the chances are low, the thought that we could have another special needs child was definitely on our minds. Emmy and Claire went through so much while Bowen was in the hospital that the thought of them having to go through it again was hard for us. I’m sure those are all natural fears and concerns, but we serve a supernatural God who has big plans for our growing family, and we trust Him.

I love our little man so much, I feel like I’m going to burst some days! I just know that he will make such an incredible big brother. Seeing how much Emmy and Claire adore him makes it even more exciting to have another baby on the way. We can’t wait for Bowen to have the same opportunity to love a baby brother or sister like that.

As for an update on Bowen’s progress, he looks and seems to be doing better than ever! He’s up to 22 lbs, and is growing better than ever. Now that spring weather is here, he loves playing “ide” (outside). He just waddles up and down the sidewalk singing and laughing at his sisters.

People often comment on how well behaved Bowen is, and they ask if he is always that way. He really is such a good boy…well, most of the time. Also, despite some of the odds, he is so stinking smart. The other day I handed him his dirty diaper and said, “Go put it in the trash.” So he took it out of the room and then a few minutes later he came back empty handed. I thought that surely he must have dropped it or put it somewhere random. As I followed his trail to the kitchen it was nowhere to be found. Then I opened the lid, looked into the trash can, and there was the diaper. I was shocked because I didn’t even think he knew what the trash can was, let alone able to process my request! Ah, it’s moments like those when I think about all he has been through, about his cardiac arrest and so many other complications. He had plenty of opportunities end up with developmental delays, but is doing so great. We are still so thankful that God blessed us with with such a great team at MOTT Children’s Hospital who cared for our little man so well, helping him get to where he is today. God is good.

Sarah

Making a mess

In his room, brushing his teeth like a big boy!

Barbie, Surfer Girl and Bowen having a dance party.

In November, this circle will be complete. Just one more to share the iPad with.

I’ve been wanting to write a guest blog post for a while now, and since Matt and Sarah are super busy these days with Winter Jam, Whole Hearts, and three kids, now is my perfect chance! Although things have been very busy, Bowen has been doing great! He is very active, which is an excellent sign that his heart is ok for now. He’s eating fair and doesn’t have the gagging problem at all anymore! Yay! He just gets right in there and plays and dances with his sisters. He is starting to talk some too. My favorite thing he says is “Dada lalala” and he moves is little head like he’s singing when he says “lalala”. We are just so thankful and blessed to live so close and be able to see our grandchildren as much as we do.

Sarah has been able to do a little traveling with Matt recently. They both went to Florida in January for the first Whole Hearts Foundation fundraiser. Then they took the girls on the bus to four cities on the tour. They LOVE going on the bus with Daddy!!! They will have such great memories of those trips, too. Bowen stayed with us part of the time and his other Grandma and Papa part of the time. I think he got pretty spoiled getting all those Grandmas and Papas to himself! We took him to the mall to ride the train one of the days and forgot to bring cash. All we had was a credit card for a three dollar ride and they only took cash. We were so disappointed because the main reason we went was to ride the train. But then a good samaritan woman paid it for us. As we talked, I found out she worked for a cardiologist. I think that was a divine appointment! We thoroughly enjoyed having him show off for us the whole weekend!

I just want to personally thank everyone so much for praying for Bowen and all the wonderful comments and encouraging things you say on this blog. I can’t imagine what it would have been like not having it this past year and a half. Please know that we read all the comments and are praying for you too. I look forward to it every day. I also want to thank you for how you encourage and pray for others who express needs too. It’s so wonderful to see. Just know that when a lot of time goes by that no news is probably good news. You can be sure that if Bowen was in need we would be sure to let you “prayer warriors” know. Paul wrote this to the Thessalonians, but the words seem fitting for all of you too.

We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor promoted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Thessalonians 1:2-3

May God bless each and every one of you,

Pam Schooler (aka, Grammy Pammy)

Whole Hearts Foundation

7025 CR 46a suite 1071 #116

Lakeland, FL 32746

You will also be able make donations at WholeHearts.org by the end of this month.

A New Normal (Matt)

When I look back on various seasons of my life, I typically wonder where the time has gone. Today, I’m reflecting back on 2011, wondering where the time has come from. I can’t see how it’s possible that so much has happened in one year, that such a large and bittersweet arrangement of life has shown up at our family’s door. I’ve been thinking about it, looking back in amazement, and letting it all settle down in my soul. You haven’t heard from me in a while, and it’s simply because I’ve been take some time to process where we’ve been, and to embrace our new normal.

So what is our new normal? I don’t know if I can fully describe it, cause normal is so subjective. However, here are a few things that have changed. Bowen looks and acts healthy and strong. I feel richer in life and love. I have a faith and joy that I now know, for certain, are not hinged on my circumstances. Whole Hearts Foundation is planning to do things beyond what I had originally dreamed, and so many hurting families will benefit. We are building relationships with some wonderful new friends in life and in ministry.

