Snow White and Happy

Finally, our Halloween pictures...

Our theme this year was "Snow White," since Emma would be able to have her very own personal dwarf, Happy. As "Happy" as ever!

Learning the Tricks of Treating!

After our church Fall Festival, he was still so "Happy," even though it was very late!

This one.... a little more "Grumpy!"

The two after trick-or-treating at Todd's work.

Nothing Short of a Miracle

Isn't it amazing how God is such a good window opener, especially when we really need some fresh air? Today we were able to meet a very special young girl, with a particularly special story. This young girl, Maribeth, was born 24 years ago, with...hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Her parents were told they could take her home or keep her at the hospital, where she would probably pass in the next 10 days. They chose to bring her home, where she was showered with lots of love from family members coming in from around Texas to meet her. Her aunt went to her school library and checked out every book on heart defects, remember, this was before the Internet. By the absolute GRACE of GOD she stumbled upon an experimental procedure being performed in Philadelphia, that could possibly, a 20% chance that was, save Maribeth's life. Her parents talked to some doctors and agreed that if she made it through the night (day 9) they would go for it. The next morning Maribeth was Care-flighted up to Philadelphia to have the Norwood procedure performed by Dr. Norwood himself. There she stayed for 5 weeks after the surgery. A year and months later, back to Philadelphia they went for surgery number 2. In surgery number 2 they performed what they now break down into surgeries 2 and 3. So after 2 open heart surgeries, a high school graduation, and a college graduation, this 4th grade teacher is a healthy, beautiful, Christ-loving girl, with the same heart that she was born with. What an unbelievable testament to the healing hand of our Lord. Every detail has Jesus written all OVER it! We've been told that it is a big deal for HLHS kids to make it to the age of 5. After meeting this sweet 24 year old girl, we refuse to focus on these depressing statistics, but will put our faith in the ONE TRUE HEALER! Emma, Maribeth, and Jameson

Hopefully we will get to meet her parents soon, I would love to pick their brain!

Jameson's "little mommy"

This evening Emma and Jameson were laying in our bed. Jameson was laying on top of Emma and she was singing "Rock-a-bye Baby" and "Jesus Loves Me." I caught it all on my camera video, but after 2 days of trying to upload it to the blog, I have finally given up. It was so precious, giving me that overwhelming feeling of love for my children. I guess the pictures will suffice, although they do not allow you to hear the angelic little voice, nor see her tickling his back like a little mommy. This not-so-cuddley little guy laid in her arms for more than 5 minutes!

First Grader!

So I'm 2 1/2 weeks behind, better late than never! Here are some pictures of Emma's first day of First GRADE!!!

DEU!!!!

So I taught Jameson to say "two" when anyone asks him how old he is, his response now is "deu" and he holds one finger up. Super cute, I'll have to post a video of it. Here are some pictures of Jameson's "deu" birthday celebrations.

This pic is from the day of his birthday, he wasn't so cooperative, but he looks so GQ!

Maybe he wasn't so cooperative because he had to have lunch at the American Girl Bistro?

The day of his party, posing in a birthday gift sent from a fellow heart friend, baby Chase.

Emma and cousins Macey and Tucker having fun times in the pool.

Cousin Cambridge helping Jameson open his birthday gifts.

Eating his Thomas the Train cake, yum!

Opening more gifts.

Jameson's first Jack Hammer! So Cute!

Jameson's gift from Mommy, Daddy and Emma. Special thanks to Uncle Jerrod and Paw for their help!

Party number 2, playing basketball with Jack and Skylar.

Eating cake number 2, I guess he'll get 3 cakes next year!

Our Summer in a Nutshell

We had such a fantastic summer! It was so busy that I never even had time to post anything on here! So I will give you a short and sweet look at what all we had going on. Lots of swimming, fun vacations and quality family time.

Jameson and Cousin McCall doing what they love best, playing with cars!

We took crazy pictures because I don't have many of J and me.

We had a fun trip to Sunray with Cousin Tucker

We got the courage to start going down the BIG slides!

We decided we really like dolls, but this is Emma's. No we didn't get him his very own, although his Mar Mar was super tempted. Jameson was pointing to baby Jameson's nose...we also learned where the mouth, eyes and ears are.

We had a fun outing at Hawaiian Falls with the Heart Support Group

Jameson and Gracie (same heart defect, just on the right side)

We ate lots of cookies and junk food!

We had a first trip to Chuckie Cheese!

....and fun times with our friend Sam!



Also, but no pictures, a fun trip to Great Wolf Lodge, Fun times with Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents. In a nutshell, it was action packed and CRAZY!!!


And, for the next post, a second birthday celebration, 2 of them!

Beautiful Dolls

Finally, here are the pictures from Emma's dance recital. These "Beautiful Dolls," (the tap song they danced to), were so precious and they all performed so well! Here is the class before going on stage. Emma is on the far left.

