Career Day 2009

As promised a picture of Evan and his heart buddy Caleb dressed up as Dr.'s for Career Day.

We are counting down days for Disney!!! Munc made Evan a paper chain for counting down and he remembers every morning to tear one off - it is so exciting seeing that paper chain get smaller and smaller.

We are also planning a small Halloween party at our house the weekend before we leave. Evan LOVES Halloween and this has been something he has asked to have for a long time.

I Love Fall!

Career Day

I feel like I've been horribly neglecting this blog. I have just been so busy. I have been checking in on all of my blog friends although sometimes I don't leave a message I'm still checking!
We had our 4th Annual Team Brave Hearts golf scramble last Sunday and it was very successful. We also had our annual bookfair with Usborne and Pampered Chef this past Thur. night. In between I've been working under lots of stress and taking Evan to school and helping with homework and not to often cooking dinner (I know, I know.) My work is changing so much - I know I'm going to miss the way things have been for the past 7 years. We sure have had it nice. :_(
Evan is still loving school. I'm so proud of him. I was really concerned with how the transition to elementary school would be for him and I was pleasantly surprised. Evan has also started counseling with a counselor that works with kids at the hospital where he had his surgeries. Evan has been very emotional since his surgery in October and very afraid to be alone at any time. I think he has done just awesome and was hesitant to voice these concerns but also didn't want to regret giving him an opportunity to talk to someone. More on this to come - we have only had 2 appointments.
Yesterday was Career Day at school. We found some kid scrubs and Evan became Evan MD Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgeon! He looked so cute!!! His little heart friend that goes to school with him was also in full Dr. gear. His Mom took pictures of the two of them together so I'll post those once I get them. Enjoy the pictures of Evan yesterday before school!

Heart Walk

We are gearing up for our 5th Heart Walk. Our 4th Annual Team Brave Heart golf scramble is September 13th at Quail Chase Golf Club. If you would like to make an online donation you can do so at:



http://heartwalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=296536&lis=1&kntae296536=4E6C49EC2F874059936C745B02053AB4&supId=140845641

Star of the Month

I wish I had a little more time to update lately. My work has been crazy and very stressful. I really pray that things calm down soon.
Since school has started I changed my hours to be able to take Evan to school. I'm getting home later in the evening, so no updating then either. I'm thankful for the morning time Evan and I get though so changing my hours was worth it. My parents pick him up and he loves that since he isn't getting as much Mamaw and Papaw time as he is use to now that school is in session.
Talking about school... Evan LOVES it! I can't be more proud of him for getting up day after day ready for school. We worked very hard to prepare him for this and I think it paid off. I have to say though I really think the fact that he has an AWESOME teacher is a big part of his school success. We got so lucky to have one of Evan's BFF from preschools Mom as his teacher. She is the best and Evan just loves her. There is also some amazing people on the staff at his school and I'm excited to be involved with such a great place. He has gotten green everyday although they said he does like to talk... A LOT! He was awarded Star of the Month at school. He came home yesterday with a pin that said Star of the Month and was so excited to tell us that his picture was on the wall. This morning he asked if I would walk him in and take his picture. I'm so proud of him! My little man who is scared to be in a room by himself is at school and loving it.

Disney Approved!

Evan's cardio appointment once again showed no change! We are so thankful! The Dr. said he felt comfortable to approne our Disney trip scheduled for mid October. Evan and Dr. Mcomber did a high five to this news. Dr. said if he had to predict he would say they would do a cath around Christmas to attempt to stent the donor. I'm updating from my phone as my laptop is giving me a headache so... more details to come. Two months to Disney!!!

Cardio Appt.

Say a prayer... Evan's monthly cardiologist appointment is today at 4:00.

