a crazy week

I struggle to even know where to start with this post. We have had a crazy couple weeks around here. For those of you who may or may not follow me on Twitter, you may or may not know that my dad underwent quadruple bypass surgery last Thursday. Last Thursday, by now, feels like a lifetime ago!!! So we checked him in Thursday morning and kissed him goodbye at 6:55. At around 9 the nurse came out to tell us that while they were prepping him, he flatlined on the table. They had to resuscitate him but they decided to continue with the surgery. So what felt like routine surgery suddenly became horribly scary. The day dragged on and on. Finally, he was out of the surgery. But when the surgeon met with us he let us know they didn't know how long his brain had gone without oxygen and there was a significant chance of neurological damage and he could possibly be brain dead. We got to see him briefly (he was still unconscious from the surgery) and then we headed home for a break. 30 minutes after we got home the nurse called to say he had woken up and was moving and coherent and answering her questions with nods and shakes of his head! PRAISE THE LORD!!! Even though in the grand scheme of things the whole event was relatively short, to us it felt like a lifetime.

My brother, sister-in-law and their three kids came down for the whole event, which we are so thankful for. They left to head back to Oregon today (so sad) so things are calming down slightly. Also, today my dad is having a pacemaker put in his heart to ensure it won't do any more flatlining.

Even though things have been crazy we did manage to get all the kids to the beach for a couple hours. Enjoy the photos!! And please continue to pray for my dad's recovery.

Jayden being silly

Eli trying to eat sand

Everett doing his best Baywatch impersonation

Eleni being...well, Eleni..100% cute!
Owen was very serious about playing in the sand!
I thought this shot of Jayden and Eleni was awesome!
All four "big" kids in the hole Owen and Everett dug
Everett

And I've been playing with all sorts of photoshop-type things and I liked how this one turned out (that's my sister-in-law in the background, also snapping pictures like a madwoman!)