Planting Flowers

Hello Ava followers! Just a bit of news… Ava was tested by our local AEA and we were thrilled to learn that she is testing within the normal ranges for her age. I’m just blown away by the progress she is making. Her speech teacher thinks Ava is doing “leaps and bounds” of what she was doing just one year ago. Drum roll… Brian and I are really thinking strongly about sending her to preschool in the fall. She actually could go to kindergarten but we have no interest in sending her. She is just not ready for that yet. So since she has never been with children her own age we thought a year of preschool will be just what she needs. I promised her that if she kept her weight up and stayed healthy that I’d let her go to preschool. She is SO excited. I spoke with the preschool administrator and told her about Ava’s health history. She seems to think Ava will be just fine. I will always worry about germs. I will always be overly concerned for her safety and well being. However I know it is time for her to spread her wing and fly! AND as I say this I must take a big sigh knowing all she’s been through. When the other two girls went to preschool they learned this song called, “Oh what a Miracle!” It is about knowing they are a Miracle and loving life. Can you imagine the tears I’ll have if Ava learns this song? God is SO good!

SO Ava is doing SUPER and I thought we’d share with you one of Ava’s favorite things. We found out she LOVES to plant. Yesterday she helped my Dad with his garden. They planted onions and cucumbers. She was not afraid to dig right in and help. So this morning we decided to plant some Petunias in my flower box. Ava was in Heaven planting and watering her flowers!

















Oh what a happy Girl Ava is… she loves life and we never forget just how lucky we are to have her with us. Another one of her loves is bike riding! She has a bike that is attached to mine so we can all enjoy family bike time. We go almost every night. Ava’s all time favorite thing… going to the “Ice-cream shop”. She never tires of good ole’ Dairy Queen!

Well thanks again for dropping by. We appreciate your love, support and all the wonderful prayers we get from our AMAZING Blog friends!

~Terri

A Day at the Park.

Hello Ava friends! Ava is continuing to do extremely well. I dolled Ava up the other day and for a good “five” minutes. She was ALL mine for some Gorgeous photos.





This is one of my favorite gifts ever given to me. My friend (We met through Ava, over the internet) Teresa gave me this bracelet. Each time Ava had a procedure or test I wore this. Each day they told us bad new…. then good news I wore this. It says, “Expect Miracles”. I seriously think God sent this to me for added Peace and Protection over Ava. So I grabbed it and got a few pictures with Ava and my bracelet. (Thanks again Teresa!)





She is into everything these days. She asks me almost everyday if we can go to the park. Most times my answer is, “Ava it is still too cold.” Well not a few days ago. I did have to take advantage of the PERFECT day and get some really good photos as well.

I just have to warn you she looks SO grown up and SO tall in these pictures.









Oh how she LOVES to smell the flowers!









Okay done with “gorgeous had to have” photos. Here is serious fun at the park pictures! She is a huge fan of the slides!





And we met some friends… Ava loves to meet new children. I was chatting with this little boys grandfather. This is little guy is adopted. He has seizures every so often. Ava was just intrigued!



Can she do it? Yes she can!



She tried to come down and kind-a got stuck.





AND with Ava it is “All about the Climb”!



“I sought he LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.” ~Psalms 34:4
For all you Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Parents that follow our blog or care page, Here is an awesome blog I started called “Raising Diaphragmatic Hernia Children”. It explains all the problems our children face. There will be a “featured” child once a week. Our very first child is Claire. If you have not read her journey please do. I want people to “Be Inspired” by these wonderful example of God’s Greatest Blessings and Miracles!

Thanks for dropping by. Oh before I forget… Little Isaiah is now HOME. He is doing So well. Thanks for all your prayers for this family and for Ava. We truly appreciate all your love!

~Terri”

Easter Fun

 Hello Ava followers! HAPPY EASTER! Wow what a difference two years can make! Ava got discharged two years ago today on Easter Sunday. Her central line was removed due to a very high fever. She was so happy to be going home. We celebrated with an Easter egg hunt at my parents, then took her home for rest and relaxation. The surgeries were not over, nor was she fixed. She would have a lot more to go but WOW… She’s come SO far! We are thanking God today for His love and understanding and for Ava’s continued health.

Here she is two year ago.

I am copying this from one of my previous posts from two years ago. As you know when you are amidst a “storm” your Faith grows and grows. How GREAT is our God? To me is is EVERYTHING. Today is such a great day as I remember how Jesus died on the Cross for me. He was crucified so that I may live for eternity with Him. What an AWESOME gift. I’m so thankful for Him and His Miracles!

I have learned by this very rocky road that none of us are ever in control of the circumstance. We may think we are but ultimately God knows what is to come. It is a choice we must make to give up the earthly control and hand God all the broken pieces and say, “Here you are God I can’t fix this and I give it to you…do not my will by Yours.” My friends if you have ever done this in your life and truly meant it, I suspect there may be tears in your eyes right now. Oh is it ever hard to do. To give it to Jesus. But I am telling you he knows, He cares and He will bless you for it. Ava is one amazing little girl.

What a great Easter morning it is here in Iowa. Ava was SO excited about Easter. We visited the Easter bunny at the mall this week. She was a little nervous but as we rounded the corner she took off as soon as he was in view! She opened the small gate and climbed up on his lap with no hesitation whatsoever. She proudly sat on his lap. In fact we could barely get her to leave him… As were going to leave she says, “Mommy I miss the Easter bunny already.” I’m telling you this little one has a heart of gold.

 

We colored Eggs a few days ago. The girls were so excited to create their own styles. Ava was just happy to add color to them!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

 

We also for the VERY first year let Ava go to a public Easter egg hunt. I know I heard the gasp through the computer screen. :) They were both outdoor and it was a gorgeous day here in Iowa. She was VERY nervous. (Remember Ava has never been around that many children.) We explained that she needed to pick up the eggs herself. What does Ava do? She cries! So Emeline helped her get some eggs. The tears were gone when she saw Buzz the Bee our local baseball mascot. There was 15,000 eggs! I think she got about 20 eggs.

Emeline took this picture right before the hunt. You can see the fear in her eyes, through that smile.

BUZZ and Ava.

Not so sure about this…

Here is my precious babies this morning. Yes they will always be my babies. :)

 

AND the HUNT in our backyard.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Ava loved opening her eggs and discovering the candy inside. As a Mother this is one of my favorite days. How grateful I am feeling today!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

AND my favorite one is THIS next one!

I did give the website a “mini” make over. It is a little easier to find things now as they are identified at the top. Feel free to check it out. You can click on the “Home”, “What is CDH?”, “Ava’s Story”, “Hope”, “Statistics”, “Ava’s Walk”, “Contact me” and “More”. If you are a carepage follower and have never been to Ava’s blog site please drop by sometime. (http://avaslifewithcdh.blogspot.com)

Also remember I LOVE hearing from my readers. We love the comments so keep the comments and prayers coming!

Have a HAPPY Easter everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful day with family and friends. God Bless!

~Terri (Brian, Lexis, Emeline and Ava)