tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84123795556461184412022-04-22T19:04:22.593-04:00The Carter FamilyShannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.comBlogger414125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-48397643789432173692016-02-16T05:46:00.002-05:002016-02-16T05:46:35.092-05:00ONE!!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">An enormous </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">to the sweetest baby I know!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAGhAHlEvWg/VsL8EicidZI/AAAAAAAAN5Q/qqvBd22Pt0k/s1600/Ryans%2B1st%2Bbirthday%2Bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAGhAHlEvWg/VsL8EicidZI/AAAAAAAAN5Q/qqvBd22Pt0k/s640/Ryans%2B1st%2Bbirthday%2Bday.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ryan, </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You are seriously the sweetest baby we've had. As long as you're fed and with your people you're a happy, content, snuggly, busy guy. I know you haven't made it here on this blog very often, but I promise it's not because of a lack of love. We adore you, your brother and sister adore you. I really don't think you could be loved more. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy birthday, my sweet Ry-guy</span> (or Boo or Boozie.)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We love you to the moon and back!!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mommy, Daddy, Bubba & Jen</span><br /><br /><a href="http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/?action=view&current=colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" /></a></div>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com89tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-51819943118901751072016-02-05T13:29:00.001-05:002016-02-05T21:22:31.265-05:00P52:3 Broken Hearts<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xs3bX_Qr5yE/VrNEocWaQGI/AAAAAAAAN4k/XHDrJh-QQ84/s1600/P52-2016-3%2BPhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xs3bX_Qr5yE/VrNEocWaQGI/AAAAAAAAN4k/XHDrJh-QQ84/s640/P52-2016-3%2BPhoto.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uuZNBhgvafU/VrNEkNgYL3I/AAAAAAAAN4g/7y-yPIOK9uM/s1600/P52-2016-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uuZNBhgvafU/VrNEkNgYL3I/AAAAAAAAN4g/7y-yPIOK9uM/s640/P52-2016-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />We are so excited that the third grade at LME (my elementary alma mater! :) has chosen to to collect items for BraveHEART Baskets as their service project. Their teacher had told them all about Derrick and they were so excited to meet him! It was such a special experience and I loved hearing Derrick raise awareness for CHD in his own special way. <br /><br />And speaking of BraveHEARTS....it's that time of year again! If you're local and free tomorrow morning, we'd LOVE for you to come have breakfast with us! <br /><br />AND...today is national WEAR RED day! Are you wearing red in honor/memory of someone? If you are, share it! It's the very best way to teach others about special hearts!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Z3opBmu88Q/VrNEkFGyCoI/AAAAAAAAN4c/GK3GMIqWEkA/s1600/HBH%2BPancake%2BFlyer%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Z3opBmu88Q/VrNEkFGyCoI/AAAAAAAAN4c/GK3GMIqWEkA/s640/HBH%2BPancake%2BFlyer%2B.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><a href="http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/?action=view&current=colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" /></a>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-26173817868800248292016-01-16T12:51:00.000-05:002016-01-16T12:54:18.813-05:00P52: 2 Compromise<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iVZLwkGVc8M/Vpp_7MKUPMI/AAAAAAAAN30/muHZmR2IrfU/s1600/P52-2016-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iVZLwkGVc8M/Vpp_7MKUPMI/AAAAAAAAN30/muHZmR2IrfU/s640/P52-2016-2.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwsFEOJEGVk/Vpp-FdTmmyI/AAAAAAAAN3Y/y7hVSWQPXUc/s1600/P52-2016-2%2BWords.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwsFEOJEGVk/Vpp-FdTmmyI/AAAAAAAAN3Y/y7hVSWQPXUc/s640/P52-2016-2%2BWords.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Homeschooling isn't quite what I pictured it would be. I love it, don't get me wrong. But we have days where I want to throw in the towel, grab a backpack and make a drop-off to the nearest elementary school! Most days really are ok, but some are just...well, they're not good sometimes. On occasion I have to use leverage to get the work done, and this week that was necessary. D was stoked to do some work in his fort! And if it wouldn't have taken up the entire space we would have left it there for a daily treat. But life happens, and you have to walk through rooms, so forts can't always stay. That's ok though, because it will hold excitement much longer...and maybe help us get through some more assignments!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This picture was taken this past weekend in our new "howse." We were there cleaning up and decided that we would write this verse on the floor so it would always be in our home. I absolutely love this picture, and I was going to use it for P52 this week but I couldn't come up with any words. Then I remembered, sometimes pictures don't need words, they speak for themselves. </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gs9xmqYFa2Y/Vpp-cC_TpmI/AAAAAAAAN3g/xoqLWvE3HxY/s1600/P52-2016-2%2Bphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gs9xmqYFa2Y/Vpp-cC_TpmI/AAAAAAAAN3g/xoqLWvE3HxY/s640/P52-2016-2%2Bphoto.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/?action=view&current=colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" /></a>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-50023402755225337342016-01-10T21:25:00.001-05:002016-01-16T12:51:24.633-05:00Project 52 : 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMbbM58bEF0/Vo-7i_r8adI/AAAAAAAAN28/6qJD2BLF6j8/s1600/P52-2016-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMbbM58bEF0/Vo-7i_r8adI/AAAAAAAAN28/6qJD2BLF6j8/s640/P52-2016-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLXhOVYGU-w/Vo-7zzSfpQI/AAAAAAAAN3E/c2E3_q3i28w/s1600/P52-2016-1%2BPhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLXhOVYGU-w/Vo-7zzSfpQI/AAAAAAAAN3E/c2E3_q3i28w/s640/P52-2016-1%2BPhoto.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I've missed being here. Missed documenting the lives of my babes, missed taking tons of pictures, missed the therapy that blogging sometimes provided. I'm attempting <a href="http://www.carolinacarters.com/search/label/Project%2052">Project 52</a> again. I did it several years ago, but like most things I start....well, it never got finished. So, I'm pretending it's still the first week of January and this is my first week's post. Because it's my blog and I can do that. :)<br /><br />I'm excited to bring this baby out of the dust. I have TONS to share!<br /><a href="http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/?action=view&current=colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-26580758039949103002015-08-12T20:45:00.001-04:002015-08-12T20:45:30.660-04:00Wordless Wednesday:: Where has the time gone?!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0SYz70aN0GY/VcvoXzEsfEI/AAAAAAAANww/LWT0g9F1gqs/s1600/Ryan%2B8%253A15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0SYz70aN0GY/VcvoXzEsfEI/AAAAAAAANww/LWT0g9F1gqs/s640/Ryan%2B8%253A15.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><a href="http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/?action=view&current=colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" /></a>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-9979788322445228282015-03-14T08:14:00.001-04:002015-03-14T08:39:17.483-04:00Two to ThreeI've been sitting here in the dark holding a snuggly baby boy for the past two hours. He's full (well, he's probably almost ready to eat again by now), dry and sleepy, but he's not interested in being put down. So we snuggle. For some reason I'm wide awake in this quiet house, which is a rarity these days...both the house being quiet and me being wide awake. <div><br></div><div>I'm trying my best to soak in all of these tiny baby moments this time. Finally, the third time around, I've realized just how quickly these sweet newborn days whiz by. So I've been sitting here for the past two hours in the dark listening to the breathing of my littlest Carter and his sweet daddy. I love the steadiness of Justin's breathing coupled with the unpredictableness of Ryan's, especially with the little newborn sighs and moans that he throws in there.</div><div><br></div><div> I'm sure in a few hours I won't be happy that the day started so early, but there's no time for regrets these days. Now that it's "blue outside" I know I'll hear the quiet shuffle of the feet of my biggest boy very soon. He doesn't typically sleep past blue. We still probably have a few hours left before Jen gets up. She's the sleeper, especially since it's raining this morning. </div><div><br></div><div>These past three weeks have been gloriously exhausting. The question we hear most often is "How is it going from two to three?" Ha. Well, it depends on when you ask. :). </div><div><br></div><div>On the days Justin is off and I've had a full four hour stretch of sleep, and the big kids wake up rested and in decent moods, it's really not a whole lot different. You just have an extra little mouth to feed, some diapers to change, and three tiny people to snuggle now. Just ore love so it's great!