Merry Christmas everyone!
May His love bring you true joy and laughter.
Matt, Sarah, Emmy, Claire, and Bowen
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Phillipians 2:1-11
Betsy Markman
December 25, 2010 at 12:54 am
What a joyous blessing!
Jessica
December 25, 2010 at 12:58 am
How amazing and what a blessing to have Bowen home for Christmas! He is looking so perfect!
Merry Christmas Hammitt family and may God continue to bless your family in the new year.
Stephanie :)
December 25, 2010 at 1:28 am
Inspired by you all, as always!!! Have a very Blessed and Merry Christmas!!!!! Still praying daily and thinking about you often, with love, Stephanie
Stephanie :)
December 25, 2010 at 1:35 am
Also, the video is SO cute!!! It really sounds like he said, “I’m… ah…,” after Sarah asked him, “Are you a little miracle?” So funny, so cute!!
And the Twitter picture of him dressed as “Santa” cracked me up. Sarah does have the “gift of cozy”, as Matt once said, as well as the “gift of hilarious!” Thanks, you guys, for the smiles!!! Looking great, Bowen!!!
Caroline
December 25, 2010 at 1:50 am
Oh, thanks for sharing the video! Praying for Bowen and your family became my reason to “pick up” my relationship with my Lord again. Thanks for your transparency. You have impacted more people than you will ever know. Merry Christmas to all of you!
Francesca
December 25, 2010 at 2:30 am
Wow! He looks great! Chubby little cheeks and dark hair. I love that both the girls (as of now,) have their mother’s hair, but Bowen takes after his daddy. With God’s grace may he grow great and strong, along with your daughters.
Jill Leebrick
December 25, 2010 at 2:55 am
Awe……. what a sweetie! If he could talk he really would have a lot to say! He would probably say how thankful he is to have you for parents to love him and take care of him. Bless you all on this Christmas day!
Lisa
December 25, 2010 at 3:28 am
Merry Christmas to you too Hammitts!!! Praise God for whom all blessings flow!!!
Lisa
December 25, 2010 at 3:44 am
***Correction*** FROM whom ALL blessings flow!!!
God bless you! I pray the “bug” passes quickly, and you get some well deserved rest so you’ll have the energy to fully enjoy celebrating JESUS’ birthday.
Tawnya Smith
December 25, 2010 at 4:35 am
no tube please! thank you, lord!
Donnie and Donna
December 25, 2010 at 5:01 am
Absolutely PRICELESS!!! Thanks for posting!
You are such an inspiration!!!
j-anne
December 25, 2010 at 5:01 am
he looks really healthy!
Merry Christmas!
Valerie
December 25, 2010 at 5:24 am
What a precious gift – thank you for sharing him!!!
Connie Toole
December 25, 2010 at 6:44 am
Merry Christmas to the Hammitt Family !! Happy Birthday Jesus !! Praying for Bowen’s continues healing !! We feel so overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness to have Emerson home with us this Christmas and I ‘m sure all of you feel the same about Bowen. Matt, you and Sarah have so many years ahead to enjoy the pleasures of being parents and then grandparents. IWe are Nana and Papa and we got a phone call this morning at 5:00a.m. from our two oldest grandchildren, Lauren,8 and Joseph Carson, 12, who live in our neighborhood to come see their Christmas. Lauren read us the story of the birth of Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas !! We are now home and getting ready to go across town to our other granddaughters, Emerson,3, who will be waiting with a big smile !! God has been so good to us !! I feel so blessed that my chlidren have a personal relationship with the Lord and my grandchildren love Jesus and live for him. God Bless you all, Connie Toole (nanatoole3@hotmail.com), EmersonBanksMay, HLHS, http://www.carepages.com
Pam Schooler
December 25, 2010 at 7:47 am
I am sooo happy and thankful Emerson is home and doing well! Have a blessed Christmas with your whole family! What a great feeling for you all to be through the 3rd surgery! God is soooo awsome!!!
Tammi T. (a mom of an HLHS boy)
December 25, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Glad to hear that Emerson is home. How is she doing? Any more fluid around the lungs? Still praying.
Michele Rinaldi
December 25, 2010 at 7:11 am
I understood every word! It brought tears to my eyes! What a blessing and MERRY CHRISTMAS to your family!
Lisa Carlin (HLHS mom)
December 25, 2010 at 7:28 am
to Matt,Sarah & family,, Merry Christmas to you all and may it be the best one this year! so glad to see Bowen doing so well, phew, what a relief… you’ve been through so much this year and my wish for 2011′ is to be a healthy , happy one for us all. oh, and tube free would be appreciated!! I hope Santa is good to you this Christmas too! with love, LISA
Tammi T. (a mom of an HLHS boy)
December 27, 2010 at 12:59 am
I hope you had a Merry Christmas, Lisa, and may God bless you in the New Year.
