Our sweet boy, Tuff, came into this world already showing us what strength truly looks like. Shortly after his birth, Tuff was diagnosed with a rare vascular condition called Vein of Galen Malformation (VOGM), a diagnosis that has changed the course of our lives in ways we never imagined.

VOGM is a complex condition where the arteries in the brain connect abnormally to a large vein, creating extra blood flow that can cause a multitude of serious health issues, including heart and respiratory failure. It’s rare, unpredictable, and requires ongoing, specialized care. Tuff has already faced challenges no baby should have to endure, long hospital stays, procedures, and moments that have tested our faith in every possible way.

We are currently at Seattle Children’s Hospital, surrounded by a team of incredible doctors and nurses who feel more like family. This is just the beginning of a long road ahead. As Tuff grows, there may be multiple surgeries and interventions to help his brain and heart continue to function the way they need to. The timeline is uncertain, and while we pray for miracles every day, we also prepare for the journey, one step, one breath, one moment at a time.

As parents, we’re doing our best to balance it all, the hospital life, our other children at home, and the responsibilities that come with owning and operating our own business. Being self-employed means there’s no such thing as paid time off for Chris, and yet our hearts are constantly pulled between the business and the baby who needs us most. It’s a balance that’s often impossible to navigate, but we’re trusting that grace will meet us where we are.

So many have reached out asking how they can help, and for that, we are deeply humbled and grateful. This space was created not just to share Tuff’s story, but to invite others into it, through prayer, encouragement, and love. Any support we receive here will go toward the practical parts of this journey: travel, time away from work, hospital stays, and the long road of care that comes with raising a medically complex child.

Through it all, we’ve learned that love really does carry you. Faith really does sustain you. And miracles, big and small, really do happen.

Thank you for walking beside us, for believing in Tuff, and for lifting our family up when the road feels heavy. We’ll keep sharing his story, the hard parts, the holy moments, and everything in between, because his fight deserves to be witnessed.

With love and gratitude,

The Tibbits Family