Had A Blessed Christmas

We were truly blessed this year! We had a wonderful Christmas in Texarkana with Larry's family. His entire family was in town, except for one cousin and his family...Ben, you were missed. We had 30+ people at Larry's parent's house Christmas Eve. Here are a few pictures from Christmas. I will post more later this weekend.

So much fun together

What do you do when it is raining outside?

Play in the bath tub with your clothes on of course

Natalie, Ashley and Kalei

Probably one of Natalie's favorite gifts, yes that is bandaids...Princess ones at that

The entire group, minus a few hidden heads

Carter, Zac and Caleb

All the girls get matching pjs for Christmas morning

Santa

Just not a lot to say about the picture above, expect Natalie does not like Santa up close and personal. Carter was so excited to see Santa and Natalie not so much. However, Carter could not smile, because he was to worried about what was going on with his sister...too funny!

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone has safe travels and a wonderful time with family and friends!

Snow Angels, Character? and Pink

Amarillo got snow this week and I could not hold back my kids from going outside. Yes, I know it was only 15 degrees, not including the wind-chill, but they had been asking all day. On the plus side, I only let them stay out for about 10 minutes. I am sure they would have stayed all day, but I was freezing. I so wish I could have that kid-shield that makes you never get cold as long as you are doing something super fun.

We had another surprise today; more snow! Only this time, it really is not that much, just cold. I guess I can't complain, because it really does feel like Christmas right now with this weather.

Speaking of Christmas, our Elf, Character, made his appearance the day after Thanksgiving this year. Last year, Carter was not that into, so when I forgot to move Character a few times, he did not notice really. This year is a different story. Carter prays every night that Character has a safe trip to the North Pole and back.

I have also had to hide all of our presents this year. Natalie already unwrapped two of them, luckily the were not hers. Plus, Carter has hit that age where the size of the box is the biggest deal...the bigger the better!

He sent his first official Santa letter this year or should I say my first Santa letter, as I wrote it and he signed his name. We have not been to see Santa yet, but plan on doing that within the next week. Not sure how Natalie will be, but guess we will find out.

Natalie has been doing great other than the fact she is a typical 2 year old. She is all "GIRL." I am not sure if I plan the nurses in CV-ICU for saying she was drama at the 8 weeks old or if it is my dad up in Heaven, laughing because he finally able to have a super girly girl.

There have been days, that I look up to Heaven and say, "Dad, give me a break." When we found out I was having a girl, my dad called me that night asking if I would be jewelry on her, bows, girly jackets and lace socks (thank goodness they really do not make those anymore or at least not where I shop). I told him, we would compromise. I guess now that he is in Heaven, he thinks all beats are off.

Let me go into more detail on this "girly girl" business. The minute she wakes up, she wants a pink bow in her hair, but not just one bow, two bows. Next, we want our shoes on with our pjs; any shoes work, not just sparkly ones (which we only own one pair). She then proceeds to ask for her necklace (a little cross from James Avery) and her bracelets, all 4 of them! I do not mind at least one of the bracelets, because that is her medical alert one (will talk about that another day). You think that is bad, she then wants her jacket, yes we are still in the pjs and have no where to go. Also, I would like to thank my sister-in-law, Starlyn, for the jacket, bet you never thought it would get such good use. We sleep in sometimes too.

I told Larry the other night, that I see a bright pink room in our future. I realized this after we were almost late for helping with Carter's field trip, because Natalie could not find her sunglasses and purse to leave the house. I am dreading when she starts getting into dolls; all of their accessories, I am done for.

Not to worry, picture soon. I have been trying to get a good picture of Natalie with all of her gear and accessories on, but by the time I get my phone she either has her sunglasses off or is busy putting things in and our of her purse to look at me. I will succeed on a picture soon and will post for your pleasure.

Well, we are off for a weekend of fun! Nothing to exciting expect a few Christmas parties, a soccer game and 2 birthday parties. Have a great weekend!

