tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40477352764319744482024-03-12T22:31:51.416-07:00Lia Kate StoneLia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-62186437761830160992014-08-25T07:12:00.001-07:002014-08-25T07:12:06.696-07:00My Prayer for this Schoolyear...Well here we are again...Summer flew by at record speed and now it's the first day of school. It's hard for us because the Stones love summer. We love no structure, no backpacks, and no folders to sign. We love staying up late to watch our favorite team play into extra innings...even if they have no chance of playing in October. We just love freedom from routine... Or at least I do. But nevertheless, the new school year is upon us. It gives us an opportunity to get focused. And an opportunity to be more prayerful...<div><br></div><div>Here is my prayer for the new school year. </div><div><br></div><div>I pray for the teachers. I pray they are strong and fair. I pray they are patient and resilient. Our teachers have a hard job...and they are good at what they do. They love our kids...and they want what's best for them. I pray they push my kids to believe in themselves, and to be better. I pray they are stern when they need to be, and compassionate when can be. I believe they will be. I'm thankful for my kids' teachers. </div><div><br></div><div>I pray for our Lia. Only 6 short summers ago, as I watched her in the CVICU at Children's, connected to a million machines, I dared not dream of the day she might walk into her first grade class. And here we are. I pray for her health... for strong, steady heartbeats. I pray she stays away from scary viruses and illness. I pray she is strong and confident in herself. I pray she opens herself up and makes lots of new friends, while maintaining her good friendships she made last year. I believe He has big plans for our little girl, and I love the front seat we have to see her life unfold before us. </div><div><br></div><div>I pray for Jace. Sometimes life seems hard. When you find out all you good buddies were placed in a different class than you for your 4th grade year...well, that stinks. My easy going, happy kid was fighting tears...And I gotta tell ya, people, it broke my heart. But here's the deal...Jace has been given an opportunity to deal with something that didn't go his way. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. When life deals our children situations that aren't what they would choose...and believe me, it will...we have to equip our kids with the ability to cope. In a world where parents are running around cushioning life's blows for their kids, we are stripping them of their coping skills. Corey and I refuse to do that. So Corey told Jace that he gets to choose how he will handle this, and nobody takes that privilege away. I pray he makes great friends in unexpected places. I believe he will. He's that kid. </div><div><br></div><div>I pray for Colby. This is the last year all my kids are in school together. Colby is starting his 6th grade year and.... I. Can't. Believe. It. I promise, I just watched him walk into those scary big school doors on his second day of Kindergarten...so homesick for our church preschool where everyone knew him and loved him. I was homesick for it, not Colby. He was always just fine. And guess what? That scary big school? Turns out those teachers all know him and love him too! I'm thankful for a great group of friends with great parents that Colby has gained from his years at Reinhardt. So here's to a great last year in Elementary for this boy. Oh...and I also pray for our experience with Pre-AP Math and all the hard work, frustration, and tears that will no doubt come with it. Not Colby's, but mine. ;-)</div><div><br></div><div>I pray our kids are leaders. I pray they are kind to every single kid at school. I pray they are loyal friends, and take up for the kids that can't take up for themselves. I pray they stay safe and healthy. And I pray they learn a little in the process...</div><div><br></div><div>Bring it, 2014-2015...We are coming for ya. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeY9gzb8i2eTGGlC2gDHJ8iMDJ5RGd4_vrsftOUyjWmLEAxgA4iHlhLDrOB91hZImzAxUD0gXjSA7Y3-KsqNCF1ymPpxAtFjyomR_83Mz8GGz4kmEzZScc66erjikSUZbw03ikrdN_Dk/s640/blogger-image--92556117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeY9gzb8i2eTGGlC2gDHJ8iMDJ5RGd4_vrsftOUyjWmLEAxgA4iHlhLDrOB91hZImzAxUD0gXjSA7Y3-KsqNCF1ymPpxAtFjyomR_83Mz8GGz4kmEzZScc66erjikSUZbw03ikrdN_Dk/s640/blogger-image--92556117.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-43755069262281296922014-07-16T10:37:00.001-07:002014-07-16T10:47:14.903-07:00Turning 40...So, I know this is Lia's blog...normally I'm writing about her here. But today's my day, so I feel a little like writing about turning 40. <div><br></div><div>40. Let's say it again... 40. How is this even possible? I was just in the seventh grade...thinking my whole world was ending because I didn't make cheerleader. I was just walking to Alsup's with my friends, waiting on the IPJH Hawks to play football. I was just busy planning which friends I was spending the night with and where. Didn't all of that "just" happen? Like yesterday..."just" happened?</div><div><br></div><div>The truth is, I don't feel a day older than that now. Oh, my metabolism tells me everyday that I'm not that age anymore...and when I look at my face, I see lines that weren't always there. But I feel the same. Call it good, call it denial, I don't know...it's just the truth. </div><div><br></div><div>I don't think I'm the "grow old gracefully" type of girl. Honestly, I'm not really that graceful at anything now that I think about it. When I got up this morning, I decided to show 40 who's boss and go for a run. My over the top, out of control, competitiveness was in full swing. I pretty much ran a little over 5 miles cold turkey. I may or may not have walked a little...ok I walked a little of it. But I wanted to prove to 40 that I am still young. So there. Take that, 40. I win. </div><div><br></div><div>While I was running this morning, I thought a lot about the last 40 years...or at least the years I can remember. Wow...I have a really good life. It isn't perfect, but it's mine. And there isn't much I would change about it. </div><div><br></div><div>I grew up in the greatest family on the face of the earth. I mean that. Thanks to the greatness of VHS tapes, we get to revisit "Christmas 89" anytime we want to. People...it's a must see. Really. Just ask Lori and Laci. And Dusty...(he hates it). </div><div><br></div><div>Corey. For 17 years, he's been the strong, steady, unwavering presence in my life. He's always steadfast and sure, always the optimist, and always believes in the best of everyone. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm watching my Colby turn into a teenager right before my very eyes. It's unbelievable. He's so tall, and big...like a real grownup kid. It simultaneously breaks my heart and makes me so proud at the same time. He's amazing, with Corey's calm self assurance and my competitiveness...always pushing himself to be better. </div><div><br></div><div>Jace. This kid... He's so quick and witty, always making <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">people around him laugh. He's a natural at most things, and if he has to work too terribly hard, he's usually out. (We're working on that)... Jace is never not swinging a baseball bat. Never. He's swinging a plastic bat in his room, a wooden bat in the living room while watching the triple A Texas Rangers (yes, we still watch every game) or his million dollar game bat in the front yard. He loves baseball. And I love him. He literally makes my heart full for a million different reasons. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My Lia. My hero. My heart. She's stubborn, strong willed, and confident. She's courageous and tough as nails. And she's almost 6 years old. How's that for crazy? For real, where does time go? Where?!? I need it to slow down, not for my own age's sake...but because I don't want these loves of my life getting any older. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This life of mine is moving forward at record speed... I guess that's how life is. It's crazy, and busy. It's disorganized and messy. It's sometimes incredibly hard, but it's mostly incredibly joy filled. It's full of my family and raising amazing kids with our "village of friends". It's working side by side with my Baylor family in a job that's challenging and fulfilling. It's going to church with people we've known for years and have cried both tears of pain and joy right along side of us. It's watching the boys learn work ethic and teamwork on the sports field with some of the greatest people we know and their boys. It's watching our Lia dance in her very first ever dance recital...and rock it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Yes, it's true. I'm 40 years old. I guess I'm a grownup now or whatever. I also guess I won't grow old gracefully...I'll be fighting it with all the strength I have. But a wise friend told me lately... "Aging is a privilege denied to many". Those are strong words to live by. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">So I'll accept turning 40. And every single blessing that comes with it. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-70065939138788559782014-04-01T12:36:00.001-07:002014-04-01T13:20:42.533-07:00Perfection...Years ago, I listened as one of our friends in our bible school class prayed. He was praying for a precious little boy who was about to undergo a surgery to repair his skull after being born with a condition in which his skull was misshapen and didn't allow for brain growth. When this little boy would wake up after surgery, his parents had been told that his eyes would be swollen shut...that he would wake up unable to see until the swelling went down. This kid was two. So just take yourself there for a minute.. I remember my heart breaking as I couldn't imagine how difficult that would be for his parents. This was years before I was pregnant with Lia, and of course, I had no idea I would one day walk a similar, heart wrenching journey with my own child.<div><br></div><div>The thing that stuck out to me in Craig's prayer was that he prayed for perfection. I remember him asking God to "bless this surgery with absolute perfection". And I loved that. </div><div><br></div><div>Why don't we do that more often? Why? Isn't that what we want? We want the cancer to be completely gone...not just smaller. We want the preterm labor to go away for good...until the baby is full term. We want the heart defect to be fully repaired, with good heart function afterward. We want the surgeon to be able to place child's broken bones back together completely and with ease. We want no setbacks, no complications. We want perfection. God is capable of doing so much more than we can even think to ask of Him. I think we need to be boldly asking for perfection. He can handle that. </div><div><br></div><div>I don't understand why children are struck with cancer. I don't know why young mothers are either. I will never understand why a young, courageous firefighter and father is killed while at his job being a hero and saving others. Why can't all kids be born healthy and full term, free of any congenital defects or disease? I don't get it, and as I get older, the stories seem more and more prevalent, and seem to hit home much more personally. </div><div><br></div><div>Those questions will never go away...not while we are on this earth. The thing that remains constant is that our Lord loves us. All of us. He wants us to bring him our deepest desires. I'm so thankful that we are able to go to Him with the things that are troubling us...the things we want most in this world. I'm thankful that he listens. And I know....we don't always get what we ask for. But the thing is...we always get to ask. And He always hears us. I think I'm going to continue asking boldly for perfection...I mean, if He's there and hears us, then why not go big? Why wouldn't we ask for perfection?...it's what we really want. </div><div><br></div><div>Please join me in praying for a few people who need big prayer warriors on their side. Warriors who are willing to pray boldly for perfection and peace ... Some of the names are:</div><div><br></div><div>Truman, Julie, Esther, Maddie, Landri, Piercen, Christina, Erica, Katie, Nancy & Larry I'm sure there are so many, many more...</div><div><br></div><div>"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20,21</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTLZYicN_czRPRIJPZFA8hyYXtrSozZsQRxb8BNSIa2Zk2Mtjt3had-vtZtjZJKKszuCEhYFH9fXUiO6HNj6GvulAOyG3Ei3_vHBsiItW7P5l7uAnTuI2tH0Fvuj6B_5bUN48GQbMeDA/s640/blogger-image-538007557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTLZYicN_czRPRIJPZFA8hyYXtrSozZsQRxb8BNSIa2Zk2Mtjt3had-vtZtjZJKKszuCEhYFH9fXUiO6HNj6GvulAOyG3Ei3_vHBsiItW7P5l7uAnTuI2tH0Fvuj6B_5bUN48GQbMeDA/s640/blogger-image-538007557.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This time last year we were busy praying for perfection for these two ladies... it's hard to believe it's almost been a year... Thank you Lord. Really....Thank you. </div>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-5476166848696081642014-02-09T20:10:00.001-08:002014-02-09T20:10:13.971-08:00Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week...Feb 7th - 14th...This week is special to our family. This is Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Week. 7 years or so ago, I wouldn't have given it much thought. I would have thought in passing..."That sounds like a really good cause." But I would never have allowed myself to go there...to really think about what that means to so many families in this world. Did you know that 1 in 100 infants born, suffer from some sort of CHD? Did you know that? I didn't. Honestly, I guess I don't know much about any of the other causes that haven't directly affected me or my family yet in my life. I DO know this, though...I'm much more empathetic to those things now. They are all so important, and raising awareness about such things is incredibly important.<br />
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I want to introduce someone to you...her name is Meghan Roswick. She was born in 1991 with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. I stumbled upon her page on FaceBook. It was an accident. I don't follow anyone connected with CHD on purpose. I don't belong to any support groups...I don't read other heart parent blogs. It's ridiculous, and I know I should...but it makes it too real for me. I don't know...it's just too hard, it's not my thing. It would make me admit that Lia might not be able to live a "normal life"...and I can't go there. Regardless, I accidentally found Meghan's page on FB. Let me tell you a little about her.<br />
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Meghan was born with a similar "single ventricle" anatomy as Lia. Meghan basically is missing her left ventricle, where Lia is missing her right. She had 4 open heart surgeries by the time she was 3 years old. Meghan grew up a competitive gymnast. She is now a competitive free-style skier. Snow skier... Here's the most amazing thing about her to me...she just ran her first 15 K race. That's right, folks. She just ran 9.3 miles. Ran. 9.3 miles. How many of us with whole, healthy hearts do that? Not many.<br />
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Meghan is definitely not the norm...let's be clear. I realize that. She admits it took her a very long time to train for the 15K, and that she ran it slow. But who cares???? I find it amazing that she is able to do that. The thing that has stuck out to me while reading her FB page is that she says that the doctors never knew what to say to her parents about activity and limits. They actually said to her mom as they discussed her starting competitive gymnastics when she was little..."Her level of activity is either what has kept her alive...or what will kill her. We just don't know." Wow. She's now 23 years old. She's still living an active, healthy life. This kind of story fills my heart. It does. Again, Meghan's story, her life, is not the norm for a HLHS or single ventricle heart. It's not the norm... but then again neither is our Lia. So there's that. <br />
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This is what we want for Lia. This is what we want for all three of our kids...for all of our friends' kids. We want them to live. We want them to live courageously, with all of their hearts...with strength and perseverance. This is the way we should all live...always pushing forward. Never looking back. Not afraid of failing. Not afraid of anything. Just strong...we should all live strong, for as long as we have to live. <br />
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In celebration of Congenital Heart Awareness Week and in celebration of our Lia...we took a few photos today. My very talented sister Laci (Laci Nottley Photography) took and edited these pics. They are priceless to our family, to Lia's story. <br />
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This next pic pretty much sums things up...yep, most definitely. It's gonna take a lot to get past these 4 protective boys...</div>
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So this week...we wear red for our heart hero. We wear red for all of the heart hero's out there. We wear red for all the heart hero parents. These parents are tough. These heart kids are tougher. Help us raise awareness for Congenital Heart Research. </div>
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Looking for more info? Need a good place to donate your money for an incredible cause? Take the time to look at the Lauren Elise Memorial Foundation at www.ilovelauren.org . Read about Lauren, her incredible family, and her legacy. </div>
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<i>"Here is what I am commanding you to do. Be strong and brave. Do not be terrified. Do not lose hope. I am the Lord your God. I will be with you everywhere you go." </i><b> </b></div>
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<b>Joshua 1:9 NIRV</b></div>
