Upcoming Events

Andrew in his survivor's red cap after last year's Heart Walk.

This will be our fourth year participating in the American Heart Association's Heart Walk with APH CHD support group, Precious Little Hearts of Central Florida. It's coming up soon, on September 17th. It's always great to see Andrew's Heart friends while raising awareness for the #1 birth defect (congenital heart defects). As a survivor of both heart disease & stroke, Andrew feels it's important to stay involved in supporting care of others who face the challenges of heart disease & stroke.

Andrew is also passionate about supporting Children's Miracle Network as Greater Orlando CMN supports his first home, Arnold Palmer Hospital as well as Shands Hospital for Children. Last year CMN gave the APH Cardiovascular Pediatric ICU an awesome makeover. Of course, if you just keep your eyes open & walk through APH you will see the evidence of CMN's support all over! Like last year, we have started our own team - Miracle Heart - & would love as many locals to join as are able. The Troch Relay in Orlando includes a 5K walk (we will be doing), a 15 mile walk, an 80 mile cycle & a 220 mile motorcycle run. All happen on November 12th.

If you would like to make a donation or join our team, please click on the respective link to the left under the heading upcoming events. Thanks for the ongoing love & support!

Changes

The front of Steve's new school, Reformed Theological Seminary

(Steve & Andrew are standing in the shadow)

It's actually right across the street from Tommy & Molly's neighborhood. Steve started in the beginning of August with a 3 week course & is now 2 weeks into the regular fall semester. We are really excited about this opportunity & eager to see what the Lord makes of it all : )

Steve making a beeline to show us the library - no surprise.
Andrew snuggled up with Aunt Stacie for fight night.

Daddy's big helper

Not a baby anymore, but still super cute in his sleep.

Andrew is doing very well. Healthy & learning all kinds of new things. He knows his numbers to 10, knows most of his shapes & colors, learning letters & animals. We recently discovered he hums twinkle twinkle little star. He is saying more words & just last night he asked for the iPad by looking at me & saying iPad. Usually he would let us know nonverbally that he wanted something & then we would make him say the word (or at least try to say it). So it was a big deal that he used his word to communicate what he wanted without prompting - all very exciting! He is still the sweetest boy ever & we are still crazy about him. We are very blessed to have Mimi (Aunt Sue), Machie (my mom) & now Aunt Jessica helping us take care of him the 3 days Steve is in school. God takes such good care of us!

This boy is getting BIG

These are for our friends at APH CVICU.
Big boy, little wagon

He still likes to play with his push wagon. Lately turning it upside down & trying to perch on it. Daddy says he has to 'work' on his ride : )

Andrew's new work table from Aunt Molly.

He's a hard worker ; )

Wedding Weekend

The weekend after we got back from GA we had family down for Steve's cousin, Jessica & Marshall's wedding. Congratulations! What a beautiful family!

Andrew & Charley
I should have gotten a better picture, because the little ones were so cute in their outfits for the wedding.

Georgia

We went up to GA for a long weekend mid-June. First time in over 2 years Steve's whole family was together. We had a good time at Rich & Teresa's house just hanging out & enjoying each other.

Colton & Kalee

Charley

Andrew stomping in the 'tall grass'

(Aunt Teresa lets him get away with it too : )

Aaron

Kalee

Cousins

The whole family

Dizzy Talk

Love this Boy!

Such a sweet thing!

The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout.


My nephew, Michael graduated high school. Unbelievable!
(because he was just a baby not that long ago)


They love technology : )

On my birthday we went to Viera. Daddy & Dizzy had lots of fun playing around (& in) the fountain.

Daddy & Dizzy having fun in the pool at Homecoming.

Playing guitar with Daddy.

Andrew loves his leapfrog computer. I had set the ottoman up as a desk, but he found a more comfortable set up LOL!

Getting sleepy after a good day. We all love weekends when Mommy doesn't have to work!

Grandma at the Grand Canyon

Grandma Dottie, finally on her way to the Grand Canyon.

My mom & Grandma Dottie enjoying the view.

Grandma was always serious about safety : )

It's been just over three years since Grandma Dottie passed away. We still miss her. When my parents decided to take a trip to the Grand Canyon I jumped at the opportunity to send 'Flat' Grandma Dottie with them (Flat people often make long distance trips - Flat Kalee came to FL to visit us through the mail just about a month ago : ) Grandma Dottie always dreamed of going to the Grand Canyon - and now she has.

One Week to Homecoming

(link to evite 2 posts down)

God is Good!

Well, I couldn't very well update the blog without any photos, so here are some of Andrew playing the wind chimes in Papa & Machie's back yard. It's one of his favorites : )

The real reason for the blog update it Andrew's cardiology appointment today. Daddy took Dizzy this time & he said Andrew did awesome. It was good news & good news! For the good news, he was able to have his EKG & Echocardiogram done in the clinic like a big boy. Since we brought him home almost 3 years ago, Andrew has only had echos (ultrasound of his heart) done while under anesthesia. What a relief for us that he was able to hold still to have it done in the clinic now. And for the good news ; ) the results were great. His heart continues to do better than expected! It's still not certain how/if his body will tolerate the 3rd surgery that completes the 3 stages of repair for a single ventricle heart, so his cardiologist feels since he's doing so well right now we'll just look at that possibility a year or two down the road. And if he can't have the 3rd surgery, there are other possibilities to help him out. For now, we are in the clear & don't have to go back to the clinic (unless a need arises) for A YEAR. We are so excited! It never ceases to amaze me the miracle Andrew is - how awesome it is to hear a doctor say he can't explain it, but Andrew's doing so well. God really is awesome & He's not held back in the least demonstrating that in our Andrew! What a blessing this boy is!