Battle Scars

I took this from another Heart Mom (Thanks Carie)...

Most Congential Heart Defect children don't look sick. You can't tell them apart from other kids, but their scars are very real. Most have faced more in their short lives than any person should. Congential Heart Defects kill twice as many children every year than all childhood cancers combined.

Beneath their shirts are battle scars, constant reminders of their battles to live. They have a strength, courage...and resilience that we can only be amazed by. Show our kids they are important, that their hearts matter.

I have so many people tell me Natalie looks great and she does. She is an amazing little girl! From the outside, she looks normal, but her scar is a constent reminder of all she has gone through and what all she still has to go through. Thank you all again, for your prayers over my little miracle!

Thankful

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We had a wonderful time, spent with lots of family and friends. We had about 28 adults and 9 kids at my mother's house for lunch.

Once again, I have not posted in a couple of weeks. Carter caught a nice virus that put him out for a wee.! He is finally better, thank goodness! Natalie has continued to stay healthy; thank you Lord!

We have not really had a lot go on since I last posted. So, I thought I would sum up November with what I am thankful for...

I am thankful for my amazing husband, that puts up with me and loves me unconditionally.

I am thankful for my family and friends, because without all of you, I would not be who I am today.

I am thankful for the men and women in our military service and their families that gave up their time with their loved ones, so that we could celebrate Thanksgiving without any worries.

I am thankful for my two children, who make me complete.

I can not say enough, how thankful I am to all the prayer warriors and hospital staff at Children's who helped saved my little angel. God made her special with half a heart and continues to remind me how special she is daily!

Last of all, but most important...I am thankful for our Lord and Savior!

Great Article on the Effects of Kids with Complex CHD

I have always wondered about Natalie's low oxygen and being on bypass three different times. I asked the nurses and doctors about learning disabilities and other issues she might have in the future. No one can really be certain. Right now, Natalie has hit all of her milestones and seems to be doing excellent! She can now count to ten and say her ABC's.

I know God is in control and we can handle whatever come our way with Natalie. Anyway, this is a great article and wanted to share it.

http://www.chop.edu/export/download/pdfs/articles/cardiac/long-term-effects-chd.pdf

October Wrap Up

I know it has been a while since my last post and I can honestly say that I have thought about it, but time is just not my friend here lately.

We have had a great October, besides the few illness that have struck my family, but I guess it is that time of year. Carter has had strep twice now, but I am praying he is finally well. I will know for sure this next Thursday, because Thursdays seem to be his day to get sick. Natalie has battle a sinus infection and currently is on medication for thrush. I know, I thought only babies could thrush, I have now learned something knew. I am getting over a nice cold as well. I remembered why I do not love the fall/winter sometimes. I have now bought vitamins with extra vitamin c and immunity boost. It is time for my family to be well for a while.

We have continued to be busy with our soccer stud! He has one more outdoor soccer game, but has started playing on an indoor team with a group of his friends. Why would I want a weekend with nothing to do?

Halloween was so much this year! Carter totally got into and for once was not scared. Both kids had Halloween parties at school. Carter was Spiderman this year (however, we got batman painted on our face?) and Natalie well, did not really dress up. I tried, she just was not into this year, so I did not push.

Amarillo got it's first snow as well! We had an 80 degree day and 2 days later had snow, only to be gone a day later...got to love Amarillo weather. Sad news, my kids did not get to play in it. The snow happened to fall on a day that Carter had just gotten strep. I felt so bad, that I let him walk to the mailbox with me.

Below our a few pictures that sum up the end of October in our family...

I hope everyone is having a great start to November! I will try to post more often, if I can get time to allow it. I thought for now I would leave you all with a thankful note...

I am so thankful for my family, I do not know who I would be without them. I am thankful my kids can talk and hear, even if they do not always listen. I am truly thankful for my little miracle, that every day surprises me and reminds me that God is good!