Heart of Beckett

A year ago today we brought Beckett home (for the second time, but this time…) for good! What an amazing year it has been!
(an actual “update” is coming soon…I promise)

After 7 months in various ICUs, numerous surgeries, fighting and praying for our son’s life to be spared, a year ago today (7/24/13) we took Beckett HOME for the very first time. Wow…
(another Update coming soon)

UPDATE (6/24/14)

I think it’s about time for another update. First off, I have a few loose ends to tie up. 1) Beckett’s fever is much better. I know that “no news” can tend to be troubling, but I assure you that we would have posted something if it would have only gotten worse (or even simply continued). Thank you for your patience and understanding.

It really still astounds me just how much support we had (and still have). I was just at a wedding last Friday of a good friend from my undergrad years, and I was amazed at how encouraging and supportive everyone was about Beckett and the journey we have been on. I knew it would probably come up in conversation here-n-there, but it was overwhelming (in a humbling way). A couple even approached me during the reception and began by saying, “You don’t know us, but we pray for your son every night still.” And then the husband proceeded to pull out a picture from his pocket and showed me a picture of their precious little girl, and said, “…and so does she.” Amazing, right? The following morning I drove to Ohio to play in a golf scramble with my Dad. As he was introducing me to people, he introduced me to one woman who stopped during our intro and kinda sheepishly asked, “Umm….wait…do you happen to have a son who was in the hospital…..” She paused for moment in which I proceeded to break the awkward silence and said, “Yes, my son’s name is Beckett.” Her eyes got big, and she said, “Wow, it’s so nice to meet you! It’s like meeting some sort of famous person!” in which I quickly debunked. On-n-on I could go. It’s been amazing! Beckett’s life has touched so many, it’s truly inspiring to me. He’s such an amazing little boy, and in so many different ways.

2) The second loose end is my job situation. Long-story-short, I accepted a job and begin this week. I am honored to announce that I will be working at Taylor University in their Admissions’ Office. Sooo….if you, your son/daughter, or grandchildren are looking for a good school…I’d love to talk with ya. 😉 But in all seriousness, I’m honored to have this opportunity, and excited to begin! God is so faithful…all the time!

Back to Beckett. He’s standing now!!! I don’t know if you’ve gotten the chance to see the video I recently posted, but he’s standing…and kinda beginning to figure out walking. Yes, yes…most 18 month olds are by now…but don’t forget who we are talking about. It’s amazing to watch Beckett’s progress. He just continues to catch up developmentally so quickly. I’m so proud of him, and so are his therapists. He probably scoots on his bottom 75% of the time, and crawls 25% of the time. But now he’s standing, and he loves it. We cheer and cheer when he pulls himself up (which is awesome in-and-of-itself), and he’ll try to clap right along with us. It’s so cute.

All-n-all, he’s doing quite well. Leah started her new job this week, I start this week…we are truly blessed. But if I’ve hopefully learned a few things during this journey, we are not simply “blessed” because everything seems to be “going well,” God is truly good All The Time. Our “blessing” is because of Him and the person of Jesus. We are so grateful for so many things, and our gratitude is not hinged upon how smooth life is. We’ve seen hard times, and there may be more to come…but we are thankful for the moment at hand.

#GoBeckett
#ODAAT

UPDATE (6/4/14)

Greetings everyone. I know it’s been a while since we’ve actually posted a written update for Beckett, but I sure hope you’ve been enjoying the occasional pics we’ve posted.

It’s been a very busy last few months for us…and with that being said, I do have a few announcements to make. First, Leah has officially accepted a new job at Ball Memorial Hospital! Though we are very excited about this opportunity, Leah will certainly miss her friends a colleagues at her current hospital in Fort Wayne. This new job, however, will be a much closer drive, it’s full-time, the hours should work with our schedule, and the Health Insurance is IU Heath (which is what Riley Hospital is where we have been taking Beckett). There are just many advantages to this opportunity, and we are certainly viewing this as a blessing! Also, I have officially graduated from my Master’s program. It was certainly a long and difficult journey (especially amongst everything going on these past 17 months), but God was so faithful, and through the constant encouragement of you all, my family and friends….”I” did it! I am very pleased and humbled to complete this program, and am excited to see what doors/opportunities open up to me and my family now. And even more humbling, I was actually honored with an award during our hooding ceremony titled “Strength of Purpose.” It was a very touching and surreal moment to then walk back to my family after receiving the award, and kiss my son. There were many days I envisioned graduating, and truthfully, did not see my son there. I would say this was a dream come true, and a moment I will not soon forget. Speaking of Beckett….let’s talk about him:

Beckett is so amazing! He’s charming, and happy, and smart, and loving, and rambunctious, and…and…just great! Though we still have many meds we give him all throughout the day and night, and he has numerous different therapies that see him frequently, along with cardiology appointments, GI appointments, and regular ole pediatric appointments…he’s about as normal as it gets. Yes, yes…at times all that stuff can get distracting, but there are many real moments that I can thoroughly enjoy like just picking my son up and twirling him around the room (….yet another dream come true). We love him even more today than yesterday, and somehow tomorrow will somehow outweigh today.

