How cool..

I love watching the winter Olympics, don't you? I can't wait for them to start soon. I wanted to bring attention to one of them Gold Medal Olympians Shaun White. Did you know he has been *playing* in the snow since he was like 5 yrs old?!? Know wonder he is so awesome. But did you know he also has TOF?!? Yep. Here's a link to his bio.
http://www.shaunwhite.com/bio/about/
I will totally cheer him to his next medal.
Someone else that has TOF is Mark Oshea. He did this video at Vanderbilt. We *know* some of the staff in the video. One of them is our Child Life Specialist. She helped walk us through Torie's surgical pre op, and even visited with us after it was over. She was a blessing, but I guess having been there and done that gives her a benefit others do not have.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dtxlv6Hoerw&feature=related
I will make sure to always support these guys, because they are not only showing TOF patients how great life can be, they are raising awareness too!
Both of them are blessings!

Venting and great days together!

Sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it? I'll explain. Last week I was on my favorite message board-baby center's board for parents with babies/children with CHDs. We are a group of parents-mothers and fathers-who support each other all the time. Now, I'll just go ahead and say it-you can't mess with our group. We fight every day for our children, and we will fight for other parents children as well! As it happened last week, someone felt the need to apologize for a misunderstanding,so I read the thread and saw it was not needed. From my view, someone who did not belong on our board, felt it was needed to post a public journal using words like heart invalid, and chd children do not have a quality of life, and why would a real parent put their children through this. Well, you can guess what happened. We, as a community, stood together. Do not tell me that my child has a poor quality of life. and do not tell me my child is an invalid! Now, I'll admit, it's been a long time since I sparred in Black Belt class, therefore I do have a ton of frustration built up that I would gladly take out during a sparring class if anyone was up to it...And I can say I have never been in a fist fight(again unless you count karate), but really...this person was just asking for trouble....or a knee to the face...or maybe a round elbow....Hmm, does anyone remember the time I tore open the shield the Black Belt class with my right round elbow?? hehe I do. On top of all this junk, she*this person I won't name* said we aren't parents because we put our children through test after test, or through surgeries. Let me say, we will follow what ever our doctors feel is best for Torie, but, we as parents, will continue to research and see what other possibilities are available to her. I will always do what is best for my child. How dare someone who chooses to abort their child tell me that I am not a real parent because I fight for my child! Now, don't get me wrong, I feel bad for her baby and her family. It is a difficult time they are going through. And difficult times make people very emotional and sometimes things can be said out of those emotions. Just don't attack our board and then act surprised when we ban together!
Now, on to more fun things!
Saturday was a wonderful Birthday for me! I got breakfast in bed...with Torie sharing my strawberries between the 3 of us. I got my elliptical that I have been wanting for months also. I can't wait to really work out on that! It will be so much fun. Then we spent the day together just looking at this or that, enjoying lunch together. It was defiantly a day well spent. We were all exhausted when we got home.
I hear we are supposed to have a chance of snow flurries Wednesday afternoon! yeah, just in time for my drive home. Wonderful. Can anyone *hear* my sarcasm? I hate driving in the snow. But if the snow cloud wanted to wait until I was at home with my family, warm and snug inside, I'd be okay with that.

life of a chd family

Baby Stellen is still fighting his SVTs. McKMomma and her family are living this life that only a chd family lives. Baby Stellen celebrated his first birthday in the picu. Please join me in prayers for this family as they are beginning another journey with Stellen.

While we feel the stress of everyday life, I do feel Blessed to know that Torie is stable. I remember in early 2007 I was worried that Torie would spend her first birthday in Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, having her repair then. I remember telling my sister that I would have a party for in the hospital no matter what! And I was prepared for doing just that. Little did I know, God had other plans. His plan included Torie having her surgery in March, not July. His plan included Torie's first birthday party to be with family and friends, and friends who feel like family. We were blessed then and we are now.

As Thanksgiving approaches, people are busy getting ready for Christmas. Not us. In my house we are getting ready for Thanksgiving because we have a lot to be thankful for. Torie is helping decorate the house with pumpkins and such. She is turning into a little artist-just ask her preschool teacher how much Torie loves to color.
So, take a minute to be thankful for those around you.

Thankfulness

Thank you to everyone who prayed for baby Aiden. He was a strong little boy all during his surgery. But sadly, he has lost his fight. Please visit his journal to read his story. He touched many lives in his short 2 weeks here on earth. His family still needs our prayers. I cannot and never want to imagine the pain they are feeling right now.
Also, please add baby Stellen to your prayers. He is in the hospital right now going through SVTs. He is almost 1 yr old. You can visit McKMomma's link to the right also.
With all that is going on with so many heart families, I just want to take a minute to be Thankful for how well my heart baby is doing! She still loves preschool. Almost everyday when I pick her up she is coloring. This girl loves to color. Our conversation usually goes like this:
" Torie, are you ready to go home?"
"No. I'm coloring." with emphasis on coloring.
I may just forget all Christmas shopping and buy paper and markers!

Spending time together

A few weekends ago I got brave and decided to make my first lasagna. And why not let Torie help me? She loves to help with everything else. I let her help as much as I could, and she loved every minute of it. We always enjoy seeing her smile with pride after a job well done.

While I helped Torie, Paul snapped a few pictures of us. While it is getting colder outside, and we are forced inside, I am finding new ways to keep her occupied. Cooking seems to be a new favorite. She loves making our Sunday pancakes as much as she loves baking!

A day of fun

Several weeks ago, back when it was actually warm outside, we spent some time at the park. Torie loves the park. And after a couple of summers there, I am finally able to step back and let her play by herself...a little, without hovering over her like the helicopter mom that I am.

She didn't fall, she slid...on purpose.

Then got up, and climbed.

My dare devil child. Where did she learn to be like that?

"I'm a monkey!" Yes, darling, you sure do swing like one!

She just hung out for a few minutes....

Then decided to slid...and play in the sand for a few minutes.
Now, as someone to totally hates driving in winter weather(yes, I am dreading it already) I am looking forward to next springs warm weather. Torie will be even bigger then, and I am sure she will be ready for more play time.

Perseverance: 1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
2. Theology. continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.

Faith: Christian Theology. the trust in God and in His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures by which humans are justified or saved.

Courage: 1.the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.
2. Obsolete. the heart as the source of emotion.