Christmas 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

We wanted to wish everyone a VERY Merry Christmas! Hope everyone has safe travels and enjoys their time with families. We are off to visit the Harris clan tomorrow. Can't wait to see evryone. Happy Holidays to everyone.

Scott, Laura, Hannah, Hadley & Hope

TEAM HOPE - OKC Heartwalk 2009

It's that time again. I just signed "TEAM HOPE" up for the OKC Heartwalk. It will be Saturday, April 18, 2009 in Bricktown Oklahoma City, OK. As most of you all know, Hope was born with Congenital Heart Defects, Tetrology of Fallot(TOF) and Atrial Septal Defect(ASD). She had open heart surgery in May of 2007 to repair her defects. Because of our life changing experience with Hope's diagnosis we wanted to find a way to help out. Last year we formed our first team, TEAM HOPE, and had a great time. So we are again participating and asking for your help in our efforts to raise money for the American Heart Association. Our HOPE is that we will help bring awareness of heart disease, fund research and new technology that saves lives. Thanks to everyone for your love and support. GO TEAM HOPE!!!

If you would like to donate or join our team please see links. Click on TEAM HOPE.

Quality time with the FAMILY

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We took the girls to Rhema Bible School to see their Christmas light display. The girls loved running around all the winding sidewalks looking at the lights. We also took them to Utica Square to walk around. They even saw Santa and got their picture taken with him..... Hope wanted nothing to do with him once again. She didn't dare let me get her even remotely close to him. Hannah and Hadley plopped right down smiled for the picture and told him what they wanted. Good times! The girls helped me make brownies one evening last week. There are a few pictures of them "stirring/playing" with the brownie mix. And then of course, injoying the end result.

Prayer Request

I came across a person I met a couple years ago playing Bunco on Facebook this week. She is about to deliver her 1st baby, Logan. He has been diagnosed with HLHS. Please pray for a safe delivery for Amy. Pray for Logan and his family as he endures his first surgery within a few days of birth. I have added their blog to my blog links.... http://.ourmiracelogan.blogspot.com

Bye-Bye BB's (Binkies)

Pictures of Hope and her BELOVED BB's....





Awe, so sad. We packed up all the BB's today in a zip-lock baggie. I told Hope that she is a big girl now and it was time to give her BB's to all the babies who need them. She helped me look around the house for any laying around. We put all the BB's in the bag and I put them away. Of course for being such a "BIG GIRL" I gave her a dum dum sucker to ease the pain a little. All was well until nap time. Of course she asked... "Momma- BB??" I said "No Hopey, mommy gave your BB's to the babies. You are a big girl and big girls don't need BB's anymore" The crying started. I layed her down with her blankies (which she is almost as attached to as her BB's) and walked out and shut the door. She cried for about 15 minutes and then silence... Hopefully it will be a little easier at bed time tonight. It definately went better than expected. Yeh!!!

MLH- Holiday Party

Trying to get a photo with Santa... Mommy had to sit on Santa's lap. Poor Santa!! Hope wants NOTHING to do with Santa!

"I promise, Santa, I've been a very good girl this year....PLEASE don't bring me switches and coal." Just kidding Hadley has been a very good girl this year and I'm sure will be happy to see all the goodies Santa is bringing.

"Uuummmm....I want a pool in my back yard, a new bike, another American Girl doll...and on and on" Yes, she has a swimming pool on her list for Santa. Good luck with that! Hopefully all the other great gifts she gets will help ease the pain of not getting that soooo much wanted swimming pool.

Hope holding on for dear life...Santa got a little too close.

My 1 millionth attempt for a Christmas card photo.... once again- Failure!

We all went to the Mended Little Hearts Christmas party on Monday. It was very nice. We had yummy food catered by Rib Crib. Dr. Kimberling (he did Hope's Heart Cath back in May '07) came and spoke to our heart group about all the exciting happenings at Pediatric Cardiologists of Tulsa and St. Francis Children's Hospital. They now have a world renowned Pediatric Cardio-Thorasic surgeon here in Tulsa. -Can't remember his name. Great news for Tulsa. As most of you know at the time of Hope's diagnosis and surgery Tulsa didn't have a surgeon strictly related to cardiology on staff. That's why we went to OKC- Childrens Hospital at OU Medical Center. Anyway, such great news for all the families of children newly diagnosed and future diagnosed. So much easier to have the ability to be in your home town surrounded by family and friends for support.

We also received a visit from Santa. The girls were so excited. They got to get their picture with Santa, tell him what they wanted and they each got a gift from him. Wow- saves me a trip to the mall to see him. Hope on the other hand wanted nothing to do with Santa. Maybe next year she'll warm up to him. We had a great time visiting will all our fellow heart friends.

It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas...