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<br />Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-47601073342971719172014-01-01T07:41:00.001-08:002014-01-01T10:16:27.568-08:002013...A year full of blessings.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>2013, You've been so good to us. As my sister Laci calls it..."The year of miracles". And rightfully so. As I reflect on this past year, beginning to end, I am amazed. I'm thankful for pics on my phone, Facebook archives, and blog entries to help remind me of all we've experienced in the last year. We have a tendency to race through life at record breaking speed without even realizing it. In doing just that, we forget. We forget where we've been, and how great things are...this life we've been blessed with is kinda awesome in a weird, imperfect way. I wish I took the time to realize that every single day. <div><br></div><div>I have all the normal dreams and aspirations for 2014. You know the ones I'm talking about...like, I want to lose 10-15 lbs, I want to read more, I want to learn more about politics and current events instead of just current events on Sportscenter... I want to be more healthy, I want to train for another half marathon, I want to learn to sew, I want to be more organized, I want to get serious about getting my Masters degree. I want to be a better wife and mom, I want to reach out and help others more, I want to guide my children into being more well-rounded little individuals. I want to be more patient and more tolerant, including tolerating my own imperfections a little better. All the normal stuff...</div><div><br></div><div>2013 was a year I had personally dreaded for the past 6 years...this was the year our 4 year old baby girl was having her third big open heart surgery. This was the year we sent her back through those scary doors with all the pediatric cardiothoracic gurus and experts...and I've never wished I could trade places with someone so much in all my life. But we made it. It's behind us now and I almost still can't believe it. For 6 solid years I thought about this surgery every single day. Every day. And although we have tried our very hardest to live in the present and be grateful for our today, it has been hard. Sometimes it still is. </div><div><br></div><div>So I think for me, this will be my main focus for 2014. I want to live fully in the present, appreciating my today. I will try to remember how happy and blessed we are right now, and trust that God has our future. He always has, and He has protected us and has been right there through every single happy or challenging moment. I believe He will continue to be. So for the year 2014, I choose joy. I choose peace. I choose trust. And I'm thankful for that choice. </div><div><br></div><div>So the Stones didn't do a Christmas card this year... I guess I actually started going easy on myself earlier than today ;-). Anyway, I'm posting some of my favorite moments from the past year on this blog to help jog my memory in how wonderful 2013 was to our family... A year in review of the Stone family. Happy New Year everyone!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggf6FR0Y4QA2GBmhRMVX-wqBgJk_69SFbhxaQvvyF21gdnznAuKaFKYhFt7KwfZyaXP8QlOwOUbnZtSn6VuywaslL1AaO15j99Pv_rzT3CZyz7L2t3dAw37DsV8S4vx7YBwTI9rclm064/s640/blogger-image-1094187725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggf6FR0Y4QA2GBmhRMVX-wqBgJk_69SFbhxaQvvyF21gdnznAuKaFKYhFt7KwfZyaXP8QlOwOUbnZtSn6VuywaslL1AaO15j99Pv_rzT3CZyz7L2t3dAw37DsV8S4vx7YBwTI9rclm064/s640/blogger-image-1094187725.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hangin out...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAw06kd91DpT8AaN8bFw0ytHbR_0g2CvNIxMEOhSQ37nYtws39fbmOGrUaAzoveNFVh1pxo3eDocbRSRY9oFZGgGtrkR7LHjtAZKfXg1nrnlJa-8BW_Q5lVCNGyDclQ5IJSdxLje2AFAY/s640/blogger-image-477681028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAw06kd91DpT8AaN8bFw0ytHbR_0g2CvNIxMEOhSQ37nYtws39fbmOGrUaAzoveNFVh1pxo3eDocbRSRY9oFZGgGtrkR7LHjtAZKfXg1nrnlJa-8BW_Q5lVCNGyDclQ5IJSdxLje2AFAY/s640/blogger-image-477681028.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Colby and I ran the Hot Chocolate Run with friends...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMGDz20ZOexL6MyDnKTjNfHTqJdsjBkx8oWwnoYGlBYuDE1Qsw9uSAaDpY2BaLDPkEfjCjnGNS9hUApE9acDDoyaZjGEXIHSmlPZG4_qmYkbbBnhNkiVp7ebkohDxLhSSvZXDZTf78gc/s640/blogger-image-161766978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMGDz20ZOexL6MyDnKTjNfHTqJdsjBkx8oWwnoYGlBYuDE1Qsw9uSAaDpY2BaLDPkEfjCjnGNS9hUApE9acDDoyaZjGEXIHSmlPZG4_qmYkbbBnhNkiVp7ebkohDxLhSSvZXDZTf78gc/s640/blogger-image-161766978.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Went to NYC with my girls...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIS49lBSIXjf2bxe0k1j2su7CZa4rIL6ikYBfaXVuXZz4UTvc5WToKwERKQ-RahrKR_Cueq1PZVS0JlN1wBf-zaI9IhBz3JXcnsvXjbKuOsk9Yz5WhZjFipmCnV4tEq2UxHiQUmRnu0s/s640/blogger-image-197302904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIS49lBSIXjf2bxe0k1j2su7CZa4rIL6ikYBfaXVuXZz4UTvc5WToKwERKQ-RahrKR_Cueq1PZVS0JlN1wBf-zaI9IhBz3JXcnsvXjbKuOsk9Yz5WhZjFipmCnV4tEq2UxHiQUmRnu0s/s640/blogger-image-197302904.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Just a cute pic</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiEsCHaRn_ipD3bW58e3ibMikcPJl_SnojI9m4DuBehWTdLfa9AAv8E9iACk4Vp9gjo06WbUxeHdSleFlnVAJ7mBHB3GTQ-kmWdpBPQv2noCf_lKUt3c21GziCQbaD967mDr8RpNqks8/s640/blogger-image-1974259965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiEsCHaRn_ipD3bW58e3ibMikcPJl_SnojI9m4DuBehWTdLfa9AAv8E9iACk4Vp9gjo06WbUxeHdSleFlnVAJ7mBHB3GTQ-kmWdpBPQv2noCf_lKUt3c21GziCQbaD967mDr8RpNqks8/s640/blogger-image-1974259965.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Daddy and his girl</div><br></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWbxl8gTybvSzgVBl30n3jNanTqN30CMLsHx6630cz4dTErmWz3nxm7YabeXTmJSFi16mq6af913O0Z45N9A9TONMsUDW_azrxlfY48TafR6yWGx4tTehiQgEezNgz6EmHx5J6jFBwbo/s640/blogger-image-1167457124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWbxl8gTybvSzgVBl30n3jNanTqN30CMLsHx6630cz4dTErmWz3nxm7YabeXTmJSFi16mq6af913O0Z45N9A9TONMsUDW_azrxlfY48TafR6yWGx4tTehiQgEezNgz6EmHx5J6jFBwbo/s640/blogger-image-1167457124.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was able to go to the Bahamas with two of my faves...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilYAWtKB8nToD8syFEfngaaetKO6XVy2DufGQFug_ccMFhAZiVhIa2KsznQ2FxGsJLDhyoHPO3mS6Wow04M5CJxGOt2HM4HaiWRlgjui4bw-yAX2Uacn97dydFvo6HZDSWVtaahBZTSo/s640/blogger-image-307987596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilYAWtKB8nToD8syFEfngaaetKO6XVy2DufGQFug_ccMFhAZiVhIa2KsznQ2FxGsJLDhyoHPO3mS6Wow04M5CJxGOt2HM4HaiWRlgjui4bw-yAX2Uacn97dydFvo6HZDSWVtaahBZTSo/s640/blogger-image-307987596.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jace's 8 year old fball party</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGK0s6s9Ntq5NzSofgbWzxsJJ6nrOTnnfh8yAY6zJI71Upt9VaOoMRRG-9te0RNtF7RJq7pJCJGC7lw1ulaM9y-WcEpAZgMfW3XeMidR397w6Od5RlkHE9Fhoi0PZMjY2CEyPSRYqU1Y/s640/blogger-image-964943889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGK0s6s9Ntq5NzSofgbWzxsJJ6nrOTnnfh8yAY6zJI71Upt9VaOoMRRG-9te0RNtF7RJq7pJCJGC7lw1ulaM9y-WcEpAZgMfW3XeMidR397w6Od5RlkHE9Fhoi0PZMjY2CEyPSRYqU1Y/s640/blogger-image-964943889.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cousins and the greatness of Mimi and Grandaddy's house...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPCHnnB7h9pqXAdcHZCwe8d243u7kF2vaswZfCjrftGLwNGqDinLcL8aaSnzNlO4WLVsUqo6XyYRRGVKGfNMHs-14A2p4ENf_g4NPf1m3m1h4BCekblO77xNbGb_AHOdGO-fkoJlQ5Tk/s640/blogger-image--1400410350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPCHnnB7h9pqXAdcHZCwe8d243u7kF2vaswZfCjrftGLwNGqDinLcL8aaSnzNlO4WLVsUqo6XyYRRGVKGfNMHs-14A2p4ENf_g4NPf1m3m1h4BCekblO77xNbGb_AHOdGO-fkoJlQ5Tk/s640/blogger-image--1400410350.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Supporting Uncle John and his kids playing bball...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpB65AHo8T0BOwe2ERtud0QkPV_WmOjk13Xp6JobePSP7FsI4dhRs10ZPywESmfmrMg6lzrDOTn_FwKpswgd3WqetNEtw2W2xvii9fh0LNPaQ8-lWZgV6HfDN8SvAGMSupUnxt7WnhPmk/s640/blogger-image--773327562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpB65AHo8T0BOwe2ERtud0QkPV_WmOjk13Xp6JobePSP7FsI4dhRs10ZPywESmfmrMg6lzrDOTn_FwKpswgd3WqetNEtw2W2xvii9fh0LNPaQ8-lWZgV6HfDN8SvAGMSupUnxt7WnhPmk/s640/blogger-image--773327562.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Colby's baseball team gave Lia the team ball and surrounded her with prayers days before her surgery</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vovNuf7U2pZphggm4ST2l55MqHz9syfZyR6pjuIDNz0jO9WhNH7XWhqlsfrvyI2nvI_hsMUnz7jJ-Ad3Wsduk5d76Sc3En8kLY6U1g8WNL9Lyk3c1_QxOeeb47IBLkSddOIcDgz9Hc0/s640/blogger-image-833445263.jpg" imageanchor="1"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vovNuf7U2pZphggm4ST2l55MqHz9syfZyR6pjuIDNz0jO9WhNH7XWhqlsfrvyI2nvI_hsMUnz7jJ-Ad3Wsduk5d76Sc3En8kLY6U1g8WNL9Lyk3c1_QxOeeb47IBLkSddOIcDgz9Hc0/s640/blogger-image-833445263.jpg"></span></a><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTLkJefKAOvcAW2P130Aqi9CbEIsNK4aSS_W3DZa7R_LlMOfhgXL_LcfCZYaLXhKvb-5t8VeTtTYKQe-pISzuHqr0yxH0so_n0JFg70xPZhYz-IXaqJX83UuXBcz6Pr0YWvfRUkZEznk/s640/blogger-image-634997697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTLkJefKAOvcAW2P130Aqi9CbEIsNK4aSS_W3DZa7R_LlMOfhgXL_LcfCZYaLXhKvb-5t8VeTtTYKQe-pISzuHqr0yxH0so_n0JFg70xPZhYz-IXaqJX83UuXBcz6Pr0YWvfRUkZEznk/s640/blogger-image-634997697.jpg"></a></span><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTLkJefKAOvcAW2P130Aqi9CbEIsNK4aSS_W3DZa7R_LlMOfhgXL_LcfCZYaLXhKvb-5t8VeTtTYKQe-pISzuHqr0yxH0so_n0JFg70xPZhYz-IXaqJX83UuXBcz6Pr0YWvfRUkZEznk/s640/blogger-image-634997697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBR6DtM7T49GctQuBeNGwoRpBhy6kMp6_cviUD8LMtDodqYJHMMauWIvvtzLkXTRAdOXzgjvawbWCP64wUEt0Rb2zK8NDG1Kd-K1Y25GChTudJtVL5100OGDwCCwIwYpxq-vtVPvL2WUI/s640/blogger-image--1767913313.jpg"></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;">Facebook blew up in support of our Lia that week...one of my favorite things ever. </div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH58hvcxfFu7DrVAaFN-DXAAmE6SAMCzU8Htr09OO-GxKl24nNoIKiWDmxWzi1lRg3xdxzvnKf4Z2LRw6JLRUBu-hJHZBaT5wSGn-M-0CHP4Zm1BdGh581wVSuB7A3gJfxhqx_YeYqI0/s640/blogger-image-608732703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH58hvcxfFu7DrVAaFN-DXAAmE6SAMCzU8Htr09OO-GxKl24nNoIKiWDmxWzi1lRg3xdxzvnKf4Z2LRw6JLRUBu-hJHZBaT5wSGn-M-0CHP4Zm1BdGh581wVSuB7A3gJfxhqx_YeYqI0/s640/blogger-image-608732703.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We kissed her bye right before they took her back</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSxQxRZf4sySAEkXeZySO4roR-g-Mp4z2zAP38ap3IvzwFDDrUMDUXISZVcgUq7UkhG3NJixZE0Alw1knDW2YXDKSdT_PG1XnEoyucuxgTAAi542aQ1sIsJg82TVHj5GoZAg1i3dzua4/s640/blogger-image--102711654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSxQxRZf4sySAEkXeZySO4roR-g-Mp4z2zAP38ap3IvzwFDDrUMDUXISZVcgUq7UkhG3NJixZE0Alw1knDW2YXDKSdT_PG1XnEoyucuxgTAAi542aQ1sIsJg82TVHj5GoZAg1i3dzua4/s640/blogger-image--102711654.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She rocked it...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWhNoWBTWtghoQwf6s5WaaJXH1s8efqMXmJ3bBcV_Ey2txVfHhFnu1NjUu672U1CnePM4B6Cc3IFDaZ9wHr4LkrS8P1xiVzn5W5qyK7VGvtEgAp_s5vty3pZv8CUvL9I9GCVqfao20W8/s640/blogger-image-679560001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWhNoWBTWtghoQwf6s5WaaJXH1s8efqMXmJ3bBcV_Ey2txVfHhFnu1NjUu672U1CnePM4B6Cc3IFDaZ9wHr4LkrS8P1xiVzn5W5qyK7VGvtEgAp_s5vty3pZv8CUvL9I9GCVqfao20W8/s640/blogger-image-679560001.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sara had great news the next day... 2013, The Year of Miracles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TRUMMSHv7ezP2AqwoO0xqeiNwHUjUwE34xf9g1R-v-ijQrrpBXAxHEPJDHwNC8bVk9LgxrZAbsNh-S4gCg0N4mCjj1vWPW9rHm16sns6t3gXjcG-GNlsXOM74I2wfoPCM0BsmWbSp7E/s640/blogger-image--1217982747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TRUMMSHv7ezP2AqwoO0xqeiNwHUjUwE34xf9g1R-v-ijQrrpBXAxHEPJDHwNC8bVk9LgxrZAbsNh-S4gCg0N4mCjj1vWPW9rHm16sns6t3gXjcG-GNlsXOM74I2wfoPCM0BsmWbSp7E/s640/blogger-image--1217982747.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lia has sweet friends...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8NRDyTQ_Xp9FRO8b-A-KjI1dtLm3mWPlOfMz9Njt38XdB0Bv32CwWPKZQJ1rwWIvfloNRh5vl9RsaT2xBF2E8Fs7qEJzNyT9yv-t2GvuqK8cq8DCi9v8q1RowUJOn9EhN0Sr1-bSccA/s640/blogger-image-187849797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8NRDyTQ_Xp9FRO8b-A-KjI1dtLm3mWPlOfMz9Njt38XdB0Bv32CwWPKZQJ1rwWIvfloNRh5vl9RsaT2xBF2E8Fs7qEJzNyT9yv-t2GvuqK8cq8DCi9v8q1RowUJOn9EhN0Sr1-bSccA/s640/blogger-image-187849797.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jace played a little baseball. He caught it by the way...just sayin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjqqHwVGYESsEm_58d2OLjatF0dtXR-Clq5Hr2L8FHC8bRUZZ3xjHK72pflq9ILoabDq805ftqvlXxJ9Qe2iSNF8Y1YBex7fz-aqnRISI9a48oI9PLOrf_hngL3StFedQf_ayshgUyAM/s640/blogger-image-1015779650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjqqHwVGYESsEm_58d2OLjatF0dtXR-Clq5Hr2L8FHC8bRUZZ3xjHK72pflq9ILoabDq805ftqvlXxJ9Qe2iSNF8Y1YBex7fz-aqnRISI9a48oI9PLOrf_hngL3StFedQf_ayshgUyAM/s640/blogger-image-1015779650.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Speaking of baseball season, this was Texas Rangers Opening Day... That's a big deal in this family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPOm9F7DFEwJKEq9iNeVUHVgNEOA1OiU_tseYpGBlTqJVcei9w7vN8wqh38sa5rdkam6xxAAOgEAUeDwZhqN73ZgEkOtK2HocpBmx6bVQz0aqYfhARzClxkr8QXW-zJ2E-1v693_hUV0/s640/blogger-image--80794858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPOm9F7DFEwJKEq9iNeVUHVgNEOA1OiU_tseYpGBlTqJVcei9w7vN8wqh38sa5rdkam6xxAAOgEAUeDwZhqN73ZgEkOtK2HocpBmx6bVQz0aqYfhARzClxkr8QXW-zJ2E-1v693_hUV0/s640/blogger-image--80794858.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Love this kid...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDR7pS_BSEggY4MYV28mLN7vBwaWq3ZGK6TDBctI24rth_gvXkQZUxOVPAfKKeLuAxwUDs5AK2NpL19MEJMHN3Jha3SkWqEX1lJROoiEYK7DIm0hH-lhnVYQiqBiCh5O8WdcWW3zJAFx4/s640/blogger-image--398377903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDR7pS_BSEggY4MYV28mLN7vBwaWq3ZGK6TDBctI24rth_gvXkQZUxOVPAfKKeLuAxwUDs5AK2NpL19MEJMHN3Jha3SkWqEX1lJROoiEYK7DIm0hH-lhnVYQiqBiCh5O8WdcWW3zJAFx4/s640/blogger-image--398377903.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Colby turned into a preteen right before my very eyes...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJ9t0zlB3xR1IMFpNDY9PRKHM3AzRaoZkR4tKP_YRDvXXDU9X66vC52_64ng6YceqHBShTwidEChnZw1toy8FtqwZDmbepUbbtRj4UOSNGy8bgpc10lYXEmjXF_KIcLZ7-nc6_1esxEo/s640/blogger-image-1699345670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJ9t0zlB3xR1IMFpNDY9PRKHM3AzRaoZkR4tKP_YRDvXXDU9X66vC52_64ng6YceqHBShTwidEChnZw1toy8FtqwZDmbepUbbtRj4UOSNGy8bgpc10lYXEmjXF_KIcLZ7-nc6_1esxEo/s640/blogger-image-1699345670.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We took a trip to California. We cheered on our Rangers...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9SxJztj63vxXXcfMUOylnp2EkWCG5TZzrAf1gwZRcNm8vECKQhTgEH2V8p8VMpo3S_fHBf-yq1N6GCXNAZEEK_UcjYNyG-_bX1uYPDQ6Kl5-tHaifldC7tIcLFSF-xGaHOyzFqYD13U/s640/blogger-image-1139408950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9SxJztj63vxXXcfMUOylnp2EkWCG5TZzrAf1gwZRcNm8vECKQhTgEH2V8p8VMpo3S_fHBf-yq1N6GCXNAZEEK_UcjYNyG-_bX1uYPDQ6Kl5-tHaifldC7tIcLFSF-xGaHOyzFqYD13U/s640/blogger-image-1139408950.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And went to Disney Land. It was perfect. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAMGx_e86otnhKFhCfFfXjHrmfVM91XTut9rBy8TSy06u0fjEQYuCQONmL6hLCqs37SbRT7HnfMY7ewEvxyVgCCQkjkQSL5gKUU269d0kkV9FdegKxiZaPnM3XYacfNsFZdV-VURS4QQ/s640/blogger-image--730676371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAMGx_e86otnhKFhCfFfXjHrmfVM91XTut9rBy8TSy06u0fjEQYuCQONmL6hLCqs37SbRT7HnfMY7ewEvxyVgCCQkjkQSL5gKUU269d0kkV9FdegKxiZaPnM3XYacfNsFZdV-VURS4QQ/s640/blogger-image--730676371.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNirgwcx53m3Zpnca04hyphenhypheniYITKCFQ4Flb7uNSsPO6VSIidPt2Cpx2mBfkDs_TDAn70FdET4hueb9Ochmy43NACEQRJYJ9y9aEXKxC7R-6A966oXZ6O0Oc8u40hzvqGbzw6u5JhyphenhyphenL7q4Ag/s640/blogger-image-52355741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNirgwcx53m3Zpnca04hyphenhypheniYITKCFQ4Flb7uNSsPO6VSIidPt2Cpx2mBfkDs_TDAn70FdET4hueb9Ochmy43NACEQRJYJ9y9aEXKxC7R-6A966oXZ6O0Oc8u40hzvqGbzw6u5JhyphenhyphenL7q4Ag/s640/blogger-image-52355741.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We started a new school year...and we sent our baby to kindergarten. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6N06_AABsoMAZ-Vw6pkNgAMNPU4bvCgxiGISQ2tPF-I7vBUqYvp0kXPwI6jteGqBJYiP5CU1A2efGoG99K-NuTN56dgEDkzxkFVJTSwn2LHSb5n7bbAMvtdzHepdjaZnrNKIrmu3WWE/s640/blogger-image-571304001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6N06_AABsoMAZ-Vw6pkNgAMNPU4bvCgxiGISQ2tPF-I7vBUqYvp0kXPwI6jteGqBJYiP5CU1A2efGoG99K-NuTN56dgEDkzxkFVJTSwn2LHSb5n7bbAMvtdzHepdjaZnrNKIrmu3WWE/s640/blogger-image-571304001.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Team Lia came strong at the Dallas Heart Walk...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1P95w3Ol3WznEMRzf4Lx4eNbqqXiGMMb-fRq04lpZ8RoFoECE1Rti-OuHICIzGpR7wPZpyGcxosH1BsBzWda0gTlKq2k33Le1wVgxv_lbi9FuiFJ_XFaqEMaAOoqYnpCiA5nq9caLmsg/s640/blogger-image--302699038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1P95w3Ol3WznEMRzf4Lx4eNbqqXiGMMb-fRq04lpZ8RoFoECE1Rti-OuHICIzGpR7wPZpyGcxosH1BsBzWda0gTlKq2k33Le1wVgxv_lbi9FuiFJ_XFaqEMaAOoqYnpCiA5nq9caLmsg/s640/blogger-image--302699038.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGcRW-n04RzyiVPgiOR3G7vGsgf_IgQyvLiGSw7H3mmbaM5wDnQSagn57lENXfvmSzIArxdufIC-V0khXeG0oLuOmdqi5vUKQZLFBBPL6a7ic0e7O4l9d2rxdCMsX9LgGacbSXahqMg4/s640/blogger-image--1051798977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGcRW-n04RzyiVPgiOR3G7vGsgf_IgQyvLiGSw7H3mmbaM5wDnQSagn57lENXfvmSzIArxdufIC-V0khXeG0oLuOmdqi5vUKQZLFBBPL6a7ic0e7O4l9d2rxdCMsX9LgGacbSXahqMg4/s640/blogger-image--1051798977.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksILvzhszvskW_1L5OMIzEtlZdN-Iejv4ofvDnpuIL-MI6oivz2OrRhTKhtQA_gquLOSBzmDEj_2qRgEmy-yuZagPIcEP_N9HQmPHACE7N-MViLx9VOIyFJMAeGYYLRRxbyyLbe2MlEw/s640/blogger-image-866406007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksILvzhszvskW_1L5OMIzEtlZdN-Iejv4ofvDnpuIL-MI6oivz2OrRhTKhtQA_gquLOSBzmDEj_2qRgEmy-yuZagPIcEP_N9HQmPHACE7N-MViLx9VOIyFJMAeGYYLRRxbyyLbe2MlEw/s640/blogger-image-866406007.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We got geared up for football...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYN3bzryS0yetbZ41POrBN0RgtnXKfBlPr0Rai9ezR40tas3AWrJFCMO960K05LGiZImHz5ninkiNoqUcQtKnP4guemFUmZAkUDyFDu2xVRkB-4LYWag49HggUekzwz3BCqM9jhybyH4/s640/blogger-image-1408231342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYN3bzryS0yetbZ41POrBN0RgtnXKfBlPr0Rai9ezR40tas3AWrJFCMO960K05LGiZImHz5ninkiNoqUcQtKnP4guemFUmZAkUDyFDu2xVRkB-4LYWag49HggUekzwz3BCqM9jhybyH4/s640/blogger-image-1408231342.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-OTwMKz0lJFQir1gHNz1yEeCQNb1V9QXLC9An8iqgYIu-jfay7Uen9l4QjaY4sAm6EzuCxnv6XD7z2mUMNAO-HSlDTuMLex8bQMEVB_H8F3hevfmDoA9FJAHZJTINRDPrZukpOR9REk/s640/blogger-image-297906991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-OTwMKz0lJFQir1gHNz1yEeCQNb1V9QXLC9An8iqgYIu-jfay7Uen9l4QjaY4sAm6EzuCxnv6XD7z2mUMNAO-HSlDTuMLex8bQMEVB_H8F3hevfmDoA9FJAHZJTINRDPrZukpOR9REk/s640/blogger-image-297906991.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We practiced a little football...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cD4jviRULawYjtzEGTk6j-z0pfki9kaL1_DOXCnp7iMS5rsOCPdMOhCkIwrpihSHHJ-lqLBvjazDXUOYTpw_Czci8rNlxtVLtwkE_lNBOQvA0LqbDmFLnWaIw3T6owcKfIlDhZfmInI/s640/blogger-image-1131118257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cD4jviRULawYjtzEGTk6j-z0pfki9kaL1_DOXCnp7iMS5rsOCPdMOhCkIwrpihSHHJ-lqLBvjazDXUOYTpw_Czci8rNlxtVLtwkE_lNBOQvA0LqbDmFLnWaIw3T6owcKfIlDhZfmInI/s640/blogger-image-1131118257.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ecxgs0oPbyxMMmp9oMqWsuMYJqCYsvovpyhIz5FoXwKLUzmebTOzxy6S743F-xjQ7LA2Akwu70XNmjfJDxlMP_HSGKtPu_KYkjMb2kwseNtScoJFSU0sbzM0KYOkdHKdoP5tVyz7xyQ/s640/blogger-image--838635200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ecxgs0oPbyxMMmp9oMqWsuMYJqCYsvovpyhIz5FoXwKLUzmebTOzxy6S743F-xjQ7LA2Akwu70XNmjfJDxlMP_HSGKtPu_KYkjMb2kwseNtScoJFSU0sbzM0KYOkdHKdoP5tVyz7xyQ/s640/blogger-image--838635200.jpg"></font></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And played a lot of football...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihe3VOid1OLx1U4y_zJK9184NYNXJE1nQQqHb5Hav7-qMZYHbJ_XdTc3orKEtXuSKCV4qHEwsNT92ByIuKzJXsMUJybDr9Mb6hyphenhyphensdrjo41YzPs7KEbo2dbs8yutIXEHhQZt6xL1e8m1M/s640/blogger-image-961773629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihe3VOid1OLx1U4y_zJK9184NYNXJE1nQQqHb5Hav7-qMZYHbJ_XdTc3orKEtXuSKCV4qHEwsNT92ByIuKzJXsMUJybDr9Mb6hyphenhyphensdrjo41YzPs7KEbo2dbs8yutIXEHhQZt6xL1e8m1M/s640/blogger-image-961773629.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvj-YP8zxL0jEKviPA7EFEKoGpPy1u79S_I4YF_8MC6S0DLT9i3xJlzsnOh0ruSGsPdFN21DOwkdF5e8OUApC4EnZVBoKCp9L8FcEwANDp373IQHZeYVhIAnyaFfHcF5ousJxTZfLhWE/s640/blogger-image-1480816967.jpg" imageanchor="1"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvj-YP8zxL0jEKviPA7EFEKoGpPy1u79S_I4YF_8MC6S0DLT9i3xJlzsnOh0ruSGsPdFN21DOwkdF5e8OUApC4EnZVBoKCp9L8FcEwANDp373IQHZeYVhIAnyaFfHcF5ousJxTZfLhWE/s640/blogger-image-1480816967.jpg"></span></a><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YfSP5ldyEV3d5SWR6DCgYBF_yScLJMSqPRhhnJv3yRGWhtQcNzNyhVEJAZ9HQeAMclSAtPWYi7wdleHzSQcrQYFWdyPu7nIWedGt6HICs4jiR4jqfdM8zKB3ZsrcxC1Or8tHh7ov-B0/s640/blogger-image-926218698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YfSP5ldyEV3d5SWR6DCgYBF_yScLJMSqPRhhnJv3yRGWhtQcNzNyhVEJAZ9HQeAMclSAtPWYi7wdleHzSQcrQYFWdyPu7nIWedGt6HICs4jiR4jqfdM8zKB3ZsrcxC1Or8tHh7ov-B0/s640/blogger-image-926218698.jpg"></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvc2kxJwoSVdmSLIl2WHuEELzrtJ86iOSmkFpH2vKUJZIuKpM4bmf0HMwaHRgsS3o-naL6PYHsoQO8vH91fEbLsF4sTEdWkNO6ybV4lSgMedU-p-A4PZbC6B93VVRbC9LQzN-spNQz4iU/s640/blogger-image-1147193587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvc2kxJwoSVdmSLIl2WHuEELzrtJ86iOSmkFpH2vKUJZIuKpM4bmf0HMwaHRgsS3o-naL6PYHsoQO8vH91fEbLsF4sTEdWkNO6ybV4lSgMedU-p-A4PZbC6B93VVRbC9LQzN-spNQz4iU/s640/blogger-image-1147193587.