And they're off...

Well, it's 4:55am, we've been up for an hour drinking coffee and packing. We are to report to the hospital by 6:30a.m. Kelli's Dad (aka: Papa Gene) is supposed to arrive at 5:45a.m.; which means that he's probably already here, he's just driving around the neighborhood until our designated pick-up time.

I took Sam to CMH yesterday for his final lab work, and he was not definitely not okay with the nurse poking his hand with a needle. He was pretty brave, though, as well as funny. (Crying) "I want my Dad!!" He was sitting on my lap, which I pointed out to him. He responded with, "Then I want my mom!"

He was all done shortly after she began, and then he got to pick out a sticker and a toy.

We spent our "last day" together doing things as a family. We had take out from Chili's (Sam's request, I swear) and watched Halloween Thomas videos (Kelli's request, I swear). He took a bath, and we read tons of books together.

It was great.

Thanks to everyone who called to check up on us. It is most appreciated.

Surgery starts around 7:30 and is scheduled to last around 5 hours. He'll spend some time in recovery and then be moved to the pediatric ICU, where he will spend the night. He should be moved into a real room sometime tomorrow.

Feel free to visit, call, email, pray, or just shoot some good vibes our way.

Thanks again to everyone for all of your support, we love you!

And, yes, that is his new guitar with an oversized pick.