</div><div><br></div><div>Then there are those days when I'm pretty sure I never even actually went to sleep the night before. When I wake up and I could swear someone replaced my eyelids with sandpaper, when there was a baby screaming until 2am who wanted to eat again at 3 am and yet again at 5 am. And then those sweet little foot shuffles are heard at 7am by not one but two big kids who are up way too early since they were up way too late the night before. They're already saying someone hit the other one and are crying and asking for candy for breakfast and I can't even form a complete sentence much less get up and fix a decent breakfast for the hungry candy-craving kids. I'm not even sure I know what breakfast is on these mornings. And heaven forbid it be a Wednesday, when we actually have to be at school, decently dressed and fed and there on time...and Justin has to work....y'all, those days the only complete thought my brain can actually form is, "What in the world were we thinking!?"</div><div><br></div><div>But thankfully, God knows this mama can only handle a few of those days in a row and He sprinkles in those four hour stretches of sleep and good moods all around on occasion. And He helps me remember that this is just a season, one that I've learned goes by too quickly. And He helps me remember to enjoy the soft sounds of breathing because breathing means there's life. And He helps me to soak in the view in the room on the other side of ours, where my two big babies are snoozing together under a massive pile of pillows and blankets, because that means there's love.</div><div><br></div><div>My heart is full. </div><div><br></div><div>My mind is usually sleepy, but my heart is bursting with love. </div><div><br></div><div>So mostly, going from two to three is pretty darn awesome. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eSHeZ1m_xIw/VQQr872D1DI/AAAAAAAANrU/VIvl47aNSRY/s640/blogger-image--715087808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eSHeZ1m_xIw/VQQr872D1DI/AAAAAAAANrU/VIvl47aNSRY/s640/blogger-image--715087808.jpg"></a></div>Doing bedtime our first night home together as a party of five. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div> </div>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-51294080172226785402015-02-17T15:38:00.001-05:002015-02-17T15:42:16.158-05:00Meet Ryan!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our newest squishy addition, Ryan Cooper Carter, was born yesterday, February 16th, at 4:39 pm at 7lbs 15.8 oz and 20 inches long.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We are all so in love with precious little guy!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ckcuvp7eUhY/VOOmwU6J-ZI/AAAAAAAANpg/P0b8VxEni7s/s640/blogger-image--486671875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ckcuvp7eUhY/VOOmwU6J-ZI/AAAAAAAANpg/P0b8VxEni7s/s640/blogger-image--486671875.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pBw7Q5E6ePw/VOOmucG9RtI/AAAAAAAANpQ/chRvTJjRJSM/s640/blogger-image-987086199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pBw7Q5E6ePw/VOOmucG9RtI/AAAAAAAANpQ/chRvTJjRJSM/s640/blogger-image-987086199.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qi9F7X_VK8M/VOOmr2PIweI/AAAAAAAANpA/YFrkPTWEGLY/s640/blogger-image-913956968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qi9F7X_VK8M/VOOmr2PIweI/AAAAAAAANpA/YFrkPTWEGLY/s640/blogger-image-913956968.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7t9-65Q4iD0/VOOl13L_8II/AAAAAAAANow/nce6-jDGA5M/s640/blogger-image-999841838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7t9-65Q4iD0/VOOl13L_8II/AAAAAAAANow/nce6-jDGA5M/s640/blogger-image-999841838.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OB7bYg17X_c/VOOmtdEWdgI/AAAAAAAANpI/xmN3Wu4py98/s640/blogger-image-15785851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OB7bYg17X_c/VOOmtdEWdgI/AAAAAAAANpI/xmN3Wu4py98/s640/blogger-image-15785851.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b11eWAhrVbI/VOOmqna3ZlI/AAAAAAAANo4/OInGosCLMxg/s640/blogger-image--669334432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b11eWAhrVbI/VOOmqna3ZlI/AAAAAAAANo4/OInGosCLMxg/s640/blogger-image--669334432.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jDE3nGUp5oY/VOOmvAGndfI/AAAAAAAANpY/owxwdE9pNY8/s640/blogger-image-2046731735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jDE3nGUp5oY/VOOmvAGndfI/AAAAAAAANpY/owxwdE9pNY8/s640/blogger-image-2046731735.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OPC_MRUXfXM/VOOnZnknZDI/AAAAAAAANpo/77y5gvZNuVM/s640/blogger-image--1682362056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OPC_MRUXfXM/VOOnZnknZDI/AAAAAAAANpo/77y5gvZNuVM/s640/blogger-image--1682362056.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Love, love, love!!</div></div>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-78550579686772215452015-02-06T16:53:00.000-05:002015-02-06T16:54:09.776-05:00Wear Red and Other HEART Stuff!Hello friends!<br><br>I wanted to make sure all of you locals know (insanely last minute...that's how I roll) that tomorrow is the BREAKFAST!! <br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-D5IV0d_k8/VNU2aAOKHzI/AAAAAAAANoM/L6MaGm2O_dc/s1600/HBH%2BPancake%2BFlyer%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-D5IV0d_k8/VNU2aAOKHzI/AAAAAAAANoM/L6MaGm2O_dc/s1600/HBH%2BPancake%2BFlyer%2B.jpg" height="640" width="494"></a></div>I promise to update on all things Hope for BraveHEARTS after the breakfast. It was a great year full of tons of support and we hope this year is even better! <br><br>We were excited to all wear red today in honor of our little guy! If you wore red today in honor/memory of a special heart we would love to see the pictures! You can post them on instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #BraveheartsWearRed #HopeforBravehearts and/or #wearredforderrick. <br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qwm4KmRg8oc/VNU3_0R0bVI/AAAAAAAANoY/jtuy-3r0_gQ/s640/blogger-image-1830222968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qwm4KmRg8oc/VNU3_0R0bVI/AAAAAAAANoY/jtuy-3r0_gQ/s640/blogger-image-1830222968.jpg"></a></div><br><br>Thanks for all of your support! <br><br>I'm seriously hoping that running around at the breakfast tomorrow sends me into labor and I have a sweet little squishy baby boy face to share with you SOON! :)<br><br><br><a href="http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/?action=view&current=colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg"></a>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-51057778759218799712014-12-24T11:10:00.000-05:002014-12-24T11:10:31.609-05:00Merry Christmas!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DovBXBjHsko/VJrkG61IhWI/AAAAAAAANkc/EUCs_vyk9To/s1600/Card%2BFront%2B2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DovBXBjHsko/VJrkG61IhWI/AAAAAAAANkc/EUCs_vyk9To/s1600/Card%2BFront%2B2014.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Snkm6VP_2fU/VJrkAQjgmlI/AAAAAAAANkU/-9wzCvQJ2f8/s1600/Card%2Bback%2B2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Snkm6VP_2fU/VJrkAQjgmlI/AAAAAAAANkU/-9wzCvQJ2f8/s1600/Card%2Bback%2B2014.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Merry CHRISTmas, friends!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{Hopefully you'll see a little more of us here next year!} </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lots of love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Justin, Shannon, Derrick & Jenny Kate</div><br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-42498420348829387602014-10-01T16:25:00.000-04:002014-10-01T17:32:13.386-04:00Happy FONTAN-iversary, Derrick!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>As I stepped out of the shower this morning I heard the pounding of two little feet running down the hallway. They belonged to a little boy who had proudly gotten himself dressed and ready for school. He quickly melted into tears over having to brush teeth and change his shirt (we just couldn't do stained Lightning McQueen on picture day...mean mommy!) but really because he was up way too early and let's be honest, there's still some anxiety there about "<a href="http://www.carolinacarters.com/2014/09/one-of-those-families.html">school-school.</a>" As I watched him squirm on the floor, crying off and on with the frustration of still being sleepy yet choosing to be awake before the sun was awake, I was reminded of the many tears we all shed last October 1.<br><br>Much like his today, mine last October 1st were tears of frustration of a way too early morning, tears of the feeling of complete loss of control, and lots of tears over the anxiety of what the day would hold. <br><br>As I looked back over the <a href="http://www.carolinacarters.com/search/label/Fontan" target="_blank">posts I wrote this time last<span id="goog_1692153061"></span><span id="goog_1692153062"></span> year</a> all of those same feelings came crashing back over me. It's so hard to believe that it's been a whole year since we watched Derrick being wheeled off, heading to the OR for his third heart surgery. <br><br>Hands down, hardest moment ever. <br><br>The funny thing is, at the same time, its nearly impossible to believe it's <i>only</i> been a year! Life has moved so far past those seemingly endless days in the hospital. Thank you Jesus! <br><br>Today is a day worth celebrating! Last October 1st, as difficult as it was, Derrick was truly given a new chance at life. He tired easily and was short of breath simply walking up the stairs. Today he LOVES to ride his bike, play baseball, ride his scooter...oh, how he loves to RUN! He seriously loves to run. We never, ever saw that one coming! And he's finally growing! Derrick has gained around 7 pounds and grown almost 4 inches over the past year. That's HUGE for our little guy!<br><br>As much as we didn't want it, the Fontan was exactly what he needed. And as hard as it is to dig up those memories, he sure has come a long way!<br><br><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">October 1, 2013</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cAEo6lUCW84/VCxL-X8WlhI/AAAAAAAANiU/RL4I8boykpw/s1600/Post%2BFontan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cAEo6lUCW84/VCxL-X8WlhI/AAAAAAAANiU/RL4I8boykpw/s1600/Post%2BFontan.jpg" height="640" width="480"></a></div><br><br><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">October 1, 2014</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uWtOh851Rzc/VCxc0sNVPoI/AAAAAAAANik/tfH2HFjJ8bY/s640/blogger-image-413968380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uWtOh851Rzc/VCxc0sNVPoI/AAAAAAAANik/tfH2HFjJ8bY/s640/blogger-image-413968380.