Even though life can sometimes feel like controlled (or sometimes uncontrolled) chaos, there is a sense of rest. There is that peace of God transcending what we can understand about this life. So it’s that heightened sense of peace and rest, it’s us just being able to take a breath…that’s our new normal.

Happy New Year! (Sarah)

Oh my goodness, I cannot believe we have not updated in so long. So much has happened since our last post. I’ll start with what everyone wants to know here, and it’s that Bowen is doing great! You should see him tot around the house, getting into all sorts of trouble these days. He’s learned how to climb the stairs and loves to put EVERYTHING in his mouth. He’s a little stinker, but as you can imagine, we just adore him! He still gets hundreds of smooches each day from all of us. I hate to admit it, but it’s no wonder we’re always getting sick.

Mr. Bowen has been sick a few times since we last wrote. Recently he had some kind of stomach flu, and only shortly after, contracted a different virus that resulted in a 103 degree fever and a sore throat. He also has had several ear infections and has been evaluated for tubes. We’re going to hold off for now since he is a more complicated case, and in the meantime we are praying that God would simply heal him of these infections.

The stomach bug was a bit scary because he was not keeping things down, which can dehydrate him quickly and throw his electrolytes off. Also, with his rare sugar disorder (HI), he can’t maintain a normal blood sugar without food in his belly. I was on the fence about taking him to the emergency room a couple of times, but fortunately his sugars did not go any lower than 50 and he began to turn a corner after about 12 hours. Thank God we didn’t have to go to the hospital! Bowen wouldn’t have been a happy camper with all the poking and prodding that he would’ve gone through.

A couple of weeks ago he had to get blood drawn, and it was very traumatic for him and I both. He wept hysterically, which in return, caused me to do the same. I haven’t cried like that in a long time. It just came out of nowhere and reminded me of how hard this summer will be when he needs to get his heart catheterization. It also made me think of his next surgery, and all the medical procedures that are in his future. He’s gotten to a place where he cries anytime he sees someone who looks like a nurse or a doctor. It seems that we have entered a new chapter, one that God will have to help us navigate. Bowen’s fear.

It’s Thanksgiving morning, and we may feel more thankful this year than ever before. We started our week at the hospital, thinking something may have been wrong with Bowen. On top of having a cold and an ear infection, our pulse oximeter was showing us that his blood oxygen levels were low. However, once we arrived in Ann Arbor it was the same story as the last time we drove him up there out of concern. We found ourselves sitting in the doctors office with a smiling, laughing baby who, besides having half a heart, was perfectly fine. We are so thankful!

So I’m thinking of all that I’m thankful for today big and small. I mean, Sarah and I woke up in our warm house, we had options for breakfast, hit a button on a machine that makes our coffee. We snuggled under a blanket on our comfy couch with three happy kids and watched movies. I gave my son a warm bath and washed over a scar that a surgeon was paid handsomely to stitch up after fixing his broken heart; and now, I’m typing a post on my smart phone to send into the world of people with computers that are run on electricity and internet connections.

At this point, a few of you maybe thinking, “Man, this is starting to sound a little shallow right now.” Truth is, that stuff is indeed shallow in depth compared to “the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” The deepest longings for happiness that God has placed inside of me can be satisfied by nothing else. Today I asked myself the question…what if, like so many other families we know, we didn’t get the joy of having Bowen with us this year? Where would my hope and happiness come from? It could only be in the promise that one day everything broken would be made new. Big family or no family, full stomach or empty, happy heart or a sad one, there is a promise of something better…something perfect.

My wish is that you enjoy your day, eat good food, and are able to give much thanks. As part of my Thanksgiving, I want to share something with you that lifted my heart yesterday; something I listened to while raking the gorgeous fall leaves. It’s a message of hope by Timothy Keller. If you have time this week, give it a listen. If you feel hopeless today, then it’s meant for you now. It’s titled The New Heavens and New Earth and you can find it here.

Last Sunday, November 6^th, was a special day for Sarah and I. We had the privilege of spending it with friends and family who came to celebrate that Bowen’s heart is still beating. We had friends visit from as far as Georgia and Wyoming who were gracious enough to spend their valuable time traveling to be at the party. We’re so grateful to everyone who came out to love on our little guy. For those of you who expressed desire to attend, but couldn’t make it, we know you were with us in spirit. Hopefully we’ll have an opportunity to meet you in the future and express our gratitude for your prayers and support face to face.

Sarah did an outstanding job of planning the party,which included work such as baking 500 cookies and hand crafting decorations with the girls. However, she was adamant that I give credit where it’s due. We really couldn’t have done any of it without our family and some of Sarah’s closest friends, who were up early and stayed up late making sure everything happened as planned. We are also grateful for our friend lovingly known as “Pastor Bill” who contributed to our celebration by dedicating Bowen to The Lord. We had already dedicated Bowen’s life, as well as our entire family, to God in our hearts and in prayer. However, it was important for us as parents to proclaim our faith in Christ before our friends and family, and commit to raising Bowen according to scriptural principals. We trust that God will continue to use our family and Bowen’s story to inspire and encourage others in their faith. That’s something worth celebrating.

