Hello Ava followers! I want to share some wonderful news with you. Ava graduated from Preschool tonight. We are so proud of her! She’s learned much more than we ever could have dreamed. She knows almost all her alphabet. We are now working on putting the sounds together to form words. We hope to have her reading small books this Summer. She knows all her shapes and most of her numbers!
When Ava walked down the isle to the graduation music, tears instantly filled my eyes. Our Little girl… the little newborn that survived Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and fought it’s terrible effects was now healthy enough to join other children her age and simply be a little girl. How in the world did God allow us to this much joy? I remember the days we’d watch over her bed and wonder if today would be her last. Joy does come! Ava is an inspiration to me. She never ceases to amaze me. Her little mind and body is growing and becoming stronger and smarter every day.
She is such a wonderful singer. You would never know by looking at her that she only has one good working lung. I’m not sure I believe that anymore. We’ve heard so much from doctors about what to expect from Ava… she’s surpassed them all! I promise you there is nothing this little beauty can not do!
There is one thing you MUST know about Ava. She loves life. She loves adventure and she finds the need to make others close to her happy. If she thinks she’s let you down she will be the first to apologize. Her smile brightens our lives. Her spunk we love!
This is my Father with Ava. These two have an unbreakable bond. She asked him if he’d be her best friends. My Dad being a very strong man was almost brought to tears. She has that affect on those around her. She lets us all know SHE cares for us.
Ava and her Grandma Helmick
We were very fortunate to be able to send Ava to Messiah Preschool. Her teachers were loving and we knew they deeply cared and about her progress.
Daddy and Ava sharing a moment.
I being the photographer never seem to get pictures taken. However tonight I handed the camera to Brian and he took a few for me to treasure forever.
My favorite of the night… “A Mother’s Love” I call it.
This little outfit I made for Ava. I felt she needed and extra touch of love from me on this graduation day. This picture was taken right before the ceremony.
What a day…
Ava’s sister Emeline recently had an accident. She was playing soft ball with her Dad and Sister Lexis when the ball hit her in the face. She broke her jaw and had to have a plate and screws placed. More bad news was her jaw had to be wired shut for four weeks. Emeline did well and today was also the day she got her wires fully removed. So many things to be happy about. (To read more about Emeline and her jaw… http://emmerose.blogspot.com/) We thank God for His goodness.
Today was a wonderful day. A day I thought I’d never get to see. We are looking forward to many, many great days like this one. Miracles still exist. We are just extremely lucky to be able to say we’ve held one in our own two arms!
We have already started organizing and getting teachers and staff at Ava’s Kindergarten school educated in CDH and our concerns for Ava. I’ve made up a school form all about congenital diaphragmatic hernia. (You can find it here. http://cdhkids.blogspot.com/p/school-meeting-hello-cdh-moms-and-dads.html) Brian and I feel it is so important to make others aware of problems that may arise with Ava. Her school nurse and Ava’s primary care doctor are aware of issues. I feel better about letting her go to Kindergarten. My mind understands our need to send her but my heart is just not willing to go there yet. Please pray for me as I work through my fears. I’ve fought so hard for her this long. It’s hard to “let her go” so to speak. God will give me the strength when the time comes. She is ready for this next step in her life and I’m thrilled to see how much brighter she is becoming! Faith, Hope and Love… things we all need.
Thanks for each and every one of you that have followed Ava’s journey. She’s one tough little girl. Your prayers get heard and we are so grateful to have so many wonderful voices praying for our Ava.
~Terri