Hope's little tree in her room

Hannah & Hadley's room- they are so proud to have a tree in their room

This is my favorite time of year. I got all my christmas decoration out last week. I think it makes everything look so pretty. The girls helped me decorate the big tree and then they also decorated their fancy little pink feather trees. They are also so excited to see all the christmas toys come out of the box. Maybe I should do that with all their regular toys- put them up and rotate them out throughout the year. Maybe they would actually like playing with everything that way. Anyway we all had a good time getting everything all festive. I plan on enjoying it as much as I can. Enjoy the Christmas music and new blog background.

Still best friends after all these years....

left-right: Brandi, Kristin, Julie and me

Brandi, Julie, me & Kristin

Kristin, Brandi, Julie & me.....Look at our BIG HAIR!!

Top-Bottom: Brandi, Julie and Kristin....me on the left!

These are my best friends from my home town growing up. We have all been friends FOREVER it seems like. Brandi, Julie and I all have known each other since kindergarten and Kristin moved to town in, I think, 4th grade. We all got together for dinner Saturday night. I had so much fun catching up. It's great that after all these years we still stay in touch and try and see each other every once in a while. Remember when?? I just had to put these pictures up. WOW!! Look at those bangs....haha! Believe it or not, these were all the pictures I could find of all 4 of us together. Remember prom? And I think another one of those was from a sleep over at my house?? I just wanted you girls to know how much you all mean to me. I love you all dearly. You have alway been there for me. Even now when we see each other its like we were never apart. Its so easy to just pick up where we left off. You girls have all turned into great women and moms. You all mean the world to me! Cheers- to always being close and always being there for each other. I love you all!!

Laura

What I am thankful for....

With Thanksgiving tomorrow I have been thinking of all I am thankful for. Hardly ever do I take the time to appreciate what blessings I have been lucky enough to recieve in my life. I have had many ups and downs, even so there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. For that I am so thankful. It is what continues to give me hope and strength to get through the tough times and enjoy all of the wonderful. So today I thought I would make a list of the very most special ones I could think of.

-My Husband, Scott. I am so thankful to have found such a wonderful husband and father. The girls and I are so blessed to call him "OURS". He works hard to make sure we are well taken care of. I love you very much Honey!

-My daughters, Hannah, Hadley & Hope. You girls are the light of my life. You are my reasons to get up in the mornings. I can't wait to see what you all come up with next. You keep my heart happy always. I am so proud of all of you. I am so happy God intrusted you to me and I hope I can always be the mommy you need me to be. XOXOXO!

-My Parents. I am so grateful that I have you as my parents. What a wonderful example you have always set for me. I have never wanted for anything and have always felt safe and protected. Thank you for always loving me no matter what. I Love you both!

-My Brothers, Zachary and Patrick. You guys are awesome. I love you both very much. I am proud to be you sister. You have both married great girls and a made beautiful families.

-My friends, you all know who you are. Thank you for always being there for me. I am so lucky to have so many friends. Some of you I have had forever and some just the last little while. You all hold a special place in my heart. Love you all!

-My health. I am so thankful to have my health. I have had some struggles but I have made it through. I hope my cancer never comes back. I have learned to appreciate the things I have more. I am so thankful to be alive and get to do the things I love and be with all the people I love.

-GOD. I have been so blessed by God. He has given me all these wonderful things in my life. He gave me wonderful parents, a beautiful family and so much more. He healed me and he healed my precious Hope. I have faith that no matter what comes my way, God will be here to lead me through.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Happy Birthday Hope!

I love my daddy!




A Throne of Her very own!




Our little Princess offically turned two yesterday. WOW! Before we know it she's going to be off to college. We had a little family celebration today. I tried putting Hope down early for her nap so when everyone started coming over she would be up and ready to go. As usual things don't work out quite as planned. I had to wake her up. She wasn't up for seeing everyone at first. She took a little time to warm up. Once we started opening presents she got into it. We sang "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" and I helped her blow her candles out. Mmmmmm... the cake was delicious - THANKS PEGGY!!! Hope got lots of fun stuff. Thanks everyone for coming and for all the great gifts. Hope is our precious little miracle and we enjoyed celebrating her today. Happy birthday big girl!
Love you- Mommy and Daddy

Hope's Preschool B-Day Party....

Hope had her birthday party at preschool today. She had a special lunch of chicken nuggets, apple fries and of course, followed up with a big birthday cookie. She enjoyed being the center of attention. She recieved a special balloon from her teachers with her favorite candy- M&M's.....YUM! She had a fabulous time.

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Hope is turning 2 on Saturday, November 22. Looking back over these last 2 years, my how she has grown. She is our little miracle girl. Happy Birthday Hope!

Christmas at The Tulip Tree.....

I spent Saturday and Sunday following Halloween at the store getting all the holiday merchandise out. I think it turned out looking really cute. Makes me want to get all my Christams decorations out at home.... I can wait a couple more weeks. Our Holiday Open House starts this Thursday, November 13th - Sunday, November 16th....15%off store wide. We also participated in the Holiday Market for the Norman Junior League last night at the new Embassy Hotel in Norman. Very swanky place. We had a lot of business, saw a lot of our customers and made some new ones. It was definately worth our trouble.