My 3 girls

We spent some time outside this afternoon, and for once, I brought my good camera! I just had to share these 3 pics tonight! Love my girls!!!

Anna Kate lovin the swing

Caroline being a monkey

Gracie being a monkey too

Spring Break 2012

Do you ever think back to when you were a child and you went on a family vacation and realize that your parents were exhausted just from packing to get you there?

Three kids later, I get it!

We have been on 4 trips since Anna Kate was born. Not elaborate vacations, but they sure did seem elaborate to me since I was packing "everything but the kitchen sink" to go out of town for a few days. We were discussing this on our way home from our Spring break trip. Anna Kate has visited North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Kentucky ( no biggie, but it counts) in her 9 months of life. Whew! That's a lot of packing!

This year for spring break we visited the cabin. Several of the kids' friends met us up there and they had the "best Spring Break EVERRRRRR" from what I understand.

Before we let them loose with all the crazies, we took them to see Biltmore Estates. This was my first visit and it was unbelievable to say the least. If you haven't visited, let me know and we can go back sometime. I recently read a book called Maid to Match - is that proper punctuation for book titles? I have no idea... Anyway, the book was great and it led me to want to visit the Biltmore since it was based on the estate.

The rest of the trip was a blur of kids, stinky basement playrooms, The Chop House, a short (but steep) walk for exercise, an acrobatic baby sleeping in my bed with a runny nose, and good friends to share it all with.

We came home with some great memories and tired kids. Let's do it again in 10 years or so...

Jump Rope for Heart

Gracie "Moon Bounce" 2010

Gracie and Caroline are participating in Jump Rope for Heart this year. This is a community service program that benefits the American Heart Association. If you would like to support the girls their links are below. They will be jumping rope at the school on March 16th.

Because Caroline had heart surgery when she was 3, her P.E. teacher asked if she would bring in some pictures and speak to the elementary students about her experience. Up until she started Kindergarten, Caroline was not interested in speaking to anyone about her surgery. Suddenly, when Kindergarten started, she realized that she had a special story to tell and asked if she could take her pictures in to class! I was surprised at her request, but let her take them. I thought I would share a few of her surgery pics today - She was so small!

 A little background information - At Caroline's 4 month checkup with her pediatrician, he heard a murmur when listening to her heart. This was not a huge shock because Josh had a murmur as well. The doctor asked us to make an appointment with a pediatric cardiologist soon. We scheduled the appointment and saw the cardiologist who told us that Caroline's murmur was quite large, but it was possible that it would heal itself because within the first year of life many murmurs do heal on their own. We were setup on a 6 month appointment schedule for the next 3 years with the cardiologist to monitor the murmur.

The diagnosis was "Atrial Septal Defect" - big medical terms that I will never forget! I was so scared for my baby!  The doctor said she would need surgery within the next 3-5 years to repair the quarter size hole in her heart. We hoped it would be more like 5 yrs, but at the 3 year checkup the doctor found that the right side of Caroline's heart was enlarging to accomodate for the hole and surgery would need to be that year. We set up the procedure for July of 2006. If I had to choose, I would definitely say 2006 was the hardest year I've had yet...We lost Josh in April and Caroline had open heart surgery in July, but God's is sufficient! He made it seem so doable for me! I'm forever grateful for that! Here are a few  A LOT of pictures from the 3 day hospital stay - sorry I couldn't choose!

Resting after surgery

Waking up and acting silly from the medicine

Gracie finally came to visit!

Colton visiting - he was so worried about her

 (crayon bandage from IV) - Nanna and Grandaddy brought hair stuff! Feeling better

Riding in the wagon to go look around

walking with the heart monitor "Purse"

Going home - giving the nurse one of her flowers

sweet girl

Today, five years later, Caroline does not have any restrictions - the hole was patched using her own pericardium and according to the doctors would heal to look like a perfect heart. She even participates on our school's jump rope team!

Here's a short video of her doing a really cool trick with her team - Dayspring Unwound!

To support Jump Rope for Heart Please click the links below! Thanks!

Gracie's link

Caroline's link

Second star to the right and straight on till morning

Gracie and Caroline had stellar performances in the elementary play at Dayspring Academy! I'm not biased at all - they were the perfect Peter Pan and Tink. Like last year, the school's drama teacher chose a play where each child has her moment in the spotlight! Gracie was one of 6 Peter Pans and Caroline was one of two Tinkerbells. Here are a few pics from the night.

Tinkerbell drinking the poison to save Peter Pan

Tinkerbell shaking her "jingler" while she talks

This is what happens when you drink poison - she fainted so well!

One of my favorite parts - This is how they "fly" (office chairs that roll)

My Peter with Wendy

Peter talking to Tinkerbell and the kids - she remembered to put her hands on her hips!!! 

Peter with Shadow

This was Gracie's last elementary play - next year she'll be in middle school! I was so proud of both girls.