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Fontan-iversary, my sweet, strong, brave boy! We are so proud of you and what you've overcome! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our God is an awesome God!!!</div><br><a href="http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/?action=view&current=colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg"></a>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-46902922938386549812014-09-15T15:43:00.001-04:002014-09-15T15:44:26.983-04:00Carter, Party of....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ntOqLw9mP1g/VBdA6NkcIWI/AAAAAAAANh4/43p6dn4gEXY/s1600/Baby%2B%233%2BAnnouncement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ntOqLw9mP1g/VBdA6NkcIWI/AAAAAAAANh4/43p6dn4gEXY/s1600/Baby%2B%233%2BAnnouncement.jpg" height="536" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Five!!</i></b></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><a href="http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/?action=view&current=colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" /></a>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-13700319204955015602014-09-11T09:20:00.000-04:002014-10-01T16:26:00.809-04:00One of Those FamiliesWe're one of those. <br /><br />We've joined the other side. <br /><br />We're homeschoolers. <br /><br />Yep. <br /><br />It was a decision that weighed heavily on my heart and kept me awake many nights for close to a year. I forced Justin to talk about it all the time. I cried about it, prayed about it, fought the urge to say we were going to do it, until finally gave in and said, "I think we should do it." I didn't want to be "one of those" people. <br /><br />I didn't want to deal with the raised eyebrows of people who thought it was a bad decision; those who would say:<br /><br />"You can't shelter them forever." <br /><br />"They've got to go out into the real world without you sometime."<br /><br />"They need socialization."<br /><br />The list goes on, and on, and on. I didn't really want to deal with people and their thoughts on what we should do with our kids, so for a long time I didn't say anything at all about it. I really didn't want to feel the need to give a long explanation of why we've decided to homeschool. Heck, I don't really and truly know myself! I just know there was no fighting the feeling in the pit of my stomach when I thought about sending my boy away to big school for 40 hours a week. The instant relief I felt when I finally said our decision out loud confirmed for me that it was God urging, not some crazy bandwagon I was trying to decide if I was jumping on or not. <br /><br />So here we are, homeschoolers. <br /><br />It sounds sort of odd to me, but I'm excited about it! We all are! <br /><br />The beautiful thing is, we actually get the best of both worlds. A few years ago a friend I used to teach with started a school for homeschoolers. Oxymoron? But, the school is two days a week and all of the homeschool kids go to "real school" together. It's perfect! They have lunch and recess, art, Spanish and other electives along with their core classes. They'll go on field trips and have a science fair and a wax museum. They have teachers other than us and have to follow class rules and work with other children. <br /><br />Two days a week.<br /><br />It's awesome! We just finished week four of school and we're loving it. You know my favorite part? Every single morning of "school school" starts with Chapel. We all start the morning with 30 minutes of praise songs and a devotion for the whole school. I can't even describe what it's like to hear the voices of 200 children singing, "<a href="http://youtu.be/XtwIT8JjddM" target="_blank">Bless the Lord oh, my soul</a>" together. If it doesn't give you chills I don't know what would! <br /><br />So there you have it. We're homeschoolers. I've been told by a few seasoned homeschool moms that it's a year by year decision, so that's how we're looking at it. Who knows what the next years will bring, but for now, we're happy with the choices we've made. The kids seem to be happy too, so that's definitely a win!<br /><br />It was such a mixture of emotions sending this boy off to his first day of kindergarten. We're so very thankful this day came. It was one that for a long time we weren't completely confident that we would see. So thankful! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4CmgKjapZf0/VBGR2Nu8sSI/AAAAAAAANhI/XdeXmIGdcgU/s1600/First%2BDay%2Bof%2BSchool%2B2014-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4CmgKjapZf0/VBGR2Nu8sSI/AAAAAAAANhI/XdeXmIGdcgU/s1600/First%2BDay%2Bof%2BSchool%2B2014-1.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>He had a really tough time the first two weeks...which was really only four days, but I think we're finally past that. Now he's loving it! Thank goodness!!<br /><br />And Jenny Kate...my girl has been looking forward to this day for a year! She was so insanely excited to go to school!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uzYnhdOQ_Mk/VBGR2v26AhI/AAAAAAAANhM/FaD0uUeeJa0/s1600/First%2BDay%2Bof%2BSchool%2B2014-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uzYnhdOQ_Mk/VBGR2v26AhI/AAAAAAAANhM/FaD0uUeeJa0/s1600/First%2BDay%2Bof%2BSchool%2B2014-2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>She's had a really fun time at school and it wasn't super difficult for her. At first. I think she picked up on Derrick's anxiety (the boy wasn't even sleeping!) and after we got through the first two weeks decided she'd start crying when it was time for school. At least they weren't both having a crazy hard time at the same time. That would have sent me over the edge for sure! We're still working through Jen's anxiety, but I'm hopeful that it will end soon. She just told be she loves school but she's never going to stop crying about going. Ha! Drama. I'm pretty sure she'll give up soon. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2yG-KIpa8dU/VBGR2tlpe9I/AAAAAAAANhU/5DJMblIdf6U/s1600/First%2BDay%2Bof%2BSchool%2B2014-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2yG-KIpa8dU/VBGR2tlpe9I/AAAAAAAANhU/5DJMblIdf6U/s1600/First%2BDay%2Bof%2BSchool%2B2014-3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>So far we've loving school days at "school school" and with school at home. Speaking of, it's time for me to drag the kids in from their sidewalk painting outside this morning and do a little school work. I do love these non-rushed school mornings!<br /><br />I had to be in a first day of school picture too, because it was the first day for all three of us! I'm back in fifth grade and teaching a pre-algebra class at their school. Loving it!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5PbstYMnIfc/VBGR5USAK2I/AAAAAAAANhg/2P1cSCt78OI/s1600/First%2BDay%2Bof%2BSchool%2B2014-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5PbstYMnIfc/VBGR5USAK2I/AAAAAAAANhg/2P1cSCt78OI/s1600/First%2BDay%2Bof%2BSchool%2B2014-4.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/?action=view&current=colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" /></a>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-56655554641347992932014-08-01T18:44:00.002-04:002014-08-01T18:46:46.170-04:00Slacker!You know it's time to update the blog when your mama asks why you haven't updated lately! <br /><br />We've been enjoying the summer swimming, playing at the beach, watching movies and just hanging out. I have a bizillion pictures and posts, and actually think about blogging almost every single day, I just can't seem to make myself sit down and do it. This is a super quickie because I wanted to share something you may be interested in.<br /><br /> I promise to be back soon to share pictures! Pinky swear!<br /><br />Our 5th Annual Hope for BraveHEARTS Golf Tournament is tomorrow!! We're stoked and praying hard that it doesn't rain tomorrow!! We have an online silent auction that some of you may be interested in, so I wanted to share it. It's only open online until 7am tomorrow morning but will remain open at the tournament until the last golfers finish. If you're a Facebooker, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.710553162315067.1073741827.137282222975500&type=1" target="_blank">here's the link</a>. There's some really good stuff there so go check it out! <br /><br />If you don't have anything to do tomorrow come join us for golf (teeing off at 9am) or lunch around 1pm. We'd love to have you! And if you're there you can continue to bid on your favorite items! <a href="http://www.hopeforbravehearts.org/2014/05/5th-annual-golf-tournament.html" target="_blank">Here's more </a>info on the tournament. <br /><br />And because I must share a pic...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7X6mMWdIiq0/U9wX1TlQHUI/AAAAAAAAMmk/TuBQkCyf1gA/s1600/Hilton+Head+Island+2014-1+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7X6mMWdIiq0/U9wX1TlQHUI/AAAAAAAAMmk/TuBQkCyf1gA/s1600/Hilton+Head+Island+2014-1+web.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>This was a few weeks ago when we were at Hilton Head. The kids had a blast hanging with their cousin Carter. More to come, for real! ;)<br /><br />P.S. Excuse the messed up look of the blog. I started working on a new look and got side tracked...the story of my life! Oops!<br /><br /><a href="http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/?action=view&current=colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" /></a>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-15633079250990527952014-04-24T09:29:00.000-04:002014-04-24T09:34:34.818-04:00Throwback Thursday :: The First Time<div style="text-align: left;">My boy turned FIVE on Sunday. I thought it was pretty special for a little miracle boy to have a birthday on Easter. It was a great day to rejoice because he and He are alive. My cup runneth over. