When I Grow Up

Living in the world of congenital heart defects does have its blessings. We've learned to treasure every moment, to celebrate every milestone, to be content in difficult circumstances. We also have occasional opportunities to attend special events just for heart families. This summer we were lucky enough to attend a couple of different events.

In August, Angels for Hearts hosted a party at the UCD Med Center especially for heart children. It was called "When I Grow Up" and gave kids a chance to dream of what they want to do when they grow up. It was a fun event and they had firefighters, doctors, veterinarians, and other-grown ups for the kids to meet. Drew was particularly enamored with the race car and the firetruck. Typical 5-year old boy I guess!

Slacker

OK.
I've been a slacker blogger lately.

I'm sorry! I guess I'm just having trouble adjusting to my new life as a mother of a kindergartner!

Seriously, I've been spoiled. I've been a stay-at-home mom for about four years now, and I was used to getting up and ready when I wanted to. Even on preschool days, we didn't have to be anywhere until 9 o'clock. And now I have to have the kids up, dressed, feed them breakfast, have their hair and teeth combed, snack packed and ready to walk out the door by 7:45! I'm still not used to it. I have to drag myself out of bed in the sixes! Then I have to wake the kids up before seven...even though on the weekends they are up by 6:30! Why do they do this to me?!

After school we come home, have some play time (while I clean up a little around the house, or more often check what's going on with facebook), have lunch, have "rest time" (sadly no one takes naps in our house anymore), then its on to homework then cooking dinner and sometimes soccer...it's craziness! I feel like every day flies by without me even realizing it!

Anyway, I promise to be better. I have posts in my head about the following things:
more soccer
gymnastics
HB11
TWO field trips
Alpha Phi reunion

Thanks for sticking with me. Check back soon for a post that actually has pictures!

Heart Walk 2009

This year's heart walk was a total success!

We were able to raise $2735!! How amazing is that?! Thank you to everyone who made a donation to the American Heart Association on our behalf. Because of your generosity we were the number one individual fundraiser for Sacramento! You guys are awesome!

No one was sick this year, I was able to run the 5k (the first time since we've been doing this walk), and Dan and the kids walked the entire one-mile loop with no stroller. We even had Grandma Kathy join us this year. The weather was perfect, warm but not too hot. We met up with lots of our Hearts of Hope friends in the VIP tent afterward. Of course Drew and Ava had to spend some quality time in the bounce house and walking around collecting samples, trinkets and paperwork from the various booths.

After the after-walk festivities we headed off to Fairy Tale Town for the UCD pediatric heart surgery reunion. The kids got to play and the generous folks from UCD provided a delicious bbq lunch for us. I got to meet a new heart mom with a little one with HLHS and reunite with a family that we met when Drew was in the NICU. What an amazing day...There is nothing like seeing a bunch of heart kids running around without a care in the world.

We all had signs saying "I walk for my son/brother/grandson, Drew" His said "I walk for me!"

Dan, Drew, Grandma Kathy and Ava nearing the finish line

Grandma Kathy and Ava

Me and Drew. I caught up with the walkers near the finish line.

Ava, Drew and Mommy

Our heart warrior finishing strong

We made it!

Hanging with heart buddy Casey (this picture is stolen from his blog!)

Drew with his buddy, Dinger

Ready to bounce

Ava in the bounce house

8 years

Today is our wedding anniversary. Dan and I have been married for 8 years. We got a chance to go out and celebrate on Saturday, since his mom was visiting and was available to watch the kids. We went to the Melting Pot and had a wonderful evening. We were going to try and go to a movie too, but somewhere in the last 8 years we got old! I can't stay awake long enough to see a movie that starts at 10 anymore.



Anyway, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly declare that I have the best husband ever. I don't know how I got so lucky and I should probably make more public declarations of my love for him. When I think back on what we've been through together in the past 8 years it brings tears to my eyes. We were so young and yet through our life experiences we've matured together. We have created the most amazing family and we are so happy. We've learned that we really can get through even the most difficult situations as long as we are together. Thank you God, for my amazing husband!

Guess What?

Today, when I went to pick Ava up from preschool she ran towards me with the biggest smile on her face.

"Guess what I have in my pocket?!" she asked me.

And before I could venture a guess, she thrust her hand into her pocket then held it out for me to see.

"Worms!"

Seriously? You seriously have worms in your pocket?

Then the teacher came up to me and said, "She was so excited, we didn't want to discourage her." So they let her put five worms in her dress pocket. Ew.

I asked for a cup and we transported the worms home that way. Ava reported from the back seat that they were "resting." I believe they will remain in a continuous state of rest, if you know what I mean.

More Soccer

We have been having so much fun with soccer!

Our soccer star!

Number 10!

Taking the ball down the field

Sitting with teammates Ian, Isabelle, Carly and Morgan

Go Chaos!

Ava's First Day as a Happy Butterfly

My big girl had her first day of preschool yesterday! She did great, as I expected. :) She's just so independent, she's never given me any trouble when I need to drop her off somewhere. She walked in and got right to work with a puzzle. She did give me a bit of an attitude when I wanted to take her picture though! But I wasn't too surprised. :) Anyway, she had a good day and is so excited to go back to school tomorrow with her butterfly friends. I am excited for another day with a few hours to myself!

Ava at school

Ava with her teachers