The Kissing Hand and School Days

Evan absolutely Loves Kindergarten! He is so excited when he wakes up and can't wait to get there. He has a crazy memory and tells us EVERYTHING that went on when we pick him up! It is so cute...
On morning #2 he asked if I wanted to take 2nd day pictures and I said sure. He was wearing his new tennis shoes and said they gave him magic powers. I told him to show them to me and I would take a picture of that. The pictures are of him doing cartwheels down our driveway!
Last night while in the bath he dumped all of his bath toys out. I reminded him that he would have to pick them all up when bathtime was over and he said okay. When it was time to get out he asked for help and I said no... he gave me this long speech about how I must not understand how hard school is and that his voice hurt from singing in Music, that his feet hurt from gym, his ears hurt from the teacher, his tummy hurt from his lunch, etc. I laughed and hugged his wet little self and helped him pick up - I'm a sucker. He was a sweetie after that - we read Will - God's Mighty Warrior and cuddled.
Around 5 this morning he woke me up and asked for my hand and I gave it to him and he kissed it. I closed it and told him I got his kiss and he said that I was supposed to put the kiss on my cheek. He climbed up into bed with us and went back to sleep. I asked his teacher if they had read a story or something about that and she said yes that it is called The Kissing Hand. What a cute story. http://www.teachingheart.net/kissinghandideas.html
His teacher told me that today they are going to make gingerbread men and while they were gone to lunch the gingerbread men were going to run away, LOL.
He called as soon as my Mom picked him up and said school was "great"!
"Mommy... we made gingerbread men today and while we were gone washing our hands they ran off.... we searched all over the school for them. There were clues... one wall had some icing on it where they had ran past it. We searched everywhere and then we all cried because we couldn't find them. When we got back to our classroom they magically were back!!!"

Evans 1st Day of Kindergarten

I can't believe it!!! I dropped my baby off at real school this morning! He did AWESOME! I think it really helped that one of his BFF's from preschool - Olivia - her Mom - is his teacher. Parents if they choose can walk their kid in this week. We walked in and he found his cubby and his seat. There was a picture they could color - I have to add that Evan was the only one at his table that colored in the lines and wrote his name on his paper. He did ask me to stay for a minute - seemed in his eyes that he could be emotional. I stayed for about 15 min. and asked if I could leave and he said yes and gave me a kiss and a hug. I walked down the hall past one of his heart friends room and was going to peek in. Little guy was facing the door and ran for me when he saw me - he was upset. He asked to leave with me - said he didn't want to stay there all day. I told him that his Mommy would be back to get him soon - he said - right after lunch - and I said soon. I asked him to show me his cubby and his seat and he did and calmed down a bit. I went back to Evan's room and peeked in and his was coloring and fine. I left but had tears in my eyes - what a bittersweet moment to leave my little braveheart and his heart buddy at Kindergarten. Can't wait to pick him up and see how his first day went.

University of Louisville Collegiate Chorale & Cardinal Singers

A sense of pride washed over me when I saw this article in our paper.

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907260303

This is about my college choral director and the choir I was a member of for my 5 years of college. I miss those days and the way he expected no less than the very best of us. I for one hated to let him down. Isn't that the definition of an awesome college professor? I no longer find the time to sing although I'm thinking it is something I should do for myself. I'm much happier when I have that outlet and it's been too long.
So... Congratulations Dr. Hatteberg and Cardinal Singers on your 2 first place awards at the World Choir Championship in South Korea!

Found a few You Tube clips of them from a few years ago singing pieces we had sang.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHbsqyS2Df0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfvRRGjJoFo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn8odm6LnSw

Pray for Elliot

They were not able to remove Elliot's tumor yesterday but had to biopsy it. They are waiting on results today to decide the best course of action for chemo. They believe it is stage 3 - please pray.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/elliot_rylan

Blessed with Wonderful Work Friends - Pray for Elliot

I feel wonderfully blessed to work with these women. They have been there for me through some rough times and I don't know what I would do without them. A few weeks ago we got to have a wonderful birthday celebration weekend to celebrate a 30th birthday and a 40th birthday. You each mean so much to me!
One of our work friends was unable to be with us that weekend and is going through a nightmare right now. Christy we Love you! Christy's little 1 yr. old Elliot has been undergoing Dr. visits and test to find out why there has been a lingering fever for several weeks. Yesterday they found out that it is a Wilm's Tumor that needs to be removed immediately. Elliot's blood pressure is to high to perform the needed surgery. Pray for his blood pressure to be where it needs to so that the surgery scheduled for Monday can be performed.

