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.