Lisa C.
December 27, 2010 at 5:41 pm
you too Tammi! we had a great xmas and today we were slammed with 2 ft. of snow,hahaha! can you believe that?? it’s been alot of fun today shoveling and playing around in it… I put pics of my kids on fb. today of our christmas and the blizzard…….*.((
Marty Bonham
December 25, 2010 at 7:39 am
Wow, just look what God’s love can do! He can use Bowen’s mommy and daddy to help Bowen become the living miracle he is. How good of Him to bless in such abundant ways. His grace really is sufficient and His goodness knows no end. Merry Christmas to a precious family. Thank you for your steadfastness. God is greatly rewarding your faithfulness. Thank you for blessing us by sharing your sweet family.
Pam Schooler
December 25, 2010 at 7:42 am
Waking up and hearing you on my new computer is the greatest Christmas gift! ever!!! You are Grandma’s special boy and I love you sooooooo much! Merry 1st Christmas. Love,Grammy Pammy
Laurie Kirkendall
December 25, 2010 at 8:45 am
Merry Christmas to your family from ours! That video made me cry and smile at the graciousness of God! Oh where He has brought these babies! We are blessed families, that is for sure! Paislyn is jabbering herself and it’s the most precious sound! I’m sure your girls are so excited for Christmas, so enjoy and rest in God’s goodness today! Much Love, Laurie
Caren G.
December 25, 2010 at 8:54 am
Merry Christmas to you too!
Christin
December 25, 2010 at 8:56 am
Merry Christmas to you too!!! Love the video!
Karen
December 25, 2010 at 9:03 am
Merry Christmas to the Hammitts!
Mary McDaniel
December 25, 2010 at 9:31 am
Merry Christmas Hammitt Family. May God continue to shower His Blessings upon your family in 2011.
Jean
December 25, 2010 at 9:47 am
Merry Christmas! So happy you are enjoying your Christmas at home with the whole family.
Kelly Wagner
December 25, 2010 at 10:45 am
What a great video! Thanks for sharing that with us! He is a little miracle and God is so good!
Micah Peacock
December 25, 2010 at 10:46 am
TOO CUTE!!
Merry First Christmas Bowen!
Woohoo, no NG tube!!
Bunches of Love and Prayers,
~Micah
Cindy Lou Shingara
December 25, 2010 at 11:04 am
Merry and a very blessed Chritstmas to each one of you beautiful percious Hammit’s!
You all are God’s gift to the world, to everyone who knows you and your story!
I’ve been following Bowens Heart since hearing you on our local christian radio station here in Pa.
My prayers & heart have been with you ever since. Honestly Matt ,your writting is amazing! I feel like i’ve gone to church and had a lesson in love & humility. You are a pastor! One sent to teach and instruct. I have been comforted by your words, inspirted, encouraged and and taught a thing ot two that i needed to hear!
Thank You for giving pieces of yourselfs to all of us out here who love you.
Blessigns, Cindy Lou
Mandie Hamrick
December 25, 2010 at 11:33 am
Bowen looks so much like Matt. (I think) Merry Christmas friends.
Maria aka Rockermom
December 25, 2010 at 11:40 am
Bowen is such a talker, love you soooo much! Have a wonderful blessed 1st Christmas! Much love to the 5 of you!!!
Angela Lierman
December 25, 2010 at 11:43 am
MERRY CHRISTmas, Hammitt Family!! Oh, the JOY of this day!! That video made me cry like he was my own little boy!! I also agree that he looks like Matt!
Enjoy your special day!!
Cindy ErmeavWilliams
December 25, 2010 at 11:57 am
What a perfect blessing for God! Merry Christmas to Bowen and his special family!
Lisa Masters
December 25, 2010 at 11:59 am
What a wonderful Christmas for the Hammitt family! Sooooo happy for you! Bowen looks great!
Judy
December 25, 2010 at 12:01 pm
So glad you are all home and together for Christmas. I am sure there are times that get very hectic and scary, but being together must just be such a joy and blessing after the times apart when Bowen was born. May you have a blessed Christmas and New Year. You as a family and your struggles and joys with your faith in God through it all can teach us all a lot about God’s goodness and our ability to see it. God bless you all.