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In true Shannon fashion I have a birthday blog post in my head but have not found the time to sit and put it on "paper." Eventually it will come. It's one of my New Year's resolutions that I haven't started yet. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I realized this morning though, as I looked at the date in the top corner of my devotion, that today is April 24. Forever that will be a date full of emotion because today, five years ago, when our sweet boy was four days old, we got to hold him in our arms for the very first time. It was only for a few short minutes, but those minutes carried us through a whole lot of really long days afterward. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SJ2cYAz56X8/U1kPV2nVE4I/AAAAAAAAMgU/LTD3aQnIkek/s1600/heartstory3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SJ2cYAz56X8/U1kPV2nVE4I/AAAAAAAAMgU/LTD3aQnIkek/s1600/heartstory3.jpg" height="234" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I think these photos will bring me to tears for the rest of my life. It's hard when you can't hold your baby, but oh how thankful I am to still be able to hold this baby. Five uncertain years later and I still get to hold him. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you Jesus, You, and he, are ALIVE!</div><br /><a href="http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/?action=view&current=colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" /></a>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-32469656498786682432014-03-20T21:41:00.001-04:002014-03-20T21:41:03.145-04:00LearningWe're learning a lot these days. The biggest learning lately seems to be happening on the baseball field, although Derrick isn't the only one learning from this whole experience.<br /><br />Tonight at the end of practice the coach had them run the bases. The first two times Derrick crossed home plate (well, he didn't actually cross...we're working on that concept) he had a huge smile on his face. The third time he was struggling some. By the fourth trip of non-stop running around the bases my boy had slowed down a good bit. He was the only kid out there still making his way around. The rest of his team had finished and he was rounding the corner of first base, but he kept trucking along. Those little legs were moving and his arms were pumping. I could see the determination on his face...eyes straight ahead, tongue poking out...that's D's determined face. He was going to make it around just like every other one of his teammates. <br /><br />And he did.<br /><br />And I was in tears as he did it.<br /><br />It took every ounce of control I had not call him back as he started that fourth lap. As soon as his team did their little huddle I ran out on the field and asked him if he was ok. He was opening his drink and said, "I'm tired!" Nothing about being out of breath, nothing really at all. I think more than anything his legs were probably pooped because he's never run that much in his life.<br /><br />I am so proud of how much effort he's putting into baseball. He really loves it. He listens to his coaches, he tries hard and he does everything the other kids do, even though he's always the last one finished. He's learning the concepts of the game and what it means to be on a team, and I'm learning how to step back and trust him a little bit. I'm learning to trust him to listen to his own body instead of rushing in and limiting him. It's hard though. I want to see him succeed more than any person in this world, and I don't want to hold him back or embarrass him because I'm afraid he can't do it. Because as he proved to me tonight, he can. He's not the fastest but by golly he's the most determined. And I think that may be even better.<br /><br />They had their Opening Day game Saturday (which was hilarious, by the way!). I took my big camera, pulled it out at the beginning of the game and realized I had no camera card. Ugh! Crappy phone pics it had to be...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5FubbWbOx4c/UyuQWEpvmKI/AAAAAAAAMdE/5SapaexIWMM/s640/blogger-image-1729677562.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A5WYQY4eubQ/UyuQT0ZUD6I/AAAAAAAAMc8/7uwp22gxzcA/s640/blogger-image-556159774.jpg" /></div><br />And speaking of learning...this priss has now decided she should be in charge of her outfits and insisted on this ensemble this morning. She's such a mess. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bj3qTTkLd3k/UyuQRm0KbQI/AAAAAAAAMc0/65406bG_7tU/s640/blogger-image--1443050484.jpg" /></div>I'm trying to learn to let go a little there too, but we have some color coordinating lessons to go over. :) <br /><br />Happy first day of spring! Bring on the sunshine!!Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-11557782969165808272014-03-19T16:22:00.004-04:002014-10-01T16:27:00.162-04:00A New Normal?!<div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday was Derrick's three month cardiologist check up. He woke up in kind of a serious mood. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">His sats were 92 at first, then popped up to a whopping 96! We're still thinking his fenestration has closed on it's own, so that's great news!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eSr4_3NRqYA/Uynl112afhI/AAAAAAAAMbk/fgCNaNGaYi4/s1600/Cardiologist+March+2014.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">He had an EKG which also came back very good! Can't you see the good news all over his face?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Pd4G_i7X1g/Uynl3P9c80I/AAAAAAAAMbw/bVKqX0OzJGk/s1600/Cardiologist+March+2014+2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></div><br />Derrick gained a whole 1.4 pounds over the past three months, which puts him at 31.4 pounds now! He's also just over 39 inches tall, which meets a mega goal we've had for a long time. We have a trip to DollyWood coming up soon that he's been "eating" for, and he officially met the mark! Now he thinks he doesn't have to eat anymore. :)<br /><br />Since we left Jenny Kate at home with Papaw, we took D to Frankie's to cash in on a gift card to ride go-karts. He finally got a little excited. A smile!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6LMhGjt9fjg/Uynl3L5ALGI/AAAAAAAAMb0/zUfM6rH5S-M/s1600/cardiologist+March+2014+3.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Sadly, the go-karts didn't start until noon, but he was completely content to spend his money (and then some) in the arcade. We spent a lot of time at "Sink It." It's pretty much a family friendly version of Beer Pong, but they're pretty generous with the tickets for this game and it was fun for all three of us so it was a win-win. Justin and I are way more into winning tickets than the kids are! Ha!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MWe0a4OIXDA/Uynl8qccVUI/AAAAAAAAMcA/-AR6VJ6vozs/s1600/cardiologist+march+2014+4.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></div><br />This little simulator was a big hit. We let him ride it to see how he liked it since we're heading to DollyWood soon. He LOVED it! I think he's ready for some roller coasters! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5Q_QUNk6eM/Uynl-GUHLVI/AAAAAAAAMcI/vbhbStSdPH8/s1600/cardiologist+march+2014+5.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Long gone are the days when we could plop him on a game like this and him have fun without us having to pay. Ha! The kid can no longer be fooled! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fhWhjWYYars/UynmB11pkJI/AAAAAAAAMcU/PsgdKvlgDrY/s1600/cardiologist+march+2014+6.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">With the last bit of his money he wanted to win Jen a stuffed animal. He is seriously so sweet to his sister when he wants to be! That sweetness even convinced Justin to load a few more dollars on his card to try a few more times....and fail. But it's the thought, right?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_-beYlwKJ0/UynmCHBgpHI/AAAAAAAAMcQ/auruqfmfyLw/s1600/cardiologist+march+2014+7.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We had a fun morning with our boy, especially since we got a good report from the doc. We actually got a see you in SIX months this time! In the past 5 and a half years a cardiologist has looked at Derrick's heart at least every three months...and now....SIX!! Holy cow! I have mixed feelings about going that distance. I'm so super happy that he's well enough to go that long between visits, but there's that part of me that feels some comfort when his wild little heart is at least listened to more often. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While we've finally made it to this new "normal" phase of life, we still have some things to watch for and decisions to make. The Fontan is by no means a final destination. Yes, it's been our goal for a loooong time, but he's not "finished" yet. He never will be. The series of surgeries Derrick has now completed are palliative, which means they relieve symptoms and allow him to have a more normal life, but they are not a cure. The Fontan has been known to cause liver damage, PLE, plastic bronchitis, and a host of other complications. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our goal right now is to stay ahead of the game and do our best to make sure Derrick's quality of life stays as wonderful as it has thus far. As his parents, it's our responsibility to make sure he's proactively monitored and not wait until a problem presents itself, which often times is a little late in the game. I know Derrick is held tightly in the hands of our Great Physician, but He has given us great resources here and we want the best for our boy. Over the next little while we'll be researching and questioning, trying to figure out exactly where we need to go from here. This is something Justin and I have been discussing for the past year or so, and now feels like the time to figure it all out. We sure would appreciate your prayers to continue for Derrick and for our next steps for him. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Gosh, we sure do love this boy to pieces!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-umJ6r4EYP_Y/Uyn8NN88ykI/AAAAAAAAMck/I5tklRKX_R8/s1600/photo(153).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-umJ6r4EYP_Y/Uyn8NN88ykI/AAAAAAAAMck/I5tklRKX_R8/s1600/photo(153).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/?action=view&current=colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" /></a>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-69919375331637037732014-03-13T16:33:00.001-04:002014-03-13T16:33:24.750-04:00Be Still, My Heart<br />Today is a big day. <br /><br />The first practice. <br /><br />We have a super excited boy who has been marking the days off the calendar counting down to baseball for two whole months. <br /><br />This is it! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g9zjAvLZZkQ/UyITSTZH6SI/AAAAAAAAMak/wuXGTY0jfvw/s1600/Baseball+2014-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g9zjAvLZZkQ/UyITSTZH6SI/AAAAAAAAMak/wuXGTY0jfvw/s1600/Baseball+2014-1.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div><br />Knock it out of the park, big guy!! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMCOd4LfpPw/UyIVATTNfOI/AAAAAAAAMa8/meycixPcUek/s1600/Baseball+2014-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMCOd4LfpPw/UyIVATTNfOI/AAAAAAAAMa8/meycixPcUek/s1600/Baseball+2014-2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I promise I'll try not to cry.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/?action=view&current=colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" /></a>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-6455508902981854622014-02-01T16:46:00.000-05:002014-02-01T16:46:01.068-05:00February...Not Just a Month Anymore<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's February!</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In a normal life it's another month, no biggie. It's trying to remember to write a '2' instead of a '1' when you write the date. It's beginning the countdown to spring...and spring break! It's thinking about romantic plans with candle light, chocolate, wine and roses (do people still do that?! :). It's February. It's Valentine's Day. It's just another month.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But once you've entered into this exclusive club that no one wants an invitation to, the month of hearts takes on a whole new meaning. The "Heart Family" club changes all of that. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">February is no longer about chocolate, fine wine and fancy restaurants. Now, February = AWARENESS time!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">February is CHD Awareness Month, and in case you didn't know: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Congenital heart defects are America’s and every country’s #1 birth defect. Nearly one of every 100 babies is born with a CHD.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Congenital heart defects are the leading cause of all infant deaths in the United States.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>In the United States, twice as many children die from congenital heart defects each year than from <i>all forms of childhood cancer combined</i>, yet funding for pediatric cancer research is five times higher than funding for CHD. </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Each year over 1,000,000 babies are born worldwide with a congenital heart defect. 100,000 of them will not live to see their first birthday and thousands more die before they reach adulthood. </b><a href="http://childrensheartfoundation.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Facts via CHF)</span></a><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Until I became a "heart mom" I had no idea how everywhere CHDs are and how many birthdays they steal. Other than following the journey of sweet Emily Mae when I was in college, I had no idea babies even had heart surgery. I guess there was some foreshadowing there. Emily Mae didn't even make it to her first surgery, much less her first birthday. At least I had <i>heard </i>of heart defects before we were told "There's something wrong with your baby's heart," but many people who hear those words have no idea that babies are born with heart problems. Those are for old people! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you're reading this obviously you're aware that Derrick was born with multiple heart defects. What you may not know is how many kids there are walking around with long silver scars hidden under their shirts. As you know, they don't look sick. They look like normal kids, not sick at all. They may be on the smaller side, or sometimes if you look closely you may see a tinge of blue around their lips or under their fingernails. But if you didn't see that scar you would have no idea of the complexity that beats in their chest. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our kids looking normal is a blessing and a curse. If they looked sicker then more people would know about them. They would know about their struggles to simply walk up a flight of stairs without having to stop to catch their breath. They would know that getting them to grow is what feels like an impossible struggle because their hearts work so hard to keep their bodies alive that they're too tired to eat. They would know that nights before yearly, monthly, sometimes weekly visits to the cardiologist are sleepless and filled with "what ifs". And the paranoia of the child getting sick....unexplainable. I literally cringe when I hear people causally chatting about their child recently being ill yet playing with or near my child. A simple illness could land Derrick in the hospital and it could be awful before we even had a clue what hit us. I know it's not that people don't care, it's that <i>people don't know</i>. And that needs to change <i>NOW</i>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I will never forget sitting in the parking lot before going in to meet the pediatric cardiologist for the very first time. We had been told the day before that there was something wrong with our precious unborn son's heart. As we sat there, both of us terrified to get out of the car, we prayed. We prayed...begged...that there be something that could done so we could bring our baby home and watch him grow up. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If I had control of the world no babies would ever be born with broken hearts. The words "congenital heart defect" would come up with nothing in all of the search engines. Sadly, yet thankfully, I do not have all control. I do know The One who does though. From the time Derrick was diagnosed at 24 weeks gestation we have always prayed that he doesn't suffer in vain, but that his fragile little heart and life be used for God's purpose and to bring Him glory. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The way we feel we've been led to do that is through Hope for BraveHEARTS. We, along with several other families, started HBH to raise awareness and money for CHDs. To date we've donated over $49,000 to MUSC's pediatric cardiology research department. Of course that's a drop in the bucket of billions of dollars needed, but it's something. CHD prognosis has come a long way over the last thirty or so years. There are very few adults who have hearts like Derrick's. It's very likely that had he been born 30 years ago he would have been sent home to die. Instead, we were filled with hopeful options when we found out about his heart. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Someday they'll figure out a cause and a cure for CHDs, but until then, we have to do our part. Please, tell someone about congenital heart defects. You can share the facts, you can share <a href="http://www.carolinacarters.com/2011/08/derricks-heart-story.html" target="_blank">Derrick's story</a>, you can tell a pregnant mama to make sure she doesn't leave the hospital with her new baby before they do a pulse ox check on him. You can get involved with <a href="http://www.hopeforbravehearts.org/" target="_blank">Hope for BraveHEARTS</a> and help us raise money for CHD research (and <a href="http://www.hopeforbravehearts.org/p/braveheart-baskets.html" target="_blank">BraveHEART Baskets!!</a>). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It just so happens that Saturday, February 8th is our annual pancake breakfast! It's a super easy way to help us raise money. If you're local, grab your friends and family and come eat pancakes for a great cause. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> (And meet X-Factor's Carlos Guevara!!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scJ4dbR8VXI/Uu1ZePCnA4I/AAAAAAAAMWM/1wbZ8mBFpQ4/s1600/HBH+Pancake+Flyer+2014+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scJ4dbR8VXI/Uu1ZePCnA4I/AAAAAAAAMWM/1wbZ8mBFpQ4/s1600/HBH+Pancake+Flyer+2014+.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">If you're not local but want to donate, you can visit <a href="http://www.hopeforbravehearts.org/">www.hopeforbravehearts.org</a> and donate through paypal or mail a check to HBH PO Box 2924, Irmo, SC 29063. If you want to do a fundraiser somewhere else, or collect items for the baskets or help us with the next fundraiser....WE WANT YOUR HELP! We'll beg for it. Email me!</div><br />It still makes me weak in the knees to think about my baby like <a href="http://www.carolinacarters.com/2011/08/derricks-heart-story.html" target="_blank">this</a>:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sCAj1J9TwkY/Uu1gJC5k5rI/AAAAAAAAMW0/STsCdWKkxpw/s1600/heartstory2.jpg" height="234" width="640" /></div><br />and <a href="http://www.carolinacarters.com/2010/01/surgery-day-update-1.html" target="_blank">this:</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dDwcuOSb_Oo/Uu1gJOE7BvI/AAAAAAAAMWw/MlxyP5cFrKc/s1600/heartstory4.jpg" height="234" width="640" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">and <a href="http://www.carolinacarters.com/2013/10/post-fontan.html" target="_blank">this:</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pwPae9Wphpo/Uu1qPE5c0eI/AAAAAAAAMXM/UJLHkvHCrzM/s1600/Post+Fontan.