Thursday, December 30, 2010

Finally........

I have finally found some time, and energy, to post an update on our very special princess! I know you all were about ready to throw things at me but we have had a crazy last couple of months and as I type this, we are enjoying one of our last nights on vacation in Pensacola, Florida with my mom, step-dad, my brother, and my two nephews. It has been a great week spending time with all of them here at the beach (even though the weather is not exactly beach weather). Memories have been made and we hope to do this again soon! If you aren't friends with me yet on Facebook, find me and you can see a sneak at some of the pictures from the trip. I will upload them on here pretty soon :-)
Well, these last couple of months, thankfully, haven't really been about the princess! Believe it or not! She has been pretty darned healthy despite a short 12hour case of the flu about a week and a half ago (along with the other 4 of us! Ugh!). Good thing that this happened before the trip! Although, it made for some pretty tough packing when you don't feel well. But, we muscled through it and have been enjoying our Christmas getaway.
Lindsay's last clinic visit in November couldn't have gone any better! She passed everything with flying colors and still no word or mention of a biopsy. (knocking on wood as I type that! Lol) She has had the typical, and normal, ear infections along the way. Nothing that a little Augmentin can't cure. She still reacts more severe than a normal child would to a simple ear infection, but that is just how it is going to be with her rejection drugs keeping her immune system down. We have been super careful about keeping her healthy but as I mentioned earlier, she still ended up sick. Sometimes all the sanitizer in the world can't beat those nasty bugs! Thanking God that we didn't end up in Ann Arbor for that one! She doesn't have to go to clinic until February!
Lindsay has been making HUGE strides in her speech these last few months as well! She is combining 4-5 words together and she is actually comprehending what we say even more. She is growing into such an incredible little girl. Not my baby anymore :-( the biggest news is that she weened her binky! Next is the potty training but we take one thing at a time and you know the princess! In her own time. Lol
We have been continually blessed by the support of our friends and family with more fundraisers in the last few months. I cannot even begin to tell you how much these meant to us and made it possible to pay some bills that we were not able to pay. Praying everyday that 2011 gives us an answer as to how to make things easier for our family. But for now, I stay at home, building my photography business and selling travel as the season rolls around to booking those spring break trips! Referrals are always welcome :-)
Before we left for this vacation, I started a little fundraiser for special Christmas edition Love from Lindsay Baskets. I was hoping to raise enough for at least 10 baskets but much to my surprise, we raised enough for 20! My heart is full! Thank you to those that supported this special delivery! We collected some super cute items for the baskets and I thought they turned out just fantastic! A special thank you to my mom for sewing the receiving blankets in my absence because I was down in bed with the flu and for helping me put them together when I was too weak. Love you, Mom! Also, a special thank you to my bff, Dani, for going with me on the delivery.
These last couple of months I have had some medical issues but finally got them straightened out and I am starting to feel like myself again. Hence, the not updating in a while. So, for that, I apologize. I never intended for 2 months to hqve passed and I do have to say, I missed all of you! I promise to add photos to this post when I get back, but for now, you can see them on facebook. :-)
I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year! Here's to hoping that 2011 goes smoothly and there is no rejection in site!
Heart Blessings~
Suzie

Friday, November 26, 2010

Multi Vendor Event fancy cole slaw recipe:

Here's the recipe for the cole slaw served at the Multi Vendor Event that so many of you asked for. Thanks to The Lori Moore's Potluck Pal, Susie Morgan for submitting this recipe in last year's cookbook.

Slaw:
1 10 oz. bag of cole slaw
1 bunch of green onions (chopped)
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
2 pkgs. of Ramen Noodles (beef flavor)

Dressing:
3/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup vinegar
1 beef flavor packets (from Ramon Noodles)

Crunch up uncooked Ramen Noodles and mix in with slaw, onions, & sunflower seeds. Combine dressing ingredients. Mix everything together, toss and refrigerate 1/2 hour or longer before serving.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

One HUGE blog update coming VERY soon!!

Let's just call it a summer overview ;-) Lindsay has been one busy princess! So excited to share with you!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Prayers for Tommy tonight......


