tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34117428781676452882024-03-06T19:34:17.753-08:00Hope for Baby Bennett...how the journey to mend our son's broken heart changed our family forever...Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.comBlogger671125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-89959944874297005692024-02-16T20:24:00.000-08:002024-02-16T20:24:53.094-08:0014 just hits different<div style="text-align: center;">Bodie turned 14 today! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnfFbCBoDTa7UTKkXFJS3npQN9WpUngf6OngQyjmI0-O_gUYnten3FlNAkgld6gkorsraMHiQT8Cvkp_Xcmg87thHub6liGdv1BS-4bd2fpLD-sZ5ZKlBdbglBQi4Vy6flVFpwCaNziydXJb2HpGi1IIvzp5BBzCcqHtvcdZkd9NLDagYUibDzoZTE0vb/s3617/20240215_210744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3617" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnfFbCBoDTa7UTKkXFJS3npQN9WpUngf6OngQyjmI0-O_gUYnten3FlNAkgld6gkorsraMHiQT8Cvkp_Xcmg87thHub6liGdv1BS-4bd2fpLD-sZ5ZKlBdbglBQi4Vy6flVFpwCaNziydXJb2HpGi1IIvzp5BBzCcqHtvcdZkd9NLDagYUibDzoZTE0vb/w265-h320/20240215_210744.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span> And in true fashion with the change we've seen in him in the past year, he just wanted to have his best buddies over, eat Panda Express...and GAME, GAME and GAME some more. They gamed last night, then jumped in the jacuzzi, slept in the trailer and woke up this morning to game some more. Then everyone went home to hop on their own systems - and continue gaming. </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>For a newly minted 14 year old, it couldn't have been a more perfect birthday. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Complete with the weirdest cake I have done for him yet. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Apparently, the guy's name is </span>Thicc Omni-Man?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnerO4CGqpzo2bomJ3aiYp7FEjuvCw48Dd8XxUcFoRpySVEkRp0LQ4WWqVZ1-_MeOJ3qQDFWGYdXrsn5uWMwym9GVuV9N0meNOoabICW1bau8kas9QW9qIYHjVpRH7eP1kRS2wWgFxNPwlzjexaaASVzbbtCpD4kjWtqFrSDFYDeuY22EmaQxwftILoRY/s3667/20240215_165821.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2599" data-original-width="3667" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnerO4CGqpzo2bomJ3aiYp7FEjuvCw48Dd8XxUcFoRpySVEkRp0LQ4WWqVZ1-_MeOJ3qQDFWGYdXrsn5uWMwym9GVuV9N0meNOoabICW1bau8kas9QW9qIYHjVpRH7eP1kRS2wWgFxNPwlzjexaaASVzbbtCpD4kjWtqFrSDFYDeuY22EmaQxwftILoRY/s320/20240215_165821.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All I know is, I've never before taken orders for "left butt cheek," "right butt cheek," "just the head" and "the feet, please!" before. I'm not gonna lie, the way I had to cut the cake to accommodate everyone's body part preference really did a number on my OCD. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because, really, no cake should ever be cut like this!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVst6FnaMT9uemDLJmn5FjAQTMPnnVWFM23FTRcf397RJv6CKNfIOJ6q1MKt9r80EAcgGUD6T2gPvXE7ohBZlthftKB1ReY6iZ_jj0kDpPTBfwhy4wcaMNjJcy4UP5eY3nVoj9xVH4wbcJwQvDfrSDMxhfeIAtpGIqIu8bnRlBIb1k1RMyT_Jn5AcMZq0U/s3471/20240215_211737.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2186" data-original-width="3471" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVst6FnaMT9uemDLJmn5FjAQTMPnnVWFM23FTRcf397RJv6CKNfIOJ6q1MKt9r80EAcgGUD6T2gPvXE7ohBZlthftKB1ReY6iZ_jj0kDpPTBfwhy4wcaMNjJcy4UP5eY3nVoj9xVH4wbcJwQvDfrSDMxhfeIAtpGIqIu8bnRlBIb1k1RMyT_Jn5AcMZq0U/w320-h202/20240215_211737.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We are so grateful for this little dude, for his hilarious sense of humor, for his over the top sense of melodrama, for his silliness, and for the unique and special kiddo that he is. In the past year, he's started to pull away from us a bit, looking to figure things out on his own (and realizing that he REALLY doesn't like school, but that's a whole nother Oprah that we won't go into here). As his mom, it makes me sad to be spending less time with him (I think there was a part of me that thought he and I would always be really close). But I know it's a natural part of growing up and for that I am so grateful!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I think back on everything I prayed and wished for Bodie when he was in the hospital as an infant, I prayed for health, for strength, for happiness. And in those prayers, I never would have been so bold to ask for the absolute perfect group of friends to walk alongside him as he moves into his teen years. But God has provided for Bodie so completely, with the sweetest group of friends that we've dubbed "The Quad Squad." Three of the four are pictured in these pictures. They go to school together, do sports together, go to youth group together - they just do life together. (And their moms are my best friends!). As Chase said today when I was driving him home "You know, whenever the four of us are together in person, it's just like total happiness!" And he's right. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMZV022okzhqq-dn5_kECQYV8j9niaOmiNAXb_u49zGBX70Ha585ktfgv7Wxaci5XNJqSCWi_O_rCiqXfc3NE6yUX7q5n-Zjrqh8GlNJeAj50n2wY7l0fVWC45ZOigwC3R0xrEPFeUMmDSk-vhJq1Uf2nJX31BQtTvi9m8czSs-2OUzOjTCRAXwQF-5iU/s2645/20240216_190803.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2645" data-original-width="2409" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMZV022okzhqq-dn5_kECQYV8j9niaOmiNAXb_u49zGBX70Ha585ktfgv7Wxaci5XNJqSCWi_O_rCiqXfc3NE6yUX7q5n-Zjrqh8GlNJeAj50n2wY7l0fVWC45ZOigwC3R0xrEPFeUMmDSk-vhJq1Uf2nJX31BQtTvi9m8czSs-2OUzOjTCRAXwQF-5iU/s320/20240216_190803.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HRYcj6C_adAzPp8y2GAqXchrWJunKLLQaaEhQIh2zFsjE_aftWLNkJvY6A2ihLiy1fy-VBKFhT5PMUqFxBM_EB0vMsSGJqqCObk9x57YUi-Gn1oqIckFqCVBRDNbrA8hsunU7JGpgEKXnXiT-Sh_C-8jA5r5m7ihDLDRjivhkBXWDZuXxNCMWDtg5eBo/s2966/20240216_190859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2847" data-original-width="2966" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HRYcj6C_adAzPp8y2GAqXchrWJunKLLQaaEhQIh2zFsjE_aftWLNkJvY6A2ihLiy1fy-VBKFhT5PMUqFxBM_EB0vMsSGJqqCObk9x57YUi-Gn1oqIckFqCVBRDNbrA8hsunU7JGpgEKXnXiT-Sh_C-8jA5r5m7ihDLDRjivhkBXWDZuXxNCMWDtg5eBo/s320/20240216_190859.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can think of no better people to help Bodie reign in his 14th year with. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy 14th Birthday, Bodie! We love you!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-62471369752817402442023-02-28T10:02:00.000-08:002023-02-28T10:02:59.688-08:00Thirteen<div style="text-align: center;">This brave, smart, empathetic, hilarious dude turned 13 earlier this month.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGm3UGRMWAUnAEQuwFPLZUgGYZJuLXeQS6l53pY5nE5zSzLO4_vc5yV1xskIdgSoX1Wy45un0g9OtuUzK1ScFH7rjBNIyVwL0y_rFixFE6fjGHRN0Mg8iZwMoEKojZ6qPVlLH4PeL2S5jFQevVkT90eYeYSJfwzlglbIskmDKAFamHlc_yXT3ddttwQ/s4032/20230216_204949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGm3UGRMWAUnAEQuwFPLZUgGYZJuLXeQS6l53pY5nE5zSzLO4_vc5yV1xskIdgSoX1Wy45un0g9OtuUzK1ScFH7rjBNIyVwL0y_rFixFE6fjGHRN0Mg8iZwMoEKojZ6qPVlLH4PeL2S5jFQevVkT90eYeYSJfwzlglbIskmDKAFamHlc_yXT3ddttwQ/w300-h400/20230216_204949.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I can't even wrap my mind around it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think it's surreal for any parent to watch their child grow up. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I see it with Sierra.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You wonder how your sweet, perfect little baby is becoming their own person.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But it's just so much more complicated with a medically fragile child.</div><div style="text-align: center;">When your history together runs so deep</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">When you've seen your 7 pound baby be placed on a ventilator</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">When you've had conversations with doctors about your 2 month old child not making it to his next surgery, and likely not thriving even if he does</div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">When you've spent months in the hospital at your infant's bedside </div><div style="text-align: center;">When you've begged your toddler to keep fighting through one more night, one more surgery, one more hurdle</div><div style="text-align: center;">When you've held your preschooler down for countless procedures and blood draws</div><div style="text-align: center;">When you've cried out to God from surgical waiting rooms, begging him to bring your 7 year son out of another surgery</div><div style="text-align: center;">When you've watched your pre-teen's body struggle to keep up with his friends on the basketball court, his brain struggle in the classroom, and his heart struggle at the sleepover...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You put your walls up.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You don't dare to dream past the current moment.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You don't let yourself expect the walking, and talking, and going to school, and driving a car, and graduating from high school and college, and getting married and starting a family.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's just too much to hope for all of that.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You protect your heart.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Instead you live day to day, milestone to milestone.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XvVFjEKoJiZqPlRBalusJzFCyxfui2lZzDmSr-Y8Vm6I3IAfsEWUYkg5BvlnCBB7puWrxTK8a1RCkCtbk6_tlWaN0wT5xeOzNahlRQramm5mrTfijhfkfLdPhfCAmrHQZqBLbbDQKkQmEQhRBvT0xt2OTJ4xU_KwOewdnPgpH29UI4ISjLN6Mx4KyQ/s1440/FB_IMG_1677392471848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XvVFjEKoJiZqPlRBalusJzFCyxfui2lZzDmSr-Y8Vm6I3IAfsEWUYkg5BvlnCBB7puWrxTK8a1RCkCtbk6_tlWaN0wT5xeOzNahlRQramm5mrTfijhfkfLdPhfCAmrHQZqBLbbDQKkQmEQhRBvT0xt2OTJ4xU_KwOewdnPgpH29UI4ISjLN6Mx4KyQ/w298-h400/FB_IMG_1677392471848.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And here's the cool thing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">When you don't let yourself expect the milestones, and then you hit them, it's really freaking cool. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">So when Bodie got his braces put on last month</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLcVmP-QXyKAX-qYe1wgiBjyJClynliTZqabpnWb_eY3zO5JJqKXFsFG_iIM5aXSEyyTf1-TIEE9ixK7WHxVp9RkHJQtTCZorlw8-7367eqAkJTBJ2vVGNnWK1LJRot5Z-OaK-dhEO2JXr11Lnl2qeCWTPL63ECce__7lyJjrQ9jILwEvfzK-QWE75g/s2880/20230119_112830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2880" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLcVmP-QXyKAX-qYe1wgiBjyJClynliTZqabpnWb_eY3zO5JJqKXFsFG_iIM5aXSEyyTf1-TIEE9ixK7WHxVp9RkHJQtTCZorlw8-7367eqAkJTBJ2vVGNnWK1LJRot5Z-OaK-dhEO2JXr11Lnl2qeCWTPL63ECce__7lyJjrQ9jILwEvfzK-QWE75g/w400-h400/20230119_112830.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And then turned 13 this month</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTjtm70pijEUJ0bMpiQInde4Op8jTV8BnJjM1oSRAAqrOgnVXBSpEz3uQaN3fBunBHUE9vWnaP1oSLkgnKuVQoyUs6LtiRxc3E8GaVxw4bvn7xBQHsO_aHZloHtm-pFnvn8CXpKXbdCgJlplc6d7gfbVQgBtG9fMgG-2wm3ZrfBPR0B1qQeV18E25lw/s4032/20230216_205548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTjtm70pijEUJ0bMpiQInde4Op8jTV8BnJjM1oSRAAqrOgnVXBSpEz3uQaN3fBunBHUE9vWnaP1oSLkgnKuVQoyUs6LtiRxc3E8GaVxw4bvn7xBQHsO_aHZloHtm-pFnvn8CXpKXbdCgJlplc6d7gfbVQgBtG9fMgG-2wm3ZrfBPR0B1qQeV18E25lw/w300-h400/20230216_205548.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I was hit with ALL THE FEELS.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I may have been a hot mess.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But in the best possible way.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Because this kid is amazing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We are so stinking proud of this kid.</div><div style="text-align: center;">For who he is.</div><div style="text-align: center;">For what he's overcome.</div><div style="text-align: center;">For what he still has ahead of him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>Today, Bodie loves animals, gaming with the most incredible group of friends any mom could ever ask for, and playing horror movies. </div><div>Probably not in that order. </div><div>Because he's 13.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyM1jUFIqiu7RmpG9-QzBIDUM-CVeok_t45opq1kaGgwj-jVpaDII2uCbBPjXPvw7HM8vb0-3g_3GVsPYusjB2A82ZWJhyOBTfvsBE8MXc2u88G4YvYsHhif9NgQcWdI9-OuIkcdjWPbJPehEhbmIxHzSDCYwVhtBiOn1BS98VOGlcCrGP7DT-YMvxw/s4032/20230209_160902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyM1jUFIqiu7RmpG9-QzBIDUM-CVeok_t45opq1kaGgwj-jVpaDII2uCbBPjXPvw7HM8vb0-3g_3GVsPYusjB2A82ZWJhyOBTfvsBE8MXc2u88G4YvYsHhif9NgQcWdI9-OuIkcdjWPbJPehEhbmIxHzSDCYwVhtBiOn1BS98VOGlcCrGP7DT-YMvxw/w300-h400/20230209_160902.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Did I mention that he's 13?</div><div><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy 13th birthday, Bodie.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's to many, many, many more!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-59191919575396542192022-07-01T18:49:00.002-07:002022-07-01T18:49:36.797-07:00A different type of Independence<div>As the rest of Los Angeles appears to be exiting the city for the holiday weekend, we get to join them!!! Bodie was discharged late this afternoon and we are headed home (right after we stop by an awesome Stranger Things watch party Sierra and her best friend have been working on all week!).</div><div><br /></div><div>We're so grateful to have this cath behind us! We've known it was coming for some time, and it weighed heavy on me. So to have it past us is such a weight lifted off my shoulders! </div><div><br /></div><div>We have several friends who Fontanned the same summer as Bodie who are also heading in for their Fontan tune-ups this summer. About that, Bodie says "then I won't tell them it was the worst thing ever!" Hahahahaha Bodie doesn't sugarcoat, that's for sure!</div><div><br /></div><div>As we're celebrating our newfound freedom with no planned interventions on the near horizon, we're taking a deep breath and enjoying life! Figured it was appropriate to close with a pic of Bodie with one of our favorite nurses, Nikki.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmyQ7euTYjgfrABzlIZAzb9po698T6-vXXP4nQ5MliePpNn8GJSbKG_uA8Xmen0CVVGlsMNk0UN6q6vCm2d66sN_Qn3IEaY4P3NxSfx4U7uv26WrIm-91Hc4QCeokb3ZYbXZm8iTnrfKqup_jIVWe-hEZTueUD1FDR-xLOxxTUzwHk5osbXr1FnIQ5w/s4032/20220701_152829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmyQ7euTYjgfrABzlIZAzb9po698T6-vXXP4nQ5MliePpNn8GJSbKG_uA8Xmen0CVVGlsMNk0UN6q6vCm2d66sN_Qn3IEaY4P3NxSfx4U7uv26WrIm-91Hc4QCeokb3ZYbXZm8iTnrfKqup_jIVWe-hEZTueUD1FDR-xLOxxTUzwHk5osbXr1FnIQ5w/w225-h400/20220701_152829.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div>Today Nikki helped us get discharged and on our way (pretty sure we'd still be there if she hadn't stepped in to help). But once upon a time, Nikki helped a new heart mom find her voice and learn to advocate for her very sick son. And he is alive today because of it. For that, I will be forever unspeakably grateful. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you so much for all your prayers- please keep them coming as Bodie continues recovering over the next few days! We're so grateful for it! </div> Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-10029571818938778212022-06-30T17:22:00.001-07:002022-06-30T17:22:43.417-07:00I love water!<div style="text-align: center;">Well, Bodie is finally in recovery after what felt like the world's longest cath (I mean, they estimated 3 hours, and it ended up being closer to 6!). He's doing well, but very, very tired. We're so grateful for your prayers to get him (and us!) through today!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsh6HAHrAeCvN6vGSACA-tXd1fUJ_cyxaJT4xvKZvFCvlCu3BiXWJwt-ZCG_5BCZa19oKLKkJdw_zSZQrPFajSk1obnfQMc___hZRWbxjq6adhdNwLEGAcr5Z5ezTavWyk3H-cgXSx3f3jYpW3Fc7kP4jyErKnz8G6s46CDaebSO4MjSeKV6XYK1c3Aw/s4032/20220630_165447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsh6HAHrAeCvN6vGSACA-tXd1fUJ_cyxaJT4xvKZvFCvlCu3BiXWJwt-ZCG_5BCZa19oKLKkJdw_zSZQrPFajSk1obnfQMc___hZRWbxjq6adhdNwLEGAcr5Z5ezTavWyk3H-cgXSx3f3jYpW3Fc7kP4jyErKnz8G6s46CDaebSO4MjSeKV6XYK1c3Aw/w225-h400/20220630_165447.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">When I first saw him, I leaned down and told him "I love, I love, I love you so much and I'm so grateful you're back!" He cleared his throat and groggily replied with "I love water." </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, how I love this kid and his ability to deliver comedic relief when I need it most. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They ended up doing several interventions today (if you're not a heart mom or in the medical field and your eyes are starting to gloss over, just skip this paragraph!). They stented his Left Pulmonary Artery. During his last cath 6 years ago, they had put in 2 stents in his narrowing LPA. Over the last 6 years as he has grown, those two stents have grown apart. So they put in a larger stent across both of the existing stents. So his LPA is now nice and wide. They also stented his Fontan conduit, which was wide at the bottom, but had narrowed in a couple of places further up. They also coiled one collateral and ballooned a part of his SVC that had slightly narrowed. His Fontan pressures are on the high side at 15, but are exactly where they have been the last 2 caths, so we're happy they haven't climbed at least. It's possible some of the interventions today may help bring those pressures down, but it's not any sort of guaranteed outcome. Additionally, his pressures were a bit mismatched between his aorta and ventricle, which <can> sometimes cause Fontan pressures to go up. So they spent quite a bit of time testing out different pacemaker settings to see if any adjustments would cause the Fontan pressures to change (spoiler alert - none of them did). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The long and short of it is that all of these interventions for the most part were to be expected. They're all part of the Fontan roadmap many centers are now following, sort of like your 60,000 mile tuneup on your car. We're hopeful that some of these interventions may actually help him have more energy too. For the most part he's felt ok, but then he's used to feeling not quite 100%, so we'd love for this to help him feel even better.