5 Years Ago................

I gave birth to a beautiful, perfect little girl. We were blessed to have a pediatrician who heard a murmur and gave it enough thought to call for an ECHO. 2 days later my precious, perfect little girl was flown to MUSC without her parents and we had no idea what was in store for us. On April 24, 2008 Lorelei had her first open heart surgery. It was a long journey with wonderful friends that were made and a wonderful hospital that took care of not only Lorelei but us too!

Lorelei 1 day old

Waiting for surgery

After surgery

Easter 2013 almost 5

We want to thank everyone that we have met throught this whole experience including, Palmetto Hearts and Rebecca Butcher (Annabelle Baskets). While we were at MUSC, Lorelei received the first Annabelle Basket. I also want to thank my partner in crime with Hope for BraveHEARTS, Shannon Carter, without you there would be no HBH! And, last but not least, Mandy and Evie. From a chance meeting at my workplace to becoming great friends, I am so glad that He put us in each others paths. Lorelei misses Evie and asks when we can go have tea!

I can't believe it has been 5 years but it still seems just like yesterday for me. I can't wait for another 50 with her!

Happy Heart Day Lorelei and in another few months, we will have another Heart Day Anniversary!

Habbada

One of my friends that I 've known for a long time has created a movement called Habbada. His motto is Live It. Love It. Share It. Habbada is all about being positive and creating unity to help others. I LOVE this! We all need to get away from negativity and come together and help our fellow man.

 Just in this past week, there has been a lot of heart break in my hometown. Friends are losing their parents, baby Easton is not doing well and another friend was in the hospital for kidney failure. I think everyone should adapt this policy and just try to do at least one positive thing a day.

If you want to check out Habbada go to www.habbada.com.

It's a great thing and I hope you will LIVE IT. LOVE IT. SHARE IT.

HABBADA!!!!!!!!
 

Other Heart Related Groups/Blogs

Along with Annabelle Baskets, we are members of Palmetto Hearts, a support group in SC for Heart Families.

There are also some Heart Moms that have blogs that I keep up with:
Mason
Logan
Zeb

Please read their stories and help raise awareness!

Hope for BRAVEHearts

After Lorelei was born, I felt I needed to do SOMETHING to raise awareness to CHD's. When Shannon had Derrick she also felt this way and we decided to start with making baskets for the kids at MUSC. The baskets were for all the kids whether they are in PCICU or 8D, the step down unit. We then decided that we would also raise money and give it to the MUSC Research Program.

We have a Pancake Breakfast every year as well as a Golf Tournament to raise this money. Hope for BRAVEHearts also makes blankets for the kids at Christmas and bring them down to them. We also partner with Texas Roadhouse and serve dinner to the families at the Ronald McDonald House in Charleston. That is one of my favorite things to do.

So far we have raised over $35,000 for the research program at MUSC and they are very supportive of us as well! 

BRAVEHeart Baskets include: a stuffed animal, a cup, socks, crayons and a variety of toys and games, books, and other small items. We can and will ship to other states other than SC.

Hope for BRAVEHearts is always looking for volunteers and suggestions so please let us know!

Check out our website: www.hopeforbravehearts.org

Shannon and Derrick

Shannon and I worked together for several years before she got married and started teaching. We didn't see each other for a while but then I found out she was pregnant and that at her 20 week ultrasound they found out that Derrick had a CHD. I contacted her and we talk all the time now, since we have started Hope for BRAVEHearts (I will get to that in another post!).

Derrick is the cutest little thing and is 1 year and 2 days younger than Lorelei. He is so full of life and has had several procedures and 2 open heart surgeries and will have a third this spring.

This is D when he was a baby and his lips are green because I gave him a green sucker. :o) To read more about D, click here.

Mandy and Evie

I met Mandy when she came into my workplace and I found out that her daughter, Evie, had a CHD. We exchanged blog sites and it started from there! Our daughters have become friends and we miss them terribly. They have moved to Thailand and are doing God's work over there.

Mandy has not only become my friend but also like my sister. We can share what our children have been through and she has taught me a lot about my faith! I am so glad that He placed her in my path!

These two truly are our miracles! Princess Evie and Princess Lorelei!

To read Evie's story, click here.

Rebecca and Annabelle

We met Rebecca a few days after Lorelei's first surgery at MUSC. Annabelle passed the month before from HLHS, a CHD. Rebecca started making Annabelle Baskets for the babies in the PCICU in memory of Annabelle.

Lorelei was the first recipient of an Annabelle Basket. It was super cute. There was a blanket, cute socks, a rattle and of course, a hairbow! Rebecca is an amazing woman and I am glad to call her a friend. Thank you for all you have done!

Please read Annabelle's story here.
If you would like to know how to help with Annabelle Baskets, click here.