Courtney and Nicole Helping to Set Up

Pastor Bill Dedicating Bowen

Heart Kids Unite!

Bowen with “Grammy Pammy”

Wow, what a great post from my hubby a couple weeks ago! What can I say, he’s an amazing husband who is dedicated and faithful to our kids and I. Matt is a man of great character and he loves God with all of his heart. I feel blessed to watch the Lord use him and shape him through this journey we’re on together. And by the way, I should mention that he turned 32 on Wednesday. Happy Birthday Matthew!

Speaking of birthday celebrations, you may have read the invitation in the photo at the top of this post. Our immediate family had a small celebration in honor of Bowen’s first birthday at the beginning of September, but we’ve decided to throw another party for extended family and friends. As part of our “Bowen’s heart” family, you’re invited! I guess we could call it a birthday party, but as you know, it’s so much more than that. It’s a celebration of the miracle that our little boy is still here with us. We hoped deeply and prayed fervently for him to make it this far, and so did you. If possible, we’d love for you to join us for Bowen’s first birthday celebration open house. You can find the details at the bottom of this post.

I also wanted to let you know that Bowen has been doing so well lately. He’s been standing up on his own, trying to talk more, and loving to dance with his big sisters. He especially loves to play DJ and turn the radio up loud. He is such a joy. Sometimes I think I kiss him so much that I’m chapping his cheeks! And his tiny teeth keep coming in…he’s looking like such a little man. I just adore him. I hope that some of you will get to meet him on November 6^th!

Here’s the details for those of you who are able to join us for coffee and desserts in celebration of Bowen’s first birthday!

Date: Sunday, November 6^th, 2011

Time: 12:00- 5:00pm

Location:

W.W. Knight Preserve

29530 White Road

Perrysburg, OH 43551

Gifts are not necessary.

I was looking through the photo album on my phone today and came across this picture of Sarah and Bowen. I remembered the first time I saw her smile. I was standing in a field, in a sea of people, and there she was. I knew that I wanted to see that smile, that face…forever.

When it comes to the course of our personal lives we’re all curious to see the future, and we get to, on the other side of it, looking back. I’m standing on the other side of ten years of marriage to Sarah, and when I look back I see way more pain than I anticipated. I also feel a far deeper love than I ever imagined. We’re continually learning to embrace our story, realizing that without struggle it isn’t a good one.

I’ve been away from my family for almost two weeks now, and it will be another nine days before I get home. I haven’t been away for this many consecutive days in over a year. I’m homesick, the girls are getting weepy, and Sarah is starting to feel lonely. When I saw this picture I felt the need write a post that honors her for all of the sacrifices she makes to support the work I’m doing on the road with Sanctus Real.

It would be easy for Sarah to be angry and treat me with contempt when I’m away, while she’s at home taking care of responsibilities that are rightfully mine. Instead, she shows me love and support. When I don’t know how to be a good husband from a distance she doesn’t silently and bitterly hold on to her expectations. Instead, she teaches me how to give her what she needs. She is a dear and genuine friend to me and so many others. I’m filled with gratitude when I think of how she has sacrificed what little consistency we had left in our home after Bowen was born, so that I can be out here on the road. Sure, there are times that she wants to shake somebody or breathe a little fire down someone’s neck; and I don’t blame her. I’m just glad it’s the kids and not me…you know I’m joking. Her grace and patience in the midst of difficult circumstances is a true example to me.

Sarah, your smile still steals my heart. On our way through a little hell on earth, I’ve been so thankful for that little piece of heaven to hold on to.

“It’s 5:57 am and I’m too exhausted to share what happened overnight in detail. My dad wrote an email to some friends that I asked him to copy me on so I could pass it on.

‘Matthew woke us with the call that they didn’t think Bowen was going to make it. Gail and I rushed to Ann Arbor to find Bowen on full life support. Matthew and Sarah had accepted that he was gone as they watched the nurse pump his little heart with his chest open for nearly a half hour until the surgeon arrived. Matthew watched as the doctor performed surgery in Bowen’s chest. He will remain on life support until his body can recover. Would appreciate prayers.’”

I remember specifically thinking about what my life would look like a year from that day. I asked so many questions. “Will our little man be with us? Will he make it off of life support? Will we celebrate his first birthday? Will I ever get to take a deep breath again? Will I get to see our baby grow into a handsome little boy?”

Not knowing was so heart wrenching. I remember that day in such detail because I’ve recalled it so many times in my mind. It lives with me and I’m still processing all we went through that night, as well as over the past year. Now here I am, a year from the day my Mr. Bowen had his cardiac arrest, at my dining room table. Bowen is laughing, blowing me kisses, saying “mama” and “dada”, and scooting all around the floor. I am so thankful that it was part of God’s plan to leave Bowen here on earth with us longer. I want to jump for joy, write it in the sky, and shout it at the top of my lungs, “I am so thankful!”