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jace made the jumbotron at Cowboys Stadium</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4fKzFZRR2hEvTNk6E6hIzSrYvuUWqEeqVXydjajWR7mObusdDUTy6I954UoyBgiZsVxa9i5jFzSL1bRl28k9953s9OlP_dAC1lKWMfmUwqUHnrZ9ncj7IjQaBwzB9CIhQQkGxofUePc/s640/blogger-image-707472558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4fKzFZRR2hEvTNk6E6hIzSrYvuUWqEeqVXydjajWR7mObusdDUTy6I954UoyBgiZsVxa9i5jFzSL1bRl28k9953s9OlP_dAC1lKWMfmUwqUHnrZ9ncj7IjQaBwzB9CIhQQkGxofUePc/s640/blogger-image-707472558.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our boys have amazing cheering sections...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAeCuz8bOPQlR11AHMSs5BWsm_Kf8zGomp38ayexPXki2jrL-FW_7uWjSpEkfapdFHkc2LV3dMP18mipdN0KVbSRLZkOfrWBQg2MUiTU619BE_hbiYSgoMKDkkR9z0Emp94sAFBitIXE/s640/blogger-image--1769855787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAeCuz8bOPQlR11AHMSs5BWsm_Kf8zGomp38ayexPXki2jrL-FW_7uWjSpEkfapdFHkc2LV3dMP18mipdN0KVbSRLZkOfrWBQg2MUiTU619BE_hbiYSgoMKDkkR9z0Emp94sAFBitIXE/s640/blogger-image--1769855787.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This guy played a little more baseball. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YfSP5ldyEV3d5SWR6DCgYBF_yScLJMSqPRhhnJv3yRGWhtQcNzNyhVEJAZ9HQeAMclSAtPWYi7wdleHzSQcrQYFWdyPu7nIWedGt6HICs4jiR4jqfdM8zKB3ZsrcxC1Or8tHh7ov-B0/s640/blogger-image-926218698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFh-59cZZHKko4R91AaAE-NC3NeYOhEUizbbhFVjRn0O-zkpQs7OhgCN1I1RxL3hqmBlQilkSVoO2ejaTDic6JLEqpa4LbpSqNcdLobIEQgNJUlQyhiDmz7iSsnV7-TgJ_ZlmKeKn8SA/s640/blogger-image--1049523722.jpg"></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;">We took a quick trip to Arizona...kid free. </div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRjzm1OK9cgdiME9-wmY8BwwPzZwXYyXsgeIpRdW-pCdaHjAgq6b4uNOhDPzfI-FXYoJYG5vccg5JivP-SqfQOLfpRtOvwFPRRYfIUfIjPsF57PMsjgt-uQSY-nJ3kCxWLqxSLiEzV2c/s640/blogger-image-1234941081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRjzm1OK9cgdiME9-wmY8BwwPzZwXYyXsgeIpRdW-pCdaHjAgq6b4uNOhDPzfI-FXYoJYG5vccg5JivP-SqfQOLfpRtOvwFPRRYfIUfIjPsF57PMsjgt-uQSY-nJ3kCxWLqxSLiEzV2c/s640/blogger-image-1234941081.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxL2UAk79IdrI1jnH9z-7f0tBIb5HBaCB6WIBpkVrmnodNj7I4QpSaspgLIjSiI_8IOjFnrMh9wekUez_Q9CUHnAvuoZYodiVi48-LclWUbuGjEqyxV3whxabwF-ZB-MDnzUlpmtKWQE/s640/blogger-image-1032554250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XBuHuO4-Z4Chq-fsb13njn6eVQAAX_Tm9-Q7GSAgYHvGqZmj6-yUDusGYeKE6W1tzA7p-X4LTQ3cb0VQM5pSplmORo8Vqk3QU7PKXKBl3SV7AhT-Xu_612_sXPSphQGgn6mFdBhnilk/s640/blogger-image--380124300.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't really know...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVXAJXOezX2QDTghI5_JF5mmLGh7PY695qjkt9y1qHNE-fOJntrs2VMZR8TrMZYZZ5LO76gbICmIe6Ek65DQ-fjSoeVFYucIQvp2xV1v1xqgqFa4FMySkHXSv7ENgMhuOU2jSsBnCvcA/s640/blogger-image-527963004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVXAJXOezX2QDTghI5_JF5mmLGh7PY695qjkt9y1qHNE-fOJntrs2VMZR8TrMZYZZ5LO76gbICmIe6Ek65DQ-fjSoeVFYucIQvp2xV1v1xqgqFa4FMySkHXSv7ENgMhuOU2jSsBnCvcA/s640/blogger-image-527963004.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We got this news...and I'm adjusting. But I will miss Ian. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO7DpS7-q0XFgZQVnUB631Y9wpy6JFiqXiYe-ACdFfAMlUDZyP2YzvWb4Wx-iNt6aIvn-R98itPiFlkcMMPJ2byJAAfc_JEnyILa-y5vsGBWJCA6JOn0v8brSIAfFlKeMZT-V6gSwisI/s640/blogger-image-1261556740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO7DpS7-q0XFgZQVnUB631Y9wpy6JFiqXiYe-ACdFfAMlUDZyP2YzvWb4Wx-iNt6aIvn-R98itPiFlkcMMPJ2byJAAfc_JEnyILa-y5vsGBWJCA6JOn0v8brSIAfFlKeMZT-V6gSwisI/s640/blogger-image-1261556740.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't want to talk about my lack of football skills.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-9dmzPRQilhfZLw9EFu3cAP9JAoJn4TZnYVpo9EJsDi3j-zUuBqC8h7Gu-fku1Vlfq60LgP8HNcKfiz58Zl4eTn8WS5sQ5Cq1Gcdpnw0Wcsc-t1FDlJzRigh8yJLoEhh6r_o2dcYocE/s640/blogger-image-801713229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-9dmzPRQilhfZLw9EFu3cAP9JAoJn4TZnYVpo9EJsDi3j-zUuBqC8h7Gu-fku1Vlfq60LgP8HNcKfiz58Zl4eTn8WS5sQ5Cq1Gcdpnw0Wcsc-t1FDlJzRigh8yJLoEhh6r_o2dcYocE/s640/blogger-image-801713229.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had a great Chrismas... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQkRe1cDrscAPuhbk_Ns_aL1YfOF4XZ-KmelAo4FrU8XSWeJ6pmzP8B9me-YEI1PqmDvuVFjwnUzxWc484tZ9tij8W_P6b2Y3qTCm5mG0dhT9YW6bAwz9KZbeU3k8WwOpydXFsebaagA/s640/blogger-image-1598817583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQkRe1cDrscAPuhbk_Ns_aL1YfOF4XZ-KmelAo4FrU8XSWeJ6pmzP8B9me-YEI1PqmDvuVFjwnUzxWc484tZ9tij8W_P6b2Y3qTCm5mG0dhT9YW6bAwz9KZbeU3k8WwOpydXFsebaagA/s640/blogger-image-1598817583.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And a great New Year...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYOCwmP-FbYwCtkgLwYYJLls9J0sWN5k0MtbzDKKj-2cty_X31pKUFbO2bzuHGbq5pgMawqD3g2U3Qds74nIrlYIzTJfUHAQN1GtXxgmjUMLsqjqh-rfMvaOd8KBTfMzABd7EK4EgDPA/s640/blogger-image-1992999702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYOCwmP-FbYwCtkgLwYYJLls9J0sWN5k0MtbzDKKj-2cty_X31pKUFbO2bzuHGbq5pgMawqD3g2U3Qds74nIrlYIzTJfUHAQN1GtXxgmjUMLsqjqh-rfMvaOd8KBTfMzABd7EK4EgDPA/s640/blogger-image-1992999702.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's to a phenomenal 2014...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvj-YP8zxL0jEKviPA7EFEKoGpPy1u79S_I4YF_8MC6S0DLT9i3xJlzsnOh0ruSGsPdFN21DOwkdF5e8OUApC4EnZVBoKCp9L8FcEwANDp373IQHZeYVhIAnyaFfHcF5ousJxTZfLhWE/s640/blogger-image-1480816967.jpg" imageanchor="1"><br></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvj-YP8zxL0jEKviPA7EFEKoGpPy1u79S_I4YF_8MC6S0DLT9i3xJlzsnOh0ruSGsPdFN21DOwkdF5e8OUApC4EnZVBoKCp9L8FcEwANDp373IQHZeYVhIAnyaFfHcF5ousJxTZfLhWE/s640/blogger-image-1480816967.jpg" imageanchor="1"><br></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-25615313420975668292013-09-13T16:09:00.001-07:002013-09-13T16:56:34.339-07:00Heart Check Today...and Team Lia<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We took Lia back to CMC today to see Dr Lemler and our friends at the Heart Clinic. I did all the normal things to prepare...packed a bag of things to do since we are usually there for hours, did a lot of anxious praying (not because she was giving me anything to worry about...just because that's what I do before her heart checks), thought meticulously about her outfit to make sure it was something that might give her a little push of extra ounces on the scale, yeah...pretty much all the normal things. This time, though, I added to my list "notify the school and her teacher of where we would be this morning"...that was something I hadn't really thought about before. </span></span><br>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After the typical morning of sleepy kids not wanting to move fast enough and searching for folders and lost homework at the last minute, we dropped the boys off at school and we were on our way. We got to Children's in plenty of time and found a perfect parking spot. We checked in and before we knew it, they had called our name to go back. Things were moving at a peculiar "faster than normal" pace. They were swamped...but that's pretty normal on clinic days. They got her weight (she's gained a whole kilo, people...big deal for this lifelong 10th percentile girl), BP & O2 sat (93%...a number I honestly never thought we'd see). So far so good...but we still had the 12 lead EKG to think about and the echo that I just knew he would order last minute "just to check on things...". Next, in he walks. While we went over how things had been going, they came in and did her EKG. I multi-tasked as usual and continued to answer his questions while keeping my eye on her EKG rhythm...P waves, check. Not a normal sinus rhythm by any stretch...but we like P waves, and that's what she was missing during her operation that caused them to put in the pacer wires..."just in case she needs them some day." She had P waves today. Another victorious blessing. Dr. Lemler checked her out really good and finally said, "Well, you guys are paying me an awful lot of money for me not to have to do much." It's worth it...and we told him we'd be willing to pay him more. We go back in 6 months...and guess what? No echo today. I stand corrected. Happily.</span></span><br>
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Lia loves stickers...and stickers she was given... </div>
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I have a few Team Lia pics to post from last weekend's Dallas Heart Walk. We had an amazing turnout, considering it's probably the busiest time of year for most people with kids our kids' ages...not to mention the whole million degree temps with absolutely zero breeze thing. Other than that, the Heart Walk was great. Chaotic as usual, but great. This year was particularly amazing because we walked without the weight of the pending Fontan on our shoulders, and it felt really good. Did we ever have something to celebrate... Now get ready for picture overload. Here goes...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMj-JbLapQ80S6oU8vjAfTPvHKavHY8GMtq4_7KWsaT8CFiNX5AzddOwjW6N9owBE4ZbnodZ9659K8HCECVCkwQZiiUSn8BpIz7q3b8wU9ZsiChhnOMHWTuBCdXo5Na0SEJPx3PYlZmA/s1600/DSC_0430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMj-JbLapQ80S6oU8vjAfTPvHKavHY8GMtq4_7KWsaT8CFiNX5AzddOwjW6N9owBE4ZbnodZ9659K8HCECVCkwQZiiUSn8BpIz7q3b8wU9ZsiChhnOMHWTuBCdXo5Na0SEJPx3PYlZmA/s320/DSC_0430.JPG" width="214"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So obviously...our family. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPrRFOgyB-qrLqsqX4aI20aB4_psRWyEAq2KQuxPRKFLljDtD_T63LoG64IF16lwWO16dUF6Cx0RTGctYXtDZZr6LSH8sN0VOxtbWiMz6qM18mHe5aNiZJQZNqtpqfoXBIz4hNZVH9UA/s1600/DSC_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPrRFOgyB-qrLqsqX4aI20aB4_psRWyEAq2KQuxPRKFLljDtD_T63LoG64IF16lwWO16dUF6Cx0RTGctYXtDZZr6LSH8sN0VOxtbWiMz6qM18mHe5aNiZJQZNqtpqfoXBIz4hNZVH9UA/s320/DSC_0433.JPG" width="317"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOFVbkiqqnPZp4kTHAP2y-46X-0xmiwlGg252VNw9lHLxhyphenhyphennaGz2UdgaUGgo9BmXYivUyXu2DnHYoE6zBz88uffwJ1PjtH-pVciWDkXRToUwYLbVWJCvgQPQrpWSYyEUUntvy0LOFH1M/s1600/DSC_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOFVbkiqqnPZp4kTHAP2y-46X-0xmiwlGg252VNw9lHLxhyphenhyphennaGz2UdgaUGgo9BmXYivUyXu2DnHYoE6zBz88uffwJ1PjtH-pVciWDkXRToUwYLbVWJCvgQPQrpWSYyEUUntvy0LOFH1M/s320/DSC_0434.JPG" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our beloved Coach Rocky, her daughter Ainsley, and the Stone kids.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkn2Pw2f0lyYeo1UsKxdVPlluHBtDTXZuSFekkqwWumBfNud_rXcla86RzF_xrvn3IgDxlbBH_t-uj14N82vzMX00L-gxLgIaco8sAOP51l_qEUetoWb5-MWf5uepiTftthI-iohhyphenhyphen50s/s1600/DSC_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkn2Pw2f0lyYeo1UsKxdVPlluHBtDTXZuSFekkqwWumBfNud_rXcla86RzF_xrvn3IgDxlbBH_t-uj14N82vzMX00L-gxLgIaco8sAOP51l_qEUetoWb5-MWf5uepiTftthI-iohhyphenhyphen50s/s320/DSC_0436.JPG" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2013 Team Lia </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(minus several who were fighting traffic and raiding the closest ATM for cash to park)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXazRy7hr81pkwX55481LSU1vWyMg-c_R5G772CTHacRed-uM8gXDrOCdlQKl2U8NU1JSBP8P8cER3O9t0tLFJRJNEb1cGvkUWvzburvnsz3WAbFPHOJwRGMTlqjUGvoXOaqxw36cQPA/s1600/DSC_0443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXazRy7hr81pkwX55481LSU1vWyMg-c_R5G772CTHacRed-uM8gXDrOCdlQKl2U8NU1JSBP8P8cER3O9t0tLFJRJNEb1cGvkUWvzburvnsz3WAbFPHOJwRGMTlqjUGvoXOaqxw36cQPA/s320/DSC_0443.JPG" width="266"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of my favorite NICU babies and his family</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VIp7iXS0Wnx2Ad7eUMk40JEnmK5C3QioRjK7SMs-4zowTAtzictKFM7vzjoRf8gix77GTNPdPwlZcXBYt6RMNqjDMfXrkj3-IBYwl5CmbUdSjnvE_MwEHIDJsZz1jRFYldT_MG-_B3Q/s1600/DSC_0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VIp7iXS0Wnx2Ad7eUMk40JEnmK5C3QioRjK7SMs-4zowTAtzictKFM7vzjoRf8gix77GTNPdPwlZcXBYt6RMNqjDMfXrkj3-IBYwl5CmbUdSjnvE_MwEHIDJsZz1jRFYldT_MG-_B3Q/s320/DSC_0446.JPG" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My Baylor NICU and L&D girls...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These ladies have cried a few tears with me over my girl in the last 5 years</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eRgRg0PwbURfsvNfTnGJsFU7__pxP3jLL6tqJJJYMsLCpHsed7R1KvgZJnq7ZYuExKof72qr2Ow88m_5ywWM2f9ir6mYIZe3RqM1V8MEnI8wIvGvW1QD6hUpvAWelKgdJPoi3lr7PBU/s1600/DSC_0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eRgRg0PwbURfsvNfTnGJsFU7__pxP3jLL6tqJJJYMsLCpHsed7R1KvgZJnq7ZYuExKof72qr2Ow88m_5ywWM2f9ir6mYIZe3RqM1V8MEnI8wIvGvW1QD6hUpvAWelKgdJPoi3lr7PBU/s320/DSC_0452.JPG" width="214"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My sisters and Lia... Speaking of sharing some tears... Wiggins women know how to cry. And laugh. And protect. It comes from deep down in our ancestry. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7aEMJMOLvE1Het8ADnc3WB1BmK826jv3l8S3qvqixl6893Zn2o7RRRqD7Gb1KJYrbF8tZdMJ2D2OAcSr5-xqnAL4mMhAJSjHVO0talJtqAwz3xpaV7UuowL1jROkUdIBlLSZxQtmIQ4/s1600/DSC_0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7aEMJMOLvE1Het8ADnc3WB1BmK826jv3l8S3qvqixl6893Zn2o7RRRqD7Gb1KJYrbF8tZdMJ2D2OAcSr5-xqnAL4mMhAJSjHVO0talJtqAwz3xpaV7UuowL1jROkUdIBlLSZxQtmIQ4/s320/DSC_0457.JPG" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lifelong friends of Corey and now lifelong friends of mine...love these families. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_FcrU7Giwh6dT_XsceiasXDqJ_p1xSi0bis_L37BZNJHFlc_WpctRCxlKXvJve6ZoiV6pZKn7JRHxgN_FNxZeR__z7a8WuuR2fO2IU7-9CMNgVIfkT7xXjeBoMaav1qpvALLzl-zm9I/s1600/DSC_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_FcrU7Giwh6dT_XsceiasXDqJ_p1xSi0bis_L37BZNJHFlc_WpctRCxlKXvJve6ZoiV6pZKn7JRHxgN_FNxZeR__z7a8WuuR2fO2IU7-9CMNgVIfkT7xXjeBoMaav1qpvALLzl-zm9I/s320/DSC_0458.JPG" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some of the girls I used to work with...all amazing nurses and people that I'm blessed to know. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqkXod1ehiobrhmrNvMKL51f3T2RgFQpVKM81d8d2o4K7JSElNW72rCw_fle3JdXePL30fhdsuUcqIDFteZtamtrAqZpU73HkSvdn6MxjaWMCvARvCiYsDHEBJ3s_QW08ZexF-QBUFtI/s1600/DSC_0460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqkXod1ehiobrhmrNvMKL51f3T2RgFQpVKM81d8d2o4K7JSElNW72rCw_fle3JdXePL30fhdsuUcqIDFteZtamtrAqZpU73HkSvdn6MxjaWMCvARvCiYsDHEBJ3s_QW08ZexF-QBUFtI/s320/DSC_0460.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQ6jWyvTlhAgFmgRM-DryEsqIhVDAmVh7G0IZF2kpSIZBHq5P9_XYZqmtksVTGP6DMZP3MUC5X0YithjabduLMhBY6g-Tw-X8c7BHzxxPueFSftvmWjdVGdXXojDdDwlucI-QNcAMNDY/s1600/DSC_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQ6jWyvTlhAgFmgRM-DryEsqIhVDAmVh7G0IZF2kpSIZBHq5P9_XYZqmtksVTGP6DMZP3MUC5X0YithjabduLMhBY6g-Tw-X8c7BHzxxPueFSftvmWjdVGdXXojDdDwlucI-QNcAMNDY/s320/DSC_0461.JPG" width="249"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WxwhjH40zpjVc1eZLdkCCmDByoa24q5p0t-kkqCEVio-UiZUO66KgInBjPtvvzbYhHJX3VqhQA85go8UG7iVvov9A7eLVQJAphYRqNL0RsiEPF5sJcb0kMwTgjuVpjqAHFsx1y2oCDo/s1600/DSC_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WxwhjH40zpjVc1eZLdkCCmDByoa24q5p0t-kkqCEVio-UiZUO66KgInBjPtvvzbYhHJX3VqhQA85go8UG7iVvov9A7eLVQJAphYRqNL0RsiEPF5sJcb0kMwTgjuVpjqAHFsx1y2oCDo/s320/DSC_0463.JPG" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lots of Colby's fball team were here...just missed many of them when snapping pics </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ0hHtnA_A3Pao_QUfLiXBymFYcXOE1nlUrk_P5PMHjtMvgp-dCJoqzWtQO7wNBDG1AbuuqUbsoOG6uIr3TVPbJFYUCQPWjg466E9fZEk63Q2m-HsusFT9c3h3YYy57jD17lQfPoRApc/s1600/DSC_0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ0hHtnA_A3Pao_QUfLiXBymFYcXOE1nlUrk_P5PMHjtMvgp-dCJoqzWtQO7wNBDG1AbuuqUbsoOG6uIr3TVPbJFYUCQPWjg466E9fZEk63Q2m-HsusFT9c3h3YYy57jD17lQfPoRApc/s320/DSC_0465.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lm0Wzf5itAXPJCeA6Z-Lwyh_H08ytMAVOitbtmxSNawmCaIYwOchOln0UXoZPI6P2PVcE8ZCW0oNejAglrIRTRV1iyY4b-w-WbtTMCly2JfapciY3PayqcfZo6rDRVOIbgHvTjQNpQo/s1600/DSC_0468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lm0Wzf5itAXPJCeA6Z-Lwyh_H08ytMAVOitbtmxSNawmCaIYwOchOln0UXoZPI6P2PVcE8ZCW0oNejAglrIRTRV1iyY4b-w-WbtTMCly2JfapciY3PayqcfZo6rDRVOIbgHvTjQNpQo/s320/DSC_0468.JPG" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The faithful, loyal Lia crew were here as always....special people and prayer warriors for our girl</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPB2PtT2wLZqMfHzURu9YLKChm_o8oxz-Leu-6Z35FghwNf8DeJBq7xJ_HHfOfnA-HbK4q-JQ4QgLIxsRLX0qc1nDWH8k8MS9Z1lX5l8FB6DwvvsIWbAjWYcQRm_YqA7hvT7lHxzpdqQ/s1600/DSC_0470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPB2PtT2wLZqMfHzURu9YLKChm_o8oxz-Leu-6Z35FghwNf8DeJBq7xJ_HHfOfnA-HbK4q-JQ4QgLIxsRLX0qc1nDWH8k8MS9Z1lX5l8FB6DwvvsIWbAjWYcQRm_YqA7hvT7lHxzpdqQ/s320/DSC_0470.JPG" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Madison and Paige...some of Lia's biggest fans </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XV_qa0C_0lRkbw-8bcyPm0uqEdAvAqZPDsM7rEQ3sEsQJ_25WyNLx6_wVBVLKbPabYkjmvKzbxXac99dt1K8_H3APISQ-mqdnmGqL-3IgzFSTVnMOLzwllNZvCe10V-zOVbrALXeV7k/s1600/DSC_0472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XV_qa0C_0lRkbw-8bcyPm0uqEdAvAqZPDsM7rEQ3sEsQJ_25WyNLx6_wVBVLKbPabYkjmvKzbxXac99dt1K8_H3APISQ-mqdnmGqL-3IgzFSTVnMOLzwllNZvCe10V-zOVbrALXeV7k/s320/DSC_0472.JPG" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last but not least...Miss Sassypants herself</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I uploaded these, I realized how many people we missed getting their pics. I'm sad about that. Thanks to all of you, any who showed up to brave the heat and walk with us. Thanks to all of you who ordered shirts. Thanks to each and every one of you who have ever been on your knees in prayer for our family. We know who you are, and we love you all. We thank God every single day for you, our amazing support system. We are so blessed to be able to share Lia with each of you. </div>
