Happy 6th Birthday Owen!

Owen came into this world ready to fight. With only half a heart, we had no idea how much time we would have with him.  We knew he was special.. a fighter.. a charmer.  We couldn't predict what the future would bring, but we had lots of hope that it would be a great one.  Oh.. the heartache, worry and fear that consumed us that first year... if only we had a crystal ball at the time. 

Owen rocked his first year and was the funniest little one year old ever!  He was a spitfire.. and still is today! 

By two, he learned how to get his own way using his charm.  He was a master at scooting on his butt and started talking up a storm.

By three, we had a walker and a little boy that always had us laughing.  He would say the silliest things all the time and we knew he was trouble. We told him to bring it!

By four, we knew Owen was having a tough time keeping up and was listed for a heart transplant.  He had a great year with many ups and downs, but such a tough guy!! 

Owen's fifth year has been the year of change.  He received his heart transplant in July and has thrived!!!  When we look back at the first part of his fifth year and compare to the last half, we are so grateful for this amazing gift of life he has been given. He has started Kindergarten, has started jumping on the tramp, and is improving in every area of development.  It's like he's a new boy!

Look at this kid.. he's SIX!!  Today this miracle boy has defeated all the odds stacked against him and he made it to his sixth birthday!  He is happy, smart, funny, and such a delight to be around 98% of the time.  Anyone that is lucky enough to know him has been changed by his story and his genuine love of life.  We are so blessed he is ours!

Happy 6th Birthday Owen!!  I hope you never forget how blessed you are and know that you have been given a special gift.  To Owen's donor family.. we love you and are so grateful to you!  Look at this little guy... I am melting! Here is a fun little video we took of Owen this morning...

A Snowy Weekend

We took a mini vacation this weekend to Mormon Lake.  A cabin in the pines with snow on the ground, while enjoying the 60 degree sunny temps?  I'm in!  I have always loved road trips and there is so much beauty in our state.  I took a billion pictures of the scenery while driving.

After a three hour drive, we made it to the cabin and were a bit shocked that there was actually snow on the ground.  We have had a mild winter and this week we will see 80 degrees, so to see snow up north was exciting!  I can count on one hand the number of times my kids have seen snow, so it's a pretty big deal.

We brought Gigi up with us, but my sis and her fam made it up on Friday.  They always have so much fun together.

Gigi made a giant snowball which was kind of a big feat considering the snow wasn't fresh and powdery, but icy and hard!

Kam gave it a good 15 minutes before she decided that it was much more relaxing to snuggle up indoors by the fire place and watch a movie. Smart girl.

Owen attempting to make snow angels... desert dweller fail. :)

This past week we decided to make the jump from our 'antique' flip phones, to smart phones.  I know... welcome to the real world right?  I feel like the 90 year old grandma that can't figure out how to use her new phone.. let alone take a selfie.  A selfie.. seriously.. I need some practice!

Bridgi couldn't wait to get in the snow.  This little peanut doesn't want her auntie much.. she always shakes her head no when I try to pick her up or hold her.  She thinks I'm going to baby snatch her away from her mama.. which is probably true... if she'd let me hold her for more then 10 seconds.

Oh.. look here... my husband woke up from his second nap of the day.  He too felt like chilling in the warm cabin was a better idea than playing in the snow for hours.  The first couple selfie ever.

Owen found a 'tool'.. no idea what it is.. but decided that he needed to impale a snowman.  You know off of Frozen when Olaf runs into the icicle and says.. "I've been impaled."  Anyway.  He thought it was funny... until no one was looking and he destroyed Gigi's wanna-be snowman. 

I think she's holding his head right here...

After playing in the snow for most the morning.. we decided it was time for some s'mores.  Who doesn't love a good campfire s'more?  Owen.. that's who.  He was so grumpy at this point that I just took him back to the cabin to defrost.  He was much happier.  "Mom, you said the snow would be fun!  I am cold and wet!"  This, my friends, is why we live in the desert.

I had beef stew in the crockpot all day Saturday and wouldn't you know that the crockpot was too technically advanced for me and automatically turned off at some point during the day.  Or it didn't cook at all.  SO we sent the boys down to the Lodge and they picked us up some burgers, steaks and chicken fingers. The kids settled in on the couch and we watched a movie until we all crashed. 

Kam had a good time relaxing but woke up on Sunday feeling super crummy.  We packed up quickly and headed home by 10:30.  It's now Monday morning and she has fever, chills, non productive cough, burning from the cough, and now she's feeling nauseas.  I self diagnose her with the FLU so she is quarantined in her room upstairs.  Her appetite is ferocious so I'm gonna say she'll be fine, we just need to let her ride it out.  I'm trying to get her in to the doc to start Tamiflu. 

We'll miss the pines but are glad to be back in the desert.. it's toasty warm here and sunny!

It was fun weekend away.. if only for a day and half, it was worth it! 

Showbiz

This weekend kicked off dance competition season.  The girls have worked so hard from August until now.  Learning their dances, improving their technique and now it's time to show their stuff.  Kam's costumes turned out beautiful and they looked so pretty on stage.  Kam has worked really hard this year and is very dedicated.  I can't wait to watch her compete this year and learn so much at all the conventions.  This weekend was the Showbiz Competition...