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are so incredibly lucky Bodie is alive in a time where they are learning so much about the downfalls of the Fontan and are proactively monitoring and adjusting things to get these single ventricle hearts (and bodies!) to work with the Fontan anatomy as long as possible.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bodie is currently having some arythmias they're monitoring and is still in the post-op recovery unit. He should be moved shortly to the step down unit upstairs. Hopefully, he'll just be monitored overnight and we'll be headed home tomorrow. Please pray that happens! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-1146625329237777322022-06-30T13:26:00.000-07:002022-06-30T13:26:02.611-07:00Cath Update #2<div>We just heard from the cath nurse and Bodie is doing great. They're done with all of the diagnostics and were able to get all the images and measurements they needed. They coiled some collaterals (veins that form to divert blood in response to the Fontan circulation - not unexpected in Fontans, but he hasn't had the issue in the past, so we were hopeful we'd avoid it this time as well) and are currently putting another stent in his left pulmonary artery. Again, not unexpected, but we were hoping to avoid that as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please keep praying for Bodie and the medical team! </div><div><br /></div> Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-21468352005337793922022-06-30T11:26:00.003-07:002022-06-30T11:26:39.007-07:00Cath Update #1<div style="text-align: center;">We just heard from the cath lab nurse, who says Bodie is doing great. They're still taking pictures and measurements. After that, they'll move onto interventions as needed. So still a ways to go. But we'll take any positive news we can get!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll leave you with this pic of Dusk and Bodie at the Funko Pop store last night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwmKSabZSV9OC6zK4l0xTRCEzXY7GUulnjXxP1Dl5H7ewzaJiF0G0McxGIc2RMA2Rm8gc2SdWqJYtNx8YDdtQN8cWObTUmMkWTiH3S6ezOj0i6roYmisEj7zRV-KN2h7MOR4Jzrgp9U_Pez8PN8NA-saCZZqMvBcdTS7W97tT6Fra2p0kKubdeCFYhQ/s3464/20220629_172457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="2220" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwmKSabZSV9OC6zK4l0xTRCEzXY7GUulnjXxP1Dl5H7ewzaJiF0G0McxGIc2RMA2Rm8gc2SdWqJYtNx8YDdtQN8cWObTUmMkWTiH3S6ezOj0i6roYmisEj7zRV-KN2h7MOR4Jzrgp9U_Pez8PN8NA-saCZZqMvBcdTS7W97tT6Fra2p0kKubdeCFYhQ/w256-h400/20220629_172457.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of Bodie's favorite places - if you're in LA and you (or you kiddo) love Funko Pops, you have to check this store out. It's SO fun!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-64245121515504532262022-06-30T09:34:00.001-07:002022-06-30T09:34:54.844-07:00Cath is underway<div style="text-align: center;">They took Bodie back about a half an hour ago. He didn't seem too nervous, although it is always interesting to watch as his coping mechanisms change over the years (his latest is that he won't make eye contact with anyone when he's here - his eyes jump all over the place like he's looking for a trap door to escape - pretty sure the doctors here all think the kid can't carry on a conversation, which is hilarious since the kid NEVER stops talking at home - ha!). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But he was ready, and spent most of the time in pre-op talking to me about his plans for Panda Express later today. :-)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RtqxeiiXm1mAThEsiiVRhaDP2V9CzXerz57cVHy3gs_H3OnPbMCP-p2l00zBUpDSQtrnjJmAJ_rPGtp-UiHxgrdJuaQ5qdFCwwi5aaEGz1PWMsGA_EiiR6FHwKoZj6JTRYpHD9QyJb7dQ6TP04n-M8jfWdnWxa5wrExVXvtIcmhGTV3RWiXNUTMM4g/s1440/289430751_10227825839419214_1168655626282874781_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RtqxeiiXm1mAThEsiiVRhaDP2V9CzXerz57cVHy3gs_H3OnPbMCP-p2l00zBUpDSQtrnjJmAJ_rPGtp-UiHxgrdJuaQ5qdFCwwi5aaEGz1PWMsGA_EiiR6FHwKoZj6JTRYpHD9QyJb7dQ6TP04n-M8jfWdnWxa5wrExVXvtIcmhGTV3RWiXNUTMM4g/w400-h400/289430751_10227825839419214_1168655626282874781_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dusk and I both got to spend some time with him, and he got to Facetime with Sierra for a bit. And he was pretty excited they let him play Robolox on his laptop all the way to the cath room door. We're so grateful for modern technology!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Please pray for our sweet boy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-46146473798818638122022-06-29T21:07:00.001-07:002022-06-29T21:07:09.617-07:00Not Our First Rodeo<div style="text-align: center;">This is apparently the year of tune-ups for our guys. After my last blogpost, both Bodie's and Dusk's pacemaker replacements went great, thankfully! We jumped back into the hustle and bustle of Spring Break and finishing the school year strong for both kiddos. Then we spent a glorious eight days basking the Florida sun, relaxing and enjoying my parent's 55th wedding anniversary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTUVYRpMbSGlEywDR0nePBdGUkqwgrK7lnN4_q5sfB-cwzfvrax1WKqDKkNaysx3sKxIuJDK_Ht76SR_A53BnLq7LqU0vJLLffi9hBIy6pIsvEXB1XblKYptUSGccBQj6OpBO0SdhD1r3v2tIxxjK9YSHKywfi30FrglD2gvnzx-BDV9mbMtUJPfEEg/s1800/289701068_10227785430009004_20577986983721128_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTUVYRpMbSGlEywDR0nePBdGUkqwgrK7lnN4_q5sfB-cwzfvrax1WKqDKkNaysx3sKxIuJDK_Ht76SR_A53BnLq7LqU0vJLLffi9hBIy6pIsvEXB1XblKYptUSGccBQj6OpBO0SdhD1r3v2tIxxjK9YSHKywfi30FrglD2gvnzx-BDV9mbMtUJPfEEg/w320-h400/289701068_10227785430009004_20577986983721128_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And now we find ourselves yet again on the eve of a surgical procedure. Bodie has a cardiac catheterization and liver biopsy scheduled tomorrow morning at CHLA. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This makes Bodie's 6th catheterization (and first liver biopsy), for the record. Definitely not our first time at the rodeo. But our first time in quite a while, to be sure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This <should> be just a standard Fontan follow-up. Bodie's Fontan surgery (his last open heart surgery) was in August of 2013, so we're almost 9 years out from that. And his last cardiac catheterization was in December of 2016, when he had rapidly spiraled into heart failure. So it's been 6 years since his last cath. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's time to take a look at what's going on inside that amazing ticker of his. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">From the outside, Bodie looks good. Really good. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAWSYOJ0KODRZwr4u07xtp7f2CWY6m_X902GdJQxA06QVfZU2AF6vb1naKU_RTgpSfrByHOkg5SZYu83vtEsIewQkGvpmyo5UL_o0wCTx-ps8HIukPX4ZgHIirSMaf_fyxPNqJx1_ImRiZxQSb6c8nyxAU_OHwZQRf-RBATI7YV85Mgkp28AFkl2udQ/s9248/20220525_115919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9248" data-original-width="6936" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAWSYOJ0KODRZwr4u07xtp7f2CWY6m_X902GdJQxA06QVfZU2AF6vb1naKU_RTgpSfrByHOkg5SZYu83vtEsIewQkGvpmyo5UL_o0wCTx-ps8HIukPX4ZgHIirSMaf_fyxPNqJx1_ImRiZxQSb6c8nyxAU_OHwZQRf-RBATI7YV85Mgkp28AFkl2udQ/w300-h400/20220525_115919.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He just finished the school year at a very academically challenging school with almost straight A's (that darn math gets him every time!). He's still doing weekly horseback riding lessons and tried both soccer and volleyball this past year. He even went parasailing with Sierra and I in Florida and loved it! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Gt1U0ISCu6SWaiHvqpM6wcZ7cHV8eFBSaG802R-7O8cb5rHKB3hjMpDI5CuEG3e-HMZ7riZTinMIZsfs4e9IGrkt6f5kVgjOc72c_q0m22SWBYayHMRIWFIJN9y_qf7F6otaG76zC_Xly__WOoMJgGLV-sXdbIJoBh3TAwwQMZDLXINU9UmOlQM1ig/s1440/288442451_10227792876635165_3942199624349429605_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Gt1U0ISCu6SWaiHvqpM6wcZ7cHV8eFBSaG802R-7O8cb5rHKB3hjMpDI5CuEG3e-HMZ7riZTinMIZsfs4e9IGrkt6f5kVgjOc72c_q0m22SWBYayHMRIWFIJN9y_qf7F6otaG76zC_Xly__WOoMJgGLV-sXdbIJoBh3TAwwQMZDLXINU9UmOlQM1ig/w400-h400/288442451_10227792876635165_3942199624349429605_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWx0xJRCt2sIiu_OQ1wHMlsEuV1rSMC1I7HN4cI-I8EG7LfS3aQ-aZ4vTsK60BDQxyM87ZVAnb9JB7VCKyKYjuHu1atraVcmzM-KJgCiOBkTKe55hvsml9nbbUv4z_JV-0zzZUrZPwFFOJ6u99EN28wf6i_Y_LQKBte_eg7y9Sx4heSuPXNPJuyiYrw/s1440/290351014_10227799825968894_604367350623271467_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWx0xJRCt2sIiu_OQ1wHMlsEuV1rSMC1I7HN4cI-I8EG7LfS3aQ-aZ4vTsK60BDQxyM87ZVAnb9JB7VCKyKYjuHu1atraVcmzM-KJgCiOBkTKe55hvsml9nbbUv4z_JV-0zzZUrZPwFFOJ6u99EN28wf6i_Y_LQKBte_eg7y9Sx4heSuPXNPJuyiYrw/w400-h400/290351014_10227799825968894_604367350623271467_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He's enjoying life with a great group of friends and we're so grateful for that. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But as always, with these cardiac kids, the outside can be deceiving. And there are lots of known issues with the Fontan circulation as these kids grow, particularly with the liver. The issues can't necessarily be avoided, but the sooner you know they're cropping up, the sooner you can proactively add new medications, make adjustments to current ones, etc. to try to help his heart and other organs not fight the circulation so much. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The new recommendation is for a cardiac catheterization with a liver biopsy starting at 10 years post-Fontan. We're close enough to that 10 year mark, and we haven't seen how things really look since he first went into heart failure. So both his teams at CHLA and Stanford have decided it's time for that cath. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So tomorrow is the day. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When we can, we try to make these surgical trips as fun as possible, so we spent today at his beloved Natural History Museum. He and I had so much fun visiting our favorite exhibits!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4CeOMIYZQA5t3ezPpnli0K8kYicJwUxLCrUnmZr6RXT_ZWFE59Mz4AU7XV4yC3-62DuZFpxT9TjrHI65L-UEKIc7Zg9WihU0vMlazAmZYYxtw4l1fpXkVevLphMIaoNBoxgluxMeeKtrN1QDBao1TLzu011TRb560LD7xTe0ulFcL_nNT5McIqu6Mg/s4032/20220629_104256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4CeOMIYZQA5t3ezPpnli0K8kYicJwUxLCrUnmZr6RXT_ZWFE59Mz4AU7XV4yC3-62DuZFpxT9TjrHI65L-UEKIc7Zg9WihU0vMlazAmZYYxtw4l1fpXkVevLphMIaoNBoxgluxMeeKtrN1QDBao1TLzu011TRb560LD7xTe0ulFcL_nNT5McIqu6Mg/w400-h225/20220629_104256.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tonight, we're hitting the pool and then putting this dude to bed. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Please pray for our little dude. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMN7nBGQzkTfUWafZOTNZrFP0lshseu3NQ39Y5KYjePqHqajKsBR9wmRztGBhDn_v4Pm_XE_wN6uxICkV6iuRW9vpj8LBtQYz8xbCEcCILQDXEb1D438_BY5-Mm2cErcxk1bu5ZsnYKQ9sVuxmeArmn4HzDr52Ki1hqkLQJpCTFwPr7qo-5Z3MRd3Qkg/s4032/20220618_170214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMN7nBGQzkTfUWafZOTNZrFP0lshseu3NQ39Y5KYjePqHqajKsBR9wmRztGBhDn_v4Pm_XE_wN6uxICkV6iuRW9vpj8LBtQYz8xbCEcCILQDXEb1D438_BY5-Mm2cErcxk1bu5ZsnYKQ9sVuxmeArmn4HzDr52Ki1hqkLQJpCTFwPr7qo-5Z3MRd3Qkg/w300-h400/20220618_170214.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pray for steady surgical hands. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Pray for Bodie's body and his heart. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Pray for no complications (the list of potential risks and complications are endless and would keep any sane person up tossing and turning every night). </div><div style="text-align: center;">Pray that he doesn't have any arythmias during the procedure. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Pray that his liver does ok with the biopsy and it doesn't show anything too concerning. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Pray that no major interventions are needed (we do know that there is a decent likelihood that they'll have to do some stenting, both in his Left Pulmonary Artery and his Fontan conduit, both of which may have narrowed as he has grown - but our hope is that the interventions will be less than expected). </div><div style="text-align: center;">Pray for protection over his brain and his body while he's under anesthesia. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Pray for a smooth recovery.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pray that if he does have to be admitted, it won't be for long and that we'll be home soon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And please pray for PEACE, for all of us - for Bodie, who has to undergo the procedure, for Dusk and I, who have to wait on pins and needles for him to come back to us, and for Sierra, who is still back home worrying.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Please just pray for all of us tomorrow. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll update tomorrow throughout the day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-45854711388356786402022-04-05T23:22:00.003-07:002022-04-05T23:22:39.154-07:00Stealing Bodie's Thunder<div style="text-align: center;">Bodie is getting his pacemaker replaced next week, and we're all gearing up for surgery. He's had this pacer since his Fontan surgery, so going on 9 years now, and the battery is D.O.N.E. It should be a relatively straighforward procedure and he should go home the same day, but with these cardiac kids, you just never know what to expect. So, like I said, we're all a litte uneasy and focused on his upcoming surgery.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And then, Dusk's cardiac team at UCLA called this morning and asked what he was doing last Friday between 5 and 6pm, because evidently, something had interfered with his pacemaker and it had just stopped for a few seconds. For a dude that relies 100% on his pacemaker, that's not a good scenario. Their suspicion was lead failure. So his team let us know in no uncertain terms that they wanted him at UCLA immediately, and he was not to drive there himself. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, Bodie and I packed up the schoolwork we were working on, Dusk packed a bag to stay the night, we found someone to take care of our 8,000 animals, we picked Sierra up from school and we were on our way. We were up at UCLA by around 2:30 and after interrogating his pacemaker and doing a few other tests, they were able to confirm that the lead is not communicating with his pacemaker. And the malfunctioning lead is the sensing lead, <i>the one that tells his ICD to discharge because some big, bad awful thing is happening.</i> His pacemaker needs to be replaced as soon as possible.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">His team admitted him and got him on the schedule tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon at 1pm to replace his pacemaker.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> Talk about stealing Bodie's thunder.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Apparently, Dusk's pacemaker heard Bodie was getting replaced and jumped in with "oooh!!! Ooohhh! Me first!!!" </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">So there you have it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Unplanned drive to LA. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Unplanned hospital admission. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Unplanned surgery.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQRgsyt1HE64YvY1HUX4VRyCG_Rp2DiYkRoPyaMmxWb9dLk2VVOLwj9S_eNxe5zSB7iDBthIQYliAqW7iZw8_SVe9EhkfEZ8vPFsl25aJh0lJnEtU9WGhbqOLjlcZrZL-_5j0wGN7q8755phXDkP8V8-htycVzGpF207jDrA1CFXEzFq5AyjKnJtczg/s3648/20220405_154533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQRgsyt1HE64YvY1HUX4VRyCG_Rp2DiYkRoPyaMmxWb9dLk2VVOLwj9S_eNxe5zSB7iDBthIQYliAqW7iZw8_SVe9EhkfEZ8vPFsl25aJh0lJnEtU9WGhbqOLjlcZrZL-_5j0wGN7q8755phXDkP8V8-htycVzGpF207jDrA1CFXEzFq5AyjKnJtczg/w400-h300/20220405_154533.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But I got to say, I'm so proud of the kids and how they just rolled with it. Not one complaint. Dusk's awesome cardiologist (who actually happens to be a pediatric electrophysiologist who also sees adult patients), upon hearing that CHLA won't let Bodie keep his pacemaker when they remove it next week, gave him a sample pacemaker to take home! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhL7VPsJ3qJTpU-jhx5GEhGW_6CFFGfXpEfb3Smxvpm-lp8iRs4-YceiBK4tduaIvEO1pejg1OVLmM2k_Q3DK8NSBk1Jqkp1jgOJYeO35D83PF8DiO8nbXHdbkqywKU89JRdFdLEj2liUJyWO-CQqzUYC4tL2ynMyEywB_Jruc-6tJLQH4h9GfexWRSQ/s4032/20220405_223512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhL7VPsJ3qJTpU-jhx5GEhGW_6CFFGfXpEfb3Smxvpm-lp8iRs4-YceiBK4tduaIvEO1pejg1OVLmM2k_Q3DK8NSBk1Jqkp1jgOJYeO35D83PF8DiO8nbXHdbkqywKU89JRdFdLEj2liUJyWO-CQqzUYC4tL2ynMyEywB_Jruc-6tJLQH4h9GfexWRSQ/w300-h400/20220405_223512.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bodie was over the moon to get it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I looked over to see Sierra taking a picture of him holding it and then texting her boyfriend's mom, saying that "It's not super major of a surgery. They're just going in through his chest" </div><div style="text-align: center;">You know, just another Tuesday for the Bennetts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oBIQV_pIlMerK9L_qcQ4BvOf02GUyPsE6he-Pdz3eY7jcdhK_Q4x1yfFgIbhhDFZ2-qg6uYWXLV6MuSMVbr5EZ9dkAfI9Gmbl6Ebkz8Vy7UiohckfoMutFPx4I5n_nJBD9I3UYjbDfsKMjGeZvcVsxAAwo2UhocLX08UB210qu3fNJS8tWb-bQwzJA/s4032/20220405_162812%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oBIQV_pIlMerK9L_qcQ4BvOf02GUyPsE6he-Pdz3eY7jcdhK_Q4x1yfFgIbhhDFZ2-qg6uYWXLV6MuSMVbr5EZ9dkAfI9Gmbl6Ebkz8Vy7UiohckfoMutFPx4I5n_nJBD9I3UYjbDfsKMjGeZvcVsxAAwo2UhocLX08UB210qu3fNJS8tWb-bQwzJA/w400-h300/20220405_162812%20(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Clearly, we've done a better job of normalizing all of this than we realized!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, to recap, crazy day. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Dusk is in the hospital. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Kids and I are staying in a hotel tonight and hope to see Dusk tomorrow morning before his surgery.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And the surgery isn't that big a deal because at least it's not open-heart surgery. