One cool dude. :)

 

I hope your summer is off to a great start! Things have been extremely busy for us, as usual. Sarah’s been working hard to keep things in order around the house, while I’ve been working hard to meet songwriting deadlines for the new Sanctus Real album. A few other little things like, well, our bus burning down, have added some spice to our life, but Sarah and I are doing our best to soak in as much sun and swimming with the kids as we possibly can.

We’ve wanted so badly to blog, but it’s been hard to catch up on everything that needs to get done these days. As you know, Sarah’s mom loves checking in on Bowen’s heart, and she wants updates as much as anyone else. One of the perks of being Bowen’s Grammy is that she can just say, “We’ve waited long enough, here’s an update for everyone!”  As always, we’re grateful for her help. So here’s an update from Grammy Pammy…

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Well, it’s been a while and I’m probably not the one you want to be hearing from. Things at the Hammitt household have been very busy, so I thought I would catch everybody up on what’s been happening! If you haven’t already heard, there will be another little boy running around here! We were all very excited to hear they were having a little boy, because it will be so nice for Bowen to have a brother, and it will even things out…two boys and two girls. Like Claire says, “now everyone will have a dance partner”. Sarah just had an echocardiogram yesterday to check his heart, since he is at a higher risk for a heart defect. So far he looks perfectly healthy! Sarah seems to be feeling pretty good with this pregnancy as well, except for maybe a few more headaches than normal.

Speaking of Sarah, I am so proud of her!!! She was asked to speak at a women’s conference in our area and, although she is a person who is easy to talk to and friendly, public speaking is something she has NEVER done or EVER expected to do. She was extremely nervous about doing it, but felt it was something she was supposed to do, and she did a wonderful job! I’m not just saying that because I’m her mom either. I really felt God speaking through her words and I could tell He was giving her His peace through it. Afterwards they had a question and answer time. Bowen came on stage but as soon as he looked out toward the audience he saw me, his Grandma Gail, and his Aunt Hannah. What were the chances of picking us out of a crowd of a thousand people? He immediately wanted down to see us, so we let him sit with us while Sarah finished answering some questions.

You may have heard about another event that happened in Matt and Sarah’s lives lately. A couple weeks ago Matt took Sarah and the girls on the bus to Maryland for a show because it was at a Six Flags theme park. They knew it would be a great fun family time. Mark, Sanctus Real’s drummer, also took his two boys on the trip. On the way home around 3:00 am, while driving on the Pennsylvania turnpike, the bus caught on fire for some unknown reason. The flames started outside the back of the bus where Sarah and the girls were sleeping. Everyone escaped single file out the front of the bus. In the end most of the bus was completely burned including all the beds where everyone was sleeping. I feel like God protected them and that He literally “walked them through the fire” unharmed. The phone call I received at four o’clock in the morning could have been so different, and I praise God every day that He took care of everyone.

It wasn’t a coincidence that our sermon that Sunday was on Psalm 121. Part of that says “The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and your going both for now and forevermore.”

As far as Bowen, he is doing really well. However, he did have some kind of rash all over his body this week which they believe was the measles. He is behind in his immunizations because of sickness and his surgery. Sarah checked with the heart doctor and they don’t seem too concerned. Otherwise, he is as busy as can be. He goes swimming in his great grandma Gloria’s heated pool with his sisters and cousins a few times a week and absolutely LOVES it! He is very active and there’s really no stopping him.

The other day after Emmy’s soccer game, he insisted on going to the TOP slide on the jungle gym. After reaching the top, he stood tall and proud in his superman shirt (I was right there behind him of course-it was probably more risky for this old lady than him). Then, after he went down the slide, he had to do it three more times! I was worn out but he seemed fine. It was a very special moment for me because I realized right then and there what a strong spirit God had given him. I really felt He was going to do great in Bowen’s life! He is one special little boy.

We thank you so much for reading this blog and caring so much about Bowie. We know it’s been a while, but things have been going along pretty normal. You can pray for Bowen’s upcoming heart catheterization on July 9th. We will be glad when that is behind us. You can also pray that he would eat a little more; he is eating but he could use a few more pounds and he isn’t always that interested in food. Also, pray for the girls, Mark’s boys, and everyone that was on the bus. That was a scary thing to go through. The girls seem to be handling it ok. Emmy is having the hardest time with losing her favorite blankie that she slept with every night. Claire lost her blankie too, but had a very similar one at home and isn’t as upset about it.

Thank you so much for ALL your prayers for Bowen, and all your prayers for all the other heart babies you’ve heard about on this and other blogs. I’ve met several through here that I follow and pray for always. I just think it is awesome to connect here and see the community God has brought together.

God bless each and every one of you!

Love,

Grammy Pammy