Kam has three dances.. the first is a contemporary dance.

The second is a jazz routine and these costumes are like Dr Jekyl and Hyde.  Two different sides.

The third number is Musical Theatre to "Roxy"... Kam loves Chicago.. this couldn't be more perfect for her!

The girls did fantastic!!  We totally missed the award ceremony which is a total 'no no' in the dance world.  For a really good reason though (Bat Cave post below), and it will never happen again.  We are proud of you baby girl!!!

A Visit to Wayne Industries

This past Sunday, Owen was given the opportunity to be Bruce Wayne's guest at Wayne Industries Bat Cave. We had no idea what to expect and we were surprised... blown away!  Kam had dance competition all day and we made it to our meeting spot just in time.  Mr Wayne's Cadillac Limousine was waiting for our arrival to give us a ride to the secret bat cave. 

We had friends and family waiting for Owen's arrival.  HopeKids gave us the opportunity to experience the Bat Cave and they just had these adorable shirts made.  Owen won't take his off and has worn it everyday since.  "YES, I've been to the bat cave.  NO, I won't tell you where it is." 

After we were all dressed up in our new shirts, we headed into the Bat Cave, aka. Wayne Industries. 

The first room was modeled after the 1966 classic Batman series.  It was identical!  They showed us all a little clip from the series and got the kids involved.

I love that they all know the answers!

Charles Keller is the man who runs the operation and he gave Owen the master tour.  He had a statue of Shakespeare, just like the one in the series.

His head opened up and Owen got to push the button.  This is his favorite part of the entire night, perhaps because he made the book shelf open up and it lead to the stairs.

Guess where the stairs led??  To the poles that Batman and Robin slide down in the series.  Owen was only a mild bit terrified to slide down the pole, but he did it.  Kam went down, Carson went down.. I chose to walk back down the stairs.  Liv, Lucy and Gi went down the pole, but Emmy and Corbin took the stairs as well. :) 

SO fun!! 

Now we were in the bat cave control room.  There were machines with buttons everywhere.  Any little kids dream.. and Charles told the kids they could touch, push, and play with anything they wanted!

Giggles and squeals and the kids let loose.  It was pretty cool!  Each machine has a reference card and the scene from the series with the identical equipment.

Owen's favorite was the headphones and you look into the machine and watch episodes of the series.  I'm sure it has a cool technical "Batmanish" name, but I have no idea what it was called.

Even Bridgi got in on the fun.

Corbin on the phone..

We were then led into the room where all the Batmobiles are stored.  This is the kids in the Batmobile Parachute Pick Up Service bus.  They watched a little clip from the series inside.

Afterwards, Charles told the story of Gilligan's Island and had us sing the song... It was not performance quality, but the kids got a kick out of it.  Charles put me in the hot seat for the lie detector test and told me to say "YES" to every question.  I failed a couple and the kids thought it was hilarious.

Laughter at my expense.

We then got an important message that came over and Bruce Wayne needed Owen's help. 

Owen was so excited to jump into the Batmobile and head out!  I love his little "YYEEESSS!!!"

Off they went...

The Batmobile shot off bat shaped confetti, which the kids thought was pretty awesome stuff.  I'm sure all the parents loved going home with piles of confetti in hand.  Who knew paper could be so fun!

We got a group shot in front of the Batmobile.  Thanks to everyone who came out!!

They also brought out the batcycle, which was more of a hit with the kids since it went FAST!

Daddy driving the kids in the Batmobile.

Gigi and Emmy taking a ride.

Kam and Owen in the Batcycle.

Liv and Lucy in the Batcycle.

I got my turn to drive the batmobile, but could barely reach the peddle.  I'm pretty sure we got whiplash while going 5mph.

When the rides were finished we went back into the blue room.  Charles gave Owen a Batman USB Flash drive with all the pictures from our evening, and the entire series of Batman Classics.  He was SO thrilled!!!

If that wasn't enough, he gave him a batmobile car with a key and invited him to come back and drive the batmobile when he gets his license.  All the other kids got souvenirs as well.

Bruce Wayne is a philanthropist so he allowed Owen to donate checks to two of his favorite charities!  The first went to HopeKids!!  They are wonderful and I can't say enough great things about this organization.  They provide hope and entertainment to kids when they need it most, all fighting life threatening medical conditions.

The second charity is so close to my heart... Sisters By Heart.  It was started a few years ago by some of my favorite heart moms.  They offer support and care packages to newly diagnosed HLHS families.  All of them are moms of children with HLHS, like Owen.  When Owen was prenatally diagnosed with HLHS, we had no hope given.  There was no Facebook, social media, support groups locally.. no one to reach out to for information or support.  This is such a great non profit and they simply provide resources and hope to newly diagnosed families to let them know they are not alone.  Stacey told Owen "Thank You Owen.." to which he replied "No problem."

We had a really great night and met some wonderful people.  Charles Keller, thank you for all you do with your organization.. you are beyond generous!  Thanks to all our friends, family and Hopekids.  Owen will be talking about this experience for a long time!

In the limo ride back to our car, Owen received a phone call in the limo. It was Bruce Wayne's limo driver calling on behalf of Bruce and wanted to know if he enjoyed his evening. Owen said "Yes.. Thank you!!"

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