A Day with Munc

I had an awesome shopping day with my cousins, Aunt and Mom this past Saturday. We definately don't get together often but I loved spending time with them. When I was a kid I went to their house and spent a lot of my summer there. It is hard to get together now that we are grown and have kids of our own but I'm thankful we made time!
Eric was on call and I wanted my Mom to enjoy this shopping day too so, I was in need of a sitter. Evan hasn't stayed anywhere else other than my Mom's and a few afternoon visits with friends. Enter Munc. Munc is my brother, Evan's Uncle Michael. We are very close and Evan has been around him his entire life. As soon as Evan could talk he has called him Munc. Evan now knows his name but he and Munc like the nickname so it has stuck. Anyway... Munc called and offered to spend the day with Evan. Evan was sooo excited. Munc was taking him to the Louisville Science Center to the IMAX and downtown park. When Munc came to get Evan he was in his smart car. I wish I had a picture of Evan looking so big and motioning for Munc to drive away while I was trying to wave and blow kisses. He was ready for his Munc Day.
Evan had a blast and was spoiled much by his beloved Munc.

Another Month & School

Evan's cardio appointment brought no news of change and that is good! Things remained the same again for another month. It is the homograft that is narrowing due to calcification. It stinks that this can't be predicted when a homograft is chosen but it is a chance. Dr. said that the normal # is a 10 and that is what Evan was 1 month post-op in Nov. 08. From Feb. to May it went from 10 to 35. We have now stayed at 35 since April. We were told today that the magic # for another surgery is 50. There is no way to tell when we will hit 50 so we continue to have monthly cardio visit. I'm thankful for today and that for at least this month there is no cath. or open heart scheduled.

Some news we received today is that our county is looking into redistricting... Unfortunately this includes our neighborhood. Yeah... the one we moved into in Oct. so Evan could go to this great new school. Sigh. Freakin sigh. Makes me want to swear. This new change will happen for the 2010-2011 school year. Thanks... let him go to the school 1 year and then move him, great. There is a public hearing to be had and you bet your sweet britches that I will be there.

Monthly Cardio Visit

Say a prayer for Evan today... his monthly cardio visit is at 3:45.
Thanks!

Rockies Award Party

Evan's had a great time playing baseball this year! Team Rockies might have had small kids but we had a big time! Awesome kids, awesome parents and an awesome coach. We had a great time with our friends this summer and met some new friends as well. GO ROCKIES! The pictures are from their awards party this past weekend. There is one with Evan and little girl on a float... Evan and her just floated around and talked. She lost her round float and Evan paddled her over to get it. When we left Evan said with a big smile, "Eden is cute." Does anyone else have a 5 year old who already talks about girls???

