Where Have We Been?

You may be wondering where we've been since it's been such a long time since I have posted. We have all been fine, but we have had a family member dealing with some unexpected heart problems. I am happy to report that this family member is recovering nicely at home now and we are all very thankful for how the Lord has worked in such a big way here!

As for our little family.... we had a very quiet Thanksgiving at home, just the four of us. We put up our christmas tree and it was decorated so nicely. Then Anna Grace wouldn't leave the ornaments alone and so now our Christmas tree is naked from the waist down. Literlly, there is NOTHING on the tree at the bottom. Oh well :) It's really kind of funny. I'm sure its one of those things I'll look back on one day very fondly.....

Over the last couple of weeks I also turned 36. I know.... GASP! I really can't beleive it myself! Enough about that!

Anna Grace has also had her second dose of Synagis. She had it the day after Thanksgiving. I am very grateful because her doctor told me that he has only seen 3 cases of the flu this season, but that he is seeing LOTS of RSV. Praise the Lord for Synagis. Since Zachary is in school this year I am even more tankful for the added protection of Synagis.

I really have a lot more to update you with and I also need to add some pictures (especially of our naked tree) - but I need to go get Anna Grace up from her nap so I will try to post more tomorrow! Thank you all for continuing to check on our family and sorry about the lack of blogging!

Fundraiser

We had our fundraiser tonight at Fuddruckers and we were able to raise about $200 for Palmetto Hearys charity. We also had a terrific time visiting with other heart families and friends who have walked our journeys with us. It was an amazing evening. I also want to give a big shout out to our amazing babysitter Miss. B who watched the kids for us while we worked and mingled. We love her and are so thankful for her.

11th Wedding Anniversary

Today I have been married to my dear sweet husband for 11 years. My how the years have flown by! For our anniversary I baked some cupcakes - yellow cake with chocolate frosting - my husband's favorite! We have big plans for a date night on Saturday night - dinner and a movie I beleive. Mee-Maw and Pops have volunteered to be our babysitters for the evening (thank you)! It has been quite some time since Brian and I have been on a date together - since February I think! So, I am really looking forward to spending some quality time with the man that the Lord has given to be my husband. I am thankful for the covenant of marriage :)

Just a funny story to share about our anniversary... we have been telling the kids that today is our wedding anniversary and this morning as Zachary was getting ready for school he said, "Mom, I am so happy to celebrate you and Dad getting married today". Sweet sentiment, but I think he's a little confused about what an anniversary is :) Gotta love that boy!

I'm A Model, You Know What I Mean.....

Is that song playing in your head now.... "I'm a model, you know what I mean and I do my little turn on the catwalk...." Ha-Ha! Am I showing my age here?

Anyway, I know I am not the best about sharing pictures on my BLOG, but I have just a couple new ones that I'd like to share. The first is of Anna Grace sporting her NEW Palmetto Hearts embroidered heart-tree shirt complete with the congenital heart defect logo ribbon. We are selling these for $20 each at our 5K. They really turned out cute! Check out my little model!





Not to be outdone by his sister, is Zachary sporting his soccer jersey at his soccer awards night. His soccer season has offically ended and was wrapped up by a crazy and entertaining awards night complete with a most amazing juggler! We had a blast! Although, I am really glad soccer season is over.... more on that later!

Do You Like Milk?

Everyday at least for the last 6 months, when I take Anna Grace for her afternoon nap I carry her, paci, blankie, her stuffed animal cat named "cat", and a bottle of milk upstairs to the rocking chair in her room. Everyday for at least the last six months on our trek to her room I will say, "Let's all go to nap - blankie, paci, cat and milk. Do you like milk Anna?" Well, recently since my little girl is approaching two years old she is starting to speak more than just one or two words. So for about the last week or two on our trek to her room for nap time after I ask her "Do you like milk Anna?" she will now responond "I LOOOOVVVE milk!" It is so hillarious. I look forward to it everyday!

Also, since our little girl is now approaching two she has recently started wanting to give herself her morning medicine. Several months ago I stopped crushing her pills and mixing them with water - I just started putting some applesauce on a spoon and sitting the pill in the applesauce and letting it soften and then let her eat the bite of applesauce with the medicine from the spoon. It has actually worked very well. Recently though she will say, "No Mommy" and I'll say "Do you want to do it?" and she'll respond "Yeah, yeah, yeah". She takes her spoon and feeds herself her morning medicine. I am very thankful that it is not a fight and that she gladly takes her pills each morning. She is becoming such a BIG girl and she is such a joy. I am thankful she is my daughter :)

November 15 Benefit for Palmetto Hearts

Hello all you Heart Mommies and Friends of Heart Families!

I would like to invite you all to attend a benefit night at Fuddruckers located at 1509 Reidville Rd in Spartanburg, SC. The benefit is being held on November 15 from 5-8 pm. That evening Fuddruckers has agreed to donate 10% of all food and beverage sales from Palmetto Hearts members and friends! So, please come to Fuddruckers and be sure to mention the Palmetto Hearts fundraiser.

I hope to see many heart families and heart kids and wonderfully supportive friends and families that evening. I think it will not only be an evening for raising money for a very worthy cause - but also a fun little social event to hang-out and visit with our extended heart family!

Can't wait to see you there. Mark your calendar.... do it now so you don't forget!!! Yep - that means you :)