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">What can I say? Our bar is a pretty high for a surgery to be considered a big deal. :-)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We covet your prayers for an easy and smooth surgery - and that we're all home tomorrow night, safe and sound!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-31075592196413882642022-02-17T22:39:00.000-08:002022-02-17T22:39:47.931-08:00Shiny, Happy Birthdays<div style="text-align: center;">This brave resilient kiddo turned 12 yesterday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizrLkt2AXYbvqx39zPg59UmSpMcmTPrw21L_tyDLR3Bs2nC4anm9kqQ50POZIZMqOASVZ22PTepXBfAuoP9iz-efVXbFmwRXehjReredt9MctFzC40PouVmqqVm2_D8jKBaHoKTvl2d4nmFqQj-k9BlC5s1umQ4Jrv_-HGelZjQcD20WaQMXu48g5cJQ=s1440" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizrLkt2AXYbvqx39zPg59UmSpMcmTPrw21L_tyDLR3Bs2nC4anm9kqQ50POZIZMqOASVZ22PTepXBfAuoP9iz-efVXbFmwRXehjReredt9MctFzC40PouVmqqVm2_D8jKBaHoKTvl2d4nmFqQj-k9BlC5s1umQ4Jrv_-HGelZjQcD20WaQMXu48g5cJQ=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">12!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">12 years of hopes and dreams and defying expectations. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We will never stop being amazed at the miracle that is this kid's life. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We love him more than he will ever know. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But here's the thing no one tells you about raising a medically fragile child (or maybe they did and I missed that page in the "How to properly raise a child with a rare lifelong disease so that they don't grow up to be a spoiled brat incapable of adult living if they actually get to grow up" handbook)...</div><div style="text-align: center;">milestones are <i>complicated</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Birthdays are a big deal. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They're a big deal even with healthy kiddos, and even more so with medically fragile kids. They're a reason to celebrate all of the milestones of the past year. And in the case of a medically fragile kiddo, especially one you never dared to hope to dream would see so many birthdays, it's a big big deal. A million reasons to celebrate, to be sure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But parenting a medically fragile child is a different sort of experience. It requires a lot of very intentional compartmentalizing. It requires taking the biggest fears and concerns, thanking God for taking them, wrapping them up in a box with a pretty bow and shoving that box verrrrrrry far back on the highest closet shelf. And then it requires pretending that box does not exist. Because if you really lived with those fears and uncertainties on a daily basis, it would be paralyzing. It would rob every day of its enjoyment. So you keep that box tightly closed and locked away and try your best to ignore it and live in the here and now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But when a birthday (or any milestone, for that matter) comes around, you are forced to bring that box down. Because to fully appreciate the beauty of that birthday, the miracle of it, you have to acknowledge what makes it such a miracle. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And so you hold your breath and you peak into the box, and you see inside that box the worst of your fears. Because that box is swirling with emotions - the <i>PTSD</i> from all the things that did happen, the <i>survivor's guilt</i> for all of the things that could have happened but for reasons you don't understand thankfully didn't, and <i>anticipatory grief</i> for the things that are still to come. It's just...a lot. And, if you're like me, and you're a Cancer, well, you like to hold onto feelings like they're winning lottery tickets. And you're just one hot mess.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Because there's no way to appreciate him turning 12 years old without remembering sending him into open heart surgery at 5 days old, at 2 months old, at 7 months old, at 3 years old, or at 6 years old, each time uncertain whether he'd come back to us...or without remembering the 10 year old roommate he had as a newborn, who suddenly and unexpectedly lost his battle with CHD...or without remembering conversations with doctors about how he likely wouldn't make it to his next surgery, and if he did, he likely wouldn't be strong enough to survive...or ...or...or...the list goes on and on. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">And so, you often find yourself a bit melancholy leading up to birthdays and your eyes filling with tears every time you see your amazing warrior of a son blowing out birthday candles. Not because you don't love him or you're not excited. Because you do and you are. But because there aren't enough words to describe all of the emotions. It's just too much. There's just no space big enough to hold it all. So it stays in the pretty box...most of the time at least. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Like I said, <i>it's complicated.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">So if you see me teary-eyed at a birthday party, or a milestone, give me some grace. There's a lot of complicated stuff going on. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But know this - <i>we love this kid. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg05uy5KDW4kziIAd9PCCtLnDxCCdOPF7H6PhhMn-5xPZFWx6q2qK6mVdLMKdBmeuQOr7yHwfZFQ978LnnIqKo_Yi_mEZMpXIKinuhv0hQgf0ZzxiCGQb5EIoxDhp9x8vyppoM-mvWUPMlcEDcJcsGLZoYqPsGi8EM7QhHYbDw0dHDPJdx39ztps403Fg=s1440" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg05uy5KDW4kziIAd9PCCtLnDxCCdOPF7H6PhhMn-5xPZFWx6q2qK6mVdLMKdBmeuQOr7yHwfZFQ978LnnIqKo_Yi_mEZMpXIKinuhv0hQgf0ZzxiCGQb5EIoxDhp9x8vyppoM-mvWUPMlcEDcJcsGLZoYqPsGi8EM7QhHYbDw0dHDPJdx39ztps403Fg=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He's an incredible, funny and resilient human being. One who is going to move mountains. If he can just get out of his own way. ;-) He's a pretty great kid. When he realizes it too, the world will never be the same.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We love you Bodie. Happy 12th Birthday. Here's to many many MANY more!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-35076985648217391792021-05-16T13:55:00.001-07:002021-05-16T13:55:11.641-07:00Reflections from the other side of COVID<div style="text-align: center;">3 out of the 4 of us are officially considered <i>over</i> COVID and free to move about the country at this point. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, Dusk joined the COVID party with symptoms and a positive diagnosis about a week after us, so he's still in the thick of it. Thankfully, he seems to be managing ok from a respiratory perspective, just generally really fatigued and winded. Like me, he gets it in spurts. But we're ever so grateful he's doing as well as he is, and was even perky enough to celebrate his birthday last night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYzQ3gwEiTYXrg38OSn0M9uAge3r_VliqxL0TmdvReLgDEFRmJyK5N6pwIBJXp8Qa-8UMpIJOhEZWLOgX94nTsnwKQT4zOxWe6TnY4l0tCVZgNLJeSeZgmyV3lqdWN1o8slDOS3Ppo8qY/s2048/20210515_202232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYzQ3gwEiTYXrg38OSn0M9uAge3r_VliqxL0TmdvReLgDEFRmJyK5N6pwIBJXp8Qa-8UMpIJOhEZWLOgX94nTsnwKQT4zOxWe6TnY4l0tCVZgNLJeSeZgmyV3lqdWN1o8slDOS3Ppo8qY/w300-h400/20210515_202232.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not the birthday any of us envision for him, but we're so grateful to have him recovering and able to remain at home!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bodie and Sierra seem past their symptoms at this point, other than an errant cough (Bodie) or muscle ache (Sierra). But overall, doing really well. I'm struggling a bit more than they are, still battling with my friends the cold sweats, windedness and fatigue. I gather those new friends may hang around for awhile, but they do seem to be getting better each day, so I hope they won't stick around for too long.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, now that 3 out of the 4 of us are on the other side, I do have a few thoughts about COVID I'd like to sure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">First, COVID is real. It's not a hoax. It's not a made up political lie just to get us all under government control and vaccinated. And it's not "just a cold." We got very lucky that our symptoms were mild compared to many. But our symptoms were definitely significant and very very weird. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We tend not to catch too much around here, and I am typically not down for more than a day when I do get sick. But this thing knocked the kids and I on our butts for almost a week straight. As in, I'm pretty sure we binge watched Netflix. Like, all of Netflix. We really didn't have energy to do much else. I didn't cook for probably a week, because none of us really felt like eating. I haven't had mono before, but I'd say the symptoms are similar to what I understand mono to feel like, just over a much abbreviated time period, obviously.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Second, the symptoms are weird and it seems to hit everyone differently. For us....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">BODIE had 2 days of unrelenting, rolling on the floor, nothing could touch them, headaches. He does get migraines, so perhaps he was more prone to them (although he did say these headaches were far worse than his migraines)? My understanding is that headaches are much more common in kids in the early stages of COVID, and the speculation is that it is an effect of the virus crossing the blood brain barrier (isn't that a fun visual?). The headaches were then followed by 2 days of his sense of smell and taste being severely affected. He never lost it entirely, but everything "tasted and smelled like vomit," so getting him to eat or drink anything was near impossible. When he did eat, he would almost immediately throw up. By the 2nd day, he was throwing up despite not putting anything into his stomach. He woke up that day with huge dark circles under his eyes, a heart rate in the 160s and extremely lethargic. He was begging us to take him to the hospital so he could get fluids through an iv. It was the most frightened I was the entire time. We touched base with his team and got a Zofran prescription called in. Later that day, he started to turn the corner, eating and drinking a little. The next day, my best friends dropped off a huge selection of his favorite foods (Mexican, Panda Express and pizza!) and that turned the corner for him, thankfully! We got fluids and food back in him and he was feeling better. His sense of smell was off for a few more days, but seems ok now. Throughout the entire 10 days, he had periodic coughing (kept at bay with his inhaler, for the most part), some nasal congestion and a little shortness of breath. He never had a fever.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">SIERRA had a couple of days of a fever in the 101 range right at the beginning, severe muscle aches and a horrible sore throat. Once that broke, she felt better, but had on and off muscle aches, congestion, sore throat and shortness of breath. She also lost her sense of smell, but it's back now thankfully.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">AMY. I never had a fever, but had muscle aches for the first day or so. I did lose my sense of smell (it's back, but not completely - I have to try really hard to smell things), had some pretty bad nasal congestion and coughing on and off. My biggest issue was (and continues to be) shortness of breath, fatigue and random cold sweats. I would be sitting on the couch and think "I'm going to clean up the living room! We've been sitting on the couch for 2 days straight and our living room looks like a frat house. This is ridiculous!" So I'd stand up, pick something up off the floor and throw it in the trash. And I'd be panting like I had just run a mile - and I'd be super sweaty. Essentially, my body would say "Nah, I think we're just gonna right back down and watch some more Netflix." So I did. The windedness and sweating seems less frequent now, but it's still there from time to time. And comes on unexpedtedly, which is always fun. And the fatigue is getting better, but definitely still there - and catches me by surprise every time. Apparently, I'm not Superwoman after all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">DUSK's symptoms haven't resolved completely yet, but seem to be similar to mine, although less fatigued.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Battling COVID with two medically fragile family members isn't for the faint of heart, no pun intended. It was scary, in large part due to the weirdness of this virus, whose symptoms ebb and flow. It's sort of a whole new day every day with COVID, a Russian Roulette board where you might wake up with an entirely new symptom, no symptoms at all, or need to be hospitalized. The worry of not knowing which one you'll end up with ups the ante considerably.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the whole, I consider us to be incredibly lucky our symptoms weren't worse. We have been told we should have at least 3 months natural immunity now, maybe more. We don't know our next steps yet, only that we're holding off on any vaccinations for a bit. Apparently, side effects from the vaccines are considerably higher if you either have covid or have recently recovered from it, so we're holding off for now. I know my doctor wants antibody tests done first on me before we make decisions on me, and we will rely on the medical advice of Dusk and Bodie's teams for them as well. But in the meantime, we can apparently run around and hug everyone for the next 3 months without fear of risking them or us! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We're so grateful for the friends who came alongside us while we had COVID (well, not literally - but who dropped food off, who ran errands, who sent us surprises and meals) - you lifted our spirits in ways we cannot fully express. Please just know how grateful we are.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And THANK YOU for praying for us. We know that is why our family has handled, and continues to handle, this pandemic so well. Please continue to pray that Dusk's symptoms remain manageable, so he can join us in hugging the world soon!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-18848181811956087522021-05-09T21:40:00.002-07:002021-05-09T21:40:18.473-07:00Motherhood in the time of covid<div style="text-align: center;">Mother's Day this year has been...different.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurlmccfqElCOpER9d1shWVNh7KiGPVAngkPyZ-Q1oZpeIIJ-caJhoXbXvd5ATO0ZvOMUL8swAyMewmXgE_F_vHPDswrMiS7edwVTpNgoRo81HC6Ig7sQko4I4tGJUGViRrVkLZnx4aO8n/s1920/Collage+2021-05-09+21_26_30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurlmccfqElCOpER9d1shWVNh7KiGPVAngkPyZ-Q1oZpeIIJ-caJhoXbXvd5ATO0ZvOMUL8swAyMewmXgE_F_vHPDswrMiS7edwVTpNgoRo81HC6Ig7sQko4I4tGJUGViRrVkLZnx4aO8n/s320/Collage+2021-05-09+21_26_30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sierra, Bodie and I were all diagnosed with symptomatic COVID on Friday. We know where we got it. It's a long story, but let's just preface this by saying that we have been very careful with masks and social distancing. With two medically fragile peeps in the house, we take COVID very seriously around here. We are definitely not of the "it's just a cold" or "it's a hoax" camp. Sorry, not sorry for that. But the one thing we have learned in raising a medically fragile child is that all the worry has to be balanced with LIVING your life. We let our guard down a bit...and we ended up with COVID.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thankfully, Dusk and I both have our first vaccine under our belts (our second shot was scheduled for this week, actually). That has probably helped my symptoms to be more mild. And Dusk tested negative and has had no symptoms, thank God. We're ever prayerful he remains that way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bodie, Sierra and I are all symptomatic. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I tell ya, this disease is a weird one. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Sierra was the first to come down with her symptoms, and is almost a week in at this point. She seems past the worst of her symptoms, which included one day of a 101 fever and really bad muscle aches. She has lost her taste and sense of smell and generally is just really tired. Although her fever is gone, she is suffering from a lot of what she calls "heat waves" when she just gets really hot suddenly. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bodie was second to become symptomatic, and is faring ok so far. He suffered through two days of unrelenting, sobbing on the floor, massive, absolutely untouchable by any home remedy or medicine, headaches. (I have since learned that headaches are a common early COVID symptom in kids, even more so than fevers.) His headaches have passed, thankfully, but his sense of smell and taste has been affected today so much that "everything tastes and smells like vomit." It's been difficult to get him to eat anything. We know the key to keeping him healthy enough to fight this virus at home (and not have to go to the hospital) is to keep him well fed and hydrated, so please pray this symptom passes quickly for him. Thankfully, his lungs seem clear so far and he's been fever free. He does have congestion and coughing, but it hasn't moved into his chest yet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was the last to become symptomatic and am now only on day 4. I haven't had a fever yet, but am a bit congested. My biggest symptom by far is the shortness of breath and it's NO JOKE. I'm fine as long as I'm sitting down. But once I stand up to start moving around, I can't make it more than 15 minutes before I'm out of breath and needing to rest. I literally broke into a sweat changing the sheets on the bed today. And my body is definitely struggling to maintain temperature - my overall temp is low, but I'm sweating a lot and going from hot to cold and back. My oxygen sats are ok - it's just that I'm constantly out of breath. I feel like a contestant on The Biggest Loser, at the beginning of the show, when they can't walk more than 15 feet without getting out of the breath. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's been super fun.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We've gotten good advice on the best regimen of vitamins and supplements to take at home in addition to the essential oils we're already using, and we're on that. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our challenge as a family has been figuring out how to isolate Dusk from the rest of us so that he doesn't also catch it. Thankfully, our property is big enough that we've been able to do that thus far. But we really miss him. :-( We're ever so grateful that he can pick up groceries for us right now, since we're persona non grata pretty much everywhere. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We covet your prayers right now. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">COVID is really like a game of Russian Roulette. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It can turn at any time. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I know many people experience mild symptoms, but there are many that don't and we are painfully aware of that. The worship pastor at our church, a healthy guy with no comorbidities, is back in the hospital battling complications from covid again, and has been fighting it since December. We KNOW how serious this disease is and we'd be lying if we said we weren't concerned.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">But we know we worship a God who has foreseen all of this and has his ever protective hand on us. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">PLEASE pray for and with our family. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Pray that our symptoms don't become worse.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pray that Bodie can continue to manage his symptoms at home.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pray that Dusk doesn't get it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pray for God's hand of healing and protection over our family, especially over Dusk and Bodie. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So this Mother's Day looked a little different today. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It involved a lot of resting, and a socially distanced dinner outside so we could be with Dusk. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But at least we are together. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I got to talk to my incredible, amazing role model mom multiple times today.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I have my babies in my arms, covid positive and all, but they're with me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And for this, I know I am the lucky one.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-43698688743979534922021-02-16T20:58:00.000-08:002021-02-16T20:58:35.483-08:00Does this shirt make me look eleven? <div style="text-align: center;">"Mama, I know your 10th birthday is a big deal, because you're double digits. And 13 is a big deal because you're a teenager. But 11 isn't really a big deal, right?"</div><div style="text-align: center;">*<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGltb0nDCf8odGydd5GaxHfCxKiv2ZfW78VWrW4EJE1TtBId5XIrB55r9KszLKFZrDIiU0ZLRTpHG55GZhbnL-gBirxLOwTS1OFn18HufbiHoogDMmbZqz3aEQgMBunio3dAeFseZ13QE/s2048/20210215_150547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGltb0nDCf8odGydd5GaxHfCxKiv2ZfW78VWrW4EJE1TtBId5XIrB55r9KszLKFZrDIiU0ZLRTpHG55GZhbnL-gBirxLOwTS1OFn18HufbiHoogDMmbZqz3aEQgMBunio3dAeFseZ13QE/w300-h400/20210215_150547.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh my sweet boy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You will never have a birthday that's not a big deal.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You will always be our miracle.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You don't get to take birthdays for granted. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sorry not sorry, kiddo.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6iLM7ibr-mzAuR5gqvBzmY2WAqU_f9x036xZkslouJ7_lheA4cvbKdsaxwiANnO6nQ3k63CONeywFT1kUx3GuyHj5zho2qSOxLsiG5xIEJT60rXINA9N2DWtR5dAWFxRL6vV_dl7y5CJ/s2048/20210215_150142%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6iLM7ibr-mzAuR5gqvBzmY2WAqU_f9x036xZkslouJ7_lheA4cvbKdsaxwiANnO6nQ3k63CONeywFT1kUx3GuyHj5zho2qSOxLsiG5xIEJT60rXINA9N2DWtR5dAWFxRL6vV_dl7y5CJ/w300-h400/20210215_150142%25280%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Bodie even helped make his cake this year!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">COVID might have made it a little harder to celebrate like we'd have wanted, but we made it work. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bodie has recently developed a really sweet tight knit group of local boys his age who are also homeschooled. It's all outside these days (thanks to COVID), and they're all country boys, so it's a little bit Lord of the Flies, but it's so awesome. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We invited them over yesterday and had an epic Nerf battle party </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFGdy11xLREfPPkgNge79vMUwv7yB2svsYTwCzIpN85y9_qs4ftwT4y-l652PYnnYLbtv3SdFFE-QpGtowH_uGdUPNdyHo8IaQyiN6vQFLozl5HggYLX1Izj4WgBUQwR9RI2zGCaO5LVz/s2048/20210215_134627_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1646" data-original-width="2048" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFGdy11xLREfPPkgNge79vMUwv7yB2svsYTwCzIpN85y9_qs4ftwT4y-l652PYnnYLbtv3SdFFE-QpGtowH_uGdUPNdyHo8IaQyiN6vQFLozl5HggYLX1Izj4WgBUQwR9RI2zGCaO5LVz/w400-h321/20210215_134627_08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We were able to keep everyone outside and (mostly) with their masks on - Nerf protective gear for the win! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLR_milAebvSrJ81u-ZbcCTZsy-TnBvJwSqaBBswAvVVnFWfujlmAO1bYhEVF6zFDCBD2WqqAkeRA36en_zAcbzAX0feA3InbBFKXyD38N29R2ymCDqKVL139ogxcdUh6Y6tMVdeUtps_Y/s2048/20210215_134627_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLR_milAebvSrJ81u-ZbcCTZsy-TnBvJwSqaBBswAvVVnFWfujlmAO1bYhEVF6zFDCBD2WqqAkeRA36en_zAcbzAX0feA3InbBFKXyD38N29R2ymCDqKVL139ogxcdUh6Y6tMVdeUtps_Y/w400-h225/20210215_134627_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Even the big sisters got in on the action.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-nCKyOQ1VCaH79RTaXXY19TQPEYB_oSGqduRSyX50zl8WSa-e2Iyb5DV9caRDJ1F3yVe0rEbz22nIX9x1HknGFSZoXa5IXInK5FUb4FFCAmX4MC_GPE5oAVKxz8Egh2VWx9v4-QJlGWD/s2048/20210215_142904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-nCKyOQ1VCaH79RTaXXY19TQPEYB_oSGqduRSyX50zl8WSa-e2Iyb5DV9caRDJ1F3yVe0rEbz22nIX9x1HknGFSZoXa5IXInK5FUb4FFCAmX4MC_GPE5oAVKxz8Egh2VWx9v4-QJlGWD/w300-h400/20210215_142904.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The smile on his face says it all (well, it says he needs to pull his mask back up, but it also shows his sheer happiness). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqeu0-fYlzW6lpmc8ImEDtsuS9TgTAEKlYmRHdUMqPcbu6fS-kJArj0FjTu9Rltra2HMNheXgb35-xtmvHdVYI33PwjJ0IL_w7NSyoqzBzfDZux5yvykoLY16Uipu59HboeS0yENBhQ33/s2048/20210215_134657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1566" data-original-width="2048" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqeu0-fYlzW6lpmc8ImEDtsuS9TgTAEKlYmRHdUMqPcbu6fS-kJArj0FjTu9Rltra2HMNheXgb35-xtmvHdVYI33PwjJ0IL_w7NSyoqzBzfDZux5yvykoLY16Uipu59HboeS0yENBhQ33/w400-h306/20210215_134657.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sierra made a pretty epic fruit and veggie platter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LvEFKOYM9DnoO-Mhcn5xJkPiHDzZeMPwh4cbG5_Pelg2calK8tGNxMelqo7OYAvAn7q6HWxxivtA7eIuz7BsgCo7oUVpHlYDHTB8nKaxF9pB3IShiEAMdP4Gbm7jDeeUASShH8pZLVGf/s2048/20210215_130639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LvEFKOYM9DnoO-Mhcn5xJkPiHDzZeMPwh4cbG5_Pelg2calK8tGNxMelqo7OYAvAn7q6HWxxivtA7eIuz7BsgCo7oUVpHlYDHTB8nKaxF9pB3IShiEAMdP4Gbm7jDeeUASShH8pZLVGf/w400-h300/20210215_130639.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Birthday candles, COVID style. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ain't no way we were letting this kid blow out candles on a cake that was about to be eaten by others. Ha!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldumj-Hb5dECGdql_gTT4Qu_ab43R8dXaIjZG4JR449jXePYRBF0Qj_eHmS865IIS0dQH9HRjiDBM3rj6_aMbh3fB_wGGYCTsZI8OcCBwSyZ9WGeadpJc83_SbTJXlkoyOzn__eScsTVU/s2048/20210215_150437%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldumj-Hb5dECGdql_gTT4Qu_ab43R8dXaIjZG4JR449jXePYRBF0Qj_eHmS865IIS0dQH9HRjiDBM3rj6_aMbh3fB_wGGYCTsZI8OcCBwSyZ9WGeadpJc83_SbTJXlkoyOzn__eScsTVU/w300-h400/20210215_150437%25280%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last night, Bodie said to me "Mom, I know I say this every year, but that was seriously the best birthday party I've ever had."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqGOGf_LvlFIoxCWo3OFT7iahupQjYf0Dt3ZMy3wFDIFABUIHKwa-nbzxJDyDEdIgKOpOfZFRo5PB7a62Y4T65yVZW-ujM6b6U9Y731aCu0g8nqcHOilDD-S02HOwwDFbmu3kEL9Gdw9v/s2048/20210215_150349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqGOGf_LvlFIoxCWo3OFT7iahupQjYf0Dt3ZMy3wFDIFABUIHKwa-nbzxJDyDEdIgKOpOfZFRo5PB7a62Y4T65yVZW-ujM6b6U9Y731aCu0g8nqcHOilDD-S02HOwwDFbmu3kEL9Gdw9v/w300-h400/20210215_150349.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I couldn't agree more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Getting to watch him run around for 2 hours with the sweetest group of boys who love him as much as we do, and hearing him laughing hysterically...that was truly the best birthday gift I could have imagined for him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our kiddo has found his tribe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A bunch of Lego building, Nerf gun shooting, "let's make our own tribe" boys. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And we are profoundly grateful. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So yes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">10 is a big deal because you're in double digits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And 13 is a big deal because you're officially a teenager.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But when you're 11 and -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">you've had 6 heart surgeries</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and 5 heart catheterizations</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and countless blood draws, x-rays and other procedures</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and spent far too many nights in the hospital - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">11 is a big deal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A very very big deal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Birthday to the bravest kid we know. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We could not possibly love you more.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-49419454160193534802021-01-09T19:40:00.000-08:002021-01-09T19:40:43.613-08:00Hey, remember us? <div style="text-align: center;">I can't believe it's been almost a year since I've updated the blog!!! Suffice it to say, COVID has us all sorts of disorganized and upside down over here. Thankfully, we've all remained healthy, but let's just say the jury is still out on whether the Bennett four actually enjoy one another's company enough to be together quite this much...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The good news is that this little dude is doing GREAT. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUTZ7zrg7hLN-leqZPmATHgWwrtb5HBfa1BLObXdL7BW3XMvb7VXXNVHMrSR5tK3lhivZIAYJjWKdI0uaxkIhdXXs7yT1HH19dNDBS7G2RHJQPjOXyGHfhh6zum-GgdgUPw3QB091yqx4/s2048/20210102_112628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUTZ7zrg7hLN-leqZPmATHgWwrtb5HBfa1BLObXdL7BW3XMvb7VXXNVHMrSR5tK3lhivZIAYJjWKdI0uaxkIhdXXs7yT1HH19dNDBS7G2RHJQPjOXyGHfhh6zum-GgdgUPw3QB091yqx4/w300-h400/20210102_112628.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Since the spring, he's been seen by his team at CHLA twice and his team at Stanford once. Our last appointment with CHLA was just last week, and both teams are really happy with how well his heart is holding up. His function continues to be depressed, but only mildly so (quite an improvement from when he first went into heart failure, to be sure!). His BNP (measure of heart inflammation) continues to be low, and he's riding his pacemaker 90% of the the time (which is music to our ears - when he's not riding his pacemaker, he's in funky rhythms, so we want him riding that thing as much as possible!).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">He sees his CHLA team every 6 months, and his Stanford team annually. We're grateful to be in this time of stability and are grateful for every day Bodie gets to remain this stable - we're hoping for a long time in this stage!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Wl0C-xAHdvqsBrqmrYTV-KeDZSxGoQgClXwf9hrWzWO3qcyQxP6GEjaI6bZT9yn4DgiraaIlUnJ0ABGhJ53-uCUUfQaHwAbbbVKwmCVdRkeleLSBojBSmfSLD5T5DKedaPaFBHG8n0Cx/s2048/20210107_180358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Wl0C-xAHdvqsBrqmrYTV-KeDZSxGoQgClXwf9hrWzWO3qcyQxP6GEjaI6bZT9yn4DgiraaIlUnJ0ABGhJ53-uCUUfQaHwAbbbVKwmCVdRkeleLSBojBSmfSLD5T5DKedaPaFBHG8n0Cx/w300-h400/20210107_180358.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">It's hard to believe we've been at this heart failure dance for 4 years now. The picture on the left was taken the day he was initially diagnosed with heart failure; the pic on the right, with the same Vader, was taken last week. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDu3TULGySWiqPcz6xNtx-eAMJuJAes9_f8rxrP4MnjimBnZ77CaSEHH7KGWFDhZtnauQWgLvKDGPqLtAG2p6MlFcb1SpI2QVzkYKnGr4XaqEGBCxHcbcrn5S1AAlQDCUQ00eBt7O_fOJ/s1080/Collage+2021-01-07+23_26_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDu3TULGySWiqPcz6xNtx-eAMJuJAes9_f8rxrP4MnjimBnZ77CaSEHH7KGWFDhZtnauQWgLvKDGPqLtAG2p6MlFcb1SpI2QVzkYKnGr4XaqEGBCxHcbcrn5S1AAlQDCUQ00eBt7O_fOJ/w400-h300/Collage+2021-01-07+23_26_14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;">Can I call it a dance? Man, if it's a dance, it's like the horrible awkward Junior High dance that no one actually wants to go to. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">But I digress. He's doing great. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VKBA6Id7uC5p4t-ncpJ_o9vSd-Fu_ad6sbFDSGjOKoxk0y4BZpzLh9OslxRBNH2SbLomKmLXoH2hZo62IGDLblvj4Zee1hE9NUW7u_cgBEI1jl42ENPG9vkiTTKf149_AU3D0eTfNGeG/s4032/20201207_110833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VKBA6Id7uC5p4t-ncpJ_o9vSd-Fu_ad6sbFDSGjOKoxk0y4BZpzLh9OslxRBNH2SbLomKmLXoH2hZo62IGDLblvj4Zee1hE9NUW7u_cgBEI1jl42ENPG9vkiTTKf149_AU3D0eTfNGeG/w300-h400/20201207_110833.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">He's loving horseback riding, taking weekly lessons. He's even been kind enough to allow me to join him on trail rides this year, and I'm loving our time together. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzSzdDJCVNY1XhoGvvTLpEyeyqNAfL5yVkOwdVfHCfelunWQIbUfWsI581TWqUgugvnagKYYtTESOmEZlNssAufsIhW4w0y4_Vy-u-yUno9pZagz_bxzXHCRuHtgqNjKhARBCJP6CFbfA/s960/135317697_10224375138593850_7610230230431085175_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzSzdDJCVNY1XhoGvvTLpEyeyqNAfL5yVkOwdVfHCfelunWQIbUfWsI581TWqUgugvnagKYYtTESOmEZlNssAufsIhW4w0y4_Vy-u-yUno9pZagz_bxzXHCRuHtgqNjKhARBCJP6CFbfA/w300-h400/135317697_10224375138593850_7610230230431085175_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51VyRxg6v9pbEFlE_y-wmbWHXU2teSLVZyqh8Tim4u-6PO_k3YPawa7tTdajzO02BVtAqyDU0d1t4vOrlAm0RkOB_FXcFMDar-ke5BapCuvaD7VjXnZ_ZvG2kbKS_-QXqRso_jVzRScbY/s640/135084263_10224375138313843_9194096465346172273_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51VyRxg6v9pbEFlE_y-wmbWHXU2teSLVZyqh8Tim4u-6PO_k3YPawa7tTdajzO02BVtAqyDU0d1t4vOrlAm0RkOB_FXcFMDar-ke5BapCuvaD7VjXnZ_ZvG2kbKS_-QXqRso_jVzRScbY/w300-h400/135084263_10224375138313843_9194096465346172273_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">And this girl is doing great, too! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCINyY6aFwJivK-VOlc68raa3URxoBoaUD5IH873FTDeYDSSvB58UANh8zk5DAg5dHeU2kiuI8bYv9EigghxD9DlWIg4oHswoLdWpC2ClJkKyr02xyZlTeoecYqIio3jVi1wv4qnpaInC/s4032/20201207_074209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCINyY6aFwJivK-VOlc68raa3URxoBoaUD5IH873FTDeYDSSvB58UANh8zk5DAg5dHeU2kiuI8bYv9EigghxD9DlWIg4oHswoLdWpC2ClJkKyr02xyZlTeoecYqIio3jVi1wv4qnpaInC/w300-h400/20201207_074209.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">She's growing like a weed - although I still have a couple inches on her (I think!), I'm getting pretty uncomfortable with the fact that she's looking me right in the eye these days! She just donated her hair again (for the 3rd time!), and continues to impress us all with her beautiful singing voice (definitely inherited Dusk's musical talent). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We continue to be so grateful for your support and prayers for Bodie!!!!</span></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a>Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-41955621245516098132020-04-26T08:53:00.000-07:002020-04-26T08:53:18.570-07:00QuaranTEENAGER<div style="text-align: center;">
