Monday, March 19, 2012

The Heart Kid 5K



"Running for Little Hearts to Hold Big Hopes"
High Plains Mended Little Hearts is hosting a 5K Run and a Family Cruise (only 1Mile), Saturday, May 12th at John Stiff Memorial Park

High Plains Mended Little Hearts (HPMLH) has been a huge support system for me personally. When we first brought Natalie back to Amarillo in February of 2010, there were about 4 to 5 families involved in the group. Since then, the group has doubled in size. Did you know that congential heart defects are the number one birth defects in newborns?

All proceeds from the 5K will benefit HPMLH to provid education and support to individuals and families living with, surviving with, caring for, or remembering those with Congential Heart Defects in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico Panhandle Region.

I know some of you out there have always wanted to run a 5K, well what a better cause then for Natalie! There is still time to train for a 5K or if you are like my husband and do not run period, you can bring your family and join mine in the Family Cruise.

The event itself will be a lot of fun for the family. There will be a Firetruck, some Harley's and maybe even the LifeStar Helicopter. I know one thing, my son will be in Heaven!

Please consider putting on your running/walk shoes and joining us Saturday, May 12th in the first ever Heart Kid 5K!

If you can not make or just do not feel up to running/walking, please consider a donation in Natalie's honor. HPMLH is a non-profit organization and I am taking donations in honor of Natalie. If you want to make a donation, you can mail a check to my house or go to http://www.gofundme.com/gc65g

Monday, March 12, 2012

Hazmat Team on Speed Dial, Please

My Ski Monster
Papa and Natalie at their Tea Party
Hunter and Carter after their first day of Ski School
February was a rough month to say the least in our household. The month consisted of snot, sinus issues, coughing, snot, fever, more sinus issue, oh and did I mention snot?

We had one week where all 4 of us were home, in bed and on a antibiotic at the same time. Yes, image how much fun this mommy had that week. I think I washed all three sets of sheets, towels and blankets 4 times and used 2 or 3 cans of lysol. I use to like the smell of lysol, not so much anymore. It was like our house could not get germ free enough for me, basically I wanted to smell bleach. I needed to know everything was sanitized and clean, but man, it so hard to do that when you feel like crud too.

I can not speak for the rest of the Texas Panhandle, but Amarillo seems to think this generation needs to experience a semi-dust bowl era. I remember doing a book report after the Grapes of Wrath, in middle school. I had to interview someone who lived through the Dust Bowl. Who else better than my grandad, who grew up in Tulia, Texas. He told me, he remember everything going black, because of all the dust. I do not think we are that bad yet, but there are days that I would not go outside and open my mouth, even if you paid me.

With the nice wind we have been having, my family and probably over half of Amarillo has been dealing with sinus issues. I know I am going to hate myself later this week, but right now we are all well! Of course, this daylight saving time and completely blown my little ones minds and sleeping habits. I think I am going to be purchasing black out curtains for Natalie within the next week, but at least we are well for now.

Anyway, most of our February was spent sick or trying to get over being sick. We did however have a couple of days of feeling great and were able to take Carter snow skiing for the first time ever!

Natalie did not get to join us and honestly I do not know if she will ever be able to with the elevation, but I guess after her next surgery, we will just slowly see what she can and can't handle. For now though, Larry's parents came in town and kept her for the weekend, which Natalie loved, because she never has them to herself. She had tea parties with both Gran and Papa! I have also realized, that Gran actually read her the entire book of nursery rhymes. It is not that I do not read all the pages, well sometimes I still do skip one or two page when it is past her bedtime, but really it was because I was not familiar with the nursery rhyme. Nothing is sweater than your 2 year old singing you the nursery rhyme, so thanks Gran for teaching not only Natalie the rhymes, but me as well.

Carter had a ball skiing! We went with a couple we travel with a lot, The Patterson's. Their son, Hunter is about 6 months older than Carter. First day of ski school was awesome! The second day for Carter was not as great. The instructor called us around noon to say, Carter was not having fun. We went down to talk with him, Larry even got Carter to go down one more time, but after that Carter was done. I did not realize it at the time, but he must have been getting sick, because that night he ran fever...poor guy. The instructor was great, he just did not want to over push Carter and Carter never want to ski again. The positive side, is the instructor is also a fishing guide, so we will hopefully see him again or at least Larry will. Oh, did you think my husband would not make friends with a ski instructor and fly fisherman guide.

February was also filled with lots of fun doctors appointments, oh the ones on top of us going to the pediatrician's office once and sometimes twice a week. Carter actually got his teeth cleaned at the dentist and only got upset once. He would not lay all the way back in the chair so the dental hygienist worked with him. Natalie got her teeth check up as well, she still has her bottom 2 year molars to get (I really thought I was done with teething for a few years). She also got her eyes checked out.

February was a wild and sick month for our family. I think we finally got the germs out of the house for now and we have been enjoying our March so far. Spring break is this week and today it was 75 degrees outside with now wind, so we did not come inside hardly at all. Tomorrow is suppose to be warmer! I know the winds will be back by the end of the week, but for now, we will be outside enjoying every minute we can.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The Heart Kid 5K

I thought the best way to end this CHD Awareness Week, is to let everyone know that the heart group I am apart of here in Amarillo, High Plains Mended Little Hearts, will be hosting a 5K Run and a 1 mile Family Cruise on Saturday, May 12th. I will post more information as we get closer along with a link to sign up.

Yes, I will be putting my running shoes on for this one and might even push Natalie in the stroller as I run. The rest of my family will be joining me after for the Family Cruise. Please come out and join us.

If that does not interest you, just wait until you hear this...The start and finish line will be at a playground, there will be fire trucks there for your kids to check out and yourself, there is also a chance we will have some cool other things...this is a race you will not want to miss. So start your training now, you have plenty of time to train for a 5K or a 1 mile walk!

Help us promote Congenital Heart Defect Awareness

PS...two years ago today, I brought my little girl home from Dallas after three open heart surgeries and 9 months in Dallas. I love you, Natalie!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Our Heart Journey So Far

Natalie with Carter today



She still has another major surgery left for now, but does a CHD kid's journey really ever end...


Natalie after her third surgery - Glenn Shunt




Natalie after her second surgery and second attempt at the BT Shunt




Natalie after first failed attempt at the BT Shunt and currently listed on transplant

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Monday, February 6, 2012

CHD Awareness Week

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week is February 7th - 14th



How cool is this...Governor Perry signed a Proclamation declaring Texas recognizes February 7th -14th is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week



CHD is the number one birth defect out there...Lets fight this fight together

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Thank you...Keep the Red Coming




I wanted to thank you all who wore your red on February 3rd, which was national" wear red day" to promote heart disease awareness. Now, just because the 3rd was "wear red day," please continue to wear something red the rest of the month. Lets together promote heart disease awareness...