Lisa Xavier
December 25, 2010 at 12:17 pm
He is such a darling little man. It is so hard to believe just looking at him that he is anything but a perfectly healthy baby boy. God bless all of you this Christmas and we will continue to pray for you and sweet Bowen.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!!!!!!
Norma Puerta
December 25, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Merry Christmas!
Emily
December 25, 2010 at 12:49 pm
I’m so glad for the wonderful progress he’s making!!!! That video is just tooooooo adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jackie
December 25, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Merry Christmas!! Continued prayers for your family!! Bowen looks awesome
God is so good!! The video of him chatting was too cute! Many blessing for a happy and healthy 2011!!
Jackie
Michelle
December 25, 2010 at 1:09 pm
May not only this day, but every other bring you joy and peace. Happy holidays, Hammitt Family!
Connie L. Lasko
December 25, 2010 at 1:12 pm
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! It’s such a blessing that you can all be together. I cannot wait to hear you speak at our church next weekend.
May God Bless You,
Connie
Elise
December 25, 2010 at 1:16 pm
SO cute!! Merry Christmas to Bowen and the rest of your wonderful family.
BEtsy
December 25, 2010 at 1:39 pm
This just is such a wonderful blessing to see Bowen look so good! Merry Christmas to the whole family
Rochelle Hefflinger
December 25, 2010 at 1:43 pm
May God Bless you all Richly this Season and always xoxo Have a Wonderful 2011. We are praying for you Daily xoxo
Hollie
December 25, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Merry Christmas!
Rachel
December 25, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!
Hope y’all are enjoying the holiday season!!!!
Jesus Is The Reason For The Season!!!!
in HIS name,
Rachel
Mary Powers
December 25, 2010 at 2:04 pm
How precious!!! A video like that could give my husband “baby-itis”.
Following our son’s surgery, he was intubated for 44 days leaving his vocal chords paralyzed. In order to keep him from aspirating, they injected surgical foam behind his vocal chords to close them. There was no guarantee that he would ever regain his voice. It was very difficult those first few weeks home, because his cries were silent. But, then one day, he started cooing — squealing and cooing! We recorded him as a .wav file and sent an e-mail to his surgeon, who excited replied, “Thanks for the ‘voice’ mail!” There are days I still pull that .wav file up and praise God for His amazing grace.
Praying that Bowen keeps his food down. What a blessing that he’s NG-free for Christmas.
God’s love and grace are amazing!
~Mary
Linda Rojas
December 25, 2010 at 2:58 pm
MERRY CHRISTMAS from Nashville, TN!!! So happy to see Bowen’s video this morning. You are blessed!…and yes “no more puking!”…he,he!
Blessings,
Linda
lis
December 25, 2010 at 3:36 pm
MERRY CHRISTMAS! That’s adorable, thanks for sharing..He sure had a lot to say about his first Christmas and especially that promise he made. Oh and he looks just wonderful. Praying and loving you guys from Alabama.
Jessica Scranton
December 25, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Merry Christmas! LOVE the video! Celebrating all your miracles today!
Crystal Willis
December 25, 2010 at 5:28 pm
How absolutely adorable!!!
jennifer
December 25, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Dear sarah matt and family. Praying for bowen and your family daily and wishing you a merry christmas and a new year full of blessings! Bowen looks wonderful
Grace Meeks
December 25, 2010 at 8:03 pm
SO Sweet!!!! Merry Christmas! May your family continued to be blessed with healing & peace!
Joyce Raney
December 25, 2010 at 8:24 pm
ADORABLE!!!
Tammi T. (a mom of an HLHS boy)
December 25, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Merry Christmas to you, too, Bowen. You are truly a miracle. May God bless.
Rachel Stonecipher
December 25, 2010 at 9:44 pm
What a Merry CHRISTmas
…All the HLHS babies are precious miracles…God bless your family
Teri
December 25, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Hi Hammett family! What a precious video of Bowen and LOVE hearing Sarah’s voice “interpreting” for him. He is so cute – and all BOY! Thank you so much for sharing your journey and faith! Merry Christmas!
Gwen Langford
December 25, 2010 at 11:18 pm
Merry Christmas to you all and praying God’s continued Blessings upon your family. Praying that Bowen will continue to thrive and do well with every little step in his moving forward. Praise God! Thank you for continuing to share your story with us.
Linda Rhyne
December 25, 2010 at 11:30 pm
I love seeing miracles like Bowen. I just want to kiss those sweet cheeks. Merry Christmas to you all.
Jenn
December 25, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Merry Christmas Hammitts! I hope you all had the sweetest day.