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Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-38202085364669330562013-08-25T18:26:00.001-07:002013-08-26T06:24:00.225-07:00Endings...and BeginnngsWhat is it about endings? Why are they so hard, even when we have even greater things ahead of us? A precious phase of our life ended today...the moment we dropped all three of our kids off at school. No more babies or toddlers, no more preschool, no more diapers and sippie cups. And as ridiculous, or cliche as it is...I'm really sad about it. Oh I know...I'll get over it soon enough. I'll have "my freedom" and will be more productive. On my days off, I can now drop them off at the load line with my stretchy pants and glasses on, coffee in hand, go straight back home and back to bed if I want (like I'm so sure, there will still be a messy house to deal with, piles of laundry taller than Lia, and groceries to buy...). But right now, in this moment, I don't care about any of that. I loved that part of our family's life. I barely remember how hard it is when they were babies...instead I remember chubby cheeks and slobber kisses. I remember sweet baby cuddles and new milestones reached every day. So as I drop off all three of my babies today...especially the baby of my babies, I think I'll allow myself to be a little sad. <div><br></div><div>And then, I'll remind myself that we've been through much harder things than starting Kindergarten...only 12 weeks ago. <div><br></div><div>And I'll remember to be grateful. <div><br></div><div>I flash back to 5 and a half years ago... the day we found out about Lia's extensive heart defects. I remember so clearly as we sat in that tiny office talking to Dr Matt Lemler, the one who read her fetal echo, and is now her pediatric cardiologist. I remember him telling us what he thought he saw on the echo (which was spot on correct, by the way) and us dying inside. I remember looking him in the eye and asking him, "What does this mean for our baby's future? I mean, will our baby live to be 100?" I remember his answer... "No. No she won't... But Mrs Stone, most of us won't live to be 100." </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YpzssZVP6PWXF-EyEwkryy_O7IAO9F5igE324jYFDMdAsoQyIQSru6pBmCMOdvvUFAMkbZboEHded1SE7koHqMeWOaSA_IrG3ZLW02vPXqne0bDk9GmeCoHZ_SJyKUrY-BGcYnkjj3E/s640/blogger-image--1567343491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YpzssZVP6PWXF-EyEwkryy_O7IAO9F5igE324jYFDMdAsoQyIQSru6pBmCMOdvvUFAMkbZboEHded1SE7koHqMeWOaSA_IrG3ZLW02vPXqne0bDk9GmeCoHZ_SJyKUrY-BGcYnkjj3E/s640/blogger-image--1567343491.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>So there you go. That uncertainty has never left us. I think about it every single day. </div><div><br></div><div> But here's the deal...nothing's for certain. Nothing in this life, anyway. What is certain? What do we know for sure? Heaven is certain. God's promises are certain. His faithfulness is certain. That's what we can cling to and find comfort in. And so we do just that. </div><div><br></div><div>Today, our little miracle, Lia Kate Stone starts Kindergarten. That is a milestone that was never certain for her. Today, she is healthy and strong. She is full of joy. She is ready. And we are grateful. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8flLw8iWtRPj9kCsQ8gLLTZwhOOGBINldsh_Sj8uCLrqm6jczIKWAnHGx66lZU8JtIn3O-MOmLkP2HqY-E8YSNREfvmGhSiX61FR4GnrMDYNWybsGUs0VDo73TldQfhL2NDQ16GWwHlw/s640/blogger-image-471944907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8flLw8iWtRPj9kCsQ8gLLTZwhOOGBINldsh_Sj8uCLrqm6jczIKWAnHGx66lZU8JtIn3O-MOmLkP2HqY-E8YSNREfvmGhSiX61FR4GnrMDYNWybsGUs0VDo73TldQfhL2NDQ16GWwHlw/s640/blogger-image-471944907.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8flLw8iWtRPj9kCsQ8gLLTZwhOOGBINldsh_Sj8uCLrqm6jczIKWAnHGx66lZU8JtIn3O-MOmLkP2HqY-E8YSNREfvmGhSiX61FR4GnrMDYNWybsGUs0VDo73TldQfhL2NDQ16GWwHlw/s640/blogger-image-471944907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJktAPUKU0g-WezUcA64fMOgeoob97BXSeLE0HSw4qswYCtzj05VE8vcDFygitSjjbuR8XV4hpYpLUiNSQtiUiCoT4mLSOBjHjBPQeh-WqcatS5_FVDAIbDbyphecyUDWiZrBHOqqNDM/s640/blogger-image-727490479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJktAPUKU0g-WezUcA64fMOgeoob97BXSeLE0HSw4qswYCtzj05VE8vcDFygitSjjbuR8XV4hpYpLUiNSQtiUiCoT4mLSOBjHjBPQeh-WqcatS5_FVDAIbDbyphecyUDWiZrBHOqqNDM/s640/blogger-image-727490479.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Thank you, Lord. With tears in my eyes, I can never say Thank You enough....</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmCLm8WZ6WHtJquiNZUySmlTQv5L4WTrZqoJFcvHE6FTzV3clKf3nI7DLYtiJre_G5qA2xikhWG0F6-fBQ1_OUsZU2H-nAlIq-0CiCT2Np7UplSrxiF4VV2rQeckeBZlncspKOaiM4bo/s640/blogger-image--2035361167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmCLm8WZ6WHtJquiNZUySmlTQv5L4WTrZqoJFcvHE6FTzV3clKf3nI7DLYtiJre_G5qA2xikhWG0F6-fBQ1_OUsZU2H-nAlIq-0CiCT2Np7UplSrxiF4VV2rQeckeBZlncspKOaiM4bo/s640/blogger-image--2035361167.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">With these two guys to look after her for the next two years...I think she'll be ok. I'm thankful for them too. Let's do this 2013-2014 school year....</div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-32063784949974168702013-08-13T08:56:00.001-07:002013-08-13T09:40:23.803-07:00Looking Back Over the Summer....Time is a funny thing. It can go by so slowly...it can go by so quickly. This past summer has done both. As I reflect on our family's summer, I am amazed. We started out the week before school let out at Children's Medical Center, enduring the event we had been dreading for 5 years. We sent our precious baby girl through those scary doors into the cardio thoracic operating room for the third time in her life...and we were devastated. We were terrified and literally sick to our stomachs. We were emotional. We were also comforted, confident, and hopeful. We were surrounded by you all...all who have loved on and prayed for our family for years now. It was really hard...really hard, but looking back now, I realize just how well Lia did. 6 days. 6 days was all the time she needed in the hospital and that was pretty good. Once again, we realize just how blessed we have been. Here are some pics to just remind us how very far our Lia has come...<div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9H7rDdnifqRnhyyxAhN3x5hnYvELHYB0vNwhT6bZm3x1rrteyY08JZMlHTMlOR8UtsL0i_PUV1qDyHcCqfrhXHPbQM6SRJ0CtfiZRuSP0jzYKhBZTsEIEff5qsz45GmOQtXYjf2wR78M/s640/blogger-image-136508267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9H7rDdnifqRnhyyxAhN3x5hnYvELHYB0vNwhT6bZm3x1rrteyY08JZMlHTMlOR8UtsL0i_PUV1qDyHcCqfrhXHPbQM6SRJ0CtfiZRuSP0jzYKhBZTsEIEff5qsz45GmOQtXYjf2wR78M/s640/blogger-image-136508267.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawhmjO7lNINUiV-xYATdeE4vwNkt_fdlg_KrCdVP63qpxkElBIf5og-GBhDnBhMbfV7Zh07YLw6P57C_Z2E4J4YEt5rxODWdtBxPsw8Q3llmhv_jBGtUJJJkrS5I__kWxHl8RdBjw9a4/s640/blogger-image--1416930280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawhmjO7lNINUiV-xYATdeE4vwNkt_fdlg_KrCdVP63qpxkElBIf5og-GBhDnBhMbfV7Zh07YLw6P57C_Z2E4J4YEt5rxODWdtBxPsw8Q3llmhv_jBGtUJJJkrS5I__kWxHl8RdBjw9a4/s640/blogger-image--1416930280.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFjl3eYsabJ6qVCYLgLNw7_uZZ34Kc9kz7DywSnO8bEe7ogGUjd2XX79JZB4XUSMH-BrQEqyYRwdB9tTi7qeb5rKUnIK36yMeUj-fXbtthEWBzRonOJLJMs3ImAdqvfJ7TdSYQGVye9k/s640/blogger-image--1523947303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFjl3eYsabJ6qVCYLgLNw7_uZZ34Kc9kz7DywSnO8bEe7ogGUjd2XX79JZB4XUSMH-BrQEqyYRwdB9tTi7qeb5rKUnIK36yMeUj-fXbtthEWBzRonOJLJMs3ImAdqvfJ7TdSYQGVye9k/s640/blogger-image--1523947303.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidahWII_uUdGt0BusA5TSEp3rUcADMqSFXUQ6GPhEFIeVhinGYUKwnZDXIeBRMsgoHloE9qJa_4pCkSpoxPYTPbgEauJH0LgWi9SvVVRMv6NQh78uyKYY4OTeFffpfXvV-alOBCgkpK8Q/s640/blogger-image-95879692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidahWII_uUdGt0BusA5TSEp3rUcADMqSFXUQ6GPhEFIeVhinGYUKwnZDXIeBRMsgoHloE9qJa_4pCkSpoxPYTPbgEauJH0LgWi9SvVVRMv6NQh78uyKYY4OTeFffpfXvV-alOBCgkpK8Q/s640/blogger-image-95879692.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPdwOkrBmAE49McuFR8xbitIKaaG41YqPGMnc1q7PgZrO8cWmz8biR7V7Dku3CKO-bGFGI4FtGuQrmvLw0RLZ0KXsrYItnZS9NUrqsJd7J0ekJGJBcef2rEjVKDbPZbd6N26rgcn-rdY/s640/blogger-image-840100128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPdwOkrBmAE49McuFR8xbitIKaaG41YqPGMnc1q7PgZrO8cWmz8biR7V7Dku3CKO-bGFGI4FtGuQrmvLw0RLZ0KXsrYItnZS9NUrqsJd7J0ekJGJBcef2rEjVKDbPZbd6N26rgcn-rdY/s640/blogger-image-840100128.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMXZMTFZCA1_UbZ7tpG8fbQRvqE_zfUzH4cAOUdVelGOkd7OS4IC2JK-alAxQOc68Fnmuse5hi9mfosFNF1_GGZDcvJ7MTLuiC5FnrV4iZIt4Sl3DirFI42K_Cu4GWRT78tS7xcKQqAA/s640/blogger-image-969039583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMXZMTFZCA1_UbZ7tpG8fbQRvqE_zfUzH4cAOUdVelGOkd7OS4IC2JK-alAxQOc68Fnmuse5hi9mfosFNF1_GGZDcvJ7MTLuiC5FnrV4iZIt4Sl3DirFI42K_Cu4GWRT78tS7xcKQqAA/s640/blogger-image-969039583.jpg"></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMXZMTFZCA1_UbZ7tpG8fbQRvqE_zfUzH4cAOUdVelGOkd7OS4IC2JK-alAxQOc68Fnmuse5hi9mfosFNF1_GGZDcvJ7MTLuiC5FnrV4iZIt4Sl3DirFI42K_Cu4GWRT78tS7xcKQqAA/s640/blogger-image-969039583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQyQCgvtN4rF5tm4vk2lOzGqLh7v7cSKhp_JRqch-u-qxvzDNvLKz-9w17rLqf_o6jlfyzsEq7Is2nXjfS8mKPIS4ABeC21Sh1V0TGLecpws1vIwSuJszog0nX0hQlkvu9F6Vb3kE5yI/s640/blogger-image--58904636.jpg"></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; ">Once Lia started to really recover, our summer took off. Since then, we've celebrated her 5 year old birthday!!! What a special, special birthday it was. We had so much to celebrate. </div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPi5fkJKToecOzhMJy7j5vSSBRadQuh1w-OQh0sPybrb1SD_UuE-L9fSooa-nahEJ3n_wpEKIEMF1IK8cSZtU7Cn5R4I3Rkh_XjiDWooAOAs3Qp2xG5gdPUUl0AGTHGHHjfXm9VXVK7YA/s640/blogger-image-26993313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPi5fkJKToecOzhMJy7j5vSSBRadQuh1w-OQh0sPybrb1SD_UuE-L9fSooa-nahEJ3n_wpEKIEMF1IK8cSZtU7Cn5R4I3Rkh_XjiDWooAOAs3Qp2xG5gdPUUl0AGTHGHHjfXm9VXVK7YA/s640/blogger-image-26993313.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That princess party just got us warmed up for our Disney vacation....which was one of the biggest things we looked forward to as we got through the first part of the summer in the hospital. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Disney was all we ever dreamt it would be...it was wonderful, and magical, and the weather in California was perfection... I cried a lot while we were there, but that's no surprise. I'm a crier. I was really just so grateful we were able to go. I was grateful for the boys sake...who are always so resilient when it comes to some of the sacrifices our family makes for Lia.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> So we planned this California trip around The Rangers schedule...what!?! That's normal, right? We stayed in the same hotel as The Rangers and although weren't allowed to ask for autographs or pics, we did plenty of stalking anyway. I would've liked to do some additional stalking, but was literally so exhausted every night I could barely manage to get in bed before falling asleep. I know I wasted many opportunities in that regard, but sleep is clearly high on my list of priorities because you won't meet a bigger Rangers fan. We were also able to overlap our vaycay with some friends and their vaycays....which made it all even more fun!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzwL-hwggqux37R1GVvaLKrCIBclxFmwh9wcHjldyypfgLQF4YelwY3JUHmkabaHdpOQ-05-YHfcNtZwwVx8edXK7E4knJrLXHuk1kAJ170K3a07SvMrNbxlrAz43GmGFrGzKVl1jThg/s640/blogger-image--729768802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzwL-hwggqux37R1GVvaLKrCIBclxFmwh9wcHjldyypfgLQF4YelwY3JUHmkabaHdpOQ-05-YHfcNtZwwVx8edXK7E4knJrLXHuk1kAJ170K3a07SvMrNbxlrAz43GmGFrGzKVl1jThg/s640/blogger-image--729768802.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here was our awesome, slightly obnoxious sign that made the broadcast...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl9t5h0Vk6s3_gM7qAh7s0vOUxoVAadhuAr1NvAC9AUt2OfMRSdIshpCdQ9-95p32V5EsG3UqBfEyIJ9Ctx45vX1mJY1bO0miOGCfiezoU_3OD0l098OjEIhc1NFg7MbnbHG18EJ57OA/s640/blogger-image--509201006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl9t5h0Vk6s3_gM7qAh7s0vOUxoVAadhuAr1NvAC9AUt2OfMRSdIshpCdQ9-95p32V5EsG3UqBfEyIJ9Ctx45vX1mJY1bO0miOGCfiezoU_3OD0l098OjEIhc1NFg7MbnbHG18EJ57OA/s640/blogger-image--509201006.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxWRAErw-feraLwJMr8ExE5BCI-nqqGxi-p5BA67PoYHK5SVaEkej62t-0COagkmuIGL_xp60wKBdQZjX30pMAKda4bR5_o4emNjracdlS5wsVWxh2UyLDALa8QG3JSpaIB2kZE-1Qug/s640/blogger-image--680708859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxWRAErw-feraLwJMr8ExE5BCI-nqqGxi-p5BA67PoYHK5SVaEkej62t-0COagkmuIGL_xp60wKBdQZjX30pMAKda4bR5_o4emNjracdlS5wsVWxh2UyLDALa8QG3JSpaIB2kZE-1Qug/s640/blogger-image--680708859.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZgYzJZCfOZjXOnIS8Jf6ee3D___Mklu5t-15hYMxXrgRyeXaxTafj0OiHrAjT8KFjvxhoSzpLLRiR8COBLQHS28rB9Jieb-bM2mfjVVWloSme-UN6S3_kDVpLk-ybKI18AsNe14BAw4/s640/blogger-image--1691066782.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZgYzJZCfOZjXOnIS8Jf6ee3D___Mklu5t-15hYMxXrgRyeXaxTafj0OiHrAjT8KFjvxhoSzpLLRiR8COBLQHS28rB9Jieb-bM2mfjVVWloSme-UN6S3_kDVpLk-ybKI18AsNe14BAw4/s640/blogger-image--1691066782.jpg"></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBaRnOyhe7ee5p8COKfUsapDflQvGffKAwY6RaqPJaEcY9V-ZTwL-FCfFNvjJGubz6SKllupbrh9eGSe9ZebTFVq8GrCSLUQN0GEBJJadPEemt9xPZYA84VLhfMaveczRuLRgbivr1U0/s640/blogger-image--119139604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBaRnOyhe7ee5p8COKfUsapDflQvGffKAwY6RaqPJaEcY9V-ZTwL-FCfFNvjJGubz6SKllupbrh9eGSe9ZebTFVq8GrCSLUQN0GEBJJadPEemt9xPZYA84VLhfMaveczRuLRgbivr1U0/s640/blogger-image--119139604.jpg"></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><br><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBaRnOyhe7ee5p8COKfUsapDflQvGffKAwY6RaqPJaEcY9V-ZTwL-FCfFNvjJGubz6SKllupbrh9eGSe9ZebTFVq8GrCSLUQN0GEBJJadPEemt9xPZYA84VLhfMaveczRuLRgbivr1U0/s640/blogger-image--119139604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavdGkkeaxZijci-dtw3w9_2KfUPQffJe0EapKoC2YMkfNAzfsNlEYTMwEI5ep3m3nLj0j3Xpmv-NfzDuNf_WgF74bRalAKAQ6Vsm3W9HtCvH2kTI-kJ2aZT0cIbXeVX-lOyVm4Q_coVw/s640/blogger-image--2016220190.jpg"></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; ">We went to two of the three games against the Angels...swept those suckers, tied up the AL West and went on about our business. You're welcome Rangers fans.</div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; ">Beach pics!!!! The beach in California is much different than Florida. You probably all knew that but I'm learning things as Corey is perfecting the "earning miles with credit stuff" and we are getting out more. We were actually a little chilly on the beach. I thought I might suffer from hypothermia when I stuck my one foot in the water. Not a fan. However, just to lie on the beach, without any type of umbrella, with that perfect cool breeze coming off the ocean, in the full sun? Yeah...that was doable. It was awesome. I could've stayed there for hours... and we would have. Except for the fact that we had an incredibly important baseball game to attend that night. (And we couldn't let you Rangers fans down, now could we?)..,</div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zWWmp4EinVKwrXnfvcGcF0pdGkR7T_DhNl2RXfltBqMYwDNh0g3pW39D_mfFQNJAKQCFp0U14-MW2raZRIlrqTiypWyrxqG2Ix02n7kTMxp3slzx8iGJHJjUtNoeFEJfOKaWI1h24bU/s640/blogger-image-1909366660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zWWmp4EinVKwrXnfvcGcF0pdGkR7T_DhNl2RXfltBqMYwDNh0g3pW39D_mfFQNJAKQCFp0U14-MW2raZRIlrqTiypWyrxqG2Ix02n7kTMxp3slzx8iGJHJjUtNoeFEJfOKaWI1h24bU/s640/blogger-image-1909366660.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3zJiUR3Px2ft2UXEQ_0OmMg8t3wz3ggTvBJawko8QTQVYvIA-GtJ-wHv_dKhDR3MCp-P81llDosTmHWC2SWLVGYu7on44HxYhS19FF5m5dP6zWLiOEiqLGRSesbioMTmyvePOpUSUjo/s640/blogger-image--1511278551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3zJiUR3Px2ft2UXEQ_0OmMg8t3wz3ggTvBJawko8QTQVYvIA-GtJ-wHv_dKhDR3MCp-P81llDosTmHWC2SWLVGYu7on44HxYhS19FF5m5dP6zWLiOEiqLGRSesbioMTmyvePOpUSUjo/s640/blogger-image--1511278551.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XRbXbUrREhIjg_XL8-JYHlpIk8IuWa7AP1TLpnSZDaNk4WJsR_zn96MfvoPmUJe4jmc_TfBKanXbokA9PYHbedR7zb6QnSu4DlqOpTQeDraFFuld8A3eaxQkMLU52sSmqjNbODGV9O4/s640/blogger-image--1252488960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XRbXbUrREhIjg_XL8-JYHlpIk8IuWa7AP1TLpnSZDaNk4WJsR_zn96MfvoPmUJe4jmc_TfBKanXbokA9PYHbedR7zb6QnSu4DlqOpTQeDraFFuld8A3eaxQkMLU52sSmqjNbODGV9O4/s640/blogger-image--1252488960.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDBN2HeHfCbgEUfcHJjERJQzpkNN60YBD61F-5Bw7AYFsuQ0NJ5dAMRHE3in0NmnAS7mA-M5JPN7s121rjFxTd2xS7rMf9zVpA4lAvUoCfIvt0S-hF7M2RAisfj9aTaQcj5Fgm5C5DNw/s640/blogger-image-904844151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDBN2HeHfCbgEUfcHJjERJQzpkNN60YBD61F-5Bw7AYFsuQ0NJ5dAMRHE3in0NmnAS7mA-M5JPN7s121rjFxTd2xS7rMf9zVpA4lAvUoCfIvt0S-hF7M2RAisfj9aTaQcj5Fgm5C5DNw/s640/blogger-image-904844151.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Notice I didn't add any pics of myself here...that's for obvious reasons ;-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now to Disney pics...I can't wait to download all of them and make a vacation book from Shutterfly or whatever but these are a few. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghv9GhHQ4T6whdWEVVrl1CqsWWxQfATR52MMptz_SD9k8sEH4uwZr0sVky7LlZSSSZSTwzCzzaEuxhqqBiW63YsIuQ1AvNsV4fcSHbHIk2G2ddAFl2XF67WRHozWpWI0DVeFLlKhY0Kds/s640/blogger-image--1455006415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAmBYZhmYRKgRQzpfPwujbkTTAtafQ-3jfc7sOxwvzP_mb-MgnMqsmb4nqwk_SPKWw6sq3VWL94vQWFno0d73AqB3hIkB22OHYLcyWtFk7TJIhar7nR-f-34tz95HFtkP5O_c__B6Fv0/s640/blogger-image-60631908.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSkFHWASH8XEheBwcW6Kj2f1Yvdx_6jGe9C5MXrB0SyfbCOkh0vs60unrO9HxBGIiTEtStOjMJsAdfMwXhttGCQsSTzr_EGNxWHaoVdj22w2ilNOQClPhLFuyQh61bY45Ayo5ZzayL2o/s640/blogger-image-842276117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSkFHWASH8XEheBwcW6Kj2f1Yvdx_6jGe9C5MXrB0SyfbCOkh0vs60unrO9HxBGIiTEtStOjMJsAdfMwXhttGCQsSTzr_EGNxWHaoVdj22w2ilNOQClPhLFuyQh61bY45Ayo5ZzayL2o/s640/blogger-image-842276117.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That's about it...lots and lots of celebration, gratefulness and fun crammed into this post. It's time to start school. It's time for the Dallas Heartwalk and Team Lia. It's time for Charger and Jacket football. I love it all. I'm thankful for today. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful." Romans 12:12</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div><br></div></div>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-72599470223474715892013-06-21T14:19:00.001-07:002013-06-21T14:42:01.063-07:00Worry Does Not Guard the Sacred Future...We went to see Dr Lemler this morning. We've seen him a couple of times since we brought her home, when we've seen the surgery team. Officially, those times before today were to see the surgery team only, but he was able to pop in each time and put his eyes on her. Today's visit was scheduled with him, so he was able to spend a little longer with us. <div><br></div><div>So he walked in the room and said, "Rumor has it...that you've just had surgery...but looking at you I don't really know if I believe that." In a nutshell, she is doing awesome. We've been tweaking little things in order to balance her fluid and electrolyte status, while trying to make sure no pleural effusions come back. Remember, that's why she had the chest tubes after surgery. Sometimes after the Fontan, those will come back after the chest tubes have been removed. That's why they keep her on high doses of diuretics (to help her pee off the fluid). The problem is, with being on those kinds of meds, it throws off her electrolytes so we've been chasing those as well. </div><div><br></div><div>Today her chest X-ray looked perfect (no effusions), her electrolytes were all in good range again, and her EKG was good (no weird arrhythmia). Those are all good things that we've been dealing with since coming home. Now, the thing they looked at today was her heart rate which was elevated some. This can be from being on too much diuretic and being a little on the "dry side"... He went back and forth over whether to stop one of the diuretics or "pee meds", (which is what four year olds call them.) He decided to let us take her pulse at home this evening and call him with it. If it's still high away from the hospital he may just stop one of the meds. We will see...</div><div><br></div><div>All in all, she continues to amaze everyone...including me. It's hard to believe we are on this side of this surgery. I know I've said that before, but I still can't wrap my head around it. I'm still having a hard time relaxing. I've been trying to allow myself to just breathe and openly accept this gift we've been given. It is such a gift. She is such a gift. I am so grateful. </div><div><br></div><div>I've read something lately that I love and I want to share with you all. I share it because I think we all need to hear it, and put it into practice. I also share it because I need to to read it again, say it out loud to myself, type it in this blog, and do it. I need to adopt this way of thinking...I imagine I will have to work on this for the rest of my life. </div><div><br></div><div>This is from a blog I just read yesterday...</div><div><br></div><div><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>"Worry is a cornered dog, growling and hair bristled, trying to fend reality off, snarling and putting all its energy towards the fight that is coming.