Please pray for Tommy tonight. He has been admitted and trying to get figured out what is wrong. Treating him for viral infection as of now and going from there. We love you, Tommy! This picture is especially for you, from Lindsay ;-)

Kisses!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Happy Birthday, Cole!

Seven years ago today, at 9:23pm (he was born 9/23 @ 9:23!) I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy. We named him Cole Everett and he has been the twinkle in our eyes ever since! Cole brings us such joy everyday and is such a delightful young man. Must be getting that from his daddy because from what I have heard all my life, I was definitely NOT like my child! lol Happy 7th Birthday, buddy! Now, lets go eat some donuts! ;-) Cruise Oct'04
Cole: May '10 ~photo by Patti VanHuizen
PS I will be getting a post up soon with a detailed summer overview of the princess ;-)

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

All things........NORMAL!!!

Mom- "Lindsay? Where did you go sweetie?"
Lindsay- "Mommy.........I dwalin'!" Her first masterpiece done in 3 or 4 different colors of crayon. People, believe it or not, she has had no prior training! ha ha (FYI, this was done in her brothers' room in which a huge Hulk Fathead is on the wall......in case you were wondering ;-))
Couldn't resist THIS photo op!

Well, just a few weeks before my oldest son starts first grade, he finally looses a tooth! He was so proud. And yanked it out all by himself! Tooth fairy came and brought him a special silver dollar from 1976! Man, THAT is one OLD coin! ha ha Good job, buddy!


And if this isn't normal, then I don't know what is! He's not called Crazy Cruzy for nothin'! Oh, how we love having NORMAL!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Another Celebration!

On this day, four years ago, at 10:09 in the morning, we welcomed another gift from God to our family. He weighed 7 lbs 7 oz, was 20 inches long, and had a bit of dark hair on his beautiful little head. We named him Cruz Robert and have enjoyed him tremendously ever since! Cruz was a very easy delivery! After only 3 pushes and only 6 hours of really hard labor, he joined this world, happy and healthy!
Our first family photo!


Cruz, you have grown into a wonderful little boy. You were blessed with wit, humor, and are the king of the robot dance! We love watching you turn into such a great little man and couldn't be more proud of you as we are today. We love that you have your mommy's spunk and your daddy's love for pretzels and chocolate! Mommy and Daddy love you with every ounce of their being and we hope that you have one of the best birthdays ever! We love you, Cruzer!

Happy 4th Birthday, buddy!!
Love,
Mommy, Daddy, Cole, and Linds ;-)

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Where did my baby go?

There she is! Although, not so baby anymore. This past weekend we replaced her crib with a big girl bed......sniff sniff. Taking it down for the very last time was very emotional for me. BUT, I quickly realized that it was a complete blessing and gift from God that we were able to make this change for her! Check out her new digs!







Friday, July 16, 2010

A Post FULL of "Firsts"

Can you believe that at 2 years old, Lindsay is still experiencing a bunch of "firsts" when normally a child at this age has already experienced. Man, it has been a LONG two years! BUT, this last year has been absolutely the best having the princess home with us. Yes, we have jumped a few hurdles since she was discharged last year, but all in all, it has been great having her home! This past weekend was the annual Kindleburger Festival at the park right by our house and included in the festival activities are plays that are done nightly during the festival time period. We were able to attend the Saturday showing of The Suessical and the boys had a great time. Lindsay was too busy socializing that she really didn't have time for the play!! ha ha This last Father's Day was very special. The first one in two years that we have been home for. This year was a great one especially since we could spend it with my 87 year old grandfather. His present from his great-grandson's was this cane that came directly from the Louisville Slugger Museum when we visited there this past April. Cole picked it out and was so excited that it was time for "Papa Yum Yum" to open it up! Grandpa now takes it with him and shows it off and tells the story of who got it for him. He is so proud of "his kids".
That weekend was very relaxing finally getting to enjoy the lake and just hang out. The boys and their "papa" (my dad) enjoyed the new game for the yard.






This is what the adults look like after a big meal and a few drinks. "No, go ahead kids, we will just watch you." ha ha

While the boys did some fishing that weekend, Lindsay got a head start on practicing for when she is big enough to catch that "big whopper". ;-)


Another big first for our family since we have had the princess home was to go camping. We spent the long weekend at the campground during the 4th of July and it was absolutely awesome!