In the midst of this nationwide shutdown and sheltering in place, a very sweet girlie officially became a TEENager! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As hard as it is to believe, this sweet little cherub turned 13 yesterday.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgeX20W6CmHat73K1NMlMFS0trsDeGEnWROqGnNj_R9RHXxtP7ANbYG1TWEEvD-WN9goCNNrxbdWLL0EBw2VKWvMYtJHPsvLjEa5QeHBiFoSdN_4rr58-mZa8QipiHONfkVNDeQVhanbK/s1600/IMG_5087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgeX20W6CmHat73K1NMlMFS0trsDeGEnWROqGnNj_R9RHXxtP7ANbYG1TWEEvD-WN9goCNNrxbdWLL0EBw2VKWvMYtJHPsvLjEa5QeHBiFoSdN_4rr58-mZa8QipiHONfkVNDeQVhanbK/s400/IMG_5087.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I know, I know - a legit teenager now! Man, does time fly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnyVBs223LIadHavXd387tMIQSU48nzpQIGrEzrpgd9rILeWWPN5wh1OwGX9m1Iv2yJDhyphenhyphen52GWi9U9WRR5W2t2n0b2_tNY5aZeF6_wTSdvKkvRMeRva9KmAB-oNgg6Y4tPDkV4CnWPEnS/s1600/20200424_123104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnyVBs223LIadHavXd387tMIQSU48nzpQIGrEzrpgd9rILeWWPN5wh1OwGX9m1Iv2yJDhyphenhyphen52GWi9U9WRR5W2t2n0b2_tNY5aZeF6_wTSdvKkvRMeRva9KmAB-oNgg6Y4tPDkV4CnWPEnS/s400/20200424_123104.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And this kid was such a trooper. She was so sad to leave her friends in LA, and took the longest of us to settle down here in San Diego. And once she really started to, and was making friends, Coronavirus happened. So she really got a double whammy in a very short period of time, along with a much anticipated 13th birthday party without any friends. :-(</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But we made the most of it, with Bodie and I creating a really fun scavenger hunt with clues she had to decipher that led to a lunch at Sonic (social distancing style):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5t73n7C8MR7DKNBebjYcDSh88k_zss4ZvSnlTJnNsPdGT77pnMYWqLjTk08xKIC5wkmoiFvd8BDOWHx6ZazZmKKNYHXMKVurTdHWjQbqvzitOdwwCNXLSXOSNvbOmCSZ9sSNmKB_NBlcp/s1600/20200424_123056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5t73n7C8MR7DKNBebjYcDSh88k_zss4ZvSnlTJnNsPdGT77pnMYWqLjTk08xKIC5wkmoiFvd8BDOWHx6ZazZmKKNYHXMKVurTdHWjQbqvzitOdwwCNXLSXOSNvbOmCSZ9sSNmKB_NBlcp/s400/20200424_123056.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A quick trip <i>inside</i> our local Rite Aid (the first time she's seen the inside of a store in almost 6 weeks):</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZToGXbRBGKXoNiq6HNwJdrRog6ej4pyPsTxligW364iKqPCBVdHiRKwnr2HLO8AVZhj-tKXtKgwJcEriHXX1spWyG0MlC-NWbvu0lgBCZOCcDgKPnoeniA2A2IKpQhYu3py-MMSR65cQ/s1600/20200424_144848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZToGXbRBGKXoNiq6HNwJdrRog6ej4pyPsTxligW364iKqPCBVdHiRKwnr2HLO8AVZhj-tKXtKgwJcEriHXX1spWyG0MlC-NWbvu0lgBCZOCcDgKPnoeniA2A2IKpQhYu3py-MMSR65cQ/s400/20200424_144848.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Visiting with dear friends from outside their fence (it was a birthday surprise for Sierra, but I think it really was balm for all of our weary souls):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunS46Epp8RZw_AACCaTz9jJmQCukQjgazZAhhZwT-XWeMXP3xg4GcHlxRvRENfBTKMy0B4i4R2tEKNAEN0jKcCfEYWcnCsh4fEdIanKetSk2m504dSGwzjSla153zxJ3st7SNfHrY5h31/s1600/20200424_142038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunS46Epp8RZw_AACCaTz9jJmQCukQjgazZAhhZwT-XWeMXP3xg4GcHlxRvRENfBTKMy0B4i4R2tEKNAEN0jKcCfEYWcnCsh4fEdIanKetSk2m504dSGwzjSla153zxJ3st7SNfHrY5h31/s400/20200424_142038.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Probably her favorite clue, courtesy of Bodie - having to dive to the bottom of the pool to find a (water proof) bag of M&Ms: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5plrExMH-jpN6PHhiMUXUmUhbFiWzu_XT0Rs7Owjy0sM63n3E5v7ceu68kWH-6R3Bn-vUcenU9BN6F6c3W7Uhvl5n2TaI4dsiSSnCVWrQqT3mxpnodCKyUnQZFUIJW5diwccyqK3wR_kU/s1600/20200424_154445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5plrExMH-jpN6PHhiMUXUmUhbFiWzu_XT0Rs7Owjy0sM63n3E5v7ceu68kWH-6R3Bn-vUcenU9BN6F6c3W7Uhvl5n2TaI4dsiSSnCVWrQqT3mxpnodCKyUnQZFUIJW5diwccyqK3wR_kU/s400/20200424_154445.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She had been planning a fun masquerade ball for her birthday. Even though her friends weren't here, she dressed up anyway - because you only turn 13 once, right???</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIH8_1mK26_1yCC6rkJU6z1MBG-rJX7k7po1ybzPzv1faS8PxyzUSKneZW-xpotDIM4eeaC13C-bNdsL4rZU3ANmpUAEbYi9K_FzS2bznv8Sc7443OSa5UodnkyAOymj-xBg4bhv8608hu/s1600/20200425_190133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1040" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIH8_1mK26_1yCC6rkJU6z1MBG-rJX7k7po1ybzPzv1faS8PxyzUSKneZW-xpotDIM4eeaC13C-bNdsL4rZU3ANmpUAEbYi9K_FzS2bznv8Sc7443OSa5UodnkyAOymj-xBg4bhv8608hu/s400/20200425_190133.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I cannot believe how grown up our sweet girl is (both literally and figuratively - this kiddo is already 5'71/2"!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She received so many wonderful messages and gifts, but I think it's fair to say her favorite came in the form of a sweet surprise last weekend. On Sunday night, Dusk and I were watching a movie in our living room at around 10pm and he went outside to get something from his studio. He came back in saying "Uhhhh - there was something <i>growling at me</i> outside!!!" So he went to get his paintball gun and went back outside, with me in tow (don't ask why he took the paintball gun, but given that he was facing the growling animal, I wasn't really in a position to argue!).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He sprayed into the bushes (well, the paintball gun malfunctioned, so he just shot C02 into the bushes, but it was loud enough to scare off whatever had been growling). But we heard some sweet little mewing - and found this little angel hiding in the middle of a bush. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJ0Gt2iN0b58IYy-44qT8fYXhC7APVXfMXhozL0l7Gn6tQn3daMnWuQCbqCPf0O5YEm2KzL5LlJ_3ZQHVOD4A0rWrNk-2dq7uwJ59QUkZkhq1ejlibme2JpYXv240y488yqGp3QYQY3nv/s1600/20200420_152338%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJ0Gt2iN0b58IYy-44qT8fYXhC7APVXfMXhozL0l7Gn6tQn3daMnWuQCbqCPf0O5YEm2KzL5LlJ_3ZQHVOD4A0rWrNk-2dq7uwJ59QUkZkhq1ejlibme2JpYXv240y488yqGp3QYQY3nv/s400/20200420_152338%25280%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We brought her inside and realized very quickly that while she may have been wild, she definitely wasn't feral. She ate from us, let us hold her and was purring by bedtime. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some asking around to make sure she didn't belong to anyone and a vet visit the next day cemented her as ours. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9v4eQTiZRNiP37k4HPJN_bVfVj2xYzvw6je3bjB2MJjh3Gc7z09VodBtzyzS57ncBaAUG3_UGxoxAHrDaaWHeRsZ1tMp2GPWhTkqQr7HoFLFeS5s8T_xGs5q2IeELrR1jjUa-59C1AZI/s1600/20200421_134653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9v4eQTiZRNiP37k4HPJN_bVfVj2xYzvw6je3bjB2MJjh3Gc7z09VodBtzyzS57ncBaAUG3_UGxoxAHrDaaWHeRsZ1tMp2GPWhTkqQr7HoFLFeS5s8T_xGs5q2IeELrR1jjUa-59C1AZI/s400/20200421_134653.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This sweet little 6 week old kitten has been officially named Mitsey because of her big ole paws. Once she and our other kitten, Bootsie, figured out the pecking order (i.e. Bootsie runs the show around here), she fit right into our brood. We could not love her more, and she definitely is Sierra's kitty. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMT_b-HpxKeBDbnIYkZaydgFW7YECs5J6PSetUQ7lGYRPrl2St9kzjL6vuKLCd62vitlbg4e7OU88VQK0tR7XRyu6hLZqL2bCqsXLpNxYD9_lsg62GKQGXmXWULcvE3TuUocSSg4ELF02/s1600/20200420_093054+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMT_b-HpxKeBDbnIYkZaydgFW7YECs5J6PSetUQ7lGYRPrl2St9kzjL6vuKLCd62vitlbg4e7OU88VQK0tR7XRyu6hLZqL2bCqsXLpNxYD9_lsg62GKQGXmXWULcvE3TuUocSSg4ELF02/s400/20200420_093054+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She sleeps snuggled as close as possible to Sierra at night, and alternates between running around like a total spaz with Bootsie and falling asleep in the most precarious positions. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZd34S78CDNoHl98MjIVdv4MwgbuJIGhA908y-AqxDoEpVmtVMzOKGNvpljOr3KdwuUCuvjEuBw7182JlRwwO4XoNTtPfOwulqZ38A3dK7G1lr1vwBUxw204wAfkqP8bcFzRi6h2kq1ZJN/s1600/20200425_112537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZd34S78CDNoHl98MjIVdv4MwgbuJIGhA908y-AqxDoEpVmtVMzOKGNvpljOr3KdwuUCuvjEuBw7182JlRwwO4XoNTtPfOwulqZ38A3dK7G1lr1vwBUxw204wAfkqP8bcFzRi6h2kq1ZJN/s400/20200425_112537.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She was the perfect early birthday gift for our teenager! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNqN4C3b9IZ1vyR_VA9fQ6l5Qbr6XlrYa4wUQKC1TW_ctjgET1DUK-3wifA6Xt_l8QnRRknQhh7PmeCNCpG7BXhcCosmi3Dt4PRnkl9DGjoUo2grhP9sEoywAKO9v_VMOixTmvBIDump_/s1600/20200421_164537+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNqN4C3b9IZ1vyR_VA9fQ6l5Qbr6XlrYa4wUQKC1TW_ctjgET1DUK-3wifA6Xt_l8QnRRknQhh7PmeCNCpG7BXhcCosmi3Dt4PRnkl9DGjoUo2grhP9sEoywAKO9v_VMOixTmvBIDump_/s400/20200421_164537+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We are so proud of the incredibly fun and creative young woman Sierra is turning out to be! I cannot wait to see what God is going to do with her life - it's going to be big, of that much, I am certain. We're so grateful we get to parent our beautiful Joynado! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>
Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-62855731420934180342020-02-17T17:05:00.000-08:002020-02-17T17:05:14.924-08:0010 years in the making<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This sweet, tender hearted kiddo turned 10 yesterday.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KQ0fy13GuiG12IopbZECiiQM6SseVEpYa-ATgP_nqPKivtIMq0F_xLmTnI5dy3mvFAyPnExvMrRmM2HXyMOY3ZJRwjAIc-K7Jl7X_6w7o8xYjlokRDU3Iw6fMZ9sFcsx2OKqmk0-XeiS/s1600/20200213_133249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KQ0fy13GuiG12IopbZECiiQM6SseVEpYa-ATgP_nqPKivtIMq0F_xLmTnI5dy3mvFAyPnExvMrRmM2HXyMOY3ZJRwjAIc-K7Jl7X_6w7o8xYjlokRDU3Iw6fMZ9sFcsx2OKqmk0-XeiS/s320/20200213_133249.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
TEN.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Double digits.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I just can't even.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When I think of where we were 10 years ago. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When we weren't even sure we'd get 10 minutes with him, let alone 10 days, week, months, years....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When he was so fragile, already struggling to breathe and they were whisking him away to stabilize him. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When I think of all the scary moments in the 10 years since then. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The multiple codes, the health scares, the surgeries, the setbacks, the sudden onset of heart failure, the nights in the hospital.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So many moments where 10 years old seemed like too much to hope for, too much to expect to be blessed with. So many dear heart friends who didn't get 10 years. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And yet here we are, celebrating a whole decade with this little fireball of a human being we're blessed to call ours. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMV5oZDnCLIg0CB7r-rxRbHvfhc3bghd7cz6qb8BfDh4yc69qAUjVSU4SwEA1NpCDPBx2BlC5Ztlc8FeNb-HfkIHZjjhEQCnZUmqypsdowV6hsBD1KNYrtDwFYW6DrYJmShK9zej71giJ/s1600/20200216_134735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMV5oZDnCLIg0CB7r-rxRbHvfhc3bghd7cz6qb8BfDh4yc69qAUjVSU4SwEA1NpCDPBx2BlC5Ztlc8FeNb-HfkIHZjjhEQCnZUmqypsdowV6hsBD1KNYrtDwFYW6DrYJmShK9zej71giJ/s400/20200216_134735.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I don't know how we got so lucky.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When I started to tell him how, if you had told me 10 years ago, we'd be sitting here, I'd have cried tears of happiness, he just rolled his eyes and said "Moooooommmm, can we not talk about that please???" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMoW1IASqDr7EI7tVm-IWm5af0NS1uczWYJ56WulYUzWu7Yr5tBuDfGJo8Uk43FTzto_m32gYAnwYHy45AgPDSO3FtpjME752As-XnHzq4MUjB21ijRCAicK4PVet74lLERrr7JQhWNgQ/s1600/20200216_134853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMoW1IASqDr7EI7tVm-IWm5af0NS1uczWYJ56WulYUzWu7Yr5tBuDfGJo8Uk43FTzto_m32gYAnwYHy45AgPDSO3FtpjME752As-XnHzq4MUjB21ijRCAicK4PVet74lLERrr7JQhWNgQ/s400/20200216_134853.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So we won't. We'll just tell you that this kid is kinda awesome. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our beloved neighbor Denise made the trek all the way down from LA to surprise Bodie! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktSfBdG8v-ChMYr2AFJSsH7IcZkuraCdPgivrpmijqJD3E6BJpDaAnsg9tFUAhhhMg12kNveGTI3u0jubi2mexdzaNy4KVABYcVTRJVP3Qrp6Lb2f3e9dZA9LbDbCyhY7a65auTlr-hJy/s1600/20200217_095938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktSfBdG8v-ChMYr2AFJSsH7IcZkuraCdPgivrpmijqJD3E6BJpDaAnsg9tFUAhhhMg12kNveGTI3u0jubi2mexdzaNy4KVABYcVTRJVP3Qrp6Lb2f3e9dZA9LbDbCyhY7a65auTlr-hJy/s400/20200217_095938.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I seriously don't have enough words to thank Denise for everything she has been to our family, and everything she has done for us! We love her so much and the kids were over the moon to see her. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bodie is currently obsessed with the Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series (and I'm obsessed with anything that will get this kid reading). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So we decided to celebrate Wimpy Kid style, with a few friends over. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNNUJiQ0CjIjqfaaGHE0iiw4VoTVjI7ZB_v7rvequmCzqJxmbh5HDk-Byvdoag1TtywZDzI9WpcbDXBYqo0_fyjUk9dqnPjQJ2MmO1QUMxF0bvPup1u__XyiswCC4Qzr-9GyEvdaSHYjK/s1600/20200216_194108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNNUJiQ0CjIjqfaaGHE0iiw4VoTVjI7ZB_v7rvequmCzqJxmbh5HDk-Byvdoag1TtywZDzI9WpcbDXBYqo0_fyjUk9dqnPjQJ2MmO1QUMxF0bvPup1u__XyiswCC4Qzr-9GyEvdaSHYjK/s400/20200216_194108.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The kids helped decorate "Cheese Touch" cupcakes. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpyGKYraIx5QyJYSq8KsOneA_LfvyKU7IHhjXetVKHVjB6sYrfYWe-797Dg3ar6PkFsMOdjjIBpwQyziktOsOKwAgVJYd6XJtZD6RoLEMj6fKkGCSoyCYILVo4a2bvOBcKknR-MFX2mtO/s1600/20200216_090205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpyGKYraIx5QyJYSq8KsOneA_LfvyKU7IHhjXetVKHVjB6sYrfYWe-797Dg3ar6PkFsMOdjjIBpwQyziktOsOKwAgVJYd6XJtZD6RoLEMj6fKkGCSoyCYILVo4a2bvOBcKknR-MFX2mtO/s400/20200216_090205.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wonder of wonders, Bodie has already been blessed with some very sweet connections in the form of some incredible boys who were happy to celebrate with him... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnV_yoHca0RGOcguNPQIIYQOcjy8qhbzb5Okx8C0z_HoX7qH0u4l4Ss94vz1GPb39zTMm1iKSsO8yAQOyf5cWjXSVyjWRXm14dGy8WOReZZ3wYIhkUvhDwfVXcG5gj7dNvhtUlAcW5Plx/s1600/20200216_194241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnV_yoHca0RGOcguNPQIIYQOcjy8qhbzb5Okx8C0z_HoX7qH0u4l4Ss94vz1GPb39zTMm1iKSsO8yAQOyf5cWjXSVyjWRXm14dGy8WOReZZ3wYIhkUvhDwfVXcG5gj7dNvhtUlAcW5Plx/s400/20200216_194241.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And indulge his desire to "read" his Wimpy Kid books for the picture </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNoG4IwpQhz-Crl6QIwjfejuKYgCQodPgQkMQmPfaGcRpEDFzEhS_YxbVG7SSuAwVjI0O4ut_HQzGLx-WzmnpdT2DlqNIVpm9s0QhVNrUhOsAXAcyjQjt9dIAp9qkHEB8_Zml2ksoAQbP/s1600/20200216_194208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNoG4IwpQhz-Crl6QIwjfejuKYgCQodPgQkMQmPfaGcRpEDFzEhS_YxbVG7SSuAwVjI0O4ut_HQzGLx-WzmnpdT2DlqNIVpm9s0QhVNrUhOsAXAcyjQjt9dIAp9qkHEB8_Zml2ksoAQbP/s400/20200216_194208.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last night, I asked Bodie whether Dusk and I had been right in predicting that he'd meet nicer boys to befriend down in San Diego than he had in LA. His response? "No, I haven't met nicer friends. I've met <i>the nicest friends.</i>" He'll tell you that his favorite birthday gifts were the crossbow he received, or the Harry Potter Lego set. But if you ask me, I think his new friends have been the best gift by far. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You know, one of the most universal truths about having a medically fragile kiddo is that every milestone is huge. Even the ones that wouldn't normally be.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXhNlQfGhoP6ACtw3Xj7FkLO41CdwJ4mQ0HW7b7aF9EQCnWzfSdBGhucIBtyESbKY0h3ZvxYJZSNpe4WtM0Xb28j6X6eJCLavx1N7dDgo1vvaeL4XPqmV2G9hWYWCIJj-vwKYpWqf84zS/s1600/20200216_223847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="588" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXhNlQfGhoP6ACtw3Xj7FkLO41CdwJ4mQ0HW7b7aF9EQCnWzfSdBGhucIBtyESbKY0h3ZvxYJZSNpe4WtM0Xb28j6X6eJCLavx1N7dDgo1vvaeL4XPqmV2G9hWYWCIJj-vwKYpWqf84zS/s400/20200216_223847.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But this one? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hitting double digits. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That's a big milestone in anyone's book. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just maybe a bit more epic in this kiddo's case. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a>Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-6211908176006465832020-01-30T12:19:00.003-08:002020-01-30T14:51:45.855-08:00Old Man Bennett had a farm...<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi! Remember us? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidB3fV0oLa7Lexq02s-m2-Fh3UZPhETiGi6kn21zI245UnjEr9kH_9Doqf6VerDraEWaWhiMkbAfQ_H4MGr-ACpob2O7o1Quqkn1kt4ds0EEqmGBJNax2l8pqJT1W5OF49eEqqhFMHxO5e/s1600/Magic+Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="664" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidB3fV0oLa7Lexq02s-m2-Fh3UZPhETiGi6kn21zI245UnjEr9kH_9Doqf6VerDraEWaWhiMkbAfQ_H4MGr-ACpob2O7o1Quqkn1kt4ds0EEqmGBJNax2l8pqJT1W5OF49eEqqhFMHxO5e/s400/Magic+Castle.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">I can't believe it's been almost a year since I last blogged!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">SO much has changed in our neck of the woods...most notably, our neck of the woods!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We moved from our very urban home a stone's through from Los Angeles International Airport to a very rural town in North San Diego County. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
More space, less people, slower pace of life, room.to.breathe? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
