Spring Break!

Spring Break has come and gone.  We are so sad to see it end, but we are that much closer to High School graduation and summer break!  The weather has been so perfect and it's almost impossible to stay indoors.  I'd like to say that I got a lot done around the house, but I just finished up a couple classes and started more.  Biology at 38 is no joke, but I am so glad I knocked it out so it's fresh in my mind for Anatomy and Microbio.  

While Kam spent a day at the lake, the boys and I went to see Peter Rabbit... it was actually quite cute and Logi watched the entire movie.

Logi has been super interested in Owen's legos lately and there are Legos ALL over the house!  Owen spent some of his gift card money at the Lego Store and he mostly buys an entire set for one minifig or cool feature and then Logi builds the rest of the set.

Logan is also super into baking and "helping" in the kitchen.  He makes his own breakfast most mornings and loves making home made muffins with chocolate chips.

I got to go with Belle and Kam to the New Member Fireside this month.  The talks are so fun to listen to and to hear the conversion stories of others.

Logi sure loves feeding the ducks at the park by our house.  We had to get creative since bread is not good for the ducks.. who knew?  We had a bunch of seeds in our pantry (thanks Owen) and the ducks loved them.  I still remember when Gigi tumbled head first into this pond once upon a time.

We haven't been on swings in a REALLY long time and Logi was not a fan.  I jumped on to show Owen how to pump himself and realized I am too old for swings.  It's safe to say we will probably not head back to the swings for a while.

We did so much more than I can remember and I should be so much better about keeping up the blog.  My kids love reading back on old posts from 10 years ago.. a decade I have been blogging now.. crazy!!  It was a great break from school for the kids and Logi got plenty of "SheSher" time in with Kam.  He is going to love having her home this summer to snuggle with before college.  Life is busy and there is no other way I would want it to be.  T-8 weeks until Summer break!

ONE Year Heart Anniversary

This week we celebrated the ONE year anniversary of Owen's second heart transplant.  This year has been one full of miracles.  The blessings have been overwhelming and this boy continues to amaze us all.  Not only is he a huge personality, but he has had to overcome so many obstacles to get to this point and he keeps on surprising us all.  He never gives up!  

One year ago we got another miracle..

After a speedy recovery he was back at the RMH in less than a week.

A few months later, he had packed on the pounds (thanks to the steroids) and we removed his Gtube.  For the first time in 9 1/2 years, he was tube free!  A few months later, in January, we celebrated 10 years (a DECADE) with this boy!!!  What a journey it has been and such a blessing.

Happy Heart Anniversary buddy!!  Every moment has been worth it.. you have changed us all for the better.  To our donor angels.. we love you and will never take a day for granted as you gave us the greatest gift of all.  This weekend we are writing our first letter to this donor family.  I hope that we can express our love and gratitude to them.  Become an organ donor.. it changes lives. :)

ZERO Rejection!!

This picture sums it up...ZERO rejection!!!!  I am so happy that after 6 months of rejection, we got a zero.   His heart pressures were 2 with a wedge of 6, pulm pressures were 12.  We will continue with weaning steroids and hopefully keep his heart happy.  Next biopsy is in 3 months!!!

We always try to pack in as much as we can into 48hours in Palo Alto.  Our flight in was super delayed so we didnt arrive before midnight when the rental car center had closed.  Owen learned how to use uber and Lyft and loved it...after he got over the "is it really safe to catch a cab at 1230 in the morning?"

 Echo was quick and beautiful... still have the SVC stenosis.

 We explored the new hospital and it is so beautiful. It feels like an upscale childrens museum and there was so much to see.

 Owen liked the "control panels" on the elevator.

 We found out pictures on the wall.

 This was a virtual wall in one of the libraries... so fun!!

 This was his cvicu room where he spent a lot of time following his cardiac arrest.  We watched them build the new hospital and that made it even cooler.

 Owen loves biopsy days.  They accessed his femoral arteries and we lost all access on the right leg.  We are thankful for good access everywhere else.

 The new lobby has big couches to hang out on while kids are in surgery.

 Owen had to lie flat for 4 hours in the short stay unit so we kept busy watching movies and lego building.

 As we were leaving..the Chinese New Year festival was happening in the lobby.  So much fun!!

 A late night trip to Subway on University wrapped up the trip.  We are now on our way back to the desert.  We will call this trip a success!! THANK YOU FOR ALL THE PRAYERS!!