March 20, 2021 "Home Sweet Home!"

 March 20, 2021 (Day 65 in the hospital)--GOING HOME!!!!!!

Rayden slept pretty good last night but was up early this morning ready to go home. I slept like a kid on Christmas Eve, waking every hour to check to clock. We woke to find notes for Rayden taped to our door from some of the nurses and CNA's. They wrote him goodbye letters and well wishes. I can't thank them enough for taking care of Rayden during this time, but that was their jobs. Falling in love with him was voluntary and above and beyond the call of duty. 

Rayden wanted to write notes to each and every nurse and CNA. Well, that would take a while, and I don't want to miss anyone. So we decided to make one big poster. I wrote the words and Rayden and Roxana placed the stickers. He was so proud of it and wanted to hang it at the front office. He marched down the hall and taped it on the medication door for everyone to see. 

The hospital provided all Rayden's wet-to-dry dressing supplies. They brought in a huge box filled with tape, ABD bandages, gauze, even saline water. 

We finally left the hospital at 1:30. (Nanny and Papa come to pick us up because Michael was on call this weekend.) Several of the nurses and CNA's came to the elevator to send us off and there was not a dry eye! It's crazy how excited we were to leave, but we were all crying at the same time. 

As soon as we got into the van Rayden threw his arms in the air and started singing, "Yeah, we are going home!" I do believe his smile was the absolute biggest I have ever seen. 

I guess I have a little PTSD because of the horrific ride home after Rayden's back surgery. When we got home that night his incision had opened up so I have been afraid to put him back in the carseat again. I would rather his back completely heal before he rubs it raw in the carseat, so I strapped him in the seat and placed pillows all around him again.  

The ride home was kind of weird because when we went into the hospital it was still winter. The trees were all bare and there were no flowers or grass to be seen. But today is the first day of Spring. I don't really know the names of the trees, but there were beautiful white, yellow and purple trees in full bloom and we even saw some daffodils. Everything seemed new. 

When we arrived home Uncle G was here with Michael ready to take pictures. There were yellow ribbons tied to the front and back porch thanks to Deniece Elmore. Rayden was so thrilled to be home. He wanted to go look at everything just to make sure it was like he remembered. We were welcomed with a few more surprises when we came inside. Uncle G brought us a delicious treat from the bakery and there were balloons and a monetary gift from Dawn Wilkes, as well as monetary gifts from MES, LCC, and Moore & Alphin PLLC. There were tons of cards and also presents from Dale Hildebrand and Anne Turlington. I cannot thank everyone enough for thinking about us and making Rayden smile over and over during this time. You have no idea what this means to our family. Your love and continued support throughout this ENTIRE time have been unbelievable. We could not have made it through this ordeal without each and every single one of you thinking of us and praying us through it. 

We were only home for 30 minutes when we heard this loud music coming from down the road. We went out the front door only to find the Dunn Sudan Clowns coming down the street in their bus. They parked right in front of our house and 7 clowns came barreling out dancing a Welcome Home show for Rayden. I cannot even put into words the excitement Rayden had to see 'his clowns' at his house! He sat in my lap on the front porch for only one song, then he had to get in the middle of them and dance as well. He continuously said, "I can't believe this!" People from the neighborhood started coming out of their houses and down the street to watch the show. I wish we could have had the entire yard full of people to welcome Rayden home, but Covid has messed everything up. 

Rayden continued to dance for a while holding Mommy and Daddy's hands but soon decided he needed to go hug each and every single clown. He's the most loving little fellow. After about 20 minutes they took pictures with him and loaded the bus. It was THE BEST welcome home I could have ever imagined for him. I can't believe these men took so much time out of their Saturday to get all 'clowned' up and come all the way to our house for Rayden. It just speaks of their love for children and their ginormous hearts!! Rayden loved it so much that as soon as he came into the house he HAD to put on his clown costume. He talked about them all night and the next day! (YOU MUST WATCH THE TWO VIDEOS!)

Clowns in front of the house are as follows: Bottom row from left: Dylan Honeycutt-Klutz, Brian Honeycutt-Boo, Rayden, Lee Honeycutt-Ho-Lee-Wood. 

Top row from left: Justin Langdon-BonZo, Cody Dunn-Yammy, Tyler Carpenter-Tugboat, and TJ Johnson-Tank.