Non Cooking Sweet Tea Summer

It's been crazy here lately. I feel like I'm running around like a mad woman. Work has been crazy and that is all I'm able to say about that. Crazy. I'm thankful I have a job and for the insurance it provides for my family. There are so many around me who no longer are able to say that and, that is scary.
Evan just finished up his 5 days a week for 3 weeks swimming lessons. He loved it and the young lady who was the instructor was so great with them. Evan loves her and we hope to get him signed up for her swim team. I'm glad he enjoys swimming so much and really came a long way from the first lesson to the last. We haven't had a meal at home in forever. I'm ashamed to admit that. It is so hard when you work all day, leave work and get Evan and go straight to swimming lessons. After swimming lessons my girlfriend and I look at each other with sweat dripping from our foreheads and say, "what's for dinner?" I have become addicted to McAlisters sweet tea. If you come visit me that is what we will have for dinner!!!
Talking about addictions... our friends invited us to their family 4th of July get together. Her father in law's favorite holiday is the 4th of July and he does it big! He had some amazing fireworks. Evan wasn't really interested. Want to know why? The reason is that grandpa bought a case of those popper things and gave Evan no less than 20 boxes. All Evan did was walked around popping those things on the ground. We would say, "Ohhh... Evan, did you see that?" He would reply with, "huh??? where are my other boxes of poppers?"
My Mom turned 66 on Sunday and we had everyone over to grill out. We couldn't believe that Mamaw beat us all and was the champion cornhole player!
We had some time together as a family on Fri. night and Evan wanted to go see the new Ice Age movie and also the zoo. We have passes to the zoo and I had planned on taking Monday off and taking him then so I talked him into only seeing the movie. When the movie ended he looked up at us with his long eyelashes and said, "It would be really nice to go to the zoo too and walk around for a bit." The zoo is open Fri. night from 7-8 for zoo members only so we ran up to the gates at exactly 7 and got to stroll around for an hour together. It was nice to be there just the 3 of us and no crowd. We really enjoyed that hour together. The picture is of my guys that night.
P.S.
Could you all please say a prayer for my cousin. Her son is just a year younger than myself and has been battling recurring renal cell carcinoma. He went home yesterday to spend what he has been told the last few weeks of his life with his family. A mothers worse nightmare coming true and my heart aches for them.
www.caringbridge.org/visit/ericmullinix/journal

Appointment Update

The cardio appt. was neither good or bad but rather status quo. Nothing has changed since our appt. last month. His weight is the same, his height, his echo, the pressures, etc. are all the same. Cardio said he was encouraged by this. We are to continue once a month appt.'s until there is change. When pressures do change we will be headed to the cath lab and possibly another surgery. So we will have to adjust to this new normal for us. We love our cardio although we wish we weren't seeing him monthly. It is scary for me to know we will be waiting month to month to see if things change. The unknown is what always puts me on edge but, I have to get better at this. He said to go ahead and make our plans for Disney in Oct. but that to explain to them that there is a possiblity that we will be cancelling because of open heart surgery. That's hard to hear but have to remember that we are lucky that it is only a possiblity. He said Evan's heart looks awesome and show's no signs of the high pressures from this narrowed artery.
Something funny... our cardio (and his staff) always get a kick out of Evan and his long winded stories. He asked him if he was getting excited about starting Kindergarten. Evan replied, "yes and I plan on getting into lots of trouble." They all laughed. Sigh.

Survivor night at the Bats

Last night the American Heart Association had survivor night at the Bats baseball game. Evan and his buddies were invited to attend and one of our little guys got to throw the 1st pitch and another got to run the bases with the mascot. It was fun and didn't rain too much.
I love the picture they got of Evan laughing!
Please say a prayer for the appointment we have this Thur. with Evan's cardio.

Kosair Night at the Bats game

Thought this picture too cute not to share! This is Evan and his 2 heart buddies at the Bat's game this past Sat. night. It was Kosair Childrens Hospital night and the boys were invited as guests. I as a Mommy am so thankful for these two boys and the bond Evan shares with them. I think it is awesome that they have each other. The Mommy's of these boys are not only 2 of my best friends but a support system that I depend on and appreciate. We Love you guys!

Fun weekend w/ friends

We have been busy, keeping everyday special ; )
We had a Mommy's night with my girlfriends and our boys at the Bats baseball game. I'm not sure how much they were into the game but, they loved the cotton candy. We had a cookout at a friends yesterday - check out the crazy fun slide pool he has! We had a great time - as we always do with our friends. The boys were so funny. They kept doing tricks on the slides and would ask each other, "was that cool?" Evan's team made the tournament for baseball so we have a couple more weeks of that to go. He starts swimming lessons tonight so we will be busy with that the next 5 weeks. Evan got invited to VBS with a friend at their school this week. He was a little anxious to go since he had never been before. I keep waiting for a call saying he is upset but, so far so good. Next week is our VBS. He is going to be worn out! Next Thur. is our follow up with the cardio so we are anxiously awaiting that. Say a prayer! Thanks for checking in and hope all of you are well and enjoying the summer!