Fundraiser for Savannah:

I am a demonstator for a company called Uppercase Living. The product are vinyl designs that can be placed on any painted surface, tile, glass, etc. (no masonry or stone). Its great for people who rent and can not decorate due to putting holes in their walls. Its beautiful - it looks like the design was hand-painted and when you run your hand across it it feels like 3 layers of paint. They come off easily and they don't weather if placed outside. You can create your own custom design also. Any saying you can think of can be created! Just be creative!

We will be starting the fundraiser today and it will end on May 30, 2008. A portion of the profits will be donated to Savannah's Children's Organ Transplant Association(COTA)Fund.

If this interests you please visit the following site:

www.uppercaseliving.com
Click on Customer Corner
Demonstrator ID: 572393
Token Name: Daywalt

Contact me at jen_b21@hotmail.com if you're interested in placing an order.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Love,
Jen

"Da Da" ... the first words out of her mouth this morning. I told her that Da Da was on his motorcycle ride in her honor!! Then I wiped that tushy of hers that so desperately needed a new diaper (have not shared a poopy story in a while!). You know it is still pretty cool to change her diaper and see "poop" colored Poop! It is so lovely to have things working!!!!

So, I hopped on to share Savvy's Monkey story...so darn cute. She is in her high chair eating her dinner and I start to kiss her bare feet as I am feeding her...I just could not resist...those toes looked so yummy! She is giggling and then the spoon accidentally hits her toe on the way down so now she has a bit of applesauce on her toe...she then takes her toe and puts in her mouth and starts to suck on her toes like a little monkey!! So darn cute....as I re-read what I wrote I just realized how odd this most sound but I am typing it up so I have a record of it. Many years down the road when I sit down to read my old journals I will read today's journal and I will smile at the memory...my little monkey girl!

So Super Papi is in Missouri...he should be arriving to his hotel in an hour or so. We have to give a big Thank You to Maggie and Tom for providing the hotel accommodations during the trip...that was so kind of you!!! Tomorrow he will be at Cabela's so if you are in the area stop on by and say hello! I know he would be so pleased!

Please keep Savvy's Grandpa Pace in your prayers...he is in the hospital and we want him out and home super soon! Savvy sends besos, abrazos and amor to Grandpa and Grandma Pace!

As per unos.org:

Waiting list candidates

I wanted to sit down last night and share the news about our Kick Off event but I learned that Callie had passed and just felt like someone had punched me in the gut.

The Kick Off event was wonderful. Not a lot of people showed up ... actually very few but it was Quality vs. Quantity! Our hearts were simply overwhelmed with joy to see those that came out to support Super Papi and his ride. To look up and see Joni who had only met me once come out to see Savannah ... that was so touching to me! To see Dr. Wonderful come and support us (seriously, I can not tell you how incredible it feels to have your daughter be looked after by such an amazing woman who happens to be a pediatrician!) was beyond awesome....it was just a wonderful time.

D'Ann from the Brandon Times came out to write a story about the ride and to help us promote organ donation. I so look forward to seeing it but it was more then that...it was nice to have her see Savannah so healthy. To see her eyes water at watching her walk. If you remember D'Ann was at our house on Roberts' 40th birthday...the first day Savannah said, "DaDa"!

We met another lovely reporter yesterday, Kelly, who is doing a piece for the Osprey Observer. Turns out her husband is a minister and they both talked to Super Papi at great lengths. Her husband took organ donor pins to pass out to his congregation and talk to them about organ donation (A SUPER HIGHLIGHT OF THE WHOLE EVENING!).

We had a drawing for a signed Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey stick. The winner was a super nice guy named Scott who works at East Coast. The cool thing about this (yup...I always have a story!) is that the ticket for the drawing was purchased by a woman he did not even know. She came up to our table and I started to talk to her and she told me that she knew why were there and what we were doing that "the man" had told her and that she wanted to purchase a ticket for him so he could win the stick! AND HE DID! I just wanted to share the story because the kindness of strangers is always so touching to me. She took Savvy's COTA info and I hope she reads the journal because I simply want to say THANK YOU....you are simply another example of kindness that inspires me!

