The Children in Review

I have defaulted...big time.  I've been busy, overwhelmed and trying to figure out this whole single-mom-parenting thing.  I haven't posted updates on AnnaSophia's blog like I should have.  So, I sit here at 10:23pm, with the children tucked in their beds, me alone in mine, and I have been inspired to write an update on my children.  This is a good way to end 2010, reflecting on my reasons for living.

I'll start with AnnaSophia, since this blog is named after her.  She was the inspiration for starting this blog.  Born with severe heart defects, whisked away unexpectedly to Denver Children's Hospital when she was 9 days old, this blog was designed to keep friends and family updated on her medical condition.  What a wild ride!!! Open heart surgery at 11 days old, chest closed at 13 days old, tachycardia, transfusions, medications, heart failure, PICC lines, transplant, cardiac arrest, rejection, infections, chemo, heart caths.  This was a big part of her life.  This defined the early years of her life, but it wasn't exclusively who she was or is. 

She is AnnaSophia, a bright and shining star.

AnnaSophia smiles a lot.  She gives the biggest, squeeziest hugs and kisses EVER.  She loves to "nuggle" with me.  She loves her family, especially her brother and sister.  She loves princesses, and thinks she is one too.  She loves animals, especially dogs.  She wants to visit Cinderella's castle one day.  (Baby, I think you will, so hold onto that dream.)  If you ask her where her heart is, she points to her chest.  When I ask her who's heart is in her chest, she replies, "Mason's heart" with a sweet, big smile and both of her hands over her chest.  God love her!!!  She brings such joy to my life!  She is truly a miracle, and I feel so blessed to have my baby with me each day.

Emily is my super-sensitive, beautiful girl.  She is 10 years old now.  She is on her way to becoming a young lady.  She can't wait for the day that she is old enough to babysit AnnaSophia.  Emily loves her siblings and me as well.  She has loved horses since she was old enough to talk.   She loves dogs, especially Golden Retrievers and hopes to have another one sometime.  She is my artist.  She has amazing talent, and her drawings take my breath away.  This year, Christmas was especially stressful for the children, as their dad and I are not together.  I found her outside with her cousins, holding her sketch book and drawing nature pictures.  To watch her was one of those precious gems-of-a-moment that will be forever burned in my mind.  I love every second that my beautiful girl and I can share.

Ethan is growing into an amazing young man.  I don't use the term "man" lightly.  He is tall and handsome.  Despite his Asperger's Syndrome and challenges, he is amazing.  If I could find a man half as good as my son, I would be blessed.  He is smart, works hard, is devoted, loves his family and has a great sense of humor.  Yes, he teases his sisters A LOT.  I remind myself that he is a boy and a brother.  It's what they do...right?  He just needs someone to give it back to him big time.  He has an amazing sense of right and wrong.  He knows what kind of man he wants to be and seeks out inspiring examples of amazing men to emulate.  God love him!!!  He made the honor roll at school this year, and wowed my socks off by saying that math is his favorite subject.  I think I see an engineer in the making.

Life has been hard this year.  I don't know what the future holds for us.  This is the most uncertain year I have ever faced, but there are certain things that I cling to.  I know without a doubt that my children love me.  They are my reason for waking every day.  I strive to be a better person and provide a good life for them.  I work to raise awareness about Congenital Heart Defects to save my daughter's life.  Every motivation, everything that I do, is for them.  One day life will settle down and become less stressful.  Until then, I hug on my children daily and thank God for the precious gifts that He's given me.  I pray that 2011 will bring peace, love and stability to our lives.  Until that happens, we press on with hope, and I pray that the Lord will continue to bless us and walk with us.

Blessings to you.

Heart Heroes Gallery Update

The American Heart Association's Heart Heroes Gallery is currently located at Chapel Hills Mall in the north part of Colorado Springs.  We will have volunteers handing out information tomorrow, Saturday, January 1st, from 12pm to 3pm at the mall.  Sunday, the gallery will move to the East Library and Information Center.  This is one of the large branches of the Pikes Peak Library District.  The gallery will be located just outside of the children's area for all to see.  If you have not seen the gallery yet, I highly encourage you to take a look at it in person.  It is very moving and inspiring to see these beautiful children's faces and read their stories of triumph and bravery through their fight with heart disease.

KKTV 11 Interview for the Heart Heroes Gallery

At the unveiling of the Heart Heroes gallery on Monday night, our local KKTV 11 news channel came to the Antler's Hotel and gave us some wonderful publicity.  I post this with some trepidation, because I don't like myself on camera.  Thankfully, my part is ever so small (blink and you miss me--and that's a good thing).  Little Thad's picture steals the show.  He has the brightest smile and biggest blue eyes.  AnnaSophia's picture makes the cut too with her big big eyes and long lashes.  Click here to watch the clip.  Thank you KKTV 11 for helping us raise awareness in our community about congenital heart defects.

Heart Heroes Gallery Unveiling

These are a few photos from the Heart Heroes Gallery unveiling.  This was a big night for all of the families involved.  Members of the Passion/Education Committee for the American Heart Association's 2011 Heart Ball worked tirelessly to make this galley happen.  I would like to thank Kristi Steeger of KristiAnne Photography for the beautiful photos and Dean Maurry of Shayden Designs for the poster designs.  They did a phenomenal job of putting together a gallery that is memorable and hopefully will touch many, many people. 

I did a quick interview with our local KKTV 11 news channel about the gallery.  I was asked what this gallery meant to me.  Wow, how do I answer that in a 10 second clip?  This gallery means A LOT to me.  Not only is my precious little AnnaSophia featured in it, but this is about the big picture.  Congenital Heart Defects are the #1 birth defect in the world.  About 1 out of 100 babies will be born with a heart defect.  It kills twice as many children every year as all childhood cancers combined. 

The point of this gallery is awareness.

The more we get people thinking about Congenital Heart Defects, the more money we can raise, the more research will take place and the more lives we will save.

AWARENESS = FUNDING = RESEARCH = A CURE!

The reality is, children like AnnaSophia die everyday because of their heart disease.  I want to save my daughter's life.  She is at risk for rejection, graft failure, transplant coronary artery disease, infections, cancer and a whole lot of other complications. 

It is not a question of "if" she will get sick...it's a matter of "when". 

My hope and prayer is that the research precedes AnnaSophia and any complications she will encounter.  My hope and prayer is that my daughter will outlive me, and that many other children like her will live wonderfully long and productive lives.  Please visit the gallery this week at the Antler's Hotel in downtown Colorado Springs.  I will post updates of where you can find the gallery in the weeks leading up to Heart Ball.

Blessings.