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />CHDs stink. They stink for everyone involved. Jenny Kate just saw these pictures and said, "Is dat Bubba? I don't like my Bubba like dat. Get dat off him." They affect everyone, even the little people who you think don't have a clue. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A minute (or a meal :) is all it takes to share a story, to raise awareness. It could save a life. I can bet you anything you don't have to look far to find someone with a special heart. And if you can't find anyone right now give it some time...because you will. These sweet heart babies are everywhere and they need your voice. We all do!! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy heart month!</div><br /><a href="http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/?action=view&current=colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" /></a>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-60730911648319615192014-01-27T17:29:00.000-05:002014-01-27T17:29:08.386-05:00Another Chance at a First Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another first day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you, Jesus, for letting my boy have another first day of school! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6TkZKu2DqEc/Usdtc6Ml3rI/AAAAAAAAMQ8/rf3YPV59xoc/s1600/Derrick%27s+first+day+of+4K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6TkZKu2DqEc/Usdtc6Ml3rI/AAAAAAAAMQ8/rf3YPV59xoc/s640/Derrick%27s+first+day+of+4K.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There have been times in Derrick's life where I have been afraid to think this far ahead. Shamefully, I'll admit as I watched him go through his 3K year there were days I was afraid there wouldn't be a 4K year. Looming heart surgery can do that to you. If course I didn't think like that all the time, but I won't lie and say those thoughts weren't there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I am beyond thankful that Derrick was able to go back to school! On the last day of school before Christmas D and I went to meet his teachers. (Who are AWESOME!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He had a cookie and explored the classroom while I talked to his teachers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kwCyffP-r_U/UuANhQFEkmI/AAAAAAAAMTY/g2Uy3DWOtPs/s640/blogger-image--1948236202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kwCyffP-r_U/UuANhQFEkmI/AAAAAAAAMTY/g2Uy3DWOtPs/s640/blogger-image--1948236202.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He played in the manger,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WLyn5UVAwmA/UuANdwhodhI/AAAAAAAAMTI/bKx5MtpODoY/s640/blogger-image--1990010221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WLyn5UVAwmA/UuANdwhodhI/AAAAAAAAMTI/bKx5MtpODoY/s640/blogger-image--1990010221.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">fed baby Jesus,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-T01VpVuI5GY/UuANfybmEFI/AAAAAAAAMTQ/H-sQ0dMOpbY/s640/blogger-image-734914175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-T01VpVuI5GY/UuANfybmEFI/AAAAAAAAMTQ/H-sQ0dMOpbY/s640/blogger-image-734914175.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">and played in the reading loft.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aJz9Qtpal30/UuAPv9UoPFI/AAAAAAAAMTs/pDDbqmzojZk/s640/blogger-image--239700407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aJz9Qtpal30/UuAPv9UoPFI/AAAAAAAAMTs/pDDbqmzojZk/s640/blogger-image--239700407.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We left school and went for a fun treat. Mommy's favorite, therefore a kiddie favorite too. Derrick enjoyed his "cold hot chocolate" and really enjoyed not having to share it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UrVcoC5mpPY/UuANjYSUlyI/AAAAAAAAMTg/LwJGwQdeR9Q/s640/blogger-image-1225728085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UrVcoC5mpPY/UuANjYSUlyI/AAAAAAAAMTg/LwJGwQdeR9Q/s640/blogger-image-1225728085.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After exploring his classroom and meeting his teachers, Derrick was so excited to go to school! He counted down the days over Christmas break. When the morning finally came he was a little hesitant, but still excited. Jenny Kate and I walked him in and Ms R came running out to greet him. He felt so special! I could tell he was a little nervous, but he hung his bag and coat on his hook and walked right in. I got a little smile, wave, and "Bye mommy!" That was it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-peygUYaZaxo/Usds3ONUQiI/AAAAAAAAMQ0/ho1BHeb-cvY/s640/blogger-image--1744689775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-peygUYaZaxo/Usds3ONUQiI/AAAAAAAAMQ0/ho1BHeb-cvY/s640/blogger-image--1744689775.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While he was getting unpacked I looked over and Jen had taken off her coat and was in the process of finding her own hook to hang it on. She told me she was going to school with Bubba. It took some coaxing (and maybe a little bribery) to get her out of there without a throw down. I kept running into people telling me they were so glad he was back and it took all I had to keep my composure. Jk's mini meltdown was a good distraction. :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While we waited for school to end we went to our favorite hangout, Target. It's wildly different shopping with only one child! Jen got her "smoovie" and was a happy camper. She only asked about Bubba and demanded we got get him 5 or 6 times, which was better than expected. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Kj5fPxAgSF0/Usds1QqX3YI/AAAAAAAAMQs/SLwILMYZMzA/s640/blogger-image--1402120547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Kj5fPxAgSF0/Usds1QqX3YI/AAAAAAAAMQs/SLwILMYZMzA/s640/blogger-image--1402120547.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We went to pick him up and he was having circle time with his class. He looked as happy as could be. We were worried about how it would be for him coming in in the middle of the year, but all of his new friends were so welcoming. One boy told Ms R that he was "proud of Derrick" for doing so well on his first day. Ha! Jenny Kate and I were introduced to his new friends and she enjoyed prancing around saying hello to all of them. She was acting like a little movie star! Our hands are full with this one! :). </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we got home D excitedly showed me my mail and the two of them got busy picking out which books they wanted to order (which I totally forgot to do!). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eQn9E-lz5ys/UsdszKxMpXI/AAAAAAAAMQk/N0K7bdwWEmc/s640/blogger-image--55717090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eQn9E-lz5ys/UsdszKxMpXI/AAAAAAAAMQk/N0K7bdwWEmc/s640/blogger-image--55717090.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He had a wonderful first day and has every day since. He gets excited when its a school day and sometimes angry when it's not! I love hearing about what he's learning and seeing his excitement as he hops out of the car in the mornings. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What a blessing Derrick's school has been, and what an enormous blessing we have been given to watch him grow and learn another year. We are SO thankful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-64087483473569692202014-01-22T14:32:00.000-05:002014-01-22T14:32:06.444-05:00Our Newest Addition<div style="text-align: left;">Jenny Kate has been asking for a cat for some time now. My mom has two cats that D and Jk both love (and love to harass) so we promised her she could get a kitten after surgery. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll admit, I was hesitant. Something else to take care of didn't sound super appealing to me. When I was growing up I brought home animals all the time. I even snuck one home once...now I get it mom! Another mouth to feed, a litter box, more vet bills, scratching up furniture, HAIR....not exciting to me at all.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Finally, to keep myself off the "mean" list, I gave in. How could I not when it was 3-1? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So we set out to find our newest family member. Justin scoured the animal shelter websites for potential kitties trying to find the perfect fit for us. My request of a non-shedding cat wasn't taken seriously, but our mission to save a kitty was. We headed to a local animal shelter that euthanized. If we were adding to our herd (we have 5 dogs) we were saving one from the unthinkable!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The kids were stoked. Justin was stoked. I was hesitant. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We walked into the animal shelter and saw the babies. They had four kitties who were about 15 weeks old. We went in the "cat room" to play with them and make our decision. It was easy. Out of the four, this girl on top, came right to us asking for a home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6rPTw23r3GY/Ut_RsnjathI/AAAAAAAAMSQ/dN8ZNPkWh_E/s640/blogger-image--1546325704.jpg" /></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Meet...<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Penny!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lIpWEMV3UVs/UuAXXJ9OQRI/AAAAAAAAMUA/2TnXUsA-GtU/s1600/Penny-1+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lIpWEMV3UVs/UuAXXJ9OQRI/AAAAAAAAMUA/2TnXUsA-GtU/s1600/Penny-1+web.