So, this morning my hubby woke me up with a cup of coffee....I know he got very little sleep last night...and he packed his motorcycle and was off...bright (dark really) and early! I miss him terribly already!!!

So, now the girls are left to have a fiesta at the house...maybe we will have some cute boys over....wonder what Aiden and Riley are doing next week? (Aiden came home from the hospital today!! WOOHOO!)

Callie has passed away.  Please keep this beautiful princess and her family in your prayers.

We are excited about tomorrow and hope that people actually turn out for the "Kick Off". Savvy is doing well...I will be getting her ready for bed in just a few minutes. She is grabbing my feet and saying "tickle..tickle..tickle"...she is jut TOO cute for words!

Savvy's dear friend Aiden is not doing as well. He is being admitted to the hospital again today....I can tell you that you simply NEVER get use to having to take your child into the hospital and it breaks my heart to learn that Aiden actually asked to go to the hospital and get an IV in him so he could feel better. He is such a brave little boy!

Callie is also in the hospital but she is in ICU. Both of these beautiful children need our prayers.

I need to stop writing and get back to my little Warrior Princess because she is taking all of her little stuffed animals out of her basket ... and it is her bed time. Before I go though I selfishly ask for you to keep Robert in your prayers in asking that he have a safe trip and return home to his Warrior Princess and wife that loves him so dearly.

A big Thank you to InForum - the Fargo Daily Newspaper for running an article about the Cross Country "Ride 4 Savvy"!!!

http://www.in-forum.com/archive/index.cfm?searchrange=all&page=search&order=date&keywords=savannah%20anselmo&CFID=39672259&CFTOKEN=67453801&jsessionid=88302a50fcedb404a951

Savannah had a really nice time with her visitors. Her Padrino Danilo, Tia Abuela Mireya and Abuela came yesterday and spent the night. Savvy was so darling carrying her little purse around and holding up her plastic little bracelets...very lady like. She was not very talkative yesterday but loved sharing her toys and books. This morning was another story as she became more comfortable. She showed everyone how much she loves her dahhhhgggssss as she would yell and run to touch their nose or give them a hug. Savannah's Abuela is not a big fan of doggies in the house so everytime her dahhhhgggg Buddy would lick her face ... Abuela would want to wash her face her Abuela was more and more disgusted!

Well Savvy is learning a dreaded word......"NO"....what? I was a bit in shock today as I heard it....certainly that was just a random noise?! But then I hear THIS word again...and she seems to say it when her Mami is taking something out of her hand...WHAT? My child has an opinion other then I LOVE MY MAMI???????? What is going on?????? Robert laughed at me when I told him that I thought Savvy was directing her "no" towards a gesture and actually understood what it meant....he looks at me and tells me that this is NORMAL! WHAT????? Who in the world has ever heard of a 1 1/2 year old child who says "NO". I bet soon some one will be telling me that she will want to know "WHY?"!

Okay..she is simply beyond cute!  She gets so excited in the morning when she says, "Good Morning to her Dahhhgggg"...and is now learning how to say "cat"!  We finished a little Scrapbook that Super Papi is taking on his cross country ride...she helped me "design" the inside cover oh...I wish I could bottle up the giggles she had when she got the markers to write on the inside cover....she is just Yummylicious!

We are expecting a visit from her Abuela, Padrino Danilo and Tia Abuela Mireya tomorrow so I am sure she will be yapping up a storm telling them all about how hard she worked on Super Papi's scrapbook!  Did I mention Yummylicious?!

Please continue to keep Aiden and his brother Mason in your prayers.  Aiden is truly the bravest little boy that I know.  He received his liver transplant at 8 months .... and he continues to FIGHT....every minute of every day....and yet because of his AMAZING mother....you can see the Love and Strength in this little boy's face so clearly.  If you have ever had the pleasure of spending one minute with him..you would know the love that simply oozes from him...he is Sweetness embodied in a little boys body.  ---- We are PROUD members of TEAM AIDEN!!!

AIDEN'S PAGE

Aiden the bravest boy in the world!

