September....

This is absolute, favorite time of the year! When September 1st rolls around I get a little giddy because I know that first my anniversary is coming, 8 years, but then comes pumpkins and leaves and holidays!

I love pumpkin ANYTHING and will be starting baking VERY soon.

 I need to start thinking about Halloween costumes and what to do for Lorelei's class. Anyone have any good ideas? I love to make things so I think I will try to make something "crafty" for them.

Then comes Thanksgiving and cooking and baking for that. I love when we all get together at my mom's and just give thanks for what we have.

I have already started Christmas shopping. I know, I know it's really early BUT we don't use credit cards and I have a budget. Now I just need to think about what kind of Christmas cookies I will make.

But for now, I will start small and make some pumpkin somethings and get out my crockpot in hopes to use it for some yummy comfort food!

Easton Friedel

This is John's cousin's little boy who was born Thursday, August 23, 2012. The doctors and nurses immediately knew something was wrong with Easton because he was born with a little amount of skin on his arms, hands, legs and feet. He was transferred to another hospital and diagnosed with Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare skin disease. Any kind of rubbing, friction, scratch can cause the skin to blister. There is risk for infection and most children diagnosed with the more severe forms have a life expectancy of 12 months. So here is what I plan to do.....

I am a Thirty One consultant and I have set up a Party on my website www.mythirtyone.com/77596 through 9/10/12 (So that you can also shop from our NEW FALL catalog) and my total commission will be donated to Jared and Danielle. Just go to the website, click on Place An Order, then click on Shop Now on For Easton Friedel, then SHOP!

Thanks so much in advance!

The Little Questions

This weekend, we declared a FAMILY WEEKEND! Neither John or I had to work and Lorelei was showing some signs that we just needed to hang out and be a family this weekend. It was great! Saturday we went to the Farmer's Market and went to the playground. While at the Farmer's Market, one of the girls who was cashing us out asked about Lorelei's scar peeking out from her shirt. (See Pic) Then it happened again today. We were swimming at a friend's house and her kids asked Lorelei about her scar. They asked her why she had scratches on her chest. (They know that Lorelei has had heart surgery but it has taken them 4 years to notice that scar.) It's those little notices that make me realize that my kid has a broken heart and sometimes it's the little questions that slap you back into reality. We will be seeing Dr. Shuler in 2 weeks and I am getting a bit nervous, but these little weekends where we just hang out as a family with no commitments are helpful!

I'm late, I know, but......

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY LORELEI!!!!!!!!! Lorelei had a fun week for her birthday. She had a party at daycare with a cookie cake and some crafts. Then John's parents came and Hope for BraveHEARTS had our 3rd Annual Golf Tournament but more on that later. We then had a party for her at my Mom's house and we had a Barbie cake. Then my Dad came and on her birthday we took her to Frankie's Fun Park. We rode go carts, played mini golf and played tons of games. Grampa Don won her TONS of tickets, which Lorelei was really psyched about! I will leave you with some pics of her party.

A little history

I know that I haven't been on here in a while and it's really because I don't know what to say. Lorelei has been doing great and we have been pretty busy. I have been rereading the blog a little and I have realized you know a lot about Lo but what do you know about us, her family?

John and I have been together FOR EVER! We dated in high school for 2 years and broke up for 6 and 1/2 years then got back together. We both went to several colleges, don't ask, long story. I wanted to be a psychologist, nope I graduated with a B.A. in Liberal Arts with a minor in Social Work. Guess what, I am a pharmacy technician! I love what I do and have met great people doing it. My husband is a Records Analyst after graduating with Criminal Justice and Political Science degrees. I guess some things don't work out the way you want them too.

We grew up in Central NY and have never been to NYC. Can you believe that?? I was a lake brat and lived in the lake all summer long. Boy do I miss those days! We grew up in a small town where everyone knew everyone BUT there was also a Maximum Security Prison smack dab in the middle of the town. We all felt safe even though it was right in town. We moved to SC because of the weather and jobs, well at least we thought there were jobs down here for us. It took us a little while to get established.

Well Lorelei and I are waiting for John, Papa and Grammy to get home from golfing and for my dad to arrive to visit for Lorelei's 4th birthday! Whoo Hoo!

CHD Awareness Week

February 7-14 every year is CHD Awareness Week!

This year Hope for BraveHEARTs is again having a Pancake Breakfast at Fatz Cafe in Irmo, SC. This Saturday February 11 join us from 7:30 to 10:30 to raise money for Congenital Heart Defect Research! Tickets are $7 and kids 4 and under eat free!

I know I've been M.I.A. for a while. My work schedule had gotten a little hectic and I decided that the free time I had would be spent with my family. Anyway, we had a fun few months with the holidays and all. Dec 27 we went for our 6 month appointment with Dr. S, Lorelei's cardiologist. He had sent all of her info down to MUSC surgeon to see when the next surgery would be. Well, we thought it would be this summer but he had other plans. Yes her subaortic stenosis is getting worse BUT her heart muscle is not thickening any so...the plan is to wait and see. I don't care for this plan but God has a plan for Lorelei and it will be done when it will be done. I just have to remember that. I am not a very good waiter...I have no patience. So we will go back to see Dr. S in June and see what happens then.

I continue my work with Hope for BraveHEARTS and spreading CHD Awareness. Next up after our Annual Pancake Breakfast is our Annual Golf Tournament. This will be Saturday April 14, 2012. Let me know if you would like to sponsor a hole, give a donation/prize, play or volunteer! I will get out more information about this soon!

I'm still here.......

I know that I have been MIA but I am a little busy and I will be back soon, I promise!