CHD awareness month - February

Hey all!

I am happy to announce that out trip along with MANY magical activities are planned and booked for our week at the Wonderful place that is Disney. Monique is VERY excited, as we all are very much looking forward to some fun!

February is CHD awareness month. Before Monique was born I had not a clue what CHD was, I had never seen that acronym in my life. So many people have no idea this condition even exists! Image all the wonderful things that could be done for our children if only more people knew about our children who are born with broken hearts. Even though it is the #1 killer of infants why is it that this condition is not more known, publicized, researched.

When our kids are sick, the flu, a cold... it is NOT just another common illness.
When our kids go to the dentist... it's NOT just a check-up.

:) ...

Welcome 2012

It has been a while since I last posted... most people probably have stopped looking for updates. No news is good news right. Many things have been happening but I didn't feel the need to vent online. A new year means a new beginning and a new outlook on life. I have learned many lessons in 2011.

Life is too short to live for anyone but yourself, your children and your family.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
If your house is a mess it's ok... kids are having fun!
Stand up for what you believe in, make sure you are heard the way you want to be.
Smile.
Love.
Laugh.
Give and receive all the hugs and kisses you can.
Say "I love you" to all the people you love, including yourself.
Don't be embarrassed by who you are or choices you make.

2012 will also bring many new things to the table I am sure.

Monique's wish will be granted this year. We are planning it right now and our week is completely booked! This wish means so much to me. Monique is being granted a wish for all her rough times past and future. But in a way, this wish is a dream come true for me too. I have been there, watching without being able to take any pain away or make any procedure easier.

Watching her experience the joys of a magical place such as Disney will be the highlight of my life. There is nothing more in this world that I want more than for Monique to live life to the fullest without having to worry about her medical condition tying her down. To many, she looks "normal"... and I am sure there are a few people who do not understand. That is ok. I can accept that because they do not see the times when she is not "normal". These times are not for everyone to see. I will proudly post pictures of the times when her face is full of joy, not the times when they are full of pain and fear. These are private times.

If there were any way possible for her not to qualify for this wish that would be ultimate. But that is not the case. So we will take this opportunity to celebrate Monique and her life together as a family so we can look back at them when our lives are not all that much fun.

ox... Faith