YES PLEASE!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We moved on December 23rd. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes, 2 days before Christmas.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because where's the fun in going through a hellish experience like moving <i>if you can't do it during an already ridiculously stressful and busy time of the year? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As I always say, if there's a hard way to do something, the Bennetts will find it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I digress. The important thing is that we did it - and even got a Christmas tree! Grabbed it from Lowe's at 6pm on Christmas Eve!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnmvMrlRCtqOQF5NOkyBjfw1zvGSkbRntELnRTdJQzcYYBMaSVtQDKZ-uXtK9zTRTwE-KAkFMHN9AbLdiQxRYSE8s8xFz2g0Ua7wGX6Nl0QPdvJ0OHrw4iKRZWfvUNkcbcMDoi7nyXIrs/s1600/Christmas+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnmvMrlRCtqOQF5NOkyBjfw1zvGSkbRntELnRTdJQzcYYBMaSVtQDKZ-uXtK9zTRTwE-KAkFMHN9AbLdiQxRYSE8s8xFz2g0Ua7wGX6Nl0QPdvJ0OHrw4iKRZWfvUNkcbcMDoi7nyXIrs/s400/Christmas+tree.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You now when you're out on Christmas Eve and you see some poor dude driving around with a Christmas tree on his roof and get all judgy and think to yourself "seriously, dude? It's Christmas Eve. I mean, why even bother at this point?" Oh wait, right. Me neither.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So we moved. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we've been settling in, working toward our dream of a slower pace of life. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Allie, our resident 10 year old sweet rescue kitty caught a mouse less than a week after we moved in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In our living room.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl8kznGZkzcnbI3eV9Z6a41INraDFhtGKzKALSin9eqAkzivasifJSyF6PuQ62z4wQLDEptDZKboKrYrFCu12j_4lEyXR-j7LhKJj4p5ViB3xFg4z2UXYlm_AlmgHasHhlO9Ykge-zmV6/s1600/Allie+mouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl8kznGZkzcnbI3eV9Z6a41INraDFhtGKzKALSin9eqAkzivasifJSyF6PuQ62z4wQLDEptDZKboKrYrFCu12j_4lEyXR-j7LhKJj4p5ViB3xFg4z2UXYlm_AlmgHasHhlO9Ykge-zmV6/s400/Allie+mouse.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So we set out to get a barn kitty, to help with rodent control.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Except that we got a really adorable 4 week old kitten.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One who was supposed to stay in the cardboard box for a bit.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But ended up in our bed night 1. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And almost every night since.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgxd-gR-B0mJylyOb9vS9o3KvuA7sYeJxDwK5R_AO4jiYxYWUhR7blm0gBIbwofPoqiHn9ztXwwSzS5GAQ86QTmSViZZWykco-bdGf2zqpDaAZ92BilY8BKdgp7um8oNj3ME5-kV-uyMh/s1600/Bootsie+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgxd-gR-B0mJylyOb9vS9o3KvuA7sYeJxDwK5R_AO4jiYxYWUhR7blm0gBIbwofPoqiHn9ztXwwSzS5GAQ86QTmSViZZWykco-bdGf2zqpDaAZ92BilY8BKdgp7um8oNj3ME5-kV-uyMh/s400/Bootsie+1.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I mean, how cute is she??? Her name is Bootsie and she is adorable, and ornery, and just SO.LOVABLE. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXtbQPKUTyHkroCwHJloQThdL23BSsMGsJzI7PBv8tlBxQsqudzwiFraF2uhIo8yuEzAmn08ATKHAUb2WoydzHEIwZ5XF-YzLgoRTghy4RTl-XuFngeBKZ4Bz-KJT0gOEPWWpnzxahrUQ/s1600/Bootsie+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXtbQPKUTyHkroCwHJloQThdL23BSsMGsJzI7PBv8tlBxQsqudzwiFraF2uhIo8yuEzAmn08ATKHAUb2WoydzHEIwZ5XF-YzLgoRTghy4RTl-XuFngeBKZ4Bz-KJT0gOEPWWpnzxahrUQ/s400/Bootsie+3.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz287XxDnBAz6Tuy3DKu416iGe8yaKa0nlw3Xf96imhoigQNNaTMAIYfmIx5gDIHBJlmECxWsVcYtwGbcVc1Q2HqUaBT-gIZyNxhD1yZE1M_PvPIPksQeZ_RMcJ-ZYMO9mbczqlJJiQdD6/s1600/Bootsie+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz287XxDnBAz6Tuy3DKu416iGe8yaKa0nlw3Xf96imhoigQNNaTMAIYfmIx5gDIHBJlmECxWsVcYtwGbcVc1Q2HqUaBT-gIZyNxhD1yZE1M_PvPIPksQeZ_RMcJ-ZYMO9mbczqlJJiQdD6/s400/Bootsie+4.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i63SbSDYI6rgqaV7q31qFBOXNG3QTgc3jYN4DoUZAwtnGeXw1UIV04G36ZFD_FZ2maaH4byNIOPz6Ik13r_H9unAOmVWJnFrTrHHqTwYy22IkjDKvvRt1xPtE58J4qdZANL4BUbTCtvr/s1600/Bootsie+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i63SbSDYI6rgqaV7q31qFBOXNG3QTgc3jYN4DoUZAwtnGeXw1UIV04G36ZFD_FZ2maaH4byNIOPz6Ik13r_H9unAOmVWJnFrTrHHqTwYy22IkjDKvvRt1xPtE58J4qdZANL4BUbTCtvr/s400/Bootsie+2.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So clearly we need to get ourselves another barn kitty. Because this one's obviously an inside cat. Or maybe we need to get a mean feral cat who won't let us touch it? We're discussing it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Next, we added 4 little week and a half old chicks. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2QJaw9WB2Cax1yLgIwuTBQ5VEOkCVLDxSOenvCXSM6iBYKmqB08p9f9D8QPXNC67vUSgdg9XaoPf98ZXF8CRKQTYjDx5pfbSatHrr086KA-_3lMcUgowAVB5CaiRZY4Ir6M6Y1eo_z-c/s1600/Chicks+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2QJaw9WB2Cax1yLgIwuTBQ5VEOkCVLDxSOenvCXSM6iBYKmqB08p9f9D8QPXNC67vUSgdg9XaoPf98ZXF8CRKQTYjDx5pfbSatHrr086KA-_3lMcUgowAVB5CaiRZY4Ir6M6Y1eo_z-c/s400/Chicks+3.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEI_Y9D-gw0Mqe6rLPXzkvBV6b8oreCFLcTcLpaS5yfKnZg7We_KNF6PxaC64A6aJUXYPpuRkq4PRQSNloBdhJ2GauM4_eiW4AXWAXt5M4r7dSpjaah467FRhVoajAXoN3rg2VYSMXLz0d/s1600/Chicks+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEI_Y9D-gw0Mqe6rLPXzkvBV6b8oreCFLcTcLpaS5yfKnZg7We_KNF6PxaC64A6aJUXYPpuRkq4PRQSNloBdhJ2GauM4_eiW4AXWAXt5M4r7dSpjaah467FRhVoajAXoN3rg2VYSMXLz0d/s400/Chicks+4.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sTXGlobanyMh1PjTSAd0ezp5FyM2JRnUXe2viluky5PM3cbU8m80pRvufrgpUdxlwIqhgnpj-UHPcn39i72G7r-qQPlL1KBBcqz5VVIVYLGoD8djK83MUtzPEzSMZilwz7LWbsnf3dHL/s1600/Chicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1371" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sTXGlobanyMh1PjTSAd0ezp5FyM2JRnUXe2viluky5PM3cbU8m80pRvufrgpUdxlwIqhgnpj-UHPcn39i72G7r-qQPlL1KBBcqz5VVIVYLGoD8djK83MUtzPEzSMZilwz7LWbsnf3dHL/s400/Chicks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't ever remember their names. The kids named them and they're all some variation of Stars Wars characters with chicken themes. Like "Luke SunWalker" and "Obi-chick-nobe." That kind of thing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So they pretty much chirp and poop. And spill their food and water everywhere. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And try to escape the box they're in. All.day.long.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The two most egregious escape artists. And they have no shame about it.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgRzLN_fWFKgATGod9KOS8RVd1AhdymaIoO45jMeBdV3AY7LOAS4iwdOn45woF8E_ZNlzKkiQN_tWyb6oVyqiOuCW9PCSNCF_DoE7eJPZp_uozpvGHzM0m3CjaWLIYR9yjkV_Fq4ihyij/s1600/Chicks+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="925" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgRzLN_fWFKgATGod9KOS8RVd1AhdymaIoO45jMeBdV3AY7LOAS4iwdOn45woF8E_ZNlzKkiQN_tWyb6oVyqiOuCW9PCSNCF_DoE7eJPZp_uozpvGHzM0m3CjaWLIYR9yjkV_Fq4ihyij/s400/Chicks+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maxi and Bootsie don't understand why we don't let them be in the room with the chickens. Maxi just wants to be their friends. Bootsie just wants to eat them for dinner (and isn't even pretending she's not thinking that.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoOdAAI0t_KH8bksfSQBtslgvsomOueq6et1FxWGHmpRVM_XGoTWIa33xjNHcqMErwjqZwnSFdYQolL6etepCOKEIFdMMgY_Ds-L0WP-LlRaga0MDl0DLgRHs3j41DfjnKAdX4BSqM9kn/s1600/Animals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="547" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoOdAAI0t_KH8bksfSQBtslgvsomOueq6et1FxWGHmpRVM_XGoTWIa33xjNHcqMErwjqZwnSFdYQolL6etepCOKEIFdMMgY_Ds-L0WP-LlRaga0MDl0DLgRHs3j41DfjnKAdX4BSqM9kn/s400/Animals.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Can't wait to have a coop built and them to be old enough to be outside! And laying eggs. Or maybe just strutting around. Because we might have ended up with 5 roosters. Or 5 hens. It's anybody's guess. We won't know until they start laying eggs...or starting fights. We're really hoping for the former? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Goats are coming at some point. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the meantime, Allie and Maxi are adjusting. They LOVE Bootsie. Maxi just wants to play with her all day - and Allie wants to clean her. And they all play together really well. We're super lucky!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepEFxvPIJtGbGewfCZ1whWQl_z1iTwmu_SArWcy7WNe7R4Gh6rQtOMzrrie4AgaHkOQX5YAuD5iKempDZuSQohHB5GwezePajy7TaYDYBJDXqqp7QShpL-3u0C_vU3jn1qq9rBi_UsIJx/s1600/Allie+Bootsie+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepEFxvPIJtGbGewfCZ1whWQl_z1iTwmu_SArWcy7WNe7R4Gh6rQtOMzrrie4AgaHkOQX5YAuD5iKempDZuSQohHB5GwezePajy7TaYDYBJDXqqp7QShpL-3u0C_vU3jn1qq9rBi_UsIJx/s400/Allie+Bootsie+1.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maxi is loving being a country dog and just adores running wherever we let him on our 2 acre property. He gleefully realized yesterday that not only is he allowed to dig now, but we want him to go get those gophers! He is having the time of his life digging and running. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RVWTlBduTbaDfrd-SAWEenTxgclAe5GNOZVv9ji6uMGXzKhl-1oO9Kea-itY0xCUh1anG2_YVeDhhIf4plriC5Iz3Alznq5DyQ1586NSWqcvvKm6xa2_lYfnKiN-UA2pF0-PJJ2xetkp/s1600/Bodie%252BMaxi+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RVWTlBduTbaDfrd-SAWEenTxgclAe5GNOZVv9ji6uMGXzKhl-1oO9Kea-itY0xCUh1anG2_YVeDhhIf4plriC5Iz3Alznq5DyQ1586NSWqcvvKm6xa2_lYfnKiN-UA2pF0-PJJ2xetkp/s400/Bodie%252BMaxi+1.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspv10VaJ_ZolURM69bk9AHNjz2ML-C_W0yqzC9WIXzBwlosUIRf9eU79hxyI3gRefK6O9D8aLgt9w_X0sD8irF7ifAfzeBQQmzbgeGIFTPGhhM8vwwG9OEZ4KLoeHV7TqqoVHyuQJHpVm/s1600/Maxi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspv10VaJ_ZolURM69bk9AHNjz2ML-C_W0yqzC9WIXzBwlosUIRf9eU79hxyI3gRefK6O9D8aLgt9w_X0sD8irF7ifAfzeBQQmzbgeGIFTPGhhM8vwwG9OEZ4KLoeHV7TqqoVHyuQJHpVm/s400/Maxi.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kiddos are doing well with the adjustment. We were still going up to LA weekly to finish their classes up there, but that ended last week. So now, they're down in San Diego fulltime. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sierra is growing LIKE A WEED. I mean, seriously, this kid. Won't be 13 until April, and is already 5'7.5"!!! She's grown an inch and a half in the last month alone! I'm still holding out for the last few inches I have on her (I'm, 5'10") - but she's getting dangerously close for my comfort! She had a hard time with the move at first (she had so many friends she was sad to leave behind), but seems to be hitting her stride now and starting to really like it down here. We're so proud of how she's branching out to meet other kiddos here. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And Bodie is growing and holding his own, cardiac wise. We saw his heart failure team in December and his electrophysiologist last week. He continues to have a low BNP (measure of heart inflammation) and his function continues to improve, even if only slightly. He's doing so much better than we ever could have hoped 3 years into heart failure, and for that we are so very blessed! At his last appointment, he was riding his pacemaker 85% of the time, which is fantastic. He continues to have his care managed by his team at CHLA, with appointments every 6 months (and followups with the Stanford transplant and heart failure team annually). He loves San Diego and is already making friends. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We're still homeschooling and enjoying watching the kids learn and grow. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLcvwqOlilWiscl0M2Z2KkbSTtQXNILZsqP6_4UKk5vD626A6kW1yNIHvDibg5a4j04fEyCiOCWKK9CRWSmllaI_UyQacKlNq4AT-s8swJnYfkvRvs2NA2eahBAS_6w9OMfS2bV-W4XWa/s1600/Homeschool+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLcvwqOlilWiscl0M2Z2KkbSTtQXNILZsqP6_4UKk5vD626A6kW1yNIHvDibg5a4j04fEyCiOCWKK9CRWSmllaI_UyQacKlNq4AT-s8swJnYfkvRvs2NA2eahBAS_6w9OMfS2bV-W4XWa/s400/Homeschool+2.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Bodie has decided multiplication and division are pretty cool when you can use poker chips!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMsB8QbaEOanS2anTZX9AD9OlbrFF1GMUOkwRWsRwaywQz-c_Np5n_Kt29zsCHRGSKV0UA6meRlmSqi9VYoi2l7A0DiC4FcXFsfcRCKHO23LAT0N0QKRxsE9Ges7H5DQP2VdJjWctgSfe/s1600/Homeschool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMsB8QbaEOanS2anTZX9AD9OlbrFF1GMUOkwRWsRwaywQz-c_Np5n_Kt29zsCHRGSKV0UA6meRlmSqi9VYoi2l7A0DiC4FcXFsfcRCKHO23LAT0N0QKRxsE9Ges7H5DQP2VdJjWctgSfe/s400/Homeschool.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Yes, Bodie's protective eye glasses are helpfully sitting ON TOP of his head as Sierra prepares to light carbon bubbles on fire inches from his (now completely unprotected) eyes. At least his hair won't catch fire?). </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you find yourself in North San Diego County, come visit us! We're about an hour or so south of Temecula, have wineries close by and have lots of space for guests! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At some point I'll post pics of our new digs, but for now, I'll leave you with this. This is the view out our master bedroom window. Almost every night. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZmD_jtDfTLujZZzLZ0X0z_Mmr9HseZ_6iyFF_nLsV6BFWcFuKm-0_zfl2nKvWxlGzZ1C5W9Hc0Yek-MOu-HZSkK-wOdFSWS-_7lG3XdREsSxGSG1dMWfhpZutW0INHqwuMSMA4pSIf58/s1600/Sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZmD_jtDfTLujZZzLZ0X0z_Mmr9HseZ_6iyFF_nLsV6BFWcFuKm-0_zfl2nKvWxlGzZ1C5W9Hc0Yek-MOu-HZSkK-wOdFSWS-_7lG3XdREsSxGSG1dMWfhpZutW0INHqwuMSMA4pSIf58/s400/Sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We love our home. We love our town. Many times since the move I have stop to looked around and think to myself "How did we get so lucky to get to move here???" </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are feeling so very, very blessed. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>
Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-50133593263672702652019-02-20T17:08:00.001-08:002019-02-20T17:11:12.130-08:00And puppy makes FIVE...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGE2GOhZupSVUM4YSU0iqnXQOkqExhYF43IhirRLCQAY9UJtmSlQbvxyvNZmEJ2rRW8_86T0jJpmkl4m80wckLdyuKElYSiKXRHySMcqprkFcreffVv8N-CJ7LYgvLxk0wI-_wrACo95D/s1600/20190208_151651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGE2GOhZupSVUM4YSU0iqnXQOkqExhYF43IhirRLCQAY9UJtmSlQbvxyvNZmEJ2rRW8_86T0jJpmkl4m80wckLdyuKElYSiKXRHySMcqprkFcreffVv8N-CJ7LYgvLxk0wI-_wrACo95D/s320/20190208_151651.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bodie has been begging for a dog for a couple of years now. Actually, full out campaigning is more like it. He wanted one more than anything in the whole world. We held off, mostly because our life has so many moving parts and so much uncertainty already that we just couldn't justify adding another living being to our chaos. But a couple weeks before Christmas, I really started feeling the pull for a dog, feeling in my heart like the time was right. A day or so after I started feeling it, Dusk came home from work and told me he had been feeling like it was time. Clearly, God was moving both of our hearts in the same direction. Kinda futile to keep resisting at that point. ;-)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We managed to keep it a secret from Bodie until Christmas, where we gave him a box with a bone and leash in it. If you have a tissue handy, you need to watch this video - especially starting around the 45 second mark, where it all starts to come together. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/q40BPMmWpko/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q40BPMmWpko?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(If you're having trouble viewing the video, the link can be found <a href="https://youtu.be/q40BPMmWpko" target="_blank">here</a>)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was worth every second of keeping it a secret!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once we got back to LA after Christmas, we started looking in earnest, hitting up many of the local shelters. Nothing felt quite right and we were feeling fairly discouraged. And then, we happened to find the most amazing little guy on Craigslist, of all places! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A wonderful woman had a change in her life circumstance and needed to rehome her year and a half old Corgi Mix. The kids and I went down to "just to meet" him, and fell in love instantly. We walked back in the door a few hours later with the newest member of our family (and all of his belongings that his former owner graciously gave to us as well!).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Meet Maxi.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5vto-z6vDw-RJWBFWyFtyBjB3apk25NTfx53AcfyFVLEW2fYQ_cYSyelvyWCq2MpukLMvpp8NTDbyaXC11Ep8prnvSAdnFIgk-ekIagxHT7k-A9Y_QFuEubHnjm2OSrWKKneeLjHFUI4/s1600/20190106_174109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5vto-z6vDw-RJWBFWyFtyBjB3apk25NTfx53AcfyFVLEW2fYQ_cYSyelvyWCq2MpukLMvpp8NTDbyaXC11Ep8prnvSAdnFIgk-ekIagxHT7k-A9Y_QFuEubHnjm2OSrWKKneeLjHFUI4/s400/20190106_174109.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
(I'm campaigning to change his name to something a touch more masculine, but Bodie appears to be sticking with the name his former owner gave him, so apparently, Maxi it is.)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He officially joined the Bennett clan on January 3rd.<br />
<br />
