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Thursday, December 29, 2011

2011 Year in Review

January
Gabriella turns 6!!!
Gabriella started homebound Kindergarden
Make-a-Wish was reactivated and Gabriella re-wished for the Disney Cruise

February
Paul & I celebrated our 9 year anniversary
Genetic testing came back with some pretty great news!
We did a 10k for heart defects in Ethans Run
Celebrated Valentines day with our little ones at Buca de Beppo

March
Paul & I served dinner at the Ronald McDonald House in honor of what would have been Abbie's 4th birthday.
PJ started T-ball

April
We moved!
I turned 29
We took a trip to California for some beach time, Sea World and clinic at Loma Linda
Spent Easter with our family at Restoration Covenant Church

May
We celebrated Gabriella reaching 1 year post transplant!!
We also kept our hearts close to our donor family, who also faced one year without sweet Abbie


June
Gabriella went into rejection and we spend 15 days at Phoenix Childrens

July
Took a staycation for my moms 50th birthday to a local resort and water park!

August
ZERO rejection biopsy!
We were blessed immensly with Big Give gifts for Gabriellas Wish Trip
Paul took a guys only weekend to Tombstone
Both kiddos start dance class

September
PJ turned 4
Paul turned 30!
We spent the most amazing 9 days together as a family on Gabriella's Make-a-Wish trip
Gabriella starts school!!

October
Gabriella has her swallow study done showing a weak swallow
Halloween we had a little Captain Hook and Rapunzel!

November
I took a weekend with my sister and sister-at-heart to Six Flags
Gabriella received her Ironman medal from Bob
Enjoyed Thanksgiving with our families

December
Christmas tree, cookies, Santa and too much food!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas from us to you...

We tried to send out as many cards as possible, but here is a virtual card for anyone we didn't get to send one to! Merry Christmas and God Bless!!



Saturday, December 10, 2011

Slow Down

I love all the chain letters and quotes that go around in my heart mommy community. I saw a precious one today that was too amazing to share. My posts are so infrequent here nowadays, I was hoping to bless someone with this story!!

“Tomorrow morning,” the surgeon began, “I’ll open up your heart…” 
“You’ll find Jesus there,” the boy interrupted. The surgeon looked up, annoyed. “I’ll cut your heart open,” he continued, “to see how much damage has been done…”But when you open up my heart, you’ll find Jesus in there.” The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly. “When I see how much damage has been done, I’ll sew your hea...rt and chest back up and I’ll plan what to do next.” “But you’ll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The hymns all say He lives there. You’ll find Him in my heart.” The surgeon had had enough. “I’ll tell you what I’ll find in your heart. I’ll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels. And I’ll find out if I can make you well.”You’ll find Jesus there too. He lives there.” 
The surgeon left. 
The surgeon sat in his office later, recording his notes from the surgery, “…damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy: painkillers and bedrest. Prognosis: here he paused, “death within one year.” He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said. “Why?” he asked aloud. “Why did You do this? You’ve put him here; You’ve put him in this pain and You’ve cursed him to an early death. Why?” The Lord answered and said, “The boy, My lamb, was not meant for your flock for long, for he is a part of My flock, and will forever be. Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine. His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow.” The surgeon’s tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. “You created that boy, and You created that heart. He’ll be dead in months. Why?” The Lord answered, “The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for he has done his duty. I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb.” 
The surgeon wept. 
The surgeon sat beside the boy’s bed; the boy’s parents sat across from him, The boy awoke and whispered, “Did you cut open my heart?”Yes,” said the surgeon. “What did you find?” asked the boy. “I found Jesus there,” said the surgeon. 
Author Unknown


I pray that your December has been amazing so far. Don't let the stress of Christmas cards, gift buying, parties, baking and obligations fog your view. SLOW DOWN!!! What God wants you to be blessed by during this season is what is right before your eyes and God has a purpose for your life!! So take some time and put all the tasks aside and go look at Christmas lights with your family, enjoy sipping hot chocolate in your pajamas by the tree or sit down with your kids and make some hand made Christmas cards!

Be blessed everyone!!!