On November 30th, 2017 Nate and Sydney Hatcher, along with family, welcomed their little miracle Carmen Grace into the world, six weeks early. 

At just 3 lbs 12 ounces Carmen was placed in the NICU and it was quickly discovered that she had a heart defect that would not allow blood flow to the rest of her body. Further research and genetic testing revealed that Carmen also had chromosomal abnormalities. Carmen spent the next 194 days in the PICU, enduring multiple trips to the OR for cardiac surgery and complications and GT placement. Most of her days in PICU were actually spent waiting to grow. She was so tiny and many of the procedures required she be a little bigger. Carmen became known throughout the PICU as a fighter, one who beats the odds, one who does not follow the normal path. Many times we heard, "we don't really know because, well, it's Carmen and she writes her own rules and story". 

Carmen got to go home with her loving parents and big sister, Holland, on June 12. She spent almost 5 weeks in the loving, expert care of her mom and dad! On July 13 she woke up with an enlarged abdomen and had to be taken to the hospital. Over the course of the next three days, it was discovered that her small intestines were, for an unknown reason, dying. 90% of her small intestines were removed and she let us all know that she was tired and couldn't fight anymore. God greeted Carmen in heaven on July 19 where she will live for all of eternity. 

Nate and Sydney's steadfast faithfulness and confidence during this trying journey is only a glimpse into their love and service to Christ as well as others. We want to return the selfless support that they continue to give so many all over the world by showing our encouragement in any of the ways below:

1. We serve an amazing God and strongly believe in the power of prayer. We ask first and foremost for you to pray for a peace that passes all understanding, over all of the family during their grief journey.

2. We really have no goal in mind financially, but we want to show our generosity to Nate & Sydney. So lastly, we would ask that only if you feel led or inclined to help them cover the costs of funeral and hospital expenses, in lieu of flowers, or to be donated to Tiny Super Hero's, Genetic Research, Congenital Heart Disease or Inova's Stars Program, donate to this page and all funds will go directly to helping bless this family or to one of the charities mentioned.

In Memory of Carmen Grace #AlwaysCarmenStrong #WelcomeToHolland