Another pose. Emma back row, 2nd from left. Proud Daddy posing with his "star."

Proud Mommy posing with her favorite performer.

And she even got a trophy! If you could have seen the look in Emma's eyes when she received it...that was the highlight of her day!


And of course it wouldn't be complete without flowers for our dancer!

As for next year, not so sure about that...beside the recital, we aren't so fond of dance class. Hopefully she'll reconsider because it was so precious and we were so proud!

Video of Jameson Walking

I think I counted 17 steps...he's making tremendous progress. He knows that as soon as he sees the skittles, it's time to walk!!!

Cardiology Appointment

Jameson had a heart appt thursday and everything went great...sats at 83, ekg great, echo great...probably his best appointment in my opinion, just because his sats were so great and he was very cooperative with everyone...goldfish were my secret that day.

Now we are going to start going every 6 months. I told Dr. Laird that next appt we would possibly be addressing the "dreaded" third surgery, BUT, she pretty much confirmed that unless Jameson shows us otherwise, that we will wait until he is 4 for that one...what a relief!!! So that's a major praise in my book!!! Thank you for your continued prayers! As Mi Mi stated, more time to pray for Jameson's complete healing! Amen to that one!

Big News

I'm debating on how to relay this message, so since it is such awesome news, I will give you the long version...after all I have been waiting 20 months for this.

As you all know Jameson started physical therapy last week...he has been doing so well since the first day (prayers answered). I started working out about 3 weeks ago, once I felt comfortable that RSV and Flu season was waining. The sweetest lady from the childcare has worked with kiddos and walking before, so she will take Jameson and work with him while I work out. Today BEFORE working out, she showed me how he will take steps with her hovering over him with her hands right beside him. He doesn't hold on, he just likes the security of knowing she is there. Of course I was so excited and had the BEST workout today, 968 calories burned, but who's counting...ha (just had to throw that in). AFTER working out, and before J saw I was there, she showed me the progress he made during my workout....12+ steps, no help, no nothing, just walking toward her...and I even lost count cause I was jumping up and down and had tears flowing from my eyes, so really he may have taken more. Of course he sees me, and down he goes to his little bottom and scoots right up to me and holds his hands up...if that isn't seeing God work, then I don't know what is. Thank you Lord, and thank you to those who have been prayer warriors for Jameson.

Happy Easter!!!

Happy Easter to all!!! What a great weekend our family has had. Friday we went to church for an extraordinary service and the Lord's Supper. Today we woke early to attend the 8 am service...I must say I am so very thankful for our church. Chuck Swindoll is such a powerful speaker, I have learned so much from him. Also, the people from our church have been so kind and helpful since we have had Jameson...I could just go on and on, we are so blessed.

HE IS RISEN!!! HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!

Here are my precious angels in their matching Easter outfits.

Posing with the bunny ears.

I really thought this was hilarious. Poor Maddie reminds me of the dog on "the Grinch." He wore fake antlers so he would look like a reindeer...remember that? LOL

Jameson didn't do much hunting, but he did get a few and open them up. The Reese's eggs were by far his favorite.

Emma showing off her basket of eggs.

Starting Therapy

Today Jameson started physical therapy at Our Children's House at Baylor. He was literally blue in the face he hated it so much. The evaluation showed us that he is weak in his left leg. She seemed positive that since he is using his left hand good that it is not a neurological issue (a fear of mine since he had 3 seizures after his 1st surgery). He is very reluctant to use his left leg so she does want us to go see an orthopaedic specialist to rule out any bone, joint or muscle issues. Next week we are scheduled to start attending 30 minute sessions twice a week. It was very hard on both Jameson and me today. He didn't want her touching him, and she says she thinks it's a trust issue since he associates people in scrubs with pain. It just tears my heart apart that he is so frightened and untrusting. Please pray that 1) he will start to trust this therapist so that she can help him learn to walk. 2) He will allow me to work with him at home, he is so hard headed about this. 3) That there is no underlying cause as to why he doesn't like to use his left leg.

Two more prayer requests--Jameson has a runny nose and cough and it is making him miserable, so please pray for that to clear up. AND...there has been an outbreak of scabies at Emma's school and at the gym childcare where Jameson goes while I work out...I am FREAKING out because anyone who knows me knows I really HATE bugs...so please pray that neither one of my children contract these yucky bugs!!!

Bathtime

Last night at bath time, Jameson was definitely getting a bit grouchy and ready for bed. After listening to a lot of crying, Emma looked at me and said, "If I was his momma, I would give him a spankin right now." She looked at me with wide eyes and arched eyebrows. I said, "Would you really?" Then she said, "And I am so glad I am not his momma, cause I would not want to have to take care of him." I just laughed...wonder where she got that?