…however, though we have much to be thankful for, we do have some immediate prayer requests. While I’m still looking for a job, I was fortunate enough to attend a fantastic conference these past few days in Minnesota. Unfortunately, Leah called me today with some disturbing news that she has decided to take Beckett in to Riley’s ER. Though that was a bit of a shocker to me, it didn’t completely catch me off guard because she has casually mentioned throughout the past few days that Beckett did get a bit of a fever a few days ago (about right when I left). She had been combating it with much love and antibiotics (or something that she got from our doctor). Well, apparently she did not feel that they were working quite quick enough, so after growing concern and an increase of anxiety…Leah decided to be “better safe than sorry,” which I clearly fully support. Understandably, I am quite frustrated that I happen to be away during this time, but I am trying to be supportive from a distance and am anxious to begin the 10.5 hour drive home!

Now….I do have a few updates since my news that he was in Riley’s ER. Apparently they did checked his vitals, and everything looks good. In fact, Leah said that he didn’t have a fever once they got there (of course). Sooo…as much as this actually could have spun out of control for a boy like Beckett, thankfully it feels (right now) that it is all under control thus far. In fact, Leah just text me that they are packing up and heading home tonight (which was also a question…as to whether or not they would spend the night). Thankfully it appears to not be too serious (thank you Jesus!!), but it definitely resurfaced some old feelings that I was happy to say goodbye to months ago. Thankfully my support system here at the conference have been great, and our families as well…it’s just a time for me to come back home and get Beckett back to 100%.

Soooo, that’s a decent summary of the past few months (since about Easter). Please keep praying for Beckett, and his continual healing. He’s truly a charmer, and someone you must meet. Keep in touch, and enjoy the photos (we’ll keep trying to post some more from time-to-time).

#GoBeckett
#ODAAT

UPDATE (4/20/14)

Happy Easter Everyone!

What a beautiful day….literally! I don’t know if it was actually great weather for you where you live, but for many of us in the Midwest, today was a perfectly gorgeous Easter Sunday.

This morning we spent time as a family in church. Yes, many of you probably did the same….but this is yet another first for us as we haven’t yet spent an Easter together in church as a family. It may not seem like that big of a deal, and if not….hear me out. Not only does Leah work every weekend (which unfortunately does not currently afford us the necessary time together as a family in church), my parents were in town and we sat with Leah’s entire family. Leah did have to duck-out a few minutes early to make it back to work on time, but we. were. all. together! Furthermore (and this should blow your mind), Leah figured out that TODAY –Easter Sunday– we will have been out of the hospital for as many days as we were in the hospital. Now, if that’s not cool (in addition to everything else), then “I’ve got nothin.”

I’m currently sitting on our couch at home just watching Beckett play. What a miracle. If you’re just joining this journey with us, it may be challenging to fully catch you up…but there were many days last year at this time I was not certain this day would come. Not all stories like these have a happy ending, and though we know this story is far from over, we are forever grateful for how far we’ve come with Beckett…and how gracious our God has been to us. We may be blessed with only a few more days with Beckett, and we may be blessed with a “lifetime.” The perspective I choose to cling to is not wishfully hoping for the lifetime, but simply enjoying the present. We still live our days one day at a time, and are genuinely blessed for the gift God has given us in Beckett Jude Rupp. Today is typically commemorated with hope in our salvation, and I choose to also commemorate it with hope in God’s sovereign care. We are celebrating the resurrection of our Christ today in addition to the faithfulness we’ve been shown through the life of our son.

To God be the glory, forever and ever…amen!

Habakkuk 2:3
But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!

Abridged Prayer Requests:
1) Beckett’s reflux. He still throws up on a regular basis (…just did in church this morning during the service all over my mother-in-law)
2) His continual therapeutic progress. He’s come a long way (it’s impressive), but still has a few big milestones to conquer (like….eating, crawling, standing, etc.)
3) That I may finish my grad schooling strong. I have about a month to go and still need to defend my thesis and find a job (and….I’m beginning to become slightly concerned about the job part)
4) Leah’s work schedule…and managing everything on her plate well (she does a great job though…it’s just exhausting)
5) Our good friends Daniel and Katie Kinnaird’s son Caleb had a successful heart transplant after waiting a year for the new heart (you may remember me posting something about this last fall), unfortunately they are back in the hospital right now. It appears things are “ok,” but could certainly be better. Please pray for comfort and strength. They are an amazing family and need our support. Follow them at: http://thekinnairds.blogspot.com/

Thanks!

#GoBeckett
#ODAAT