Thank You

Thank you Jesus.

The constant phrase running through my mind since Monday, November 24th, 2025.

As most of you know, Q and I came to Boston, MA to have Lily's open heart surgery after it failed during the first go round.

A little back story:

With her heterotaxy, her veins decided to take a longer, scenic route to get to her heart rather than what a "normal" heart does. Which honestly, is quite literally right on brand for her since she has been doing things her way since birth. She also had a leaking valve that they tried to repair while we where in New Orleans. Rather than doing the entire procedure, the surgeons at Boston Children's Hospital (BCH) decided to fix her veins and valve first, and then perform the Glen procedure to correct the blood flow in her heart at a later date. Doing these two things first will set up her heart for an easier surgery later.

Before we could have surgery, BCH wanted to conduct all of their own pre-op testing. This meant that we came in the week before thanksgiving to complete labs, X-Rays, MRI, Echo and a cath procedure. As a mom my heart aches for Lily that this is going to be the rest of her life. Constantly having testing done, surgeries, checkups and lots of travel. Although this is our normal now, I could not be more proud to have this 'normal' and to get to do it with Quentin by my side with the strongest, feistiest and sassiest little girl to ever be. She has taught me so much about thankfulness, finding joy in the small things, loving Jesus even on days when you are in the pits of the valleys.

Not only has Lily taught me so many things, our son, Luca, has taught me so much in his role within our family. He came up to be with us in Boston a few days after we arrived and stayed until the day after surgery. He has a true heart of gold and I pray to Jesus that he never loses the light he has. He is outgoing, persistent, hilarious, a true negotiator (maybe even a future lawyer. If you know, you know), and such a kind, loving boy. He has had his life turned upside down more times than I can count, and still he continues on. The day of surgery, he kept everyone occupied by playing, joking, smiling and laughing. I truly am so thankful for him as well as our entire village of people that have stepped in to help us make his life as "normal" as possible since bringing Lily into the world.

Thanksgiving has never really been a holiday that I care much for. I am not a big fan of Thanksgiving dinners and I am very much an introvert, so being around tons of friends and family usually takes it out of me. However, this season, I truly don't have the words to express how thankful I am. And in true Nina and Jesus fashion, there was a song that came up on my social media that put my thoughts into words. I absolutely love when Jesus does this and gives me a praise song to fully express my hearts song!

I say thanks for the things You're doing. I say thanks for things You've done. I say thanks for the ways You're moving. I say thanks before the battle's won. And I will praise you in the middle of the storm cause You've been faithful every time before. So all I wanna do is thank You.

I am so thankful.

Thankful that surgery didn't work the first time.

Thankful that we chose Boston to carry out the rest of her procedures.

I am thankful for those who helped us get ready for this surgery.

I am thankful for the staff here at the hospital that have treated us like family.

I am thankful Lily has not needed intervention until now.

I am thankful for such supportive coworkers.

I am thankful for the people at Quentin's work that have been so flexible.

I am thankful for our village of people.

I am thankful for Lily's prayer warriors.

I am thankful for my husband.

I am so so thankful for our two beautiful children.

I am so thankful.

The entire album that this song comes from is a breath of fresh air as it all revolves around thankfulness. This season is such a weird feeling for me because, since Lily's birth we have waited, had surgery, didn't have the best outcome and then back to waiting. It is so surreal to be on the other side of this surgery with good news and hopeful surgeons who are happy with her progress.

As I sit in prayer, I can't help but sit with these two scriptures.

Psalm 33:22

May your mercy, Lord, be upon us; as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 118:28

You are my God, I give you thanks; my God, I offer you praise.

One last time. Thank you to everyone who has walked with us on our journey. Most of all, thank the Lord for always moving in our lives, storms and all. Thank you.