It's been a while...

Hi everyone! It has been quite a long time since I have posted. I think this is the longest that I have gone between posts. Maybe it is a sign of healing? Maybe it is a sign of being busy? I am not sure, but I do know that I think of and talk about our angel each and every day. He is always in my thoughts and prayers. I always feel badly because I share our journey with Luke with complete strangers. People will ask me if James is our first child and I tell them "no, he is our fourth". After they pick their jaws up, they ask me the ages of the others. I can't ignore the fact that Luke is our third child, so I tell them about Emily, Matthew, and our special angel. Then, we usually talk about James and his omphalocele. I often feel guilty for pouring my heart out to a complete stranger, but then again, the more people who know our story and who pray for our babies, the better!

The other day, I was searching for HLHS poetry and found this really neat poem. I had never seen it before and thought I would share it with all of you. I think it is really sweet and nice. It really points to the fact that Luke was "loaned" to us from God. I feel privileged that Tommy and I were chosen to be the parents of an amazing angel, as well as parents to three other miracles! Here is the poem:

A Child Loaned
This is a poem is found in the prologue to the book Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: A Guide for Parents

I'll lend you for a little time

a child of mine,"

He said,"for you to love the whole while he lives.

It may be six or seven years

or twenty-two or three,

but will you, till I call him back,

take care of him for me?"

"He'll bring his charm to gladden you,

and should his stay be brief,

you'll have his lovely memories

as solace for your grief."

"I cannot promise he will stay

since all from earth return,

but there are lessons taught down there

I want this child to learn."

"I've looked this wide world over

in my search for teachers true,

and from the things that crowd life's lane

I have selected you."

"Now will you give him all your love

nor think the labor vain,

Nor hate me when I come to call

and take him back again?"

"I fancied that I heard them say

'Dear Lord, Thy will be done,

for all the joy the child shall bring

the risk of grief we'll run.'

'We'll shelter him with tenderness;

We'll love him while we may,

and for the happiness we've known

forever grateful stay.

But should the angels call for him

much sooner than we planned,

We'll brave the bitter grief that comes

and try to understand.'"

- Edgar Guest

I hope you enjoyed this beautiful poem! We have had a lot of fun lately and have some great pictures. I will post them the next time I write. The kids have had snow and went to a sock hop--I can't wait to share our pics!

On the James front, we have an announcement: we have begun a CaringBridge site for him and the address is www.caringbridge.org/visit/jameshaberman. Please be sure to visit to get updates on James. We thought it would be great for James to have his own site...please visit and send the site to all of your friends and family. The latest update on him is on there--hope you enjoy our new site!

Once again, God bless you all for your support, love, and faith. You are amazing people and we are so thankful for all of you.