Sad...and Happy...

We had a sad and happy weekend...

Sad: A high-school classmate (of Chris) and her husband lost their baby boy (almost 11 months) last Tuesday. We went to the wake on Friday night. It was one of the hardest things we've ever had to do. We've been to funerals before, even ones for babies, but this was worse than all of them. Little Nico was getting better (he had 3 surgeries to correct leaking heart valves) and they thought he'd be going home in a few weeks. A clot blocked the mechanical valve that had been recently put in and he didn't make it. We've been praying for this little guy for a couple months now, as he had been in the hospital for his surgeries. They had lots of his stuff spread around the room: bouncy seat, shoes, blankets, pacifiers, stuffed animals, clothes... A few weeks ago (pre-surgery), he was using these things. One thing I will always remember...the new walking shoes that will never get any wear-and-tear!

Happy: On Saturday, my oldest friend got married! I've known Amy since I was born. She's six weeks and a day older than me. Our parents were in college together and our families were part of the original Bethany team to the Philippines. We still refer to each other's parents as "aunt" and "uncle". It managed to not rain that day, at least before the wedding. Amy was smiling ear-to-ear (she's famous for it...that girl hasn't stopped smiling since the day she was born, I think) and was gorgeous, of course!