Not exactly a "puppy" (he'll be 2 in March), but I'll be darned if we didn't end up with a dog that will forever look like a puppy! At around 20lbs, he's fully grown and the cutest thing EVER. We're not 100% sure what he's mixed with, but we're guessing Chihuaha. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He is obsessed with me. We laugh that we got Bodie a puppy, but somehow Maxi didn't get the message and thought we got ME a puppy.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwm9vFxtpa1fxe5p563F9-ZP4woS3sue8GVX7x1JTjX81Ej2R7T3OWTRYWqdAnjXagNrSznBV0cJrAbb9KGzMrqjPC5k2V81QDbjlkR81629UwgnKpe4oojOPqLrH9L4_s0fHIHd69O8s6/s1600/20190122_093341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwm9vFxtpa1fxe5p563F9-ZP4woS3sue8GVX7x1JTjX81Ej2R7T3OWTRYWqdAnjXagNrSznBV0cJrAbb9KGzMrqjPC5k2V81QDbjlkR81629UwgnKpe4oojOPqLrH9L4_s0fHIHd69O8s6/s400/20190122_093341.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But there could be worse things. Maybe I needed someone to think I hung the moon, since I don't exactly get a lot of daily positive feedback on the whole homeschooling gig. ;-) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But he loves everyone (ok, LOVES LOVES LOVES the kids and I, and is getting there with Dusk - but always picks him to snuggle with first in the morning), and is really bonding more and more with Bodie, which we LOVE seeing.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H-KjRnkxxFJy25TnTsU6ICsSizq_1Wp8H8UFqIiiL6FqWoIFZceL_aNRI4RhXl4hVLaRviWD8lF4U7KMpdgdSk3FRZz1rbDlwwJpT47jKvMB4jWnmvCQz8dFfCdVrIULyHLnSFYA9y6k/s1600/20190109_142548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H-KjRnkxxFJy25TnTsU6ICsSizq_1Wp8H8UFqIiiL6FqWoIFZceL_aNRI4RhXl4hVLaRviWD8lF4U7KMpdgdSk3FRZz1rbDlwwJpT47jKvMB4jWnmvCQz8dFfCdVrIULyHLnSFYA9y6k/s400/20190109_142548.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZpvlk96NtLYwG6egg7tzTyEFmmt4aJCWKQvTy0k_6HIxeqnxU-yDhYJNvwbrpP9fT8gB96u-ReWK-NSUcuxL9w35c-JX_rYdpAwRevy5K53-2CPXCFC-8JBh94ogtVrCOMoDqMVxLAT4/s1600/20190104_085944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZpvlk96NtLYwG6egg7tzTyEFmmt4aJCWKQvTy0k_6HIxeqnxU-yDhYJNvwbrpP9fT8gB96u-ReWK-NSUcuxL9w35c-JX_rYdpAwRevy5K53-2CPXCFC-8JBh94ogtVrCOMoDqMVxLAT4/s400/20190104_085944.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He goes to bed with Bodie, and oftentimes falls asleep with his head right next to Bodie, sharing his pillow.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYk8wfEaKJ_NzbFMzczbXEAduLcK0gRy_BX4I1hTqWkf2ZPAPljL2cnKRYwro8Aol-_Mahrqy5IUzcLkQhCNILLaE9A60cFCRMzcmRg_JfuI_oHJv_z_LuVAahOyt49o0M4yiYwjOVe-b/s1600/20190218_204333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYk8wfEaKJ_NzbFMzczbXEAduLcK0gRy_BX4I1hTqWkf2ZPAPljL2cnKRYwro8Aol-_Mahrqy5IUzcLkQhCNILLaE9A60cFCRMzcmRg_JfuI_oHJv_z_LuVAahOyt49o0M4yiYwjOVe-b/s400/20190218_204333.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiP_HzG-XNW5-PUnD_YjVG-e4UCHoDd9xqYKb1d31zimfKP8MD8iMhmNOryxaX8Z8IO9QdsH2mHp0XsuJczN-_UW3nUub7upp9ZKRw0xsNkAKMgu-IsOxKRXM9KiHZPOIE-hPVBCcghTt/s1600/20190104_152402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiP_HzG-XNW5-PUnD_YjVG-e4UCHoDd9xqYKb1d31zimfKP8MD8iMhmNOryxaX8Z8IO9QdsH2mHp0XsuJczN-_UW3nUub7upp9ZKRw0xsNkAKMgu-IsOxKRXM9KiHZPOIE-hPVBCcghTt/s400/20190104_152402.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKPKNeRzmQ5TSTpsGCxFH6fsJEG6xyyEEm4M4vNljySnzYimVasvkWFtWNj79OUTzH3zj0N8DMX0fpk-7eK5hyphenhyphenxphmjE16S-JWKThdANwr_n3lkrCGWjG5lKN3duncc5hp3EWcS4tAxYc/s1600/20190103_201029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKPKNeRzmQ5TSTpsGCxFH6fsJEG6xyyEEm4M4vNljySnzYimVasvkWFtWNj79OUTzH3zj0N8DMX0fpk-7eK5hyphenhyphenxphmjE16S-JWKThdANwr_n3lkrCGWjG5lKN3duncc5hp3EWcS4tAxYc/s400/20190103_201029.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He LOVES to dive under the covers and snuggle up any chance he gets - and smothers you with kisses the second you walk in the door (even if you just went out to the car to get your cell phone charger).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
He lives for treats and is such a quick learner. The kids have already taught him to sit, stay, shake, dance on his hind legs, turn around on his hind legs, and give hugs. Bodie is having a blast.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He and the cat are getting along - more or less. He chases her. She screams. And then comes back for more. And then she hits him in the face over and over and gets mad if he walks away while she is "playing" with him. I stopped defending her some time ago, once I realized she's actually enjoying it!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHNj2COjAlXR19dwB42lmE2juZLpbazoPWyHmOHTKtvJhgPgF4s48Na9Sdh7L0rcGQfashC9V6FKiSZmtsvUdw5LMnsU8y4sBd2pEVcHQ2HSL4D1Z5TIEHm4ESWzcLOxIgVkXcP611wIX/s1600/20190107_130546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHNj2COjAlXR19dwB42lmE2juZLpbazoPWyHmOHTKtvJhgPgF4s48Na9Sdh7L0rcGQfashC9V6FKiSZmtsvUdw5LMnsU8y4sBd2pEVcHQ2HSL4D1Z5TIEHm4ESWzcLOxIgVkXcP611wIX/s400/20190107_130546.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He LOVES to be with us, wherever we are - on walks, snuggled up on the couch, exploring in the backyard, playing ball and going on car trips (he's already been to both Palm Springs and the Central Coast). He is the silliest, sweetest dog ever.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZWEi6mnHcfod3hBb2yTx1tXj-YOGKPcFHEnc-yRQVPzpYMIEg-Lh3NuHC1neyVavI5SNPNFomh8yuPqHX0F9eKAymcCWX1ktcvomZfUxJsk4VY6jSgbb2dLube4xLgGiiRUKfrnmZbEw/s1600/20190218_174947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZWEi6mnHcfod3hBb2yTx1tXj-YOGKPcFHEnc-yRQVPzpYMIEg-Lh3NuHC1neyVavI5SNPNFomh8yuPqHX0F9eKAymcCWX1ktcvomZfUxJsk4VY6jSgbb2dLube4xLgGiiRUKfrnmZbEw/s400/20190218_174947.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6M3BBt6KuWHRf67dAT5tvgDt_iz_THygi6aZ0tnQL7RFNkMVkwllm5XA75F7j_r_hA2GSjmP7J-fE33kOs1LsdZWKL9RVC_0_vxMAgJICGV8lresQty3-rhB8L8thX0mANcMR8j4tf6b/s1600/20190105_140622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6M3BBt6KuWHRf67dAT5tvgDt_iz_THygi6aZ0tnQL7RFNkMVkwllm5XA75F7j_r_hA2GSjmP7J-fE33kOs1LsdZWKL9RVC_0_vxMAgJICGV8lresQty3-rhB8L8thX0mANcMR8j4tf6b/s400/20190105_140622.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He gets spooked, especially by men (not sure what that's about), but has finally stopped barking at Dusk in the middle of the night, so we're making progress. I predict that these two will be besties eventually. :-)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEXD5wSxQgoCx94Nego9px-mhYdZI0MaPOWwZ68ivSzx7ZfRP1qqd-07eAOuKwAtJVut5V3GWlt9JAt3nd6lQ52SA74Snvw7air530RCOgA3F5GRhKIpiJF-ZaUIvAYNXtXBqbUvXkeg-/s1600/20190130_000019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEXD5wSxQgoCx94Nego9px-mhYdZI0MaPOWwZ68ivSzx7ZfRP1qqd-07eAOuKwAtJVut5V3GWlt9JAt3nd6lQ52SA74Snvw7air530RCOgA3F5GRhKIpiJF-ZaUIvAYNXtXBqbUvXkeg-/s400/20190130_000019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's settling in nicely, and we expect that nervousness to continue to diminish.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkseIB29kF-0cEcdD-Ah3xk5SN1WZ9UYtn5amBAd-QB7Qg89LDBMTC81Dm7WharySimrNcw7ewmMAUmTKGkOGh-yIGdDqF7d1UYTu0NAgOTQE0ERDdU7CRVq2xPBWhSYCZEfqarC6n3N3m/s1600/20190124_142937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkseIB29kF-0cEcdD-Ah3xk5SN1WZ9UYtn5amBAd-QB7Qg89LDBMTC81Dm7WharySimrNcw7ewmMAUmTKGkOGh-yIGdDqF7d1UYTu0NAgOTQE0ERDdU7CRVq2xPBWhSYCZEfqarC6n3N3m/s400/20190124_142937.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the meantime, we are all falling in love with the sweetest addition to our family - and wondering how we got so lucky to get this little guy! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>
Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-32410245814549228482019-02-17T23:14:00.001-08:002019-02-17T23:14:29.376-08:00A Birthday fit for a King<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV09LeGlTpBtRyzx8l7rS0-ldfRs5XM7VT3Dg9ULxK4-Nq9wc2fddd3fXFs0RsB1KrdxI7MZse0-ixr5FcRNiCKtMn2HCxxW20_oDQ-FCFoq2_EZ0GaiN3oOcJ0i-lenGYVAxRvNfKcRqd/s1600/09-IMG_2077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1569" data-original-width="1205" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV09LeGlTpBtRyzx8l7rS0-ldfRs5XM7VT3Dg9ULxK4-Nq9wc2fddd3fXFs0RsB1KrdxI7MZse0-ixr5FcRNiCKtMn2HCxxW20_oDQ-FCFoq2_EZ0GaiN3oOcJ0i-lenGYVAxRvNfKcRqd/s400/09-IMG_2077.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As hard as it is to believe, Bodie turned NINE yesterday (I know, right???)! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBAyz-TgpRBtkBpgKRNG6CRy5R-oUVZwcn6PS3pc5AGJZU43vfeK9ph11UkpJ3lMDmimT8G-dC21WmTS-8l5bVvvCSeheJTbypTdEf5LpEiPwdAUwJChOJv0f_iNUoUI3iRv4o1gVU1lz/s1600/05-IMG_2063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="835" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBAyz-TgpRBtkBpgKRNG6CRy5R-oUVZwcn6PS3pc5AGJZU43vfeK9ph11UkpJ3lMDmimT8G-dC21WmTS-8l5bVvvCSeheJTbypTdEf5LpEiPwdAUwJChOJv0f_iNUoUI3iRv4o1gVU1lz/s400/05-IMG_2063.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We celebrated his birthday with a special dinner with BOTH sets of grandparents last night, and then a birthday bash today. Because he's Bodie, and he came out of the womb keeping me on my toes, and he's obsessed with King Tut and all things Egypt, he chose King Tut as his birthday theme.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Because, where's the fun in doing Lego or army dudes, or anything easy to find on the shelf at Party City - when you could ask mom for a PYRAMID CAKE and Egyptian decorations??? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks to the help of Dusk, my parents and inlaws, and Sierra and her sweet bestie Olivia, we managed to pull off a teensy bit epic + a whole lotta chaos birthday party with 17 of Bodie's closest friends. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you know Bodie, you know he's stubborn. So when he asked for a costume and I agreed to purchasing the headpiece only, he went right to work making his own costume. And the added makeup and gems were just the icing on the cake. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WI0cLUZ0G-TVqEFUpe7Tm8DyK84oAypHj_qXalmU8Zipswc1_87nitN3Qr6kKC-yhuQiC6Tv3Bk3CvEEA9wuWm9C9BXxEzc34KkeU_kIKKi1EZD4ogLN4gcg5xPx66m0y-lh-WSV_8IY/s1600/01-IMG_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WI0cLUZ0G-TVqEFUpe7Tm8DyK84oAypHj_qXalmU8Zipswc1_87nitN3Qr6kKC-yhuQiC6Tv3Bk3CvEEA9wuWm9C9BXxEzc34KkeU_kIKKi1EZD4ogLN4gcg5xPx66m0y-lh-WSV_8IY/s400/01-IMG_0008.JPG" width="316" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He was so proud of his costume and he definitely owned his version of King Tut.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The pyramid cake was actually made out of Rice Krispy treats, cut to shape (thank you Grandma Jan!), covered in molding chocolate and then frosted. So fun!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwP2XoQ6BbLJhiwtGoRMrNhFelCEwP2hLUMAJelxVCzkyFXkrAd_qAx0q_OTRqQ3zJqh4isdm1FOWEa4YsXTZsJvWVYfl_Lr7R6KWWmrJPKXuSJOXeWWmmdMZBo3Ng9dlCyAn_7gbB_fUv/s1600/10-IMG_2080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="1230" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwP2XoQ6BbLJhiwtGoRMrNhFelCEwP2hLUMAJelxVCzkyFXkrAd_qAx0q_OTRqQ3zJqh4isdm1FOWEa4YsXTZsJvWVYfl_Lr7R6KWWmrJPKXuSJOXeWWmmdMZBo3Ng9dlCyAn_7gbB_fUv/s400/10-IMG_2080.jpg" width="338" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bodie had such a wonderful time with his family, friends, grandparents all the way from San Luis Obispo and Reno</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOqY-hzSc-KwZKe0XnaNw9gmCNSWxLgJgmeAaNnflM8sEZw5CtBX2krp4pzcISWhBMGow2CrR5iBCYb9kvsailJuzwnB2no3HrA3pcQqDtN3ZWgC1cNJIbiP5cv9ZCZ_2T0Pw9xsAFyVh/s1600/06-IMG_2068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOqY-hzSc-KwZKe0XnaNw9gmCNSWxLgJgmeAaNnflM8sEZw5CtBX2krp4pzcISWhBMGow2CrR5iBCYb9kvsailJuzwnB2no3HrA3pcQqDtN3ZWgC1cNJIbiP5cv9ZCZ_2T0Pw9xsAFyVh/s400/06-IMG_2068.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7g516EwdkfFfaoXnCVqepim3m7YyC4uudxBRTzg685fMZLInYkTLea5a_LsdQ8p0dmzdX0q7SDz73uCCrLpdcMtZpl50wbJ-3obWqsKe_G1Ul4E0d3RVldinKue1H5kvxzbeeZlfwKSG/s1600/07-IMG_2070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7g516EwdkfFfaoXnCVqepim3m7YyC4uudxBRTzg685fMZLInYkTLea5a_LsdQ8p0dmzdX0q7SDz73uCCrLpdcMtZpl50wbJ-3obWqsKe_G1Ul4E0d3RVldinKue1H5kvxzbeeZlfwKSG/s400/07-IMG_2070.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and even his favorite teacher from Venice Lutheran, the beloved Mrs. Rehrer. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCDzEsvuITfRf_koDtM7OhJIRmN_CDvC4Uoago96haz5SmqqbWRrWxpxyA1zzVMxgUg9EhH9z8LFJwL1XygooWqvuNOwGLFAm4-_3d2amWo9gP4KP4w4-ujp5prs8GtYmYUGW7LBKWYY-/s1600/03-IMG_4923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCDzEsvuITfRf_koDtM7OhJIRmN_CDvC4Uoago96haz5SmqqbWRrWxpxyA1zzVMxgUg9EhH9z8LFJwL1XygooWqvuNOwGLFAm4-_3d2amWo9gP4KP4w4-ujp5prs8GtYmYUGW7LBKWYY-/s400/03-IMG_4923.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We felt so blessed. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bodie, Daddy and I could not be prouder of you. This has been such a year of transition, as you navigated moving from a traditional school to homeschooling. I know it's not always easy. And I know that trying to navigate all of that while being in heart failure is just sometimes too much for you. But you're such a trooper and you keep trying. You're growing. You're learning. You're stretching yourself. And you're owning who you are and who you're becoming. Bodie, you are so special (not so special you can get out of chores, but yes, special) and so unique. Please don't ever forget that. We will always be here for you, to pray with you and for you, to shepherd you, to push you, to support you. We love you so much and are so grateful for you, buddy! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC5yxG6TtNynUsWEXuKw0Ip67pwouoOfiKIsp2z1bu_FlyJLg3w40MVm7RDCwsaLP0byi4bcrHNn9YS1HGgdIsN46CczENcUVpyUwhOlpsrRCn4qkzWNDLB2AiJL8FnKoTS6CVm9yw9Qa/s1600/02-IMG_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC5yxG6TtNynUsWEXuKw0Ip67pwouoOfiKIsp2z1bu_FlyJLg3w40MVm7RDCwsaLP0byi4bcrHNn9YS1HGgdIsN46CczENcUVpyUwhOlpsrRCn4qkzWNDLB2AiJL8FnKoTS6CVm9yw9Qa/s400/02-IMG_0026.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>
Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-4056858901485798862018-10-19T18:24:00.002-07:002018-10-19T18:24:40.767-07:00Thoughts from 10,000 feet<div style="text-align: center;">
Can I be honest for a minute here?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Homeschool is kicking my butt.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As in, constant chaos, and half the time I don't even know what day it is.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All 3 of us having ADHD doesn't make it easy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some days, it's sort of like the blind leading the blind. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or more accurately</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"The easily distracted leading the more easily distracted. Oh look! A squirrel!" </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's fun and we're all learning (at least I am - and I assume the kids are as well?), and nobody has killed each other yet (although that's not entirely from lack of effort on either child's fault - it's mostly my mad skills at breaking up fights). And I'm SO SO GLAD we're doing it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But whew - the juggling of schoolwork and fieldtrips and client deliverables and work for Sisters by Heart, not to mention all the regular stuff of life and regular physical therapy to (hopefully) avoid back surgery for me - it's a lot! And most days, I don't quite have a handle on it. (Huge props to my fellow full-time working mamas - I don't know you do it all!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But <u>we're getting there</u>. Bit by bit, we're figuring out how to live in our house allllll the time without making it look like it's lived in alllllll the time. And we're figuring out how to have fun while learning. I wouldn't say we've hit our groove quite yet, but I do feel like maybe I can see the groove right around the corner. So that's progress, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But that is all to say, I meant to post this update a few weeks ago, but well, everything, got in the way! So, I'm doing it from 10,000 feet in the air, en route to a cardiology conference in Chicago.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bodie had appointments with his cardiologist and electrophysiologist in early October, and the results were better than we could have imagined. (and not just because he sat by himself for a blood draw for the first time EVER - and didn't even flinch!!!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtm9zBPbV1TA5xaaAgjgwsqwcAb90_Ag_JB0C_PKXjWkLrvxWa_6gFKk4_m1MQgU770maf-1ikELyaZytckmdaTHOonP5Z3pqlaVii1rEnGym8pE8zMYG-2QBUP54YTmT82GUhc0LUmxE/s1600/20181004_123829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtm9zBPbV1TA5xaaAgjgwsqwcAb90_Ag_JB0C_PKXjWkLrvxWa_6gFKk4_m1MQgU770maf-1ikELyaZytckmdaTHOonP5Z3pqlaVii1rEnGym8pE8zMYG-2QBUP54YTmT82GUhc0LUmxE/s400/20181004_123829.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His heart function has improved!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I mean, let's not kid ourselves - it's not like normal function good, or even "normal for his half a heart before he went into heart failure good' - but better. A little bit better. His BNP (measure of inflammation from heart failure) dropped all the way to 9 (which is actually low for a healthy person, if you can believe it!). As his doctor told Bodie "your heart isn't dangerously sick anymore." It's still sick, but not nearly as sick as it was 2 years ago - and it's STILL continuing to improve! In fact, it has improved enough that his doctor dropped his middle of the day diuretics dose, leaving him with only needing medications 3 times a day!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On the rhythm side, we discovered that Bodie has been in atrial flutter pretty much since April. That means, for 5+ months, the top of his heart has been going at just below 200 to over 225 beats per minute! As far as we know, his ventricle was NOT going that fast, just his atrium. The reason we didn't catch it sooner is that he presented atypically. Think of flutter like a broken record - the heart is caught in a loop, on the same track. So you'll hear that track, but not the rest of the record. So, typically, you'll see not a large variation of rates (tracks), maybe 10%. But Bodie's variations were significantly more than that, going much lower and much higher. So we didn't realize it was flutter.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The good news is that his doctor was able to identify what it was and <b>pace him out of it</b>!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is the BEST news though. What we know about Bodie is that his body doesn't tolerate arrhythmias for long periods. He is ok with being in a faster heartrate about 50% of the time, as long as he is getting regular breaks from it. But when it lasts day in and day out with no break, we start to see behavior changes - he gets very easily frustrated with ANYTHING that doesn't go his way (as in, a zero frustration tolerance), very emotional, angry, very "triggery". just hard to deal with. Which makes sense, considering he's basically been on a constant adrenaline rush - none of us like that feeling. Well, he has been like that for months. And complaining off and on that he "felt yucky." But I didn't realize it was because he was in a near-constant arrhythmia (insert mommy guilt here).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Looking back, I am realizing I really noticed it starting last spring (probably April-ish - not so much of a coincidence), when he started complaining about how hard school was for him. Prior to that, he had been an excellent student. I talked regularly with his teachers, and we all decided that things just get harder in the latter part of 2nd grade, as more independent work is expected of the kids - and that was why he was struggling. And it totally seemed plausible.