Sunday, November 27, 2016

And Life is good...

Hello friends! It's been awhile since I've updated. Life has been so busy! Ava has had a few colds since the last time I posted. Many things have happened....

She turned 10! It was a milestone to us. How can ten years have gone by!


We are reminded daily of what a miracle she is!! She has such a wonderful, loving, giving and lively spirit! She embraces every minute of life.



At school she was asked to write thank you notes to people in her life. Ava shocked me completely when she told me she wanted to write the notes to her surgeons and her nurse practitioner. Her words gave me goosebumps. To know her little spirit choose these people. I was just so happy and proud.

Last month we went for her surgery check up. (We still go once a year.) She gave her NP the note after he was through looking her over. She is doing well. He was happy to see that her weight (69) was climbing and so was her height. (Almost 5 feet tall!) He then got Dr. Shilyansky, her second surgeon to come in to visit. He was thrilled with her progress. She gave them their notes and they were so thankful she thought of them. Her surgeon told her that the photo we gave him many years ago still sits in his office. He said each time he looks at it he is humbled by Ava and all her complications. (That brought me to tears...) God knows exactly what we need when we need it. Her doctors are proof of that. We are so grateful for ALL they did and continue to do!


Here is a photo of her thank you cards. On the inside she basically wrote "thank you for saving my life."



This Iowa City, doctor trip Brian came along so I got in on a photo which is rare. YES don't be shocked I've lost a little weight and no I'm not sick. I'm great! Just go healthy.


Halloween was fun. You know me I LOVE to dress up. Ava and I went to a few different things around town. Here is a few of our adventures and costumes.

We HAD to do a scary one. Those gorilla eyes are yours truly... Ava Lou! And me well I'm about to be eaten. But all was well. :)


Downtown trick or treating... I was Alice in Wonderland and She was Katniss Everdeen of the Hunger games.


Trunk or treat... we both went as "good" clowns. We said we wanted to change the perception of clowns. (Isn't this world just crazy?) We had a great time!


Thanksgiving went great. I have to tell you again I was so proud of this little lady. She came to me the night before Thanksgiving and asked if she could write a little something for the family that she could say on that day. I was so happy and wanted to help her. It was all her! I had to help her with a few words but here is what her speech said, 

"I am thankful for my family. My life started kinda hard. My mom and dad saved me from the hospital. My grandma and Aunt Amanda were there to look after me too. My sisters Lexis and Emeline had to go to school and act like nothing was happening to me. My cousins made me strong. There were times I had to stay home from school. In the end I want to thank Jesus for letting me stay with my family and making me healthy now." ~Ava

When it was time for her to do the speech she read it as loud as she possible could. It brought tears to many eyes of those in our family, myself included. We have been so blessed! Oh what a day.

All is good here with the Helmick's. She's doing so good in school and is trying to stay healthy. (That's a very hard job to do!) We love that you check in with us. Sorry I didn't update sooner. 

~Terri L. Helmick


2 comments:

Sandy Daron said...

I am so happy to read on update on Ava! She looks GREAT!!! So beautiful and getting tall!!!

Her thank you notes are great!! What a blessing and treasure!!

Terri, you look GREAT!! I am so happy for you!!

I hope you have a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Love ya,
C.O.L.E.s Foundation (Caring Openly, Loving Eternally)
Say A Prayer, Send A Smile, Make A Difference
https://www.facebook.com/ColesMakesADifference
www.colesfoundation.org www.kidsunitetofight.com www.colespages.org
sandy@colesfoundation.com

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad Ava is doing better!!!!