A place of Hope for us

In a hospital this is his identity... but we know he is so much more.

Turn up the volume

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Welcome to WELCOME TO MY SITE!!!
This is a place where you can sign my guest book, read some of my Mommy's updates, or look at my pictures. At the bottom of the page is a link to my Home page, please visit it. Don't forget to sign the guest book!><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Made with love by The Heroes Banner Site

My name is Aiden Hawk. I am only 4 years old, (my Mommy is helping me type this). I was born with a rare liver disease called Biliary Atresia. About 250 children are diagnosed each year. I became very sick at a very young age. I had my first major surgery at only 6 weeks old. This surgery is called the Kasai, and it is done to help save children with this disease. The Kasai did not work well for me and soon after the doctors said with out a liver transplant I would not live to celebrate my first birthday. This made my family very sad. I suffered from many terrible complications to end stage liver failure. I had cholangitis (a liver infection), ascities (fluid in the abdomen) and the worst I had poor clotting times and I had esophogeal varicies (this means I bled internally)

On December 21, 2002, A special family lost a baby. IN their sadness they became heros. They donated their child's liver to me and gave me my Gift of LIFE! It was a real miracle.

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I was still very very sick for a while after, but I did celebrate my 1st birthday, then even my second, third, (although I was in the hospital) and NOW MY 4th Birthday!! My Mommy and Daddy are always chasing after me and no one ever can tell I had a liver transplant. I guess that is a good thing, BUT I think it is more important to let people know HOW I lived. God sent me a special angel to donate their liver to me. I know it is something that should never be kept a secret. So tell your friends about organ donation. It saves lives!

Please sign my guestbook!! My Mommy is printing out the notes to me and I will keep them in a special book.

I was also diagnosed with yet another rare condition. I have Ideopathic Anaphylaxis (IA). This means that I can have anaphylaxis to anything I come across no matter how careful Mommy and Daddy are. Currently They believe I am in remission from this illness due to the drug regimine that was Rxed in 2005! Praise GOD! However I am still allergic to over 70 foods, and my immune system is just "confused". But my doctors are working SO hard to fix me, so I can enjoy life even more than I already do! With all the medications, my kidney's need to be watched very closely. I have hypertension that is controlled with blood pressure medication and just need to drink a lot so I don't get dehydrated. But it doesn't stop me from doing things I love, like playing outside, and now playing T ball!

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We have set up an account through the American Liver Foundation for Aiden's Fund. It is a tax exempt foundation. All money goes to medical bills, and hospital related expenses. The ALF acts as our trustee so you are insured your donation will go directly where you meant it... Aiden's bills. We thank you in advanced for donations you may give. God Bless!

American Liver Foundation
Transplant Trust Fund
1425 Pompton Ave
Cedar Grove, New Jersey 07009

*****All checks should indicate that they are to be deposited into Aiden Hawk's Account. Please fill in the Memo portion of the check, with Aiden Hawk's name.*****

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Thanks so much for visiting, and please visit my other website. It has a lot of links and fun things to look at! www.hometown.aol.com/rolexh/Aidenshope.html

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Snips Snails & Puppy Tails, Aiden and Mason's CookBook! email Rolexh@aol.com if you would like order some!

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FIVE YEARS AGO... THE PHONE RANG, AND OUR LIVES CHANGED, FOREVER.

Journal

Monday, May 12, 2008 9:33 PM CDT

Thankfully that is over.

As we were heading to the hospital Aiden yelled to us, "THIS IS TORTURE!! I AM HUNGRY!" I am so glad to say that now finally after 48 hours with nothing to eat, Aiden has a fully tummy.

We spent a long time waiting for the scope.

It started much later than it was scheduled because of the difficulty we have with anesthesia with Aiden. The three classic anesthesias used on children are not ok with Aiden. ANd this leaves for a very concerned anesthiasologist. At one point our GI came in and said, "I heard we have a hold up with the anesthia people I just wanted to see if you had any questions." I thought to myself, hey at least they are doing something, Our local hospital gets so nervous they just say no.