Ashley
December 26, 2010 at 12:21 am
Ahh, that’s just the sweetest thing! Just warms my heart to hear his tiny coos. What a blessing and gift that little boy is to you all this Christmas!
Merry Christmas right back at ya, little guy!
Leigh Ann Prewitt
December 26, 2010 at 12:58 am
I love that you always make sure that Bowen has a “purpose”…he is so beautiful and amazing and I love all that you guys are as a family….authentic and real. Praying for continued progress for Bowen and lots of love and support for you all, including Emmy and Claire. Thank you from all the other families whose daily lives resemble yours, in that we seek Christ in carrying us through. Merry Christmas!
laura hill
December 26, 2010 at 4:19 am
Oh, how marvelous,oh how wonderful!!!Nothing like a little chat with a baby!!!
Lisa
December 26, 2010 at 8:01 am
sooo amazing
Stephanie Snow
December 26, 2010 at 9:43 am
Many Christmas Blessings to you and emmy claire and bowen. So sweet to see him having such a fun talk with mom and dad. THank you for posting such a sweet video. Praying for you all to have a blessed season
susie michaud
December 26, 2010 at 11:38 am
Awesome video
What a precious little voice Bowen has! So happy to hear your family had a great Christmas! Good things happened yesterday. We watched a dvd called “The Star of Bethlehem” last night. It’s really interesting!
~In Christ’s love, The Michaud family
Yvonne
December 26, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Bowen ou re healty and have a nice christmass with your family.
Krista
December 26, 2010 at 3:46 pm
That is amazing!!! LOVE hearing his voice… SO glad you all had a Merry Christmas!!!!
Lauren Colley
December 26, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Adorable! Merry Christmas to the whole Hammitt family. Hope it was the best one yet. Love and prayers <3
Pam Moore
December 26, 2010 at 10:14 pm
That is so precious!! Love hearing Bowen’s sweet little voice.
Love, prayers, and blessings to your whole family.
Mallory Fields and Mom
December 27, 2010 at 12:15 am
Matt and Sarah
That was such a wonderdul video my boyfriend Brent and I saw this and we both laughed as Bowen was trying to talk. I loved Sarah how you were talking and then he started making sounds after you talked that is such a miracle baby and and he knows it. Looks like yawl had a very Merry Christmas Im glad.
Debbie & family
December 27, 2010 at 8:39 am
Bowen looks great! Merry Christmas! I hope you got you Christmas wish and Bowen’s ng-tube is out for good…God bless you and yours, to the whole Hammitt family!!!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Mindy Hunter
December 27, 2010 at 8:54 am
Simply precious! Miracles still do happen. Thank you for making my day!
Dianne Green
December 27, 2010 at 9:34 am
What a dollbaby! He’s just getting so big and so cute!
Claudia
December 27, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Bowen’s looking really healthy!!! Merry Christmas to the entire family. We will keep constant prayer over this little bundle of blessing’s life.
God Bless!!!
Misty
December 27, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Matt & Sarah,
I am so happy for your family, that it brings tears to my eyes. Yall created BEAUTIFUL children! He love looking at his cheeks!! There have been many of times when I have left the blog with tears in my eyes, especially when I read that Bowen was coming home. I was over joyed for yall. He is truly a miracle. I have been hinting to my husband about wanting another baby when I finish getting my degree this May, but I am nervous becuase he was a premie and the next one will probably be also. I know God is with us though. I pray for abundant blessings to fall upon your family in 2011, and will be praying even harder in Feb. I always look forward to reading about the little guy and your family. I bet those girls love having him home.
Misty
Angie Alanowski
December 27, 2010 at 3:05 pm
This is so beautiful!
I’m a youth pastor in Kingwood, Texas, and I just sent this to my high school girl’s small group. We pray for you guys every week!
God bless!
Kelly Enright
December 27, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Bowen is looking so GREAT! He is looking so healthy! With his next surgery less that two months away, this is great news. Our God is an AWESOME God!!!!
Lindsey Gust-Niswonger
December 27, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Hearing his little voice just made my heart so happy!!
Joshua Harris
December 27, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Awesome video and to see such a happy little baby with no NG tube is more awesomer (OK, I know that isnt a word). I know I’m a day and some change late here, but Merry Christmas to the entire family and we will keep praying that he gains weight and the puking holds off so that NG tube can STAY OUT! Happy New Year as well!!!
Krista
December 27, 2010 at 9:31 pm
He’s so precious. What a miracle baby. God has blessed your family! Any news on the tube staying out at night? Poor lil guy!
Kristine
December 27, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Oh, what a miracle he is! I’m so thrilled for all of you that you could all be home together for Christmas this year! May the New Year bring many more blessings to your family. You are all in our prayers daily!
