Mended Little Hearts Group

Finally, a Tulsa chapter for Mended Little Hearts! Mended Little Hearts is a national organization that is dedicated to "connect families in crisis with others who have survived the shock of learning a child has a heart defect/heart disease, navigated the maze of medical decisions and procedures and mapped out a plan for the future." Our family is excited to be a part of this newly formed support group. I have already found comfort in visiting with other Moms who understand the fears and the need to over-protect that goes with these experiences. If you know a family that could benefit from their help, click here to get contact information.
Tom, Claira and I will be traveling to Oklahoma City next Tuesday where we will join other Mended Little Hearts for a picture with Governor Henry who just recently named February 7-14 "CHD Awareness Week".

Happy Hearts Day!

I have hope that someday...
When my son understands...
I'll sit him on my lap... and then...
He'll ask me of God's plans...
In my sweetest daydream...
He'll lift his shirt up high...
And ask mom am I different?
And then he'll ask me... why?
I'll get the chance to share with him...
The long journey before...
And tell him that he's very brave...
And God has plans in store...
I'll tell him of the battles...
That children like him face...
And how we must remember...
To always lean on grace.
That I have learned of courage...
Through the lives of those we've known...
And I am ever certain that...
We never walk alone.
That everyday's a miracle...
And life is to be treasured...
That hope and faith have brought us through...
And these things can't be measured.
That other's are in heaven now...
(Their live's tend to remind me)
That even when I run away...
Somehow...son...God will find me.
And when life seems too hard to bear...
(And signs become easy to miss)
Brave little souls seemed to whisper...
Have faith...you'll get through this...
Some might say...your heart's not strong...
And there are some things you'll just never do...
But...you can do most anything...
That you put your mind to.

I have hope that someday...
You'll do the same as me...
Your child will come running...then...
You'll set him on your knee...
And lift your shirt...for the hundredth time...
When your child says tell me again...
Tell me about your special heart...
And all of the the places you've been...
Tell me about the heart hero's...
The one's that they just couldn't save...
And how your mommy told you that...
They were so very brave.
I imagine that you'll smile then...
(As you smile all the time)
Then hold your child closely...
And say...Once upon a time...

Mother's can wish for such things...
They help the heart to cope...
Perhaps...it's even possible...
With faith and love and hope.

New "Mickey" button

Please use caution before you scroll down ... the following image may be sensitive to young viewers.

Claira's Mic-Key button was removed by divine intervention ... okay, okay ... it was yanked out (accidentally!) by her big sister Madalyn. She was pulling her out of the crib and because she's a little short she had to slide her over the railing. Pop! It came out! Immediately after they both fell to the floor and Claira started crying. Her Dad ran in to check on them both but had no idea the tube was gone ... we all thought she was crying because she hit her head on the floor! Hours later it was discovered when I was getting her ready for bed. While gracefully fighting a severe meltdown I called the surgeon and he said ... (you can look at the picture now)



Let's leave it out! Yes folks you heard me ... no more Mic-Key button, no more tube! In fact after her last visit with the cardiologist she has no significant heart issues whatsoever! Oh happy day!