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bless her heart. For the first week I don't think she ever walked anywhere at all. She didn't have a chance. The kids carried her everywhere! They took her to her bowl, to the litter box, to her bed. You name it, she was carried. She didn't seem to mind a bit. We've had to go over some proper carrying techniques, but other than that, the kids have been pretty good with her. We say, "leave the cat alone!" a minimum of 32 times a day, but we do have a 4 year old and a 2 year old so I'm guessing that's normal.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She has been a hit, I tell you!!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She watches TV,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sYfx0kT2Vwo/Ut_Rjpt9TUI/AAAAAAAAMSA/TatbqWX6iPE/s640/blogger-image-978048761.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Takes after-work naps late at night,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Wn5btucVrU4/Ut_RvrseTfI/AAAAAAAAMSY/49ftYEk_SNM/s640/blogger-image--241329902.jpg" /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">tolerates being treated like a human baby,</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1IvYNR7w0m8/Ut_RqxnF89I/AAAAAAAAMSI/f_aRlLPjM9U/s640/blogger-image-1836463853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1IvYNR7w0m8/Ut_RqxnF89I/AAAAAAAAMSI/f_aRlLPjM9U/s640/blogger-image-1836463853.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">and loves sleeping in her basket.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9T_u-3siu54/UuAXXJyr8pI/AAAAAAAAMUE/5oC28INiWGQ/s1600/Penny-3+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9T_u-3siu54/UuAXXJyr8pI/AAAAAAAAMUE/5oC28INiWGQ/s1600/Penny-3+web.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She is somewhat insane. I got out of the shower one morning and sat on a stool in the bathroom. Penny decided my head was much cozier than my lap.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eRdr8kWusS0/Ut_RyvIh4AI/AAAAAAAAMSg/Si-nK6hrtR8/s640/blogger-image--877372310.jpg" /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She relishes the quiet once the kids have gone to bed and enjoys choosing her own place to snuggle. We both do. :)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TFhpAzZRN9Y/Ut_R10j08iI/AAAAAAAAMSo/PyvwTX1oEcc/s640/blogger-image--1079202020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TFhpAzZRN9Y/Ut_R10j08iI/AAAAAAAAMSo/PyvwTX1oEcc/s640/blogger-image--1079202020.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We love her to pieces! She is the perfect cat for our family. She's snugly, calm, hasn't scratched or hissed at a child or dog, and she hasn't even been shedding much at all...well, yet at least. I'm sure when summer comes that will be a whole different story, but she's in now. We all love her!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today she went for her surgery. When I told Derrick that she wouldn't be home tonight he got a little upset. He did NOT want her to have surgery! I walked into my bedroom where he was holding her and I heard him saying, "It's ok, Penn. You're going to have surgery but you only have to stay one night. It won't be that bad, you don't have to stay a long time like I did when I had surgery. It will be ok." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It made me sad that he could relate so much...that he even knows what the heck surgery means, but also, I'm glad he understands. He's a wise little boy with a big ol heart. I know he'll be a good little nurse for her when she gets home tomorrow. And he'll force Jenny Kate to be one too. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As they were leaving to take her this morning JK kept talking about Penny going for her heart surgery. Sweet girl. She knows too much too! They said the sweetest prayer for her before she left. Gosh, I love those babies! And I love seeing them love and care for others. Makes my mama heart happy!</div><br /><a href="http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/?action=view&current=colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-31699800244178765072014-01-09T20:19:00.000-05:002014-01-09T20:19:10.567-05:00Dance ClassTonight was my girl's first tap/ballet class. She was excited, but I was more excited! I couldn't wait to see her little self in her "uniform" as Derrick called it. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xj5FxTSN1E8/Us9INxTLJ6I/AAAAAAAAMRg/cyH_Ewgv3h0/s1600/JK%27s+Dance+Class-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xj5FxTSN1E8/Us9INxTLJ6I/AAAAAAAAMRg/cyH_Ewgv3h0/s1600/JK's+Dance+Class-2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div><br />There are 5 girls in her class. It was the cutest thing ever to see all of them in their little tights and leotards. Unfortunately the teacher <strike>kicked us all out</strike> politely asked us to all wait outside in the hallway during class. Bummer! I can't wait to see what they're doing in there! Surely they're not going to make us wait until May to find out!! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--bsqkIzSRWc/Us9IPfpv-YI/AAAAAAAAMRo/fX-G5gXsdIk/s1600/JK%27s+Dance+Class.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--bsqkIzSRWc/Us9IPfpv-YI/AAAAAAAAMRo/fX-G5gXsdIk/s1600/JK's+Dance+Class.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div><br />When we got in the car I asked JK if she liked dance. "Yeah, I like it. I like Miss Meredith. She didn't cry. I tried not to cry and I didn't. And I jumped really high. I like my dance class." <br /><br />I guess it's a winner so far! :)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/?action=view&current=colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" /></a>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-8378365880567290152013-12-23T18:44:00.001-05:002014-10-01T16:28:17.759-04:00Yay!We're on the way to some Christmas festivities but I wanted to do a quick little update. First if all, thank you so much for all of your prayers for our boy!! Y'all are awesome!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zTFPG9QmrxI/UrjK9LycKFI/AAAAAAAAMP0/bmZiz9E5w3M/s640/blogger-image-415714746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zTFPG9QmrxI/UrjK9LycKFI/AAAAAAAAMP0/bmZiz9E5w3M/s640/blogger-image-415714746.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Today went well. Derrick looked and sounded good and there's NO FLUID!! Yay!! That means he's free of yucky chyle and he can eat and continue I to heal and grow! </div><div><br></div><div> Speaking of growing....</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vA5YrhikJZ0/UrjLx3VwDOI/AAAAAAAAMQI/SB1islMw4TA/s640/blogger-image--295142198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vA5YrhikJZ0/UrjLx3VwDOI/AAAAAAAAMQI/SB1islMw4TA/s640/blogger-image--295142198.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>It was so awesome to clean out the fridge and get rid of these yucky things!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pD05hJmxM5o/UrjK1tyP2QI/AAAAAAAAMPU/xDzq4dRMKE0/s640/blogger-image-1284952803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pD05hJmxM5o/UrjK1tyP2QI/AAAAAAAAMPU/xDzq4dRMKE0/s640/blogger-image-1284952803.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-21sfNhq5QQY/UrjK4mcJy3I/AAAAAAAAMPk/AexMCNZFFyg/s640/blogger-image-1779425255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-21sfNhq5QQY/UrjK4mcJy3I/AAAAAAAAMPk/AexMCNZFFyg/s640/blogger-image-1779425255.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Derrick is up four pounds and 1.25 inches since his post op check up in the middle of October! What!? That's HUGE growth for Derrick. Huge!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BrBJsias_Jg/UrjKzlC-e6I/AAAAAAAAMPM/XLgNVw-LpnE/s640/blogger-image-1059344228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BrBJsias_Jg/UrjKzlC-e6I/AAAAAAAAMPM/XLgNVw-LpnE/s640/blogger-image-1059344228.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>His sats were at 92 today. We haven't been checking them at home at all, so I have no idea where he's been since our last appointment. 92 isn't bad, it's actually very normal for a fenestrated Fontan, but he was at 96-ish the last two times we were there and we were thinking the fenestration may be closed. We're thinking now maybe not. That isn't an issue at all, it's very normal, but I have to admit I had an ick feeling after that. Felt a little let down, which I know is silly. They couldn't see his fenestrstion on the echo today, but couldn't see it on the discharge echo at the hospital either, probably because of his funky placement in that wild little heart of his. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cvR5Cren3PY/UrjKvQULImI/AAAAAAAAMO8/fIqy79Cub6c/s640/blogger-image--24762416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cvR5Cren3PY/UrjKvQULImI/AAAAAAAAMO8/fIqy79Cub6c/s640/blogger-image--24762416.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Anyway, all went well and we celebrated by letting him spend his doughnut money at Krispy Kreme! D's friends know how much he loves KK, so thank you Ms Beth and Jack!! They both sent him doughnut money while he was in the hospital and he loved spending it today!! :). Thanks y'all!!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lQ30NQPgP50/UrjKx-LNldI/AAAAAAAAMPE/brlkOui9e0c/s640/blogger-image-702914676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lQ30NQPgP50/UrjKx-LNldI/AAAAAAAAMPE/brlkOui9e0c/s640/blogger-image-702914676.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BkUAJu-JDvQ/UrjKtVu69lI/AAAAAAAAMO0/5EJPUV5PiLE/s640/blogger-image-1448358719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BkUAJu-JDvQ/UrjKtVu69lI/AAAAAAAAMO0/5EJPUV5PiLE/s640/blogger-image-1448358719.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xtVSML1JDro/UrjK3EMI1NI/AAAAAAAAMPc/jGBZ-PHWH1w/s640/blogger-image-1953894752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xtVSML1JDro/UrjK3EMI1NI/AAAAAAAAMPc/jGBZ-PHWH1w/s640/blogger-image-1953894752.