Making s'mores by the campfire......

.....and eating them served to be a challenge when you make them with the big a** roasting marshmallows that Meijer sold this year! What a mess, BUT so worth it!
Lindsay is tasting her FIRST s'more. Needless to say, she thoroughly enjoyed it and after each bite, she said, "Yummy!" And then, no shocker, I cried! ;-)


Such a happy camper!
Ok, well, this story is definitely a "normal" toddler story but yet again, another first for the princess. Notice the nice raspberry on her forehead?

And notice how she is sliding the plastic across to try and see out better? And notice the black handle at just the right height for her to "bump" so that the door will fly open? Yes, folks, that is how that happened. I was shucking corn at the picnic table that was just outside of that door and up against the camper when I heard the thud and then the screaming. I swear she had broken her neck, that is how awkward that she fell right outside the door and down the step onto the indoor/outdoor carpet that was covering the dirt. She recovered quickly and all I could think of to do after I saw her "owie" was to say a prayer that her open wound wouldn't get infected!! Thankfully it didn't and healed up just fine. Talk about scare the crap out of momma!!!!




That same weekend, my Aunt Carole hosted a beautiful baby shower for both of my cousins. It was so nice to see them and it was again, a first for Lindsay. Her first Baby Shower! I had found an adorable 4th of July dress for her and a bow to match! Notice that I have her hair covering her wound ;-)



Lindsay also got to meet her cousin, Matthew, for the first time, too! What a great weekend all around!

This past Wednesday, JR and I took Lindsay for her 1 year (a month later) post transplant clinic visit. Her echo, labs, and ekg were, as Dr. Kurt said, "FABULOUS"!!!!!!!!!! Both he, Dr. G, and Meg, were just thrilled at how amazing that she looks and is doing. The "B" word (biopsy) was never mentioned and I will say, I am just fine with that as long as she keeps on truckin' the way that she has.
Our trip would not be complete without a visit to 5 East. Here, Lindsay could finally show off her new trick to all that haven't seen it yet......walking!!!!!


She took right off and had no problem mingling in the playroom......for the FIRST TIME!!!! Yes, it is just steps from Moderate Care where she lived for almost 8 months, and NEVER got to play in!! She found a maraca that she liked and took it with her on her journey down the halls to say "hi" to people. Or as I said, "Walked around like she owned the joint!" ha ha


This is definitely a first for her to do! Nurses and doctors were thrilled to see her looking so great and "normal"! It must be good for them to see her succeed and know that they had a hand in making that happen. Warm fuzzies..........

As you all know, at the party last month, we collected items to start the Love from Lindsay Baskets project. Well, it seemed fitting to be able to take the first load of baskets with us to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of Lindsay being home. So, all week I had gathered items together and got them organized to be able to take 12 baskets with us. In doing that, all I could think of was this angel..............

Annabelle was with us during this entire journey and if you didn't know this already, this exact picture was taped to Lindsay's crib the ENTIRE time that she was in the hospital. She was Lindsay keeper during that time, I believe anyway, and she also has inspired us to continue her mom and dad's wonderful ministry here in Michigan. Annabelle, thank you for making yourself so present in our lives. I wish we would have been able to see you, but we will, someday, in heaven. (Wiping tears......now.)
So, to all of you who have helped to make this ministry possible, here are some pictures of our very emotional delivery of Love.



Getting ready to wheel them up to 5 East for delivery!

The very first recipient of a Love from Lindsay Basket is Nikola Tasich. He was also born with HLHS and had just been transferred from PCTU to Moderate Care that day. He is doing just great thus far and we wish the very best for him, his mom Stephanie, and his entire family through this journey. MY HEART IS FULL!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

As the blog title reads......












Our Gift From God! We are blessed with every day that we have our sweet princess. Thought I would share with you some new shots of her from our little session today. Thank you Auntie Becca for the most adorable smocked dress! It looks fantastic on her!
I will share with you in another post with Lindsay's latest "firsts" . God continues to bless our family every single day. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! I know we are!
Heart Blessings~
Suzie