An Emma Funny

Yesterday morning I am doing Emma's hair for school. She said, "I can't wait to get a wedding ring in a beautiful box," Cinderella-like as always, "you know when your husband gets on one knee with that pretty box that has a ring in it, I can't wait for that box." I asked her if she wanted the big beautiful diamond ring or the pretty box it comes in. She said, "the box," and blinked a few times after that. I was amazed that her little mind thinks like that, that the box is so neat to her. I showed her my pretty box and I could tell she REALLY wanted it. Of course if I gave it to her, it would go straight up to the playroom with all of the other gillions of treasure boxes, so I told her she had to wait for that special man to grant her that wish. I have a feeling that on that day she won't be so worried about that pretty little box anymore, more like what's inside!!!

Washington DC

On the 6th of March, Todd, Emma and I traveled to Washington DC, Hershey PA, and Baltimore MD. We went to Arlington Cemetery (my favorite cause it was the one place I hadn't been), Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, the White House (Emma's fave), Museums of Natural History and Aerospace, and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. After 2 days of sightseeing in DC, we went back to Owings Mills where we used to live. It was so weird because nothing had changed. Then we drove to Hershey PA for a tour of Chocolate World, we stayed in Hershey a couple of days as well. Finally we ended up at the Aquarium at the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, then back to Dallas! It was a great time for us to have some one on one with Emma, something that hasn't happened since Jameson came along, and revisit our old stomping grounds.

Emma by submarine at Inner Harbor of Baltimore. This will only let me upload 1 pic at a time, so my apologies that I don't have the patience to upload more!!!

Pray for these Families

Just wanted to let everyone know about these two families that are in desperate need of prayer.

The May family received news Monday that there is nothing further the doctors, nurses, etc, can do to keep Caleb alive. He is living on machines and medicines, he is in kidney failure, and has extensive brain damage. Ironically, his heart is doing well after having the Norwood procedure. I am uncertain of what has been done this far, but I know that his parents will be or already have made a decision unimaginable to all of us. It would be so kind of you to leave an encouraging word on his site. www.caringbridge.org/visit/calebmay

Also, I am in shock because I just read Baby Maverick's blog and he died yesterday (Tuesday) morning. If you go to http://babymaverick.blogspot.com/ you can read about him and maybe leave an encouraging word for his family.

I realize this is so much to handle, but please pray for these families. Now that our family is a part of the CHD Community, it's not just about Jameson, but so many other little lives too. There are so many blessings involved and so many tears, I just never realized it would be this many tears.

HLHS Story (An Answered Prayer)

I don't know if any of the heart moms out there can relate to this, but while CHD Awareness week is such a great cause, it has really caused an emotional strain on me this week. I try really hard not to think too much about Jameson's heart condition, but with all of this blogging and reading, I have done just the opposite...I have pined over it! Yesterday, I stood in a hot shower and cried, praying to God that He would free me from the fear of the future. Now I am crying (shocker) tears of relief, because I received an encouraging e-mail from a fellow support group member. She has contact with an HLHS dad, here's what he wrote her:

"Hi Kellie, Yes, my son was born with a heart defect. He has Hypoplastic Left Heart. He’ll turn 19 this May, and is in his second semester at University of Arizona. He’s studying Pre-Med. If you looked at him he looks totally normal. He visits his cardiologist yearly which creates a little problem. He still sees his Ped Cardiologist. The normal adult Cardiologist is not familiar with his condition. He’s had 5 surgeries. The last one was when he was 5 years old. He’s a straight A student, and on a full academic scholarship to UoA. He was not allowed to play competitive sport, so he was very active in Boy Scouts. He earned his Eagle, and loves to backpack. He’s even been down in the Grand Canyon a couple of times which blows his doctors minds. It sounds like your son is doing very well.

If you ever run into anyone with our sons conditions don’t hesitate to give them my contact information. It’s really scary, and we would have loved to have had someone to talk with back then."

Wow! HUH? What a Mighty God we serve, when He listens someone like me and answers my PRAYERS!!!! and promises me in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has plans for Jameson, to give him hope and a future!!!

Have a Blessed DAY!!!

7 Websites about CHD

Here are 7 great websites to visit:

Vote Here: www.colgate.com/ShowTheLove

About HLHS: http://hlhsinfo.homestead.com/
http://www.childrens.com/HealthLibrary/HealthLibContent.cfm?pageid=P01798 This is has a great picture of the heart.

Other sites:tchin.org
http://www.savinglittlehearts.com/
http://learnaboutchd.blogspot.com/ Love this one!
http://heartnhands.org/ Our support group

7 Pictures of Progress

Today I am showing 7 pictures of progress. My family and close friends have seen these pictures of Jameson. I feel that for someone to see how far he has really come, they should see where he started. They are very hard to look at, but are a reminder of what God has done for us, and how His grace has gotten our entire family through the past 18 months.

1 day old before 1st surgery

6 days old after 1st surgery

In between 1st and 2nd surgery

After 2nd surgery

After tummy surgery

J's First Birthday, the year before, we weren't sure we'd get to celebrate it!

A few days ago, all giggles.