Back into running shoes: Firstly, it marked the Eugene Half Marathon. After a lengthy hiatus from running, I'd finally got back into it enough to train for my second half marathon ever. And Jill and Hayley ran it, too! Michael, Drew and the kids accompanied us down to Eugene and made a weekend of supporting us. Who would've thought: the three Merritt sisters all running 13.1 miles?!
No, actually, you're NOT working tonight: Later in the month, Chelsey and I kidnapped Kristen for some girls' night merriment when we whisked her away to her surprise 30th birthday dinner at Urban Fondue.
An outlet for excess energy: May also marked the conclusion of Sydney's weekly tumbling class. This activity proved to be right up her alley - a much better fit than the more structured ballet. She loved diving around on the mats, turning somersaults, jumping on the trampoline, trying out the bar, and yelling "stick it!" upon landing. This brief photo slideshow gives a good overview of her antics. (Check out the little pink and grey outfit she wore...that's a hand-me-down from her own mama!)
A hospital pro at the age of three: At the end of May came one of the most significant struggles we've ever had to face: Sydney's surgery to repair her urinary reflux (see more background in the prior post.) But a very scary health event turned out to be an incredible time in learning how to trust God with our little girl.
On the day of surgery, Sydney ended up doing great. She went to sleep well and woke up well, a big blessing. Other blessings: surgery was a success with no complications, we were granted a private room, and she stayed only a single night in the hospital. Family and friends were of huge support.
When she did get antsy her second day there, Oma and Opa wheeled her and her IV down the hall to the playroom for a much-needed change of scenery. She got to paint a big box to go on display - and took advantage of their extensive video stash.
It was a long few weeks of recovery afterward. She dealt with nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, poor sleep and overall exhaustion, bladder spasms, and pain at her incision site and during urination. I'll never forget the day, about a month later, when she finally looked up from the toilet in surprise and told me, "Mama, it doesn't hurt when I pee anymore!"
Sydney has been a different girl since the surgery. Debilitating fits are fewer, farther between and more manageable. She's just overall a lot happier. Looking back, I wonder whether she had been in some some level of discomfort all the time.
In any case, we are very glad this is now behind us. During this chapter of questioning her health, we were given a firsthand lesson in leaning on the power of God. We have a new and very real empathy and compassion for parents who go through similar situations - and worse. And Sydney will carry with her a faint scar as a reminder that Jesus touched her in a special, healing way and had His hand on her the whole time.
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