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's the thing with Bodie. He is such a complex kid. It's so hard to know at any given point what might cause a behavioral shift like that - is his heart failure worsening? Is all of the change (school closure, homeschool situation, etc.) just hard on a kid who needs routine? Is he not getting enough sleep? Is the undercurrent of stress running through our household too much for a kid who is very tuned into the emotions of those in his environment? Is he just hitting the wall that a lot of kids with heart defects ultimately hit in school, where we start to see the impact of years of oxygen deprivation on the processing speed of his brain? Or is he just being a defiant 8-year old and we need to push through it?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In short, we just don't know.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So we go one by one down the list until we figure it out.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In fact, the week before his appointment, I had him back at the therapist, for the first time in months, because I just didn't know how to help him.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As it turns out, I knew exactly how to help him.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just didn't know I knew.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And his EP knew.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He paced him out of that flutter and by the next morning (really, by later that evening), Bodie was a different kid.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's like we have our Bodie back.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's still tempermental from time to time, because, well, he's Bodie. And he's human.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But it's nothing like it was.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's manageable.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's SWEET and WANTS to help.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And he's HAPPY again. And engaged. And just Bodie again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been really quite unbelievable.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To say that we're grateful is an understatement.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't know how we (and he) got so lucky. But we will take it. Because we could use some good luck around these parts.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And thanks to the clean (well as clean as we're going to get) bill of health, we've gone full steam ahead with life!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bodie started Jujitsu 2 weeks ago and is over the moon about it. LOVES it. (Mostly loves that he'll learn some cool moves to fight his sister, but hey, I'll take what I can get!).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbK-GLTkRgxkIP_LqEpyhU_tWw6Ia9kVlfx4huEOj6pCb06ZuiiFfWMtbkHRFZav04MdmykjT4PzV_bgI8a3soTzp4BcfZVnzg9ti1DL7gyONdjE5NOp6ysS6prIywSC6Ad-5q5HDpT_V/s1600/20181018_180536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1045" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbK-GLTkRgxkIP_LqEpyhU_tWw6Ia9kVlfx4huEOj6pCb06ZuiiFfWMtbkHRFZav04MdmykjT4PzV_bgI8a3soTzp4BcfZVnzg9ti1DL7gyONdjE5NOp6ysS6prIywSC6Ad-5q5HDpT_V/s400/20181018_180536.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And Sierra has been swimming and just started basketball (gotta use that 5'2" height for something, right?) She adores it - this girl may just have found her sport!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we're fieldtripping like crazy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Last month we did the Aquarium of the Pacific (in Long Beach).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Last week we did the Natural History Museum</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7Dah6fkLPvpH0K_GMNH4wo6fN_EHzW36cCZxztlWVeuYgphERX_XRVfGzYMrL2zKh0-_75UuFgRQU2v6OF3vIOhJR_o4n5-wntr9TIkWW3F19M4Z6MKV2rJiqWo9uMuDBMJjtT6RHSNn/s1600/20181012_165414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7Dah6fkLPvpH0K_GMNH4wo6fN_EHzW36cCZxztlWVeuYgphERX_XRVfGzYMrL2zKh0-_75UuFgRQU2v6OF3vIOhJR_o4n5-wntr9TIkWW3F19M4Z6MKV2rJiqWo9uMuDBMJjtT6RHSNn/s400/20181012_165414.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66cqIuxuAR-MphjQsTqjsdmyC-Hs_wY1q57LFCzj6rlH1u-8IraZ84eZ6OuZrNRiptGWbfIcU75Jx0xSPyqoQn9BHrFSWC9PZ1HXe6nd7m5GMoGP9Y0ZEyzn2m6ZAkJ3ISgbIua8-HrAx/s1600/20181012_165331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66cqIuxuAR-MphjQsTqjsdmyC-Hs_wY1q57LFCzj6rlH1u-8IraZ84eZ6OuZrNRiptGWbfIcU75Jx0xSPyqoQn9BHrFSWC9PZ1HXe6nd7m5GMoGP9Y0ZEyzn2m6ZAkJ3ISgbIua8-HrAx/s400/20181012_165331.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Bodie brought his beloved water buffalo stuffed animals to say hello to his beloved water buffalo buddies at the NHM).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And yesterday, we did the Santa Barbara Zoo.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbio3FKzc6bwdGayBxxU-d9jWWLEM0UUyhAtpndNs2dv4RH5MMTH2PAd2ywr0MIFDGqTMa_k5c4B2GJts4vVO0yIZ90I4L0Ug5GT-VSeH8LSpfNoxlgwUg92BziTUO6RbelFwkT70wfP1g/s1600/20181018_152454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbio3FKzc6bwdGayBxxU-d9jWWLEM0UUyhAtpndNs2dv4RH5MMTH2PAd2ywr0MIFDGqTMa_k5c4B2GJts4vVO0yIZ90I4L0Ug5GT-VSeH8LSpfNoxlgwUg92BziTUO6RbelFwkT70wfP1g/s400/20181018_152454.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What a sweet little zoo - it was empty and we had so much fun!</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And Sierra just grew up. Like super fast.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyzNq3qo-QGuOlUZqvbzscLcvfiQCShxAEzdQIYmnxgfDa4bThFVsSEsokWXhuSF5bSNe5pw7X7Pk-o9ns5o_JZJZrduh0cXg3JuHQDnx2411l5CDs04S8omo8GIaGlC1mRhoI8goqrMI/s1600/20180923_130857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyzNq3qo-QGuOlUZqvbzscLcvfiQCShxAEzdQIYmnxgfDa4bThFVsSEsokWXhuSF5bSNe5pw7X7Pk-o9ns5o_JZJZrduh0cXg3JuHQDnx2411l5CDs04S8omo8GIaGlC1mRhoI8goqrMI/s400/20180923_130857.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How is that allowed?!?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, as they say, full steam ahead.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Into the holidays.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good thing that's not a busy time or anything.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>
Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-41324996583752767952018-08-27T21:48:00.001-07:002018-08-27T21:48:14.952-07:00Adventures in Homeschooling<div style="text-align: center;">
We are officially one week into our homeschooling journey and it's been, well, <i>interesting</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have to admit, I've had some "what the heck was I thinking" moments - like that moment I realized my kids just put up with the math and grammar to get to the science and history. <i>Which they clearly got from Dusk - I lived for English and Math. History? Not so much. And now I have to teach it? Ugh. Just ask my mom how much I "loved" social studies in elementary school.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we've definitely had moments of sadness as we're seeing pictures of their friends starting at new schools. For Sierra in particular, it's hard as many of the kiddos in her classes landed at the same school. She really misses them. And I miss their moms, my mom tribe.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And Bodie and I have definitely butted heads. That kid is so much like me. SO MUCH. And there's definitely a learning curve to mom being your teacher.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But already, the blessings of homeschooling are becoming so evident to me. I keep having these aha moments where I am given 100% certainty that we made the right choice.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like when the kiddos came home from their first day of enrichment academy. They LOVE it. As in, they don't want to leave at the end of the day and are over the moon at what they're learning. They are both developing a newfound love of math already, and are discovering there are multiple ways to learn things. Their eyes are definitely opened up and they're having a ball!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Moments like this morning, when we pulled out of our driveway to head to the enrichment academy. I looked to the left, at the insanely long line of cars waiting to turn left onto the main street by our house. The line we sat in 5 days a week for the last 6 years...and then I turned right. The traffic was light. Our drive was easy. We laughed. The pressure of the last 6 years is just...gone. It made me realize how much unnecessary stress we've added to our lives. And it made me so hopeful that this year will be exactly what we, as a family, need.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And maybe my biggest aha moment came on Thursday. Bodie had appointments in the pulmonary clinic at CHLA - all went well, and he thought being "trapped" in the Pulmonary Function Test box was hilarious.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHyCHWclAWyu3618SPg8OGHxhqeqLIZGHX1xNkphbKhJwJfSK4bmfg3lnF9ztqgiO_MRdRTqy71FEhPWms-gi601GKwXeK0aD8M3bsREiOpBnmmFW87wVPfkcOmKBmbEfLSIMn_LC80nr/s1600/20180823_095216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHyCHWclAWyu3618SPg8OGHxhqeqLIZGHX1xNkphbKhJwJfSK4bmfg3lnF9ztqgiO_MRdRTqy71FEhPWms-gi601GKwXeK0aD8M3bsREiOpBnmmFW87wVPfkcOmKBmbEfLSIMn_LC80nr/s400/20180823_095216.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On our way up to the hospital, I told the kids if they finished the work they brought with them (math and science), we could go out to lunch on the way home. On the weird route Waze sent us on, we passed a random park that looked super cool. So we decided we would stop there, too. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The kids finished their schoolwork while we were waiting for the doctor (most productive pulmonary appointment ever!). </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So we stopped by El Pollo Loco to grab some lunch to take to the park. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eKW6opTTz1gqKWApxSesduxciKobaInPb0r3ukpkfNQ0vH8zrmyiwVMet_vG9Fzbvpk_69g3tKFNk3qys2xJjHMkOUE48jbW0PpKdPYIRkhoO8F9BJBaNglqAICq3HVAhrDfip2AtAXl/s1600/20180823_120108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eKW6opTTz1gqKWApxSesduxciKobaInPb0r3ukpkfNQ0vH8zrmyiwVMet_vG9Fzbvpk_69g3tKFNk3qys2xJjHMkOUE48jbW0PpKdPYIRkhoO8F9BJBaNglqAICq3HVAhrDfip2AtAXl/s400/20180823_120108.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(watching them grill the chicken totally counts as Home Ec, amiright???)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then we stopped by that random park.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we ended up staying for almost 2 hours. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We wandered around, looking at all the different kinds of plants. We talked about the different kind of adaptations we saw.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the kids climbed trees. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTUq1qdGqin-AN_DP2frC6sVwLvfb2SRAfM76GE6R2Uq-SVPp7rmEH0fsvgI9jhFM_iQUTJ2Hsva9GRUGhiGSQDBJ7X76XqGCQqCXQ-qJwEBdk0Rm_7-mAb7piwfZEc6FlWD-lMiw4ov4/s1600/20180823_125225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTUq1qdGqin-AN_DP2frC6sVwLvfb2SRAfM76GE6R2Uq-SVPp7rmEH0fsvgI9jhFM_iQUTJ2Hsva9GRUGhiGSQDBJ7X76XqGCQqCXQ-qJwEBdk0Rm_7-mAb7piwfZEc6FlWD-lMiw4ov4/s400/20180823_125225.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then climbed some more.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTo41wfhH1dfJcd1O7KH0sWzg2M0Tgub4OwCM0CxmKX-Z7rZvSmVF3ZzmNWbU2tuTmycDH8SVFokydrZdHYZnLMBgG1YoqQza5S3Jugp_nsgJ1RetQg0fK8KqJ8shO6qMcrFGMIMkzSIu/s1600/20180823_125152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTo41wfhH1dfJcd1O7KH0sWzg2M0Tgub4OwCM0CxmKX-Z7rZvSmVF3ZzmNWbU2tuTmycDH8SVFokydrZdHYZnLMBgG1YoqQza5S3Jugp_nsgJ1RetQg0fK8KqJ8shO6qMcrFGMIMkzSIu/s400/20180823_125152.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Guys, my kids never climb trees. We just don't have the time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But last week, they climbed trees for 2 hours. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcZBUHch-cDOXV5Qa9SHNXxN7Qmtkx5iHr70oovAtTEqipQxlU3eQWkVQtP9K4YwPcQDYo57IVCt3gWLQWovf9c3dHNV3pqiZc8324adOHhd8aTwx6GhBEGtGMgPBWZewuspwPIS_5_sW/s1600/20180823_125534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcZBUHch-cDOXV5Qa9SHNXxN7Qmtkx5iHr70oovAtTEqipQxlU3eQWkVQtP9K4YwPcQDYo57IVCt3gWLQWovf9c3dHNV3pqiZc8324adOHhd8aTwx6GhBEGtGMgPBWZewuspwPIS_5_sW/s400/20180823_125534.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Homeschooling is helping my kids get some of their childhoods back. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Childhoods that were taken due to illness, heart attacks, hospital stays, burglaries, housefires, and so many other things we couldn't prevent. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But this, a moment to recapture parts of their childhood. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This much we can do. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>
Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-49702055491678595032018-08-20T10:24:00.006-07:002018-08-20T13:52:01.752-07:00The Curious Case of the Accidental, Intentional Homeschoolers<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOghcVU8QaQHzvxpBl3DCs_1JuV-0NB7FAaEyR6nr4MeAHZeUkp6DgSNnJpY2NjG54_Q0l5Y9Vva_HcQUojDZXungvoMZxLmHxMY97bPq7jtXDm_3D7j21oGSG43ZV4XJgApqgYVOmrjU/s1600/20180820_084450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOghcVU8QaQHzvxpBl3DCs_1JuV-0NB7FAaEyR6nr4MeAHZeUkp6DgSNnJpY2NjG54_Q0l5Y9Vva_HcQUojDZXungvoMZxLmHxMY97bPq7jtXDm_3D7j21oGSG43ZV4XJgApqgYVOmrjU/s400/20180820_084450.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Look ma, no uniforms!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The kids have been at the same school since kindergarten. We loved it. We built lifelong friendships. We loved the incredible teachers who poured their heart and souls into giving our kids a strong Biblical foundation for life. We loved the home it gave our kids, the calm in the midst of the myriad of the storms life has thrown at us in the last 8 years. We had anticipated both of the kids going there through 8th grade.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But sometimes God has other plans. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our school closed abruptly a few weeks ago. We were devastated. So many, many, many tears were shed. I had endless conversations with the other families, learning where their children would be going this year. And we looked halfheartedly at a few schools. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But nothing felt like the right fit. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After a lot of prayer and conversation, it became abundantly clear to Dusk and I that God was calling our family in a different direction, to homeschool. (Yes, you read that right!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is apparently a term for people like us - "<i>accidental homeschoolers." </i>People who end up homeschooling by virtue of circumstance, rather than choice. Except, in our case, it wasn't so accidental. It's always been at the back of my mind, and we considered it when we enrolled Sierra in kindergarten, but for a number of reasons, decided to go with traditional schooling at that time. I have always felt that God was calling us to homeschool, but just <i>not yet</i>. I always felt there would be a time where it would be right - but I always envisioned I'd have more than 2 weeks notice when that happened! But God has a great sense of humor.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So yes, we're homeschooling for this coming year - and maybe beyond. Wherever God calls us. We're actually doing a hybrid approach to homeschooling, where they'll be going to a homeschool enrichment academy 2 days a week (1 started today) and then home with me the rest of the time. Since I work part-time, it's the best of both worlds for us - everyone gets a break to regroup, and we get extra help and support in the subject areas we'll need. And I get to teach the rest!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, let's just get your questions out of the way (because I know you have 'em):</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>But how will they socialize? </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
School isn't the only place kids get to socialize! We have several friends homeschooling as well and we'll be doing fieldtrips and meetups with them regularly. And the kids will be seeing other kids at the enrichment academy. And we'll definitely be trying our hand at organized sports this year, since we'll have more time to!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>You mean, you're going to be with them, like 24/7? </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, yes and no. I mean, they're my kids and I like being with them. Isn't that sort of the point of getting married and becoming a parent, because you plan to make and raise human beings you enjoy being around? I've never been one of those parents counting down the days until school starts. I've always been sad when school starts and miss the kids terribly. That said, because we're doing a hybrid option, they'll be in "school" 2 days as week. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Are you seriously going to teach them? Are you capable of it?</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, thanks for the vote of confidence. But I'm pretty sure I can handle it. I mean, I have my BS, my JD and my CPA. I'm pretty sure I can handle teaching an 8 year old and an 11 year old. Could I teach an entire classroom? No, of course not - I didn't go to school for that, I haven't studied the best approaches to classroom management, etc. But, I know my kids best and I know how they learn best. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Aren't homeschoolers weird loners with no social skills?</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Right, because everyone knows there