That's it!

Claira beans broke her leg today at church. She was busy as usual and fell! She will have a cast up to her hip for several weeks, and may not be able to walk throughout that time. Her Dad and I have decided she's filled her quota for her little life ... NO MORE!

Her big sister Maddy wanted to get her something to make her feel better, so while we were waiting on her happy pills she picked out a singing puppy for Claira. Nah ... she won't be spoiled ... will she?

3 Years!

Our little miracle girl is 3 years old ... a month ago!Busy Mom of 6 and in nursing school ... gimme a break! She's the boss of this house, and we LOVE her! She 's in preschool this year, and looks forward to seeing her teacher each week. When she got a boo-boo recently, she had to tell her teacher so she could kiss it for her! You wouldn't believe how stubborn she is.
The easel and paint set was a compromise ... she was found in the "big girls" room painting with acrylics on Chelsea's masterpiece. Ugh! After three times of taking the paint away and hiding it, I decided it was time she had a paint set of her own.
Happy Birthday Claira!

Squeeze those cheeks!

So ... I've been busier than I ever imagined I would be at this stage of my life. Surviving nursing school and 6 kids is about to eat my lunch!
This girl, however, is magical. I've been practicing ausculating (technical term for listening with my stethescope ... big words make me feel smart) on all my kids. Who knew having a big family would prove helpful in practicing physical assessments? I was in the process of mastering heart sounds, and was curious to listen to Claira's patchwork heart. I couldn't believe how NORMAL it sounded! What a blessing ...

Click on image to view larger

Craziness!

Just a word ... about the way it felt to enroll my baby in preschool for this fall! Wow ... life has sure changed ... but change is good!

2009 Heart Walk

Okay ... I'm 2 weeks late in posting this. Let's say life's been a little crazy lately!
We had a great time at the Heart Walk. One of my friends, and her daughter, walked with us ... as well as Annie & Mimi! The threat of a thunderstorm kept most people away. We had great success in selling t-shirts, thanks to Uncle Sam's creativity and especially your generosity! We'll donate $175 to the American Heart Association. Claira received her red survivor hat again (Evie thought she had to have one too) so everyone would know what she's overcome. Thank you again for all your support!
To see more Heart Walk pictures visit our family website ... Partyof8

Happy Heart Day Claira!

Two years ago Claira's 2 holes were repaired via open-heart surgery. She came away with a lack of desire to eat, and a long road ahead. Today she is a CHUNKY (emphasis on chunky),healthy, active, vibrant 2 year old that loves to eat! In lieu of her past struggles ... and this most blessed day ... I've posted a few pics of her 1st homemade pb&j sandwich! Her favorite saying is, of course, "NO! I'll do it mysowf!"

(Sorry the pics are such poor quality ... the camera on my new phone is terrible!)

Thank you to all that helped us support the AHA by purchasing shirts for the upcoming Tulsa Heart Walk ... we will be giving the organization a donation of $175.00. It's not much, but every little bit helps! It certainly helped advance medicine by researching new procedures and medicines to help little ones like our Claira!