It's My Heart

On the top of our blog I put a countdown to the It's My Heart Walk. I am so excited about this walk and hope that we can raise a lot of money and generate support for It's My Heart. It's My Heart is a wonderful non profit organization created to provide support to and advocationg for those affected by Congenital and Acquired Heart Defects. Through awareness, resources and education, It's My Heart creates alliances and networks among families, groups, hospitals, and the community. Did you know: * Nearly twice as many children die from Congenital Heart Disease each year as from all forms of childhood cancers combined. Yet funding for pediatric cancer research is 5x higher than funding for Congenital Heart Disease. (Source: Children's Heart Foundation) *Congenital Heart Defects are the # 1 birth defect (source: March of Dimes) * Congenital Heart Defects are the # 1 cause of birth defect related deaths (Source: March of Dimes) * About 1 out of every 100 babies born each year will have some sort of Congenital Heart Defect - approximately 40,000/year (Source: Children's Heart Foundation) * The American Heart Association directs only $0.30 of every dollar donated towards research. The remainder goes towards administration, education and fund raising efforts. Of the $0.30 allocated for research, only $0.01 goes towards pediatric cardiology. (Source: Children's Heart Foundation) * The cost for inpatient surgery to repair Congenital Heart Defects exceeds $2.2 billion a year (Source: Children's Heart Foundation) * Of every dollar the government spends on medical funding, only a fraction of a penny goes toward Congenital Heart Defect research (Source: Children's Heart Foundation) * Though research is ongoing - 35 types of Congenital Defects have been identified I'm feeling a mixture of emotions as I write this because September 24th is the one year anniversary of Elle's first open heart surgery. However, this Thursday, September 23 (Elle's 18 month birthday) we will see her cardiologist to determine if she will be having another open heart surgery before the end of the year. We fully trust in God's perfect timing and know that through HIM all things are possible! Please go to the It's My Heart Website for more information about Congenital and Acquired Heart Defects.

Labor Day Weekend and a Quick Trip to the Big Easy

Labor Day weekend we went down to Matagorda with my parents. We did some fishing and Elle got to the drive the boat a few times. She is such a super trooper. She and my dad sat on the front of the boat while Lee, my mom and I all fished. They read books and Elle learned the art of throwing crackers overboard and watching the seagulls grab them. We even saw an alligator - not the greatest of experiences because it surfaced 8 feet from our boat and scared the crud out of me...but...Elle got to see an alligator. My mom and I totally out fished the boys. That only happens once in a blue moon so I do feel the need to mention it!

Elle and I had our usual uber busy week and then last Friday we were lucky enough to have dinner with my bestie Shay and her family. Shannon is the busiest person I know and it was so great our schedules worked out that we would both be in town on the same night. We were all so glad that we were able to spend a few hours with her and her wonderful family! Elle was hamming it up big time.

i think this pic caught her staring at Shay's beer bottle...we're going to have to keep a close eye on Auntie Shay and Elle...this seems to be a problem when the two of them get together

Elle and Auntie Shay in July of 2009 - again - Elle only had eyes for that bottle!

Saturday morning Lee and I left Elle with Mark and Vickie and drove to New Orleans for the Ole Miss v. Tulane game. We met up with my parents and all our friends for lunch and then headed to the stadium for some tailgating. Oh New Orleans - how I love and hate you all at the same time! We had a great time - watched some of the game, caught up with old friends and got to see our long lost friend Becca. She's not really lost - but when you call St. Thomas home it's not very often that you make it back to the States!

Patrick, Becca and Me inside the Super Dome

Eating lunch with our fabulous friends who we don't get to see often enough!

Laura and Me before the game...Lee was mad we took him away from the free beer at the tailgate and made him go to the stadium....not sure why the pic of Lee and me is so tiny but we were having a good time! And I do have to point out that these pictures were taken after many hours outside in the blazing heat and after a few Blue Moons....

The only good thing about the drive back on Sunday was we got to stop in Baton Rouge and meet Laura and Matt's 3 month old son, Jackson. I am so in love with that little cutie pie. Words can't even begin to describe how cute he is and pictures do not do him justice!

We made it back to Houston and headed straight back out the door to go eat for Mark's birthday. Happy Belated Birthday Big Daddy!

Shamless Subliminal Message

It's college football time and I am preparing Elle. She has a huge selection of red, white and blue outfits - all embroidered with "Ole Miss" or "Rebels." And this is my latest tactic to ensure Elle's blood bleeds red and blue just like mine...