SO we explain to Aiden that he needed to breath into a mask and it would help him sleep..OK so just like the CT scans Aiden has an irrational fear of things on his face/ nose. Mainly from the years with NG tubes. Once he was wheeled into the OR they show him the mask and he goes ballistic. He starts screaming NO NO NO MASK! The anesthesiologist asks Aiden, "well Buddy my only other choice to start an IV."

And this will show you just how serious I am when I tell you the kid doesn't like masks...

He says OK! He would rather be poked with an IV with no numbing creme than breath into a simple mask. SO... we get the pentabarb and they find his vein and poke him with an IV. Aiden is crying, but still screaming to keep the mask away. I am just horrified. Then.. the IV blows. UGH

The doctor tells my crying Aiden, "I have to start another IV or just try the mask." Aiden then just looses it completely. I look at the doctor and just make the decision... it was time. Hold him down and just get this over with. Since he is my child, I get the honors of laying across his chest, as the grasp his cheeks, hold his arms down and then hold the gas over his mouth. Bless his little heart.. he held his breath. He would gag and scream and then just clamp his lips down. I just tried to sing my lovie song but he couldn't even hear me.

He was out in just a minute and I left feeling like garbage. They all tried so hard to make it easy on him, but it isn't ever easy.

The scope was very fast, and we met with Dr. Yazigi to discuss what they saw. Just as I suspected.. Aiden's eosphogus and possibly the lower GI tract were covered with eosinophils. Aiden's eos disease was back and it looked way worse to me in the photos than ever before.

The good news about this is that we are at the MECCA of the eosinophillic gasterointeritis... Cincinnati Children's is a world leader in this field and the main reason we came to this hospital. We will tweak his meds and and a different type of steriod, and also check his diet. Poor little guy, I know it is unbearable.

So, that is that. After two years of this disease being in remission, it is back. It can go away though with the right diet, and medications. I have lived this road before, it doesn't really scare me. Nor does it suprise me.

Aiden woke from the procedure very well.. he was such a tropper and even let me take some photos for the scrapbook.

Tomorrow morning we will see the Director of Electrophysiology at the hospital. Fancy Shamncy. And discuss the dysautonomia.

I will say, the way they treat his autonomic dysfunction is just so sureal to me. They were even very careful about how long the band on his arm was there. I was so impressed with how they took such good care of Aiden, even if it was difficult to watch.

After a trip to Toys R Us

Aiden in the shopping cart at Toys r us

Joey and Mason goofing off

The boys are nestled in their beds comfy. Mason feels all better thankfully. I will update tomorrow.. Hugs to you all. Thank you so much for the notes in the guestbook. I find myself checking it about 50 times a day.

Love to you all
Lisa the Team Mom

Ps/ thank you Kat for the song... No matter what comes his way, what storms rage around my baby He will be safe in my arms.

The pukefest continues...errrrr....the good news is that I now know that she REALLY did eat her broccoli at lunch this afternoon!

Savvy is in her crib with some toys...I am on the rocker with my laptop...I just finished cleaning up puke...all over the carpet...I guess I have been on a honeymoon and simply did not expect the puke....so familiar. I think I know what caused it and will call our wonderful pediatrician in the morning...don't think it is any "emergency". Just cleaned my little Warrior Princess up and put her in the crib to play next to me.....she is walking over and sticking her hand out so I can caress it and then goes on her way and plays with her toys. Puking is over...gotta play now...A Warrior I tell you! I grabbed my laptop and figured I would look up the latest COTA newsletter and then I read the following article. It reminded me that I am no longer waiting....although the transplant was not a cure...it is a Chance...I am so grateful for it...and so grateful that we are no longer waiting.

So many are not as fortunate:

As per unos.org:

Waiting list candidates

www.cota.org:

The Best Mother’s Day Gift … A Daughter’s Second Chance At Life

Hayley Resk, Liver Transplant Recipient, and her mother, Julie Resk, Living Donor

Bloomington, Indiana – April 21, 2008 – One Oregon teenager has a special message for her mother this Mother’s Day: Thank You. This teen is thanking her mom for being her living liver donor and for giving her a second chance at life.