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>In Brennan Manning’s new devotional, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CSXWUJQ/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=theactpas-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B00CSXWUJQ&adid=12PNP29E2ANMXVBWFV6D&" target="_blank" style="word-wrap: break-word !important; ">Dear Abba</a>, he writes about surrender, which is the opposite of worry.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>“The emotional state of surrender” </i>writes Harry Tiebout,<i> “is a state in which there is a persisting capacity to accept reality. It is a state that is really positive and creative.” When the Christian surrenders to the Spirit on the unconscious level, there is no residual battle, and relaxation ensues with freedom from strain and conflict. Submission, on the other hand, is halfhearted acceptance. It is described by such words as </i>resignation<i>, </i>compliance<i>, </i>acknowledgement<i>, </i>concession<i>, and so forth. There remains a feeling of reservation, a tug in the direction of non-acceptance. Surrender produces wholehearted acceptance.</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>My wife Mary has a mantra. Sometimes mantras are clever but soulless, and so they dissipate like morning fog. But sometimes they are life preservers. Mary’s mantras are always life preservers.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>“Worry does not guard the sacred future,”</i> she says.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>“Who are you?”</i> I say back.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>She means that there <em>is</em> a sacred future, one that God is inviting us to both join and co-create, and it’s filled with possibilities, uncertainties, what ifs, joy, and pain. And we cannot guard that sacred future. We can only walk into it, whatever it is, choosing to believe that <i>God is good</i> (another mantra that can be a life preserver).</b></span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>She means that worry doesn’t help the sacred future to come more quickly, or without pain.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>She means that in order to walk into the sacred future, we must accept reality, no matter what reality is, and surrender is required.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>“Be it unto me, just as you said.”</b></i></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Another Mary said those words, and when she said them, they were words of surrender. I’m sure there was some worry along the way. Surrender doesn’t mean there are no more highs and lows. But whatever worry she did have, she didn’t let it turn her into a snarling dog, bracing for a fight.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Surrender walks into the sacred future, hand-in-hand with One who knows how to calm the snarling dog, and lead it into freedom.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>And you get to choose how you will live, worry or surrender."</b></span></p><div class="shr-publisher-1201" style="text-align: left; "></div><div class="rssBottomLinks" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><a href="http://www.stevewiens.com/2013/06/20/if-you-tend-to-worry-read-this/#comments" class="rssCommentsLink" style="word-wrap: break-word !important; ">comments</a> | <a href="http://www.stevewiens.com/2013/06/20/if-you-tend-to-worry-read-this/" class="rssReadMoreLink" style="word-wrap: break-word !important; ">read more</a></b></span></font></div><div class="rssBottomLinks" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><a href="http://us6.campaign-archive.com/social-proxy/facebook-like?u=23609ae53b8df25cc4aa2e516&id=5864195578&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevewiens.com%2F2013%2F06%2F20%2Fif-you-tend-to-worry-read-this%2F&title=If%20You%20Tend%20to%20Worry%2C%20Read%20This&e=%5BUNIQID%5D" title="Like If You Tend to Worry, Read This on Facebook" rel="socialproxy" id="fblike-b31f1b74" style="word-wrap: break-word !important; "><img src="http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/fb/like.gif" border="0" alt="Like If You Tend to Worry, Read This on Facebook" height="20" width="48" style="border: 0px; height: auto !important; outline: none; text-decoration: none; display: inline; "></a> <a href="http://us6.campaign-archive.com/social-proxy/google-plus-one?u=23609ae53b8df25cc4aa2e516&id=5864195578&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevewiens.com%2F2013%2F06%2F20%2Fif-you-tend-to-worry-read-this%2F&title=If%20You%20Tend%20to%20Worry%2C%20Read%20This&gpo=gplusone-b31f1b74&e=%5BUNIQID%5D" rel="socialproxy" id="gplusone-b31f1b74" style="word-wrap: break-word !important; "><img src="http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/google-plusone.png" border="0" height="20" width="32" alt="Google Plus One Button" style="border: 0px; height: auto !important; outline: none; text-decoration: none; "></a> <a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevewiens.com%2F2013%2F06%2F20%2Fif-you-tend-to-worry-read-this%2F&text=If+You+Tend+to+Worry%2C+Read+This&count=none" target="_blank" style="word-wrap: break-word !important; "><img src="http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/social_connect_tweet.png" border="0" width="55" height="20" alt="share on Twitter" style="border: 0px; height: auto !important; outline: none; text-decoration: none; display: inline; "></a></b></span></font></div></div><div class="rssBottomLinks" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><font color="#000000"><b><br></b></font></div><div class="rssBottomLinks" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><font color="#000000"><b><br></b></font></div><div class="rssBottomLinks" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><font color="#000000"><b><br></b></font></div><div class="rssBottomLinks" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><font color="#000000"><b>I love the mantra "Worry does not guard the sacred future"... I love it. I want to live like this. And I will spend the rest of my life trying to. In the meantime, though, I will choose to accept His gift with my whole heart. Thank you....Thank you so much God. :-)</b></font></div><div class="rssBottomLinks" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><font color="#000000"><b><br></b></font></div><div class="rssBottomLinks" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><font color="#000000"><b><br></b></font></div><div class="rssBottomLinks" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><font color="#000000"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirh1oDqkKD6JoJu9u_RcQlRBEeEwR-nkqXVjqGAz3HcJRn4JOpEJx01Bk-7OpGNRYkuPGUMmmW8uJe2LfOKfBlqiTq7AbQOlMtuSoRZix72WVHa7IvKBHOt9UT8NyUzYbhuVmupYKho6Y/s640/blogger-image--538921085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirh1oDqkKD6JoJu9u_RcQlRBEeEwR-nkqXVjqGAz3HcJRn4JOpEJx01Bk-7OpGNRYkuPGUMmmW8uJe2LfOKfBlqiTq7AbQOlMtuSoRZix72WVHa7IvKBHOt9UT8NyUzYbhuVmupYKho6Y/s640/blogger-image--538921085.jpg"></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>This is a picture of Lia next to the plaque that hangs on the wall in the CMC heart clinic. Lia was the first baby we did the "Babycam" or the "Virtual Crib" project on at Baylor. I was able to see Lia on a webcam after she was transferred to CMC and I was still recovering at Baylor. We are now able to do that for every baby born at Baylor with serious heart defects requiring immediate transfer to Children's. Obviously, this program is very near and dear to my heart. She's come a long way since then...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMnkhyKkXhRahsTvXBFwgqkM_WTyGEeePXskAegc4BMlK8uVSqdAnE03Ea_oTtzbzIW13ElH5M7-Ff5AUZxwgqXrEnpSf3HQXt4yFTZe99qEy81ufr0U0Pydhjpsld9BIvQYlTkUXfTc/s640/blogger-image--1710191447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMnkhyKkXhRahsTvXBFwgqkM_WTyGEeePXskAegc4BMlK8uVSqdAnE03Ea_oTtzbzIW13ElH5M7-Ff5AUZxwgqXrEnpSf3HQXt4yFTZe99qEy81ufr0U0Pydhjpsld9BIvQYlTkUXfTc/s640/blogger-image--1710191447.jpg"></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Just a cute pic of Lia and her daddy waiting to see our friends in the CMC Heart Center today...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></font></div>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-73301496156209272952013-06-10T11:36:00.001-07:002013-06-10T11:36:07.376-07:00Better and Better Every Day...Some of you have been requesting an update...sorry, I've been busy trying to get projects done around here. I'm not used to having any extended days off, so I'm taking advantage of this time. Now that Lia's feeling better, it's on. Project "get the Stone house organized while I'm off work" has begun with a vengeance. <div><br></div><div>It looks like Lia has turned the corner. She's not 100%...but we are getting there. Her appetite is back and for now, seems to be eating better than ever. She's currently working on her third piece of pizza for lunch. She has started playing some, instead of just watching TV from the alternating stations of the couch and our bed. She and I have been on a few walks, (with me pushing her in the stroller), and that seems to be good for everyone. She gets fresh air, and I walk the hills in the neighborhood. Win-win...</div><div><br></div><div>It's nice for Corey and I to be able to tag-team on taking care of her, especially at night. Its really still taking both of us to answer her every beckon call and demand... She's up several times each night to go to the bathroom. That tells us her diuretics are working. We've stopped trying to hide her meds in her food...she's too smart for that. She prefers for us to just dissolve the Lasix and Diuril in a couple ounces of water and she takes it down with a straw. We made a deal with her not to hide any meds in any food from now on. That agreement is in exchange for her to be able to eat any food she wants, knowing there is nothing hidden in it. She's done really well with that. She's not needed any Tylenol for a day and a half or so...so we've stopped forcing that down her. She's done great as far as that's concerned. </div><div><br></div><div>The combination of her feeling better overall and not needing as much medication, along with more energy from eating has turned her around. Again...we are obviously still being extremely careful with her, but so far she's better. She woke up yesterday morning telling me she wanted to wear her pink dress to church, and was disappointed when we told her she had to stay home another week. It won't be long, though...and she will be glad. </div><div><br></div><div>Here are some pics from today so you all can get your eyes on her. She looks good...and I haven't stopped thanking Him for protecting her through this. It's hard to believe we are on this side of the. very thing that has sat on our shoulders for so many years. Just like Dr Lemler said the other day..."See? All that worry for nothing..." Yeah, easy for him to say. He is also so relieved and happy that she's done well. We all are...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5h6EoRAdoYsyYT51GzOIq0jzGVYBBBs0U4EBCC9SnRZb9S_9FClbX3QWos2NG1mgP35iLWzX0u7Iky1YYDlZXf9RHdRdqwG382F3Hvqs3zqPo6ze1IV38pvukfodTQ6ycOByG1oX8Nc/s640/blogger-image--1490115177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5h6EoRAdoYsyYT51GzOIq0jzGVYBBBs0U4EBCC9SnRZb9S_9FClbX3QWos2NG1mgP35iLWzX0u7Iky1YYDlZXf9RHdRdqwG382F3Hvqs3zqPo6ze1IV38pvukfodTQ6ycOByG1oX8Nc/s640/blogger-image--1490115177.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yep, she's washing dishes...I told you we were getting this house in order. ;-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZAoDAB4zKzc0hl6RlqG5HUCQRZvj6l_jAJxS-ut8mJztMssZD4bphD5p2gm2z7CgglowsWTjUwJtbi3WplWl57uTWwHvrKBteDbrwTnwcqM_jFhZeT9Rc3_gZj3POoEKxeznDrm5IV0/s640/blogger-image-567363649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZAoDAB4zKzc0hl6RlqG5HUCQRZvj6l_jAJxS-ut8mJztMssZD4bphD5p2gm2z7CgglowsWTjUwJtbi3WplWl57uTWwHvrKBteDbrwTnwcqM_jFhZeT9Rc3_gZj3POoEKxeznDrm5IV0/s640/blogger-image-567363649.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Taking down pizza for lunch. Here's hoping she can gain back quickly the weight she lost....and I can quickly lose the weight I've gained. #thanksforallthefoodeveryone! </div><br></div><br></div>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-84817921566097518362013-06-06T14:09:00.001-07:002013-06-06T14:26:57.482-07:00All In Due Time...We got to bring our girl home yesterday. She was having a few issues still, but nothing they felt like couldn't be handled from the comfort of our own house just as well as from the hospital. For instance, she had started throwing up, really for no apparent reason. Before, it had been after we had forced yet another medication down into her tiny four year old tummy. She has pain meds, her heart meds, her "trying to get her to poop" meds, and her diuretics. That's a lot to force down a kid who feels bad, has yet to poop so everything's getting backed up, and who is tiny to begin with. So Lia was getting tired of the meds. And the hospital. And us. Who can blame her?<div><br></div><div>I told the cardiology team that I thought she would do better at home, and they agreed. I really have to give the docs and nurse practitioners that at Children's...they listen to the parents. They said they trusted us to take good care of her, make sure she stayed hydrated, and get her meds down her. They told us again how awesome she was doing, and they sent us home. Oh, how happy we were. </div><div><br></div><div>There's really nothing better than coming home after a stay in the hospital. Home is home. We are all together, we are comfortable, and we can watch the Rangers from our pick of several different TVs. Lia's not a big Rangers fan, and much prefers Disney Jr. She's the sick one, so she got pick in the hospital. Disney Jr was and still is getting old. There's some weird cartoon she likes where the rabbits talk, but don't have mouths...but I guess that's really off subject here. </div><div><br></div><div>Home is best...especially coming home to a house that mom's been cleaning and doing laundry to get ready for us. Corey's mom brought over one of her famous, 10 course, brisket meals that we had for dinner. Yummo...that's what I call comfort food. The boys were so glad to see us home when they got home from school. Home is definitely best. </div><div><br></div><div>Even though home is best, it hasn't been what I would call an easy transition. I know it seems like we've rocked through this whole thing flawlessly (and again, by all Fontan standards, we probably have)...it has been hard. Lia isn't comfortable. She had pretty much gone on complete strike as far as taking any pain meds, even Motrin and Tylenol. She is so incredibly stoic. She tells us she isn't hurting, so she doesn't have to take those meds. So for a while, we chose our battles and opted out of forcing those down her in an attempt to decrease everything she was having to take. She would get so worked up and anxious about taking any of her meds, she would end up throwing anything up we got down her. It just didn't seem worth it. I think in the past 24 hours, Corey and I have learned a few things. One thing is that even though she has the most determined, stoic look on her face, she IS still hurting. She still DOES need the pain meds, and she doesn't do well without them. The look on her face, in her eyes...no child should ever have to look so grown up. Really, that look is more grown up than many real grownups I know. It breaks a parent's heart to see it. She's just a little girl, a brave, courageous, determined, tough as nails little girl, and I won't have it. I won't. She's now getting her pain meds regularly. She doesn't like it, and it may take us 30 minutes to get the entire thing down her without her puking it right back up...but she's taking them. I think she feels better for it. She hasn't thrown up once today...that throwing up during the night was about her hurting. If we can control anything...it will be that. We won't let her get uncomfortable again. </div><div><br></div><div>She pretty much just lays around. I know that's normal...she should feel terrible. And she does. It's so hard to see. I know this wont last that long, at least that's what I hope... I'm ready for my baby girl's personality and spunk to return. This is really hard. Really hard. I just keep praying that she will return to us a little more every day. I keep thanking God for how well she's done. I keep asking Him for more patience for myself. I keep asking Him for guidance and strength to continue pushing through each hour. I know he's right here with us...most of those small prayers are being answered daily. By the way...she has pooped by now, several times. That was just one of those little prayers. ;-)</div><div><br></div><div>It's hard to tell how Lia really feels by looking at any of these pics I snap of her. She's fooling you with her posing talents...but here's one I took today. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuV6osoBP5-65JFE2t4u7OzMxj4noyrA6ALJls7LtYMbkLtVyO3GSXZO1SNTotqK7klaFzLZ2pyEOqmGkUQRa2jME-FMHpSYZH2SqEdcXzDhaFIDxbg_Ft5vGtq4LPjLM2Ax3L6rjKchs/s640/blogger-image-554394652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuV6osoBP5-65JFE2t4u7OzMxj4noyrA6ALJls7LtYMbkLtVyO3GSXZO1SNTotqK7klaFzLZ2pyEOqmGkUQRa2jME-FMHpSYZH2SqEdcXzDhaFIDxbg_Ft5vGtq4LPjLM2Ax3L6rjKchs/s640/blogger-image-554394652.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's what she's doing now...after Tylenol. :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NLUzjy3X1CYvQ_xGIfrc6KY3t_53G2FJMl7E5Q_r-b8jgnoIKZsZNFpsIxLkH47DcOteuhCIqfggP3St0e3usTrZzKajZZFXhsyB-YzihCJPxcC54zshMTURTBcXWtWRE_UpjnQ4NTc/s640/blogger-image--882047203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NLUzjy3X1CYvQ_xGIfrc6KY3t_53G2FJMl7E5Q_r-b8jgnoIKZsZNFpsIxLkH47DcOteuhCIqfggP3St0e3usTrZzKajZZFXhsyB-YzihCJPxcC54zshMTURTBcXWtWRE_UpjnQ4NTc/s640/blogger-image--882047203.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We also got away for a few hours today for the boys' Awards Ceremonies at school. Here are some pics of them, their teachers, and their friends. They both won lots of awards and were recognized for accomplishments, but Jace won the Principals Award which is a pretty big deal. We are proud of both of them. They are pumped about being off for the summer. Here are the pics...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Colby and his teacher. She was awesome this year. She sent home not one, but two bags of snack foods for the boys on the days of Lia's heart cath and surgery. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKCDfQQ0ZVefZ2fQL183iFTsrZSANY9uQPNmt2-ksllG3TqgFBDYkp5r6cMvKeOo53Bpc5SWKXvO6bzvsBcWMIoIDhlBpr43Dq1O9HE6-fryhm9S9ifIwUBpa_JkqmNLpmw7C7tDpNaw/s640/blogger-image-310617577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKCDfQQ0ZVefZ2fQL183iFTsrZSANY9uQPNmt2-ksllG3TqgFBDYkp5r6cMvKeOo53Bpc5SWKXvO6bzvsBcWMIoIDhlBpr43Dq1O9HE6-fryhm9S9ifIwUBpa_JkqmNLpmw7C7tDpNaw/s640/blogger-image-310617577.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jace and his funny, adorable, very sweet teacher. She has her entire family praying for Jace's little sis. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNki-NoS88-Vn3SCoUzMxr20ToFd9JeVQI6pMARhvJDRzzBqoT5MqNJPORiV1WrsQAxVxmNCtP7NB17OzkfDFVNFcOLafAPZlgX8RaAbfANwLnbwRQ4qbXL8jjbY2xVx3TYWJeRiluO2k/s640/blogger-image-1683655723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNki-NoS88-Vn3SCoUzMxr20ToFd9JeVQI6pMARhvJDRzzBqoT5MqNJPORiV1WrsQAxVxmNCtP7NB17OzkfDFVNFcOLafAPZlgX8RaAbfANwLnbwRQ4qbXL8jjbY2xVx3TYWJeRiluO2k/s640/blogger-image-1683655723.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Colby and his friend Cade. We love this kid and his family. We are so blessed they are in our lives. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherEX8pNWsrZ1zQUsgMlWre8DTVWyzaUnZG-x7niTf3lTKb_UvCEltazPg1eGsAjLlhTnWXJmUpXQMCpuHVkXJxYtdNTxLsd28ftBIMOYpQypK-AuaSV8_5fXBCK8cBWGEju1BWlz42ME/s640/blogger-image--1215014115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherEX8pNWsrZ1zQUsgMlWre8DTVWyzaUnZG-x7niTf3lTKb_UvCEltazPg1eGsAjLlhTnWXJmUpXQMCpuHVkXJxYtdNTxLsd28ftBIMOYpQypK-AuaSV8_5fXBCK8cBWGEju1BWlz42ME/s640/blogger-image--1215014115.