Kristine
Valerie
December 27, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Merry Christmas! May God continue to bless your family!
Connie Toole
December 28, 2010 at 7:09 am
We got beautiful snow for the first time in a long time the day after Christmas !! Just another blessing from our Lord !! Hope everyone got to spend time with family and was able to share with family about the love of Jesus !! I know Matt , you and Sarah I’m sure, had a blessed holiday with Bowen and the girls!! God is soooo good !!! My granddaughter Emerson, HLHS, had a good Christmas !! She has a little cold, which we’ve tried so hard to keep her well, but my daughter took her to the doctor yesterday and it is just beginning so she got some meds, hopefully that will get better soon. Some have ask about her recovery since her third surgery, the Fontan. she’s doing better, still on a fat free diet, which has been a challenge, but we go back to Charleston today and pray fluid is all gone and if so, they said we may be able to slowly add a little fat back in her diet !! she has been such a trooper !! Thank you Lord for taking such good care of Emerson, Bowen and so many others !! Thank you for praying !! Connie Toole, Emerson’s Nana, her site, http://www.carepages.com, EmersonBanksMay
Bethany
December 28, 2010 at 9:45 am
Merry Christmas to you! My 4 year old son watched the video of your son and said “He’s precious! He’s a beautiful baby!”. He is so right. God bless you guys. Your faith and strength is an encouragement to so many. May the Lord’s love and blessings multiply for you in the New Year.
Love,
Bethany Fox
amanda
December 28, 2010 at 1:25 pm
that is so cute. he is such a little talker. May God bless you with an amazing years. Gain that weight Bowen.
Stefenie
December 28, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Hope you all had a blessed Christmas and that the flu bug has officially left your house. Sounds like it has hit a lot of peoples’.
Still praying for your family!! Hope the tube gets to stay out!
Stef
http://www.whenlifehandsyouabrokenheart.blogspot.com
Cindy
December 28, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Merry Christmas!! Bowen does look like Dad and what a miracle he is. God is amazing and may he continue to poor his blessings upon you all!!
Jennifer O'Keefe
December 28, 2010 at 8:49 pm
What a beautiful boy……thank you for sharing such cuteness…. Merry Christmas and Happy New year to your family…… We continue to lift your family in prayer…. in comfort, strength and hope…..Jen O’Keefe
Audrey
December 29, 2010 at 2:44 pm
This is sute a cute video! I love to hear the joy in Sarah and Bowen’s voices! Hope you had a merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Christina Rodriguez
December 29, 2010 at 3:03 pm
HOW ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a LITTLE WONDERFUL, GLORIOUS, BLESSING and MIRACLE from GOD!!! So cute!!! Hope you ALL HAD A JOYFUL CHRISTmas!!! Praying that you all have a year full of more blessings and miracles! Even just the little things that GOD provides us each and everyday bring us inspiration and encouragement! GOD has carried you all through the storm and will continue to hold you all in the palm of HIS HOLY HEALING HANDS!!! GOD BLESS!
Amy D.
December 29, 2010 at 5:30 pm
This video is AWESOME! I especially liked his reply after you asked him if he wanted to keep the NG tube out! We LOVED the day our pediatrician said we could try feedings without it. Finally, we had a happy, minimally-pukey baby!! Praying that it all continues for you guys in the same manner!
I’ve been reading every single update and Tweet. Since moving, we haven’t found a permanent home for my computer and the place I’m using it presently has a wonky plug that trips off every now and then. Not good, so I’m not turning it on unless there are things (like watching adorable Bowen videos) I can’t do on my phone.
Much love to all of you and continued prayers!
Amy
Heidi
December 29, 2010 at 6:14 pm
How precious!! Thank you for the updates. Praying for all of you!
Lynn Sawyer
January 1, 2011 at 4:15 am
1/1/11, Early a.m.
Dear Matt and Sarah,
Happy New Yr.!! May 2011 be a yr. of promise, healing, and growth, not only for Bowen, of course, but for ea. member of your family!! Bowen’s lkg. better, w/ea. pic I see of him!! And I think he looks like BOTH of you!! Does he look @ all like the girls did, when they were small? Thanks for continuing to write to us here, and allow us to pray for you, and follow your progress. God bless as always!!
Your friend,
Lynn
one grateful alkie
Jenny
January 3, 2011 at 1:20 pm
Bowen’s coo’s warm my heart! He is precious! What a miracle! Happy new year! Many paryers for his continued recovery and his surgery in February! May God continue to bless your family. You are all an inspiration!