Hayley Resk was born on June 2, 1993. Hayley was a very healthy infant and toddler. However, just after her third birthday she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis following a prolonged episode of diarrhea and weight loss. At the age of four, Hayley was hospitalized with severe anemia, and by the time she was six, she had her spleen removed to control ongoing anemia. In 1999 Hayley was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) -- a chronic liver disease that causes fibrosis and blockage of the bile ducts. No treatment for PSC exists and Hayley’s parents, Jim and Julie Resk, were told Hayley would eventually need a liver transplant to survive.

As the disease progressed, Hayley was hospitalized numerous times for complications including bleeding from esophageal varices (swollen blood vessels), jaundice, and ascites (fluid in her abdomen). Finally, in December 2006, her transplant team at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Stanford, California, placed Hayley on the transplant list.

That’s when Hayley’s parents reached out to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) for help. When asked about the impact COTA has had on her family, Julie Resk said, “COTA has meant that our family had an organization working with us – an organization that was willing to guide us through this difficult time in our lives. Everything was scary and all-consuming, and COTA worked with our volunteers to help lift this huge medical financial burden off our shoulders and make this transplant for our daughter a reality.”

Hayley received a portion of her mother’s liver on February 12, 2007. Now, just a year later, Hayley is doing well; has returned to school, and has resumed most of her normal teenager activities – including hanging with her friends, studying marine biology (her passion) and working to save manatees and our oceans. Recently, Hayley thanked her mom on her website (www.COTAforHayleyR.com) for the liver donation and for giving her second chance at life. Here’s her letter to her mom:

Mom,
I don't know if I will ever be able to repay you for what you have done for me. It's been beyond words what this past year has been like for me, but I am going to try and put my feelings on paper.

It seems like a dream of so long ago when I first remember being told I was going to need a liver transplant. It had been discussed, but never put out there so pointedly. At first, I was like, "Okay … just another surgery, right?” But the doctors said there would be a list – a list that I would have to wait on until a liver that matched mine was available. At that point, it wasn't the surgery, or missing school, or the pain, or the recovery that scared me, it was the wait. I couldn't handle the thought of just waiting (in my head, I was hooked up to wires in the hospital), and waiting. I was told of the nearly 100,000 other people on this list, and my heart ached. I knew their pain. Together, we began waiting for someone to save me – to make that selfless decision to donate life.

And then, like a miracle come true, I remember the day you volunteered to be my donor. You didn't need even a second to think about it. You stepped up at that moment; I knew you were/are the best mom on earth. I wish every person on that “transplant list” could be as lucky as I was. I felt safe knowing you were always there for me – and I just knew your liver was going to work, no doubt about it.

After the transplant, the first time I saw you, I exploded with happiness. I was so happy we had both made it through. Since then, I've learned so much through our experience. You've taught me things without even knowing it. I've learned to never, ever give up, and to stay strong. I now know I am brave. You have taught me to love with the greatest of my ability. I hope we can spend this Mother's Day with a nice walk on the beach to celebrate our mother/daughter bond … a bond that saved my life.
Love, Hayley

PRAISE GOD! That is all that I could think off when I read Callie's update!!! Yesterday our support group decided to do a prayer and candle vigil...all at the same time around the world...two candles with prayers. I lit our candles and said my prayers with tears rolling down my face....well...today, I hear that Callie had a terrible day yesterday....and had no energy...things were not looking good...her grandparents leaving her home in tears fearing the worst on Mother's day I am sure. Later in the evening...she suddenly got up filled with energy!!!!! As her mom said....God Answered our prayers exactly how we wanted!!!! I have tears............

I read a mother's post the other day which brought tears to my eyes and described things so clearly for me. She said that she had walked into the kitchen to prepare a bottle and her baby started to cry....she thought to herself...I am RIGHT HERE HONEY....I am preparing a wonderful treat for you....I see you....I can hear you...I am right around the corner....Don't cry....you simply can't see me. Then she thought to herself....THAT IS IT! That is what God must think....we cry to God all of the time....and God is thinking .... I am Right here...I am preparing a wonderful treat for you....I have not left you...you simply can not see me....but I am watching....I am hearing .... and I am loving. (I thought her words were beautiful and they will stay with me).