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n7Qg4tqO204/UrjK6aRYB_I/AAAAAAAAMPs/nX3nzYS5kuY/s640/blogger-image--1381934499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n7Qg4tqO204/UrjK6aRYB_I/AAAAAAAAMPs/nX3nzYS5kuY/s640/blogger-image--1381934499.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>We also stopped to see Santa but those pics are in the big camera so they'll come eventually. </div><div><br></div><div>Thank y'all SO much for praying for our boy!!!! </div><div><br></div><div>Merry Christmas!! :)</div>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-70639500581496996582013-12-22T18:17:00.001-05:002013-12-22T19:46:51.304-05:00A Prayer Request!I know I've been a little MIA lately, but just know that from us, no news is good news! 😃<div><br></div><div>We've thoroughly enjoyed the last two weeks of not counting fat grams and eating like normal people. Ok, maybe way too much, but that's neither here nor there. Tomorrow is a big day, and once again, I would really appreciate your prayers for my boy. </div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow he has his cardiologist follow-up. He'll have a chest X-ray to make sure his chylothorax has healed. Please pray that he gets the "all clear!" to continue to eat normally! We've seen a great improvement in his appetite and desire to eat since having surgery and I can't stand the thought of limiting his foods again. It broke my heart when he told me, "Mommy, it isn't fair that you won't let me have fat." I desperately don't want to do that again. We can do it if we have to, but what a wonderful Christmas gift it would be to be released from all worries of all that is the Fontan...the anticipation and the aftermath. </div><div><br></div><div>Thank you, friends, for praying for our boy!! Just knowing that he has extra prayers gives us a level of comfort that I can't explain. </div><div><br></div><div>We had dinner tomoght at Lizards Thicket...you know, just in case. 😉</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yBUKsMsaF04/UreH8SlZm9I/AAAAAAAAMOc/3-ljhgNKHDM/s640/blogger-image-471558861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yBUKsMsaF04/UreH8SlZm9I/AAAAAAAAMOc/3-ljhgNKHDM/s640/blogger-image-471558861.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0Saaibx_eqY/UreH-ajKAiI/AAAAAAAAMOk/3l0BfJS8hdk/s640/blogger-image-1527962679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0Saaibx_eqY/UreH-ajKAiI/AAAAAAAAMOk/3l0BfJS8hdk/s640/blogger-image-1527962679.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-56029258470606917312013-11-26T22:01:00.000-05:002014-10-01T16:27:00.166-04:00A Reason to Celebrate and a Prayer Request<div style="text-align: left;">It's November 26th!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's finally here!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We're six weeks post last chest tube pull!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Derrick can have some FAT!! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Woo hoo!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Seriously, I never thought I'd be so happy to give this boy some fatty food again. We're taking it slow, only one "regular" meal a day for the first week, but it feels good to be able to cook a real meal for my family! Although when we asked Derrick what his first meal was going to be he said, "Chick-fil-a! With dip and TEN chicken nuggets!" So I didn't have to cook after all. The boy requested CFA so that's what we had. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1wT32TnrYM/UpVY9rS1yXI/AAAAAAAAMNY/7KNNq3U21UI/s1600/Eating+Fat+Again-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1wT32TnrYM/UpVY9rS1yXI/AAAAAAAAMNY/7KNNq3U21UI/s640/Eating+Fat+Again-1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> And he got TEN nuggets and Chick-fil-a sauce. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He only ate 6, but having 10 on his plate made him a happy boy! I don't think he's ever eaten six in his life so that was a win! :) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">These last almost eight weeks have been so against everything we've ever done as far as feeding Derrick. He's had butter slathered on everything possible for the past four years. We've offered him bites of everything we've eaten since he started eating real food, so this was a real adjustment for our whole family, grandparents included. I've been on edge about every bite that's gone into his mouth and almost every morsel of food he's eaten has gone into My Fitness Pal so it could be counted. We stayed well below the allotted 12 grams of fat per day just to be safe. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He walked in the kitchen the other day as I was cooking dinner and said, "Mommy, it's not fair that you won't let me have fat." Broke. My. Heart. He really has done so well with this. He's way more understanding and cooperative than I think many four year olds would be. I guess he just knows. But even my mature little guy had issues with it every now and then.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">BUT...we're taking baby steps back into the real world of FOOD!! We're stoked!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJg8iakf7NE/UpVY99w8eWI/AAAAAAAAMNc/Doq9ApuH0Wc/s1600/Eating+Fat+Again-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJg8iakf7NE/UpVY99w8eWI/AAAAAAAAMNc/Doq9ApuH0Wc/s640/Eating+Fat+Again-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As excited as we are about normal food, I'm so paranoid about this. There's no way for us to know if he's completely healed or if he's still leaking chylus fluid without a chest x-ray. If we do notice anything it will be that he's having trouble breathing, which will probably mean there's a good bit of fluid which of course would be bad. We go back the week of Christmas for a check up and an x-ray, which gives him time to be back to a full fat diet. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Please, please pray that he's healed! I would SO appreciate it, and so would he! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Actually, the whole family would because I can promise you, Derrick isn't the only one who's missed Chick-fil-a sauce! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TTflqO0LRTQ/UpVY-cYUTlI/AAAAAAAAMNk/G49f0L_jba8/s1600/Eating+Fat+Again-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TTflqO0LRTQ/UpVY-cYUTlI/AAAAAAAAMNk/G49f0L_jba8/s640/Eating+Fat+Again-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/?action=view&current=colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/carolinacarters/colorfulblogsignature-1.jpg" /></a>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412379555646118441.post-55890564494967311502013-11-19T21:13:00.002-05:002014-10-01T16:28:17.715-04:0030 Days of Thankfulness :: Days 18 & 19 :: Self Defense & Kiddie Accomplishments<div style="text-align: left;">30 Days of Thankfulness :: Day 18 :: Self Defense</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My friend Shannon recently got certified to teach a women's self defense course called SASS, and she invited a whole bunch of her girlfriends together to be her first class. All of the maneuvers are built around the strength and movement of the female body, and are highly effective. The local police women, SWAT team, and State Trooper women have all gone through SASS, so it's pretty serious! The class was awesome, she was awesome! I never would have pictured this sweet, cute, southern girl to be so fierce! It was empowering to be there. It was eye opening, and honestly kind of scary to think about all of the different ways in which a woman can be attacked. I need to be practicing on Justin! Pretend, of course. :) Shannon, I'm so thankful you asked me to be a part of this class and am grateful for the knowledge and power you've given me! :) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(No pic for this one...we were kicking booty, no time for pics!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">**********************</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">30 Days of Thankfulness :: Day 19 :: Kiddie Accomplishments</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We enjoyed soaking up some vitamin D today while never getting out of our pj's. :) My girl has very recently learned to pedal her bike! She had absolutely no interest in it what so ever until we cleaned out the garage. Once the kids had room to ride around "by themselves" while I cooked dinner, she decided she was ready...right after we put her "big bike" away because she had absolutely no interest in it. Now she's always asking to go ride and is so proud of herself! I love it. And all of the credit goes to Bubba for teaching her. Even sweeter!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gDNkb4HeChY/UowRaFvyZTI/AAAAAAAAMNE/QsLqjniKrYA/s640/blogger-image--1172469085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gDNkb4HeChY/UowRaFvyZTI/AAAAAAAAMNE/QsLqjniKrYA/s400/blogger-image--1172469085.jpg" width="379" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And Derrick, with his self proclaimed obsession with Spider Man, has decided he's ready to climb trees. We had to walk around the yard looking for a tree for him to climb. I have no doubt that he'll be climbing trees with no low branches very soon. After all, he is a super hero waiting to get his powers. He's asked me countless times in the last week when he will get his powers...maybe tree climbing will be included. And shoes just get in the way in case you were wondering. What he doesn't realize is that he is a super hero, just not in a way he realizes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PWtuaZjI3nI/UowRXWz_YwI/AAAAAAAAMM8/cuTrSX16BiQ/s640/blogger-image--1973793209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PWtuaZjI3nI/UowRXWz_YwI/AAAAAAAAMM8/cuTrSX16BiQ/s400/blogger-image--1973793209.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>I love being able to watch these babies grow!!Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.com1