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jace and his buddies from his second grade class...all great kiddos that make Jace smile. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MJavn5C-giRMnn1clXl7O_SY7dnI2HrVcz9is7EAvdFWlu6qSENgUoekuEVl3Hf_rnd6fngfK-O-zDdk-IUXxNSYDNQg-R_4enW-qqnA_aadHcqcR5gkAday4VLOheMLGPE1FXbJN2k/s640/blogger-image--1113493479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MJavn5C-giRMnn1clXl7O_SY7dnI2HrVcz9is7EAvdFWlu6qSENgUoekuEVl3Hf_rnd6fngfK-O-zDdk-IUXxNSYDNQg-R_4enW-qqnA_aadHcqcR5gkAday4VLOheMLGPE1FXbJN2k/s640/blogger-image--1113493479.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So there ya go...that's what's happening in our world these last few days. Thanks for the continued prayers. Keep em coming... :-)</div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-2206518009975795562013-06-04T09:33:00.001-07:002013-06-04T11:55:54.688-07:00Getting close...So much can happen in 6 days. It's been 6 days since Lia's surgery. 6 very long, sometimes very challenging days. But we are blessed. We know we have been covered in prayer...well, now for over 5 years. We can feel it. We feel it in every difficult moment, and we feel it in every single victory. We know we have definitely had many more victories than challenges, but we are ready to get home. I didn't update the blog yesterday, but I'll give you guys a short list of our challenges and our victories... That way you can see how far we've come. It's mind blowing to recall it all, and I think you'll be impressed. <div><br></div><div>Challenges:</div><div>Open Heart surgery. This includes anesthesia, precise line placement, time on heart bypass, sewing in the 22 mm graft from her inferior vena cave to her pulmonary artery, controlling the bleeding, and sewing her up. </div><div><br></div><div>Chest Tubes. This is a big deal with any heart surgery, it seems even more significant with a four year old and this particular surgery. After the Fontan, the kids seem to drain a long time from the chest tubes as their bodies adjust to their new circulation and their lungs and thoracic cavity recover from the inflammatory process of the surgery itself. As I mentioned before, chest tubes hurt. Our sparkly eyed, sassy, never-stops-talking, Lia was nowhere to be found while those were in. </div><div><br></div><div>Pain Control. We expected some of this. She complained of back pain and side pain the most, but most of that is thought to be referred pain from CT's. </div><div><br></div><div>Oral Medication. This has been a biggie. Lia has had a really difficult time taking some of her oral medication. She's always been a great medication taker, and is still taking her regular meds she takes every day wonderfully (big blessing). She is struggling to take Motrin, which is extremely important. It helps her pain control, but also helps to keep the pleural effusions (fluid outside of her lung) in check. Without the Motrin, she doesn't feel comfortable. I'd she doesn't feel good, she doesn't get up and walk. If she doesn't get up and walk, she doesn't get stronger, doesn't move her food through, and doesn't move the fluid out of her lungs. We have changed her diuretics to pill form, and are giving her that in food. She has to have the diuretics for a while to ensure those pleural effusions decrease. Somehow Corey has managed to turn things around with the Motrin. He's had some success getting her to take it. I just pray she keeps that up because I'm on tonight while he goes home with the boys. He's been named "The Medicine Whisperer". I sure am grateful for Corey. We make a good team, I couldn't do this without him...no question. </div><div><br></div><div>Oxygen Saturations. So for most of Lia's life, she has had to live with her deoxygenated blood mixing with her oxygenated blood. This caused her O2 saturations to run anywhere from 75-85%. Yours and mine run 98-100%. Lia did fine with a sat in the 80's...but after the Fontan, her deoxygenated and oxygenated blood are now separated like the rest of ours...(well, kinda like the rest of ours). Her sats will eventually be in the low to mid 90's. She does still have the fenestration (pop-off valve) so if her BP increases, she will shunt deoxygenated blood through the fenestration to the side with the oxygenated and that will bring her sats down. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Now, for the victories....</div><div><br></div><div>Surgery. Her surgery went perfectly. There were no complications regarding the logistics of the particular list of to do's and tasks to accomplish in surgery. She did run into an atrial dysrhythmia in surgery that she converted out of on her own. They placed some permanent pacing wires in case at some point in her life she needs a pacemaker. If she doesn't need them, we'll never know they are there. So far her rhythm has been ok and they watch it constantly. I can stare at her monitor for hours and talk myself into thinking I see different things...but I trust the experts. How many times have I told my own patients' parents in the NICU to stop focusing on the monitor? Too many times to count...but it isn't easy to do...</div><div><br></div><div>CVICU. We were barely there. I don't think we stayed in the CVICU for 24 hours. She did perfectly well recovering. They tweaked things throughout the day and night she was there in the immediate postoperative period and she responded appropriately to those things. I learned a lot that night. It's all really interesting...in a "personal love of critical care" kinda way. Interesting, but overwhelming when it's your own little love bug lying in that bed. We had absolute fantastic nurses in the CVICU. To Monica, Justin, and Delaney...thank you. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. </div><div><br></div><div>The Cardiac Floor. Our nurses here have been great here too. We've really been blessed with some good nurses. It means so much to me to see that. I love nurses. I feel like we do some pretty incredible things. I have such a different understanding of what good nurses mean to the family of the patient. We can make or break the experience. It makes me proud of the people I work with...and the nurses we've encountered here. </div><div><br></div><div>Chest Tubes out quickly. Big, big, victory!!!!!</div><div><br></div><div>Chest X-rays looking good, and improving. Huge deal. </div><div><br></div><div>Oral meds going in better...:-)</div><div><br></div><div>Go for launch on poop!!! Finally jumped that hurdle yesterday...and she feels way better for it. </div><div><br></div><div>We need to eat more...but what's new?</div><div><br></div><div>Oxygen off today. Her sats are low 90's when she's resting and dip into the mid-high 80's with exertion, but they are ok with that. I happen to be thrilled with those numbers! I honestly thought we'd never see the 90's. Big win for Lili!!!!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>We are getting close to being able to go home. We are ready. We are grateful. Keep praying. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7m9aWcIwmsemsrbUpG-PAOn5uC7A_BnzlTyKHNSEqjRJCy5FwkmwncydLYv87yfrMhveDyC8mxdAXnBqIPStfV0KNrwiupJRrOrLQAmuW3YLozhmZS3Gj0iwujVOGverv20Bwvx_ii_E/s640/blogger-image-47702874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7m9aWcIwmsemsrbUpG-PAOn5uC7A_BnzlTyKHNSEqjRJCy5FwkmwncydLYv87yfrMhveDyC8mxdAXnBqIPStfV0KNrwiupJRrOrLQAmuW3YLozhmZS3Gj0iwujVOGverv20Bwvx_ii_E/s640/blogger-image-47702874.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkv8aYtkjFs8AziqwpD9O0rS_tmULDN-q2KJUr40PBQUTzJwUWaHnbVHHHzMz6zr_Qv-a5VDNVbePu4sJvT2BQteTf-L16KEKhHINJgNS4I__vDbQbcGpwvM6zS_7ivWvUXZ-d4xVcYY/s640/blogger-image--1272010239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkv8aYtkjFs8AziqwpD9O0rS_tmULDN-q2KJUr40PBQUTzJwUWaHnbVHHHzMz6zr_Qv-a5VDNVbePu4sJvT2BQteTf-L16KEKhHINJgNS4I__vDbQbcGpwvM6zS_7ivWvUXZ-d4xVcYY/s640/blogger-image--1272010239.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wgQ6sf1sUmQXMQ494DNIm-4ba4qxSbrq-jiWE-geXW5AUBq_YM0iRU36KBravUj3ktZu71qzhCuVKZUb_9DzOYtCKsWQB3rr9MZi6lWkFoZk2uSU5PJOnr7-UMxTzhCIIgZ4glDWiOE/s640/blogger-image-1803660611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wgQ6sf1sUmQXMQ494DNIm-4ba4qxSbrq-jiWE-geXW5AUBq_YM0iRU36KBravUj3ktZu71qzhCuVKZUb_9DzOYtCKsWQB3rr9MZi6lWkFoZk2uSU5PJOnr7-UMxTzhCIIgZ4glDWiOE/s640/blogger-image-1803660611.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-59929450440218862122013-06-02T10:40:00.001-07:002013-06-02T10:40:45.226-07:00Let's Just Tap the Brakes for a Minute...Well, Lia's had a rough 18 hours or so... She's still doing awesome by all Fontan standards, but we have encountered a few issues that we need to work through. She's having a rough time keeping her oral medications down. That's significant when you're looking at trying to go home where we don't have the luxury of IV pain medicine or diuretics. If she doesn't take her pain meds, then obviously she hurts. Then she doesn't want to move around, which she really needs to be doing. If she hurts, she doesn't want to eat, also important. She also needs to be taking her diuretics...most likely she'll go home on those. Those help her get rid of any extra fluid...and will help us get these awful chest tubes out. I keep hearing that once those come out, she will be a new kid. The chest tubes hurt. Plain and simple. They are cumbersome and keep her from moving well. They hurt and keep her from taking a good, deep breath...also a problem. <div><br></div><div>The plan is to keep her comfortable with the IV pain meds for now. Hopefully, if her pain is down, she will get up and walk several times a day. This will help move that fluid out of her lungs and that will increase her chances of the chest tubes being pulled. I'm also hoping she will eat a little and will throw up less. We just have to find the right balance of encouraging her without pushing her too far. </div><div><br></div><div>I've said the phrase "tap the brakes" several times in the last 24 hours. We were on a fast track the first two days...but I think it's important to stop and think about what all she's been through. We are only on day three of this thing and that's still pretty early. There's no reason to be trying to break any world record discharge day...even though we really like to win stuff like that. We need to slow down, take some deep breaths, and let her catch up. She's done great, and still is. We will figure all this out. </div><div><br></div><div>In the meantime, I think the important thing to do is to decrease the stimulation around her. We are aiming for a couple of quiet days, where she doesn't have so many people around. I think she may be able to tackle some of this easier that way. Thank you so much for offering to come and see her. We could not get through this without you guys. Our support system is incredible, and we haven't forgotten that. However, for the next couple days we are asking for not as many visitors to try and give her a chance to focus on herself. Please keep praying though. </div><div><br></div><div>These bumps in the road could probably be labeled as "first world probs" of the pediatric cardio thoracic world. Overall, she's still done incredibly well. Her heart function and all of her vital signs, labs, and chest X-rays are looking good. All the doctors and nurses are impressed with how well she's done. None of that's changed. I'm thinking we will be looking a lot better soon...thanks so much for all the continued prayers. We love you guys. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29Yh2fgaBJlMkog7nxlscRPPjg7kn5FX5erTyLQive1S0EY6hTXevje4gDeNZnVSFMorfROpfevoDPWhidGwS5CBJpt45beG536CnMLXuJ0o1UhCOuP8EgDAVyn8jc_sQ5Zlb6UynUSA/s640/blogger-image--273515459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29Yh2fgaBJlMkog7nxlscRPPjg7kn5FX5erTyLQive1S0EY6hTXevje4gDeNZnVSFMorfROpfevoDPWhidGwS5CBJpt45beG536CnMLXuJ0o1UhCOuP8EgDAVyn8jc_sQ5Zlb6UynUSA/s640/blogger-image--273515459.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's the princess...sleeping it off. :-)</div><br></div>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-74281572997594741072013-05-31T18:55:00.001-07:002013-05-31T18:55:42.031-07:00Miracles...What a day...What. A. Day. Our friend Sara and her family got good news today. The very best of news. Finally. Sara had a successful operation this morning at MD Anderson to remove a tumor she has been fighting for over a year. She carried a healthy baby to term while getting chemo after finding out early in her pregnancy about her cancer. After delivering Alice safely, she found out she still had cancer...and it had spread. She endured months and months of chemotherapy as a mother of not just a newborn, but a toddler as well. She endured finding out that the tumor was still too big to remove, or that it had grown, as she was waking up from the first attempt...and failure...to remove it. She then endured a "chemo sprint"...heavy doses of chemo every other week for a smaller, specified number of treatments to hit the cancer hard and fast. And hit it hard and fast it did. That's the news we received today. <div><br></div><div>This family...what an example of faithfulness and grace. Friends and family prayed...and prayed...asking over and over for her to be healed. This family never gave up...not for a minute. Faithfulness. Things don't always go according to our deepest desires or plans. Faithfulness. They kept plugging away. Faithfulness. They continued to ask...and continued to be told, "Not yet..." Faithfulness. What an example to all of us, to all of our kids. I am amazed. Trey and Sara, you define Faithfulness. </div><div><br></div><div>Lia had a pretty incredible day too. It had its own set of challenges, but she had a very impressive day. She had a great night last night. She was comfortable and slept off and on throughout the night, which is more than I can say for myself or mom. They gave us the boot out of the CVICU around 11 this morning, which seemed really quick to me but they kept saying she looked good. I believe them. </div><div><br></div><div>On the cardiac floor today, Lia's had to walk to the bathroom twice. That's no small task when you have 2 chest tubes, but she's done very well. It's hard to balance her pain control with waking up from anesthesia. She only had open heart surgery yesterday... She's uncomfortable, sometimes really uncomfortable, but seems to be a little disoriented and confused when waking up from her narcotics. It's hard to balance all that out with getting up and walking, but trying to keep her comfortable as well. I'm hoping tomorrow is easier. Nobody's mentioning taking out her chest tubes yet. Hopefully she will get a little more comfortable and gain a little more strength each day. She tires out really quickly right now. But again...open heart surgery...yesterday. She's also 4 years old...so I think she's doing awesome. </div><div><br></div><div>Here are a few pics from today:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uGcX2LIqDl1ngNNwVW9k1LxKV4FTS4oxRPD-O3SOkoPXtSXxgAUErsNUWKh_7aqQDXBN3EZ5bricCh79LLIPvcLcEpnWlSqE4_T7Bp89RYHCxGn_6Vrp1YYCVGj28oB45gBozju9fm0/s640/blogger-image-748373907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uGcX2LIqDl1ngNNwVW9k1LxKV4FTS4oxRPD-O3SOkoPXtSXxgAUErsNUWKh_7aqQDXBN3EZ5bricCh79LLIPvcLcEpnWlSqE4_T7Bp89RYHCxGn_6Vrp1YYCVGj28oB45gBozju9fm0/s640/blogger-image-748373907.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Before we left CVICU, we had lots of lines to remove and dressings to take off. We all had to wear a mask, even Lia. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIjwu2ITu4zwSHaw2hn7Q7mp3K-m-DNlhcVnvYfOvMxgqZo1lOQBJ7tGliLKd_PNNxiJeI0Pu6uKrXQuaEeNqGSthHtpwwPYNX3VInQ00BKtHNjYQENJBLhvXIs7rqp0ecgVtjgKA_Fk/s640/blogger-image--524284691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIjwu2ITu4zwSHaw2hn7Q7mp3K-m-DNlhcVnvYfOvMxgqZo1lOQBJ7tGliLKd_PNNxiJeI0Pu6uKrXQuaEeNqGSthHtpwwPYNX3VInQ00BKtHNjYQENJBLhvXIs7rqp0ecgVtjgKA_Fk/s640/blogger-image--524284691.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Later we got to participate in the Pet Therapy program...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12IyPmOgYAXeOvBeW6YLYT00GgANrKVWu9VncB-A3HD8-62Inru5dLA7peNEMAYQ_KbQGE0lPA2T_rVgUVY4TIXDrUitGG4n2AbRZMzpLSvSAhvQBtWueAiFVziJcv_tbM8EdQ-ZHc-4/s640/blogger-image--1024571715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12IyPmOgYAXeOvBeW6YLYT00GgANrKVWu9VncB-A3HD8-62Inru5dLA7peNEMAYQ_KbQGE0lPA2T_rVgUVY4TIXDrUitGG4n2AbRZMzpLSvSAhvQBtWueAiFVziJcv_tbM8EdQ-ZHc-4/s640/blogger-image--1024571715.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She wasn't really sure what to think...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyefYg-n_7uIjPqh9qtGDlYkXQjNBYT_int0rEn4EmQ8eucb54QO0MGY4rySbaWYiwDuxagtiSj9_fLHUEHCIApn42Q6x8vXQ5eqfLoMnMcPAJyRK-YQDnU9gMvR8fyUf9Yzviyx67Vss/s640/blogger-image--29094215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyefYg-n_7uIjPqh9qtGDlYkXQjNBYT_int0rEn4EmQ8eucb54QO0MGY4rySbaWYiwDuxagtiSj9_fLHUEHCIApn42Q6x8vXQ5eqfLoMnMcPAJyRK-YQDnU9gMvR8fyUf9Yzviyx67Vss/s640/blogger-image--29094215.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is what she did a lot...and what she's still doing. We'll get there. She definitely isn't her sassy self yet, but every now and then our Lia shows back up. I'm ready for her to be completely back. Baby steps...she's doing good. </div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-61263269541883928162013-05-30T19:15:00.001-07:002013-05-30T19:15:50.377-07:00Just Hangin Out...Working on Waking up.So Lia's doing really well, according to all the experts around here. Her nurses are saying it, and so are the doctors. She is having a few labs and things they are working on tweaking to get them in the right range. Her blood sugar's up some, which they say is normal after being on bypass. They are going to put her on some insulin to get that down. Her BP's a little on the high side, so that causes her deoxygenated blood to shunt across the fenestration (pop-off valve). That in turn brings her o2 sats down some too. There's a lot going on here. Lots to think about....so much more than the obvious "heart stuff". I'm learning more than I want to...<div><br></div><div>All that being said, she's done great. She's not in pain, she wakes up every now and then and asks for water or sprite. She's been breathing on her own for hours now. She's in pretty good spirits, all things considered. </div><div><br></div><div>I'll admit...I've had a few moments today. I had moments where I felt like I couldn't breathe. I've had moments when I wanted to throw up. And I haven't been hungry. All. Day. Those of you who know me best know that means something. I think we may have a long night...but we will be better tomorrow. Not only Lia, but myself and Corey too. I need some time to take a breath and realize that we are so blessed. So incredibly blessed. We will continue to press on...one small hurdle at a time. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmGylPjYhMyM_YcZTDpD85GP2Pta5J0BzhtwxH633ZKvwctmNEGoi4dDmmnBw2K-9I_zUVo_zTBO4aASt6QoM1-4M1w4DSvwg7fV9_g44L5ig3hvafynaTuh6zl6D1uzSHjehmX_gR9w/s640/blogger-image--2032601443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmGylPjYhMyM_YcZTDpD85GP2Pta5J0BzhtwxH633ZKvwctmNEGoi4dDmmnBw2K-9I_zUVo_zTBO4aASt6QoM1-4M1w4DSvwg7fV9_g44L5ig3hvafynaTuh6zl6D1uzSHjehmX_gR9w/s640/blogger-image--2032601443.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is what Lia's up to this evening. She's resting peacefully. I'm so grateful. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Please, please, please continue to pray for both Lia and Sara Laminack. This is the week of miracles. Pray for one more tomorrow for Sara. I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready for the Laminack's to be able to see that "light at the end of the tunnel". It's time...and that family deserves it. </div><br></div>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-64352044529222407122013-05-30T09:40:00.001-07:002013-05-30T09:40:53.690-07:00Off BipassOur cardiologist Dr Lemler came in and updated the masses...Lia's off of Bipass. He's finished with the repair. Now they have to watch her closely, and stop any bleeding. The last thing is to sew her up. It should be another two hours or less. Thanks for all the prayers...