Monday, October 27, 2008

Prayer Request


Please keep baby Blake and his family in your prayers. They were given some difficult news and need lifted in prayer. You can log on to his site at www.caringbridge.org/visit/blakedurdel

Friday, October 24, 2008

What to be for Halloween?

Super Girl?
Super Man?

Ladbug?
A girl needs options!


Sunday, October 19, 2008

Pictures from the week


Macie has been working on the potty training thing. So far pretty good!


Beautiful Ladybug

Music class, she loves it!

Daddy is trying with every attempt to have a hunting buddy. Turns out Macie is more of a shopping buddy, suprise. Where does she get it from?

Last weekend we had outdoor pictures of Macie taken. I can't wait to get them back!

Friday, October 17, 2008

I'm not a big political fan, yes I vote and do my research, but I don't really get to deeply involved. This post is not to stir up a debate. However we set up this blog to promote the importance of organ and tissue donation. After the debated this week we are HOT. Please read McCain quote bellow:

Exact quote from Presidential Debate 15 Oct. as made by John McCain:

"That' s big government at its best. Now, 95 percent of the people in America will receive more money under my plan because they will receive not only their present benefits, which may be taxed, which will be taxed, but then you add $5,000 onto it, except for those people who have the gold-plated Cadillac insurance policies that have to do with cosmetic surgery and transplants and all of those kinds of things.

So here in the transplant world we are all asking ourselves what McCain meant to say. Was it to say his plan does not support transplants? Belonging to a couple transplant support groups I have read these views. We are all a little HOT!

Gold-plated Cadillac insurance policies, where do we get one of these. Does McCain have any idea how many hours and beyond families spend on the phone with insurance companies? I can only speak for myself, MANY and on the things our daughter needed (not just wants). The state of Illinois rejected our "All Kids" application on our daughter (we wanted to pay the monthly premium and be guaranteed coverage). We were told we were responsible for her insurance until she caps out, yes we are over half way there. The state may provide insurance after that, but they have 3mo to pick her up, leaving us to pick-up the rest. Scary. I was even told if I was a single mom I would qualify? I don't think that's Gods plan.

We are very thankful we have insurance, and have a good plan. Knowing one day it will run out really makes you think. We really do have a million dollar and beyond girl.

As far as my view goes, transplants are not and elected procedure. It's life or death as painful as it is to type the words. We were told our daughters only chance at life was a heart transplant. Does that sound like an elected procedure to you? She has quality of life and has life! A life we are full and blessed with.

Mike asked Macie who she was voting for, she said ELMO. We love Elmo these days.

Anyways this will be our only political post. We want this site to be positive. Showing life after a heart transplant, beautiful.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Pumpkin Time

Carving the pumpkins

Now which one should I choose?
This is some sort of mum/chicken dance



Monday, October 6, 2008

Two Years Later................


WOW .... so far we have collected 72 blankets to take to the CICU at St. Louis Children's hospital during Macie's October appointment!

Grandma/pa Hawkins and Michael and I got Macie this new vanity for her second heart birthday! Macie loves it, she is such a girly girl! Grandma Vaughn brought her some new outfits, I'll post pictures soon.


Macie released balloon in memory of her donor, Destiny.



Having an afternoon snack on Destiny's memorial bench. Don't you wonder what she is thinking?

It's been two years since Macie received her Gift of Life. Michael and I are truly blessed. Looking back from now its hard to believe all our princess has been through. Saturday evening we had a Celebration of Life party at our home with family and friends.
We encourage everyone reading this blog to become an organ donor if you are not already. Two years ago Michael and I were told a heart transplant would be the only chance at life for our beautiful baby girl. Two years later we have our happy, healthy, thriving Macie. Please share Macie's story to encourage others to donate life.
Not a day goes by we don't give thanks to God for giving us his beautiful Macie. And to Macie's donor family we give thanks for your brave decision. At such a trying time you gave our daughter the Gift of Life. Destiny we feel your beautiful heart beat each night as we pray for your family. Your a shining angel.



Macie LOVED the Jumping House! We put it up Friday night and Saturday morning first thing she said was "IwannaJumpJump" and began jumping in the bed.



I think grandma Hawkins liked it just as much as Macie.

Macie with her cousin Dara


Mike with his sister Emily, nephew Quentin and niece Bella. Quentin got to spend the night. It was nice to spend some extra time with him.

Macie and her favorite neighborhood friend Anna. She loves this girl!


We posted a new poem at the bottom of the blog page.