We had a simple day yesterday...we were all sick....Robert finally came down with "it". Savvy came into the bedroom with her Super Papi and a beautiful card and my heart danced! She looked so proud of herself holding the card....we had pancakes for breakfast with my little Warrior Princess LOVING them! I got to scrapbook and worked on Savvy's transplant album...I read so many loving words ... I re-read newspaper articles...I wept. I did not think it would be so hard to go back and finish this album...but PRAISE GOD that I can...and that I have my Savvy here with me to one day look through the album! It was a simple day and yet a beautiful one for the reason for the day was here...with me....not in a hospital as we were last year....simply here with me with her swollen little busted lip (that has clotted beautifully!), pancake syrup in her hair and her runny nose...here with me!

While working on the album ... I had to stop after reading the following words...I stopped scrapbooking and simply got on the floor with Super Papi and Savvy ... tears and all and started to play, "tickle...tickle...tickle!"  I simply wanted to enjoy my miracle.

Savannah,You've taught me more in your 1 year of life than I have learned in my own 24 years. You have taught me the true meaning of hope, faith, and most importantly...life! In honor of your second home here in New Jersey, I will quote one of the greats..."Miracles happen everyday, change your perception of what a miracle is and you'll see them all around you." - Jon Bon Jovi My perception of a miracle changed on 11/2/07 when I first met you and was redefined on 12/29/07. To me, a miracle looks like a brown haired, brown-eyed baby, with a smile (and dimples!) to melt my heart.Because of you, Savvy, I believe in miracles.And because of you I am seeing more and more of them everyday. It has been a privilege to be a part of your journey thus far, and it will continue to be a privilege as I follow your story in the future as you have truly impacted my life.All my love, all my hugs....always!-Sarah Lavinio

Although I truly believe that everyday is a special day ... Mami's day is simply another reminder on how simply grateful I am to be a Mami...to be Savannah's Mami.

See Happy Mami's Day 2008 online.

My prayers are with all of the Mami's who are watching their children struggle.  To all of the Mami's who celebrate this day with their child in Heaven.  To all of the Mami's who love and are loved so much.  To all of the Mami's whose children are healthy and strong.  To all of the Mami's who have been granted the amazing gift of a child.  For we know how special this gift is...

May 10, 2008

http://stores.ebay.com/Bob-N-Kristys-Clothing-N-More_W0QQsspagenameZMEQ3aFQ3aSTQQtZkm

Kristy has an EBay store and a portion of her profits will go towards Savvy's COTA fund. So check out her store and send her link to friends....Kristy is Sofia Elena's (Savvy's bestest girlfriend!) cousin! I will be placing the link on the Home Page as well so you do not have to search through journals if you want to find her link.

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Today I am feeling worse...now the cold has turned into this coughing thing....I think I just like to wear surgical masks around Mother's Day...funny! I was so excited about pictures this mother's day since I only have a few from last year since I felt so terrible. We were at CHOP I was sick, wearing a mask and staying at the Ronald McDonald House...it was a tough time.

Savvy had a hard time sleeping last night due to her runny nose but Super Papi and the humidifier seemed to help out a lot...today she is playing as if nothing is wrong...she still has a runny nose but I think she might be feeling better.

I have not heard about Callie today and how she is doing. We know that she does not have a lot of time left on this earth and will be going home soon but I simply pray that she does not suffer and she enjoy every second of every minute left on this earth....her mother has such an amazing strength but I also know that there is nothing worse in life then losing your child...nothing...so please keep sweet Callie and her family in your hearts, your thoughts and prayers.

Our Cutie Aiden is off to Cincinatti tomorrow. His family also needs our prayers. His brother, Mason, had an MRI and a second lesion was found on his brain...and now just days after learning this Lisa and family are off to try to get Aiden the help he desperately needs.

Sophia Elena, Savvy's bestest girlfriend is doing well!  She truly is a Wonder Woman!!! We are constantly sending our love to her!!!

Our Cutie Patootie, Brody (Jen's beautiful son from the RMHouse) is doing amazing! He is now Rolling by himself!!! Soon he will be chasing his brother Blake around the house and as I know Jen will be rolling her eyes...she will also be loving it!

Shaahed, our "Miracle Boy", is EBV positive and has an Endoscopy scheduled ... please keep him and his beautiful family in your thoughts and prayers...after having to have 3 liver transplants in such a short time ... this little one also deserves a break!

Our "Hope Child", Nadia, continues her chemotherapy but seems to be doing well....please keep her family in your hearts and prayers as well....she was just transplanted a year ago....they simply need a break!

I can not believe that I have not mentioned this earlier but my brother, Ozzie, deserves a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!!! He just graduated from College with a Bachelors in Business Management!!! WAY TO GO!!!! We are sooooooooooooooo VERY PROUD! I could not help myself but to show him off...so here he is! He is holding a picture of our Father who was with him in spirit! So very proud!!! Our Father never graduated High School...so to know that all of his children are now College Graduates I KNOW is making him smile in Heaven!

Sweet Callie is a BEAUTIFUL 8 year old little girl who had a liver transplant last March and in February of this year she developed PTLD. I have mentioned this darn virus before when journaling about our "Hope Child" Nadia. Unfortunately, Callie has a large tumor and the doctors have done everything they can for her so they have sent her home to have hospice care. Callie is such a beautiful child...she has told her mom that Jesus is helping her...and I believe. But we need your prayers...Sweet Callie needs your prayers, her beautiful family needs your prayers...we are not ready to say goodbye to this little Warrior Princess. Please pray for her and keep her in your hearts...if you do not pray ... please send all of your positive thoughts.

montage -- to see a picture of sweet Callie ... so you can close your eyes and know the beauty in hers.

Good news! No more polyps..nothing to biopsy...no cancer!

I do have to go again next year for a follow up but the news was not a "BUMMER"...just wanted to use the word "Bum" in the sentence. So now all I have is a bad head cold...which will hopefully go bye bye soon enough. Even with my surgical mask Savvy managed to get a runny nose but she does not seem like she has lost any energy so hopefully we will just have runny boogies and that is all.

Savvy got her first big boo boo today! You know...one that was purely accidental and not requiring a scalpel. She was walking around the wait room in the surgical center and slipped on one of the tiles...she landed face first and her tooth broke skin on her lip. Robert took my bloody little lip girl outside to check her under the sunlight while I went and got some ice from one of the nurses (good thing we were in a surgical center)...the front desk administrator seemed so distraught (my little Warrior Princess had a ton of blood on the tissues) and Robert and I looked at each other and said, "Oh my goodness look how fast she is clotting!!!!!!!"

I then realized how ABNORMAL that most have sounded to those around us and tried to explain how happy we are that our daughter can clot on her own so quickly with her new liver.....I know I sounded like a wacked out mother to those around me and the more I tried to explain that we were happy that this was a "normal" boo boo like all other kids get and her little body responded exactly like it should have....the more...I realized I should simply stop talking because no one was getting it.

The nurse that I had to put the IV in me had to "fish" for my veins and oh...my heart just jumped out thinking about how gross it felt and all of the times I have watched nurses "fish" for my little girls veins....that was tough to handle...not because it hurt me so much as it hurt my heart...it did hurt me thinking about how Savvy felt so many times and not even understanding why it had to be done.

Well...Savvy is "reading" her books to her Teddy bear and Robert is off to work. Robert has decided to open his own office. The difficulty of having people understand that you are not taking a day off just to for the sake of having a day off but to sit by your daughters' bedside and watch her body fight itself..to take a catnap on a chair and to watch monitors go off every 15 minutes ... this is something that we simply do not want to have to explain again and again. If people do not get it ... well then they do not get it. Life is too short and family is the most important thing. So, Robert is on his own. He is not only a great husband and father but also a great lawyer (yup...that is my opinion!) so if you are in Florida or know of someone who is in Florida and needs legal help you can contact him through his website at www.anselmoattorney.com

Hugs to all!!!