<div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtH5rvyHSc4DxdCuhNqkrQWfvRagAAkUh9kV0skudOTTePhHNRmQrRGmVV0eSMtqd374wRT7g8nohmFqJ01JrJ55TZLfsV3TCvNY6OX8yT2GsXd9HcVCf8Do2msWGBGhY7YCGH1G7aRQ/s640/blogger-image-1656682832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtH5rvyHSc4DxdCuhNqkrQWfvRagAAkUh9kV0skudOTTePhHNRmQrRGmVV0eSMtqd374wRT7g8nohmFqJ01JrJ55TZLfsV3TCvNY6OX8yT2GsXd9HcVCf8Do2msWGBGhY7YCGH1G7aRQ/s640/blogger-image-1656682832.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lia's special friends brought her another Build a Bear last night. Such sweet baby girls and good friends to Lia. </div></div>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-60770708586432658962013-05-30T07:43:00.001-07:002013-05-30T07:43:50.653-07:00First updateThe OR nurse just called into the room where we are waiting. Lia fell asleep peacefully, without drama. All her lines are in, and they are starting the incision now. Depending on how much scar tissue she has underneath her breastbone from the previous surgeries, is how long it will take to get going on the repair. They will update us every hour. I'll let you know as we hear....thanks again. Love to you all. <div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgpdkUPivnEyy69nGEnAp7qjCg4ODzQs9X7z_nGStX-GQ-0nDnqdCxQ3fNfiw1M6gZdiNF4i1pP6_yTVEvG17l-cFS1BJ4nXR27gcq5rGweHkMnX2BIXn0Gvjsy6fSMMaS85rBytfpT0/s640/blogger-image-765415515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgpdkUPivnEyy69nGEnAp7qjCg4ODzQs9X7z_nGStX-GQ-0nDnqdCxQ3fNfiw1M6gZdiNF4i1pP6_yTVEvG17l-cFS1BJ4nXR27gcq5rGweHkMnX2BIXn0Gvjsy6fSMMaS85rBytfpT0/s640/blogger-image-765415515.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm just gonna post random pics of Lia with each update. This is her with her special new pillowcase from her sweet friends The Moores. It's perfect....I really need to learn to sew. </div></div>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-8840048732222705352013-05-29T19:46:00.001-07:002013-05-29T19:46:12.040-07:00This Is Our Prayer...Big day for Lia today at CMC. She had her marathon preop day, and she did great. Here's a little recap on what we did...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnHXSvoevlB5UcDrK4I6Ke58YtJkmiQ4eHwMWfWMonrm2YkUxtN6WrkkhOQe-VwWBEMHzBi6LhnBChry_q7Uv4a-HMh9Q9tQ2u3bMRF6WLju9pw8-w-_YlzYlX3Pqvik5KRB7Cj95RuM/s640/blogger-image--1407814931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnHXSvoevlB5UcDrK4I6Ke58YtJkmiQ4eHwMWfWMonrm2YkUxtN6WrkkhOQe-VwWBEMHzBi6LhnBChry_q7Uv4a-HMh9Q9tQ2u3bMRF6WLju9pw8-w-_YlzYlX3Pqvik5KRB7Cj95RuM/s640/blogger-image--1407814931.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Starting out and waiting for them to call our name...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgZd4zSZe69diAoh70vupmYrRujv4JIYUTvrFGtttmoHZWlP0xFFaTaozc6KCr0xJNQVp3T_6LtsjOEoToj8qJhfkgLs8JgWVuCSZAEXePXY7JsSvzYCgwqIkLQkU5rHcm1xb7v6330U/s640/blogger-image--1272141487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgZd4zSZe69diAoh70vupmYrRujv4JIYUTvrFGtttmoHZWlP0xFFaTaozc6KCr0xJNQVp3T_6LtsjOEoToj8qJhfkgLs8JgWVuCSZAEXePXY7JsSvzYCgwqIkLQkU5rHcm1xb7v6330U/s640/blogger-image--1272141487.jpg"></a></span><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgZd4zSZe69diAoh70vupmYrRujv4JIYUTvrFGtttmoHZWlP0xFFaTaozc6KCr0xJNQVp3T_6LtsjOEoToj8qJhfkgLs8JgWVuCSZAEXePXY7JsSvzYCgwqIkLQkU5rHcm1xb7v6330U/s640/blogger-image--1272141487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1PaYcMVumAnJHX0AKNsm6JhYIrB8OoQhJJ-Lgq_kJekIqLrEgcwPEYwkwFFiSZWYRxh6JBc4Kse78DSJ43E7lh1Bms9r4Q4G92UgItcFR0LK-Bp3Ax4O6jh9bLi1tDs9c_ucZVrZxI8/s640/blogger-image-1723344983.jpg"></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; ">First stop...X-ray. </div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcCGENdU_fVes-Xoz01TsLMnikeHdyYKMMPJqXk-D1ShzzU_coBeliFIhaeSY4mygmuJUR1hVURgpmlp99iBPcSccGLrEWnC_mZF9GEkg1OxvE8PAVpMVduq-mtAhWyNzcKVyIHvkdzA/s640/blogger-image--299095749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcCGENdU_fVes-Xoz01TsLMnikeHdyYKMMPJqXk-D1ShzzU_coBeliFIhaeSY4mygmuJUR1hVURgpmlp99iBPcSccGLrEWnC_mZF9GEkg1OxvE8PAVpMVduq-mtAhWyNzcKVyIHvkdzA/s640/blogger-image--299095749.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; ">Next...lab draw. She never flinched. Heart patient of the year...I am amazed by her. </div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWD0j5RALG1scg0Wrg68VaA80fuIFjx6NyQpBSmiDDWfj2ccFpCc-nGHA1cN60uLWLZK03hr-ZxpUf8hzF179Cx7I82i34yGMDeTzgCh94MXxhuogFzg99dKtcW-awP5ZRi0EiCbahK8/s640/blogger-image-1887154382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWD0j5RALG1scg0Wrg68VaA80fuIFjx6NyQpBSmiDDWfj2ccFpCc-nGHA1cN60uLWLZK03hr-ZxpUf8hzF179Cx7I82i34yGMDeTzgCh94MXxhuogFzg99dKtcW-awP5ZRi0EiCbahK8/s640/blogger-image-1887154382.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This lady was swift and sure with the needle. Thankful for her ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcYMqoTP1c8uiKCswCzh9QKRG8swoeg8MSOYhBlUNv192jDYjuAwQbn98kXfyqNan8N8u9THJd4L48k4wfZQqaOJ7iK5ssB67q2YozqkJCPqY-ObgoOV2m-SvsCuN5ox2Y5Z2QPRCteE/s640/blogger-image-391367221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcYMqoTP1c8uiKCswCzh9QKRG8swoeg8MSOYhBlUNv192jDYjuAwQbn98kXfyqNan8N8u9THJd4L48k4wfZQqaOJ7iK5ssB67q2YozqkJCPqY-ObgoOV2m-SvsCuN5ox2Y5Z2QPRCteE/s640/blogger-image-391367221.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Joann the Nurse Practitioner was awesome. She explained everything about tomorrow, did an assessment on Lia, and took us on a tour of the CVICU. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGZwIrcaj4A6xPnE8xhma7sUwUzCK79XpBjx0S0mx-X63X0qULOH3I3IYvSPyliDH2qO5t7Jt9f9NIpY559GaNbgegCPZ9rI3kgqc1Mr6EJo2xM5FGn4mESB5J2zZIB4FarR57aONKx8/s640/blogger-image-530379042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGZwIrcaj4A6xPnE8xhma7sUwUzCK79XpBjx0S0mx-X63X0qULOH3I3IYvSPyliDH2qO5t7Jt9f9NIpY559GaNbgegCPZ9rI3kgqc1Mr6EJo2xM5FGn4mESB5J2zZIB4FarR57aONKx8/s640/blogger-image-530379042.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Next, we met with Chelsea the Child Life Specialist. She and Lia played with lots of stuff in her box, and she was able to listen to her heart. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_A5wTlbcnQR4flyUNs2LI1zSutkTNbezcdr6Ffc5jc9oAdtCjaU4e7nfVjf7z-IRYLh6FvfRXpQNVPNWORrPsp47mCTRtc7mPYw2hw4q835ButUvPmrvyIon6GCr0LZVfuQk8xChku5E/s640/blogger-image--948976431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_A5wTlbcnQR4flyUNs2LI1zSutkTNbezcdr6Ffc5jc9oAdtCjaU4e7nfVjf7z-IRYLh6FvfRXpQNVPNWORrPsp47mCTRtc7mPYw2hw4q835ButUvPmrvyIon6GCr0LZVfuQk8xChku5E/s640/blogger-image--948976431.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyO-pMeviwQ9VPEIHqIJQgwiTDuExF5-BkgNeQo04IqlpyPyy2Gls-xtFocn9jOD8BllCCotao_kgGb8Eu0_lv8VKpPewXSKqNuYgTPYV5Pj6PiD5BuXAFtsY_Ozrcr1CLD3Fo5vDqe0/s640/blogger-image--1698955309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyO-pMeviwQ9VPEIHqIJQgwiTDuExF5-BkgNeQo04IqlpyPyy2Gls-xtFocn9jOD8BllCCotao_kgGb8Eu0_lv8VKpPewXSKqNuYgTPYV5Pj6PiD5BuXAFtsY_Ozrcr1CLD3Fo5vDqe0/s640/blogger-image--1698955309.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We visited the trains....for the thousandth time ;-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JqQ3n_zNsajn5rBL1_1aU1v3IFfIfQfC4lSfqwW-tFTq8piBmM1ZNWa6v7Un8q2r9PvnX73HbnVAarVAMpEU9XW7EHNoDNNrMFXJ0YisV7s7BVejFyf6IhVEyPDcp21oHC7ArO4Z09s/s640/blogger-image-222720656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JqQ3n_zNsajn5rBL1_1aU1v3IFfIfQfC4lSfqwW-tFTq8piBmM1ZNWa6v7Un8q2r9PvnX73HbnVAarVAMpEU9XW7EHNoDNNrMFXJ0YisV7s7BVejFyf6IhVEyPDcp21oHC7ArO4Z09s/s640/blogger-image-222720656.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ate a little lunch...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4Nn7lRXFzUiI9WwkUSkRckkJ4u9pRM-iIOSi3nS7LoulnZdisyaSaEdrqsbhEaXWTUTRQ2EF5lgZdvpy3LT32UeAffiUWDyvcqvbxJQ_MXREbNJemxcVwtRIrfxaKKGOjL303xJKDDY/s640/blogger-image--54012392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4Nn7lRXFzUiI9WwkUSkRckkJ4u9pRM-iIOSi3nS7LoulnZdisyaSaEdrqsbhEaXWTUTRQ2EF5lgZdvpy3LT32UeAffiUWDyvcqvbxJQ_MXREbNJemxcVwtRIrfxaKKGOjL303xJKDDY/s640/blogger-image--54012392.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Played a little as we waited on Dr Forbess...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkt-n917LxeV87kRbdqNOTbk9HNDdbpZmCewl8SfnsPegwwvDMLx4sLqR5XUxx3jxZVxXxV8Ur8x-rwqUYSdEIygAXC9YaeVL_JXjhXWlOUqzWtaiGihjiyMH2XG7tcYWboac2UwRZR8/s640/blogger-image-453054660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkt-n917LxeV87kRbdqNOTbk9HNDdbpZmCewl8SfnsPegwwvDMLx4sLqR5XUxx3jxZVxXxV8Ur8x-rwqUYSdEIygAXC9YaeVL_JXjhXWlOUqzWtaiGihjiyMH2XG7tcYWboac2UwRZR8/s640/blogger-image-453054660.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Played some more...waited some more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyVBj2MTW6AVY-xU4omxRv8w8pU77m7yPPYXGZOLTWDIwlJwIRrootixV4HM29_KooEax3hRC7Jw_Fsqk7Gfl8QSxX1QW70EpOgN9zNgn3zkkQBMmIC3b2JWF6x-Mvjztpoq3ay7FWK8/s640/blogger-image-42766362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyVBj2MTW6AVY-xU4omxRv8w8pU77m7yPPYXGZOLTWDIwlJwIRrootixV4HM29_KooEax3hRC7Jw_Fsqk7Gfl8QSxX1QW70EpOgN9zNgn3zkkQBMmIC3b2JWF6x-Mvjztpoq3ay7FWK8/s640/blogger-image-42766362.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And did some huggin. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUF-GW9eHjZ0qRirDa5DukAH1S0k0KGE3DPaj0dZzCzR6n9RD-hx9HfEHoZSZSh9OYQ26dpT6l2KP-jxLzYfu53Nz-v9w33GUZDqmAwob0ZLYYJdX2f1ftkWTLfmG0anulE-LAadfnMg/s640/blogger-image--1077446465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUF-GW9eHjZ0qRirDa5DukAH1S0k0KGE3DPaj0dZzCzR6n9RD-hx9HfEHoZSZSh9OYQ26dpT6l2KP-jxLzYfu53Nz-v9w33GUZDqmAwob0ZLYYJdX2f1ftkWTLfmG0anulE-LAadfnMg/s640/blogger-image--1077446465.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We finally met with Dr Forbess, her heart surgeon. He went over some things and we signed all the scary consents. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So that was our long, but okay day at Children's. We will arrive back in the morning at 6 to check in. All of Lia's labs and X-rays looked good. She is healthy, she is strong. It's time. And we are ready. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We came home to sweet friends who are holding us up by pitching in with the boys, and dropping off gifts for the princess. All day long, I saw countless people from all aspects of our lives changing their profile pics on Facebook and sending words of encouragement. A good friend from work came over with two cards filled with well wishes and prayers from the BUMC NICU and money cards and cash for our family. I have so many stories just like that. So many. I can feel His hugs and love through each and every one of you. Corey and I feel the love and encouragement and we are so grateful. I wish all of you could know what this feels like...because I am incapable of describing it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sunday, we went forward at church and had our dear friend Greg read a letter. We chose him because he loves Lia. We chose him because he loves our family... I know many of you weren't there to hear it, so I wanted to put it on here. This is our prayer for our sweet Lia:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s0">Dear Saturn Road Family, </span><span class="s0"><br></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span class="s0" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0">Lia's third open heart surgery, t</span><span class="s0">he Fontan, is scheduled for Thursday, May 30th. </span><span class="s0"> We are asking you to pray for perfection. We are asking for a perfect surgery with no hiccups. Please pray for her surgeon,</span><span class="s0">Dr. Forbess, and the entire medical team. Please pray that w</span><span class="s0">e face this with unwavering strength and courage</span><span class="s0">. Pray that for us...Lia</span><span class="s0"> was already born with both of those things. It's her parents and family who really need that prayer. </span><span class="s0"><br></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0"><br></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0">This time, </span><span class="s0">w</span><span class="s0">e face this along with two much older, much more protective big brothers. Please pray for the boys, who will no doubt be under </span><span class="s0">many of your family's care and who will be anxious as well.</span><span class="s0"> We also ask for prayers for her cousins Kade and Blake, who treat her like their </span><span class="s0">own </span><span class="s0">little sister.</span><span class="s0"><br></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span class="s0" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0">We face this with a beautiful 4 year old little girl, with a pers</span><span class="s0">onality as big as this world, who this time around has questions. </span><span class="s0">Although we have always talked about her </span><span class="s0">“</span><span class="s0">special heart</span><span class="s0">”</span><span class="s0">, and we have done our best</span><span class="s0"> to prepare her, we</span><span class="s0"> know she will very </span><span class="s0">likely </span><span class="s0">wake up wondering what in the world has happened to her</span><span class="s0">, </span><span class="s0">and why her mommy and daddy didn't protect her from it. </span><span class="s0"><br></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span class="s0" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0">We face this with faith that things will go well, b</span><span class="s0">ut with fresh memories of sweet loved ones who faced the same, and we have lost. </span><span class="s0"><br></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span class="s0" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0">With all that being said, we trust. We trust in the One who created her exactly the way she was born. On purpose...with a purp</span><span class="s0">ose. He loves her so much. We don't know </span><span class="s0">much...but THAT we know. </span><span class="s0"><br></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span class="s0" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0">You all have "prayed us through this journey" for 5 years now...and our family has been blessed far beyond what we even realize.</span><span class="s0"> We will never be able to tell you how much we appreciate you being with us every step of the way.</span><span class="s0"> We thank you for the prayers that we know will continue on behalf of our Lia. </span><span class="s0"><br></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span class="s0" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0">Sincerely, </span><span class="s0"><br></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0"> </span><span class="s0">Corey and Lisa Stone</span><span class="s0"><br></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s0"><br></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s0"><br></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s0"><br></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s0">So that's what we are praying for and what we ask you to pray for us. </span></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s0"><br></span></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s0">I hope some day when we get to heaven, we are able to see "the prayer log"....</span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">The list of everyone who ever lifted our baby girl and our family up in prayer. I want to see it. I know it's amazing. God tells us to ask for what we want, and that's what we have done. </span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Now, while you guys are praying for Lia in the days to follow, please pray for another courageous, strong, amazing lady....Sara Laminack. She has been fighting cancer for well over a year, and has a big surgery of her own on Friday at MD Anderson. She is one of the strongest people I know.</span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Thank you all again for everything you've done for us...and for everything you are yet to do. </span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; "><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">I believe this is the week of miracles. </span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><span class="s0" style="font-size: 12px; font-family: Georgia; "><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><span class="s0" style="font-size: 12px; font-family: Georgia; "><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><span class="s0" style="font-size: 12px; font-family: Georgia; "><br></span></p><p class="s1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; direction: ltr; padding-right: 72px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></p></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#ff0000"><u><br></u></font></div><br></div>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-88698576597102816402013-05-24T19:02:00.001-07:002013-05-24T19:02:40.454-07:00Getting Closer...My thoughts.Well, here we are...6 days from now we will be sending Lia to the OR for her third open heart surgery. This has haunted my thoughts for years now. I've imagined almost every scenario...the best and the worst my mind was capable of creating. The mind is an amazing thing...where it can take you. The unknown can make a person crazy. <div><br></div><div>I honestly feel like with every delay of this surgery has come a greater preparedness. We thought Lia would have her Fontan the summer she turned 3. They tweaked a few things in the Cath lab that cranked her oxygen saturations from mid-70's to mid-80's. When they were able to pull that off, they decided there was no need to do the surgery that year. Ok...sounds good. We were surprised, but thankful to put it off. The next summer, the summer she turned 4...same story. Her sats were still mid-80's, she was growing, she was healthy, so they put it off. Again...we were glad. The difference this summer? She's starting Kindergarten. She's only getting older and more aware everyday. At this point...no longer any need to put it off. So we had our heads right...or did we....with May 6th, 2013. Then the next delay came. This delay hit me harder than the others. The whole "preventative antibiotics debacle". Wait 4 weeks. We can't prove she's well. Ughhhhhhh.......ok. We trust their judgement, and wait is what we did. Two days later, Lia had a cold. On May 6th, 2013, she ended up with a full blown cold. So there ya go. </div><div><br></div><div>I can't explain what has happened in my mind the last 4 weeks. I've managed to reframe the way I have been thinking about this surgery. It's nothing I was able to do for myself, it just happened. After Lia ended up with the cold on the day she would have had surgery, I've been filled with peace. Nothing more, nothing less...just peace. I'm not afraid. I KNOW without a doubt, that our God is actively involved. He is protecting her. He is in charge. He is sovereign. And no matter how things go for Lia...He knows about it before it happens. </div><div><br></div><div>Now, am I excited about my precious, beautiful, four year old little girl having open heart surgery? Of course not. Am I still dreading it, and imagining my way through all the different scenarios? Yep...still doing all that. But this time, I'm reframing those thoughts with "His will...His way...He knows things I don't...He loves her more than even I do...He created her just the way she is." And that helps. Then the peace returns. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFwp1xLqxhBHrf6icZlnich8tug1RlRuBfZ82sYfhAV-zGwkD0AnDEb1X-bqYj15CI3jOTNYWoMhVh4__Qa4UAuASdrO7mKdKUdaZDLHKOU24r5YZ15OSJaqaHMYZrjCpPLXV7yc7_kM/s640/blogger-image-275097922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFwp1xLqxhBHrf6icZlnich8tug1RlRuBfZ82sYfhAV-zGwkD0AnDEb1X-bqYj15CI3jOTNYWoMhVh4__Qa4UAuASdrO7mKdKUdaZDLHKOU24r5YZ15OSJaqaHMYZrjCpPLXV7yc7_kM/s640/blogger-image-275097922.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lia felt the need to "get out of the sun"...while staying on the float. </div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1dCyzjqD3v-_OupH26JhJ5wKEqUdZsm0qvdkzrQ4OB4lvW_gvLkGHXR1vUf7mMnkXGnSjo3S3NoaVK3FQTBa3KCvqO7uLAaNTHlm49m70me5X6lmGzC7u_cGIN4NJExjjMHQyrmLCm4/s640/blogger-image--198426150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1dCyzjqD3v-_OupH26JhJ5wKEqUdZsm0qvdkzrQ4OB4lvW_gvLkGHXR1vUf7mMnkXGnSjo3S3NoaVK3FQTBa3KCvqO7uLAaNTHlm49m70me5X6lmGzC7u_cGIN4NJExjjMHQyrmLCm4/s640/blogger-image--198426150.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had some fun today swimming with The Moore girls. It was just what we needed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Loving friends? Support?....We are blessed beyond belief with both of those. Check this out:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00NMvROkdgqtWa9_F6_sEui4gIKvJ-sMF3bSgsAyOEdSFBgsvL5-MO6m6sKr0xr7Ry7sZZOg6Cyqs2ThazsV59XASLsT1HMp3Re_-gRV14XB1cBYrpxCq9Lp7nJgl0JMb1eYSZiT-_XU/s640/blogger-image-996347441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00NMvROkdgqtWa9_F6_sEui4gIKvJ-sMF3bSgsAyOEdSFBgsvL5-MO6m6sKr0xr7Ry7sZZOg6Cyqs2ThazsV59XASLsT1HMp3Re_-gRV14XB1cBYrpxCq9Lp7nJgl0JMb1eYSZiT-_XU/s640/blogger-image-996347441.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Last night after Colby's game, Coach Rob and the team presented Lia with a signed game ball to show how much they all love Colby's little sister. Then they bowed their precious little heads, and prayed for Lia. Because they love her. Because they love Colby. It was really something. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-58041806609720868792013-05-01T17:43:00.001-07:002013-05-01T17:43:21.759-07:00Fontan's postponed...<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So Children's called this morning to let me know that Lia's surgery Monday morning was being bumped to 11am or noon. We were scheduled to be the 7:30am case, but Dr Forbess needed to do another procedure first thing that morning instead. That was not great news to me...I really like the idea of being first thing, with a fresh, rested surgical team. With that being said, I understand that these people are professionals and perfectly capable of performing this surgery at noon or any other time of day that they are called to do it. I also know that they would never agree to start her surgery at a time that they felt like would be unsafe. They want to keep these kids as safe as possible...after they called me back this afternoon, I know that for sure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">While I was on the phone with them, I told them that I wanted to make sure they knew that Lia was finishing up a round of antibiotics. Her pediatrician had placed her on antibiotics after we found out that Jace had tested positive for strep about a week and a half ago. I had told her that Lia was scheduled for surgery on May 6th, and that she was running a low grade temp after her heart cath. We both agreed that in order to protect Lia, it would be a good idea to cover our bases and put her on antibiotics as well. I told that story to the Nurse Practitioner this morning, along with the fact that I was feeling terrible today with what I know is a head cold. Lia has also had a runny nose now for a couple of days. I wanted everyone to know these things, because I wanted to make sure it was ok for her to have the surgery after having been exposed to my cold and maybe Jace's strep. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They called me back this afternoon to tell me that both Dr Forbess and her anesthesiologist had agreed that the right thing to do would be to postpone her surgery for around 4 weeks. Four weeks!?! I asked why, and they explained that they were concerned that she was still on "preventative antibiotics" and that those might be masking a real infection. Now that she's been on them for almost 10 days, we can't prove she isn't sick. So we wait....that's the safest thing to do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So there it is...after a few hours of heartbreaking frustration, crying, and now a nap to top it off, I think I am ok. How do I possibly describe how this feels? I can't. I'm not a good enough writer. It's not like I'm wanting my 4 year old to have open heart surgery. It's not like I'm upset with the doctors at Children's for wanting to be careful. It's not like I'm not a reasonable person who also happens to be an RN with a good understanding of what an infection can do to an already compromised child. So why am I upset? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Plans...that's why. Stupid plans. It's the whole "controlling things" that I can't seem to let go of. This puts Lia 4 weeks later in the summer before she can swim. This gives her 4 less weeks to fully recover so we can go to Disney in August. This gives us more weeks to find places for the boys to hang out while we are in the hospital because they won't have much more school when she goes in. This puts me missing the beginning of the summer NICU internship that I teach instead of giving me a month to get ready for it when I get back to work. Most of all, this gives me 4 more weeks to feel the weight of all of this pressing on my shoulders. That's the worst one of all....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here's the deal, though. Plans can be rearranged. Vacations can be switched around and we are fortunate enough to have plenty of people to pawn the boys off on. People who love having them around and with whom they love to go with. I have more than enough good support at work to handle my being gone the first week (or more if I need it) of the the internship. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">About that weight pressing down on me? Yeah, it's there. It will still be there for the next 4 weeks. But the feeling I get reminding me that there is a reason for this is stronger than that weight. I believe things like this are no coincidence. Yes, it is enormously disappointing. Yes, my heart broke when I realized that instead of this being over and us recovering at home, we will only be beginning on May 30th. It's very difficult to get geared up and gather all of the courage you can muster to face something, only to find out you have to wait a little longer. That's the only way I can describe it. With all that being said, we will regroup and press forward. I gave myself a few hours to feel sorry for myself, and now it's time to move forward with our new plans. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As many of you have already said today...and one of my wisest friends put it best. "God's plans are bigger than ours." I believe that He just might be protecting Lia from something...and I'm gonna go ahead and let Him make these kind of shot calls. I trust Him. I do. I keep saying that, because I do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding...Prov. 3:5"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is not about Disney. It's not about convenience. It's about something much bigger than that. It's HIS plan, not mine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-5889347431024375952013-04-19T05:59:00.000-07:002013-04-19T06:04:17.032-07:00Lia had a great night...once she stopped being pukey from anesthesia, she started drinking and ate a good dinner. The recovery room nurse told us that most kiddos puke after a heart cath, especially those who have an EP study. Weird, huh? She was right...Lia had a rough go for a few hours. I don't like seeing her that way. It makes me start to panic that she won't ever be the same spunky, grinning, opinionated kid when she looks like that. But in true Lia Kate Stone rockstar style, she perked up within several hours and is becoming more like herself all the time.<br />
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The chair/bed thing in this room is far from comfy, so I started off the night cuddled up to her in the hospital bed. Halfway through the night, though, Lia whispered, "Mommy? I wanna sleep in this bed by myself now." So kicked out I was. Good for Lia, not good for me... Needless to say, I'm ready to go home and get in my own bed.<br />
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Our nurse came in early this morning to take off her pressure dressings from where the catheters were in her groin (both sides). Let me tell ya, that tape is no joke. It's just another example of how this kid is not like most other kids. She laid there while the nurse slowly worked off the most stuck on tape you have ever seen. It hurt. A lot. And she just took it like a man. Actually better than that... I'm so proud of her. She's such a good little patient. I know she knows no different, but she's special. But again, I guess I'm partial.<br />
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The cardiology fellow came in this morning early and checked on us. Dr Nugent (my new fave) just popped in and said we were good to go. As soon as they can get the paperwork together we will be outa here! I'm so happy...:-) So is this little girl who misses her daddy, brothers and her puppy...<br />
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Thank you Lord once again for protecting our baby girl. We are so grateful.<br />
<a name='more'></a>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-46215594125456931972013-04-18T10:44:00.000-07:002013-04-18T10:44:01.728-07:00Good news so far... :-)Dr Nugent (Cath lab doctor) just came out and updated us. He says Lia's heart looks great for Fontan. Her aortic arch, pulmonary arteries, left ventricle, and mitral valve look good. Her pressures in her heart are all optimal for proceeding with the Fontan on May 6th. He was extremely pleased with her coiled off collateral vessel that they dealt with two years ago. All good news....<br />
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Now, about her electrophysiology study...they gave her a medication called Adenosine to try and see if they could avoid the full EP study. It was a simple test that could've gone two ways. If she had responded one way, they could have stopped and known for sure that she didn't need the ablation. Well, her heart didn't respond the way they wanted it to in order to not have to do the full study. So they are doing that now. It doesn't mean for sure she will need the ablation, but now they need to do the full study to know for sure. My gut tells me they will do the ablation. That's ok with me if they do. It's just another safety net.... Wait a minute. Dr Scott (EP doctor) just came out and told us that she didn't need the ablation! So I was wrong...Finally, something in my life I don't mind being wrong about. Haha.<br />
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So they are finishing up with her now and we will see her in recovery in a little bit.<br />
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Love to you all.....Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-87558282248475387722013-04-18T09:29:00.002-07:002013-04-18T09:29:55.858-07:00Still getting started...<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Children's staff just came out to update us. Lia is asleep, and they are still placing the lines in that they will need to do the Cath. They are putting in two access lines in her groin area, one venous and one arterial. They will also put a line in her neck. That's how they will obtain all the numbers and pressures they are looking for. Tons of family and friends are hanging out, just waiting as they update us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lia's precious preschool class sent us a video of them saying, "We love you Lia!!!"... I can't wait for her to see it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you again for all the calls, texts, Instagram posts, and Facebook posts. We are loving hearing from all of you...and hearing how you all are praying for our baby girl. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'll continue to send more updates as we get them.... Lisa</span>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-5267005758304228802013-04-17T16:00:00.000-07:002013-04-17T16:00:30.445-07:00Tomorrow...<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ok I won't lie...this day has been a little rough. It's the whole "weight of dreading something you don't want to do" that I'm hoping ends up being worse than the actual "doing that thing you don't want to do". That seems to be how it's always been in the past, and I'm hoping that this time tomorrow I'll feel like that burden will be somewhat lifted. Lia's heart cath is tomorrow. I know I said on the previous post that it was the 19th...but that was the wrong date. It's tomorrow morning around 8:30 or 9:00...we will get there at 7:15. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today's been one of those days that I've felt a little sorry for myself, and have thought all kinds of strange, irrational thoughts of how I wished some things could be different. I wish there was no such thing as congenital heart defects. I wish all children could be born perfect and healthy. I wish parents never had to suffer as they watch their child suffer. Most of all, I wish this wasn't so for my child. I wish she had a whole heart, with four functioning chambers and vessels that came out of the right place and entered the right place. I wish she didn't get tired so easily and could play soccer. I feel selfish wishing for those things when I know she has done so well, and I don't take that fact for granted for one minute, but still. Sometimes I wish....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then I remember how blessed we are. God has placed so many people and things perfectly in our life to help us through this. I'm so thankful for all the big and small blessings. I'm thankful for a strong family of support. Both sides of our families are incredible. We have cried with them, and laughed with them, and been supported by them. We are also surrounded by supportive friends, of whom we consider our family as well. Lifelong friends, college friends, church friends, Rockwall friends, and work friends.....One word. Amazing. We are even strongly supported and loved by friends of friends. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am so grateful for little things like good parent-teacher conferences with the boys...and the teachers that are specifically loving, hugging, and watching over them through this. If I had to worry about their grades or behavior in addition to everything else, things could be much more difficult. Little things...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am grateful for all the tiny moments just today that Lia said hilarious things. I can literally feel my own heart expand </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">as I watch her grow into this sassy, funny, sweet, real little </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">person. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am also grateful for the people we are becoming through this. I've spoken before about lessons learned...and there are so many lessons we are learning. That's no coincidence. He's trusted us with Lia, and with her circumstances. He's trusted us to keep moving forward and to help as many people along the way as we can. He's trusted Corey and me to help each other in every moment of doubt and fear and difficulty. Our road ahead is uncertain, but I know we will continue to learn all along the way. I'm thankful for that. Yes, there is a lot to be thankful for....</span>Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047735276431974448.post-86186491303873997752013-03-16T06:52:00.001-07:002013-03-16T06:52:20.378-07:00Here we go....we have a surgery dateSo we have dates now...for both Lia's pre-surgery heart cath and her Fontan.<br />
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The heart cath will be on April 19th. Lia's cardiology team want a heart cath to be done before any big open heart surgery. They are able to really get some important information about the pressures in her heart and other things in the cath lab. Lia will have an extra procedure in there this time. In addition to the specific heart cath doctor, Dr. Nugent (who has always done her heart caths in the past), there will be another team of specialists who are looking at the electrophysiology (EP or heart rhythm) of her heart. The EP specialist is Dr. Scott. <br />
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Apparently, Lia has an abnormal "delta wave" that shows up intermittantly on her EKG. It's something she's always had, but because of her upcoming surgery, they want to look a little closer at it by doing an EP study. I had Dr Lemler (Lia's cardiologist) show it to me last time we were there. Lemler says that she's never shown any signs that it is causing her any problems, and it's possible it never would. The thing is, once they do the Fontan, it takes away the direct pathway to that area in her heart that they could reach by heart cath. In other words, if she DID end up symptomatic from this extra electrical pathway as a teenager or later and they needed to do an intervention to fix it, they would have to do another open heart surgery. As it is now, before the Fontan, they can do an ablation in the cath lab if they need to. Makes good sense to me...<br />
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I am so thankful he picks up on things like that. Obviously, I'm no pediatric cardiologist (and never would claim to be any sort of heart expert) but I do know my way around an EKG. I've been an ICU nurse for 15 years...I'm telling you I would have NEVER seen that tiny, minute, extra delta wave. When he pointed it out, yes I could see it. But I wouldn't have noticed it on my own...I'm just so incredibly thankful for Dr Lemler. <br />
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So if they end up having to do an ablation or any intervention in the cath lab, we will most likely stay the night in the hospital afterwards. It's just another safety net they place under us. I appreciate that.<br />
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Ok...now on to the Fontan. It's scheduled for May 6th. We will spend the day at CMC on the Friday before to do all of her pre op labs, cxray, and other evaluations. This will most likely be a long, tiring day. We are scheduled for Dr Forbess's first case on Monday the 6th at 7:30 am. We will get there at 6 am.<br />
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Many of you have asked us what this surgery will do for Lia. I've found a video that helps to explain what they've done so far in the first two surgeries, and then what they will do in the Fontan. Remember, every heart defect is different and they tweak things to individualize the surgeries for each child. Lia was born with tricuspid atresia, so the part that she is missing is her right ventricle. This seems to be more rare than those kids born with the left ventricle missing. She also had transposition of the great vessels, so her surgery is a little different to accomodate that as well. I still think this video is informative and gives you all a good idea of what Lia is dealing with here.<br />
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs_D-554YsE<br />
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Interestingly enough...Lia chose to wear her "Fight Like A Girl" Dallas Heart Walk shirt yesterday, the day we finalized these dates. Did she know I was on the phone with Children's lining all of this out? No. Coincidence that she picked out this shirt to wear?....I don't think so. She is going to be just fine.... <br />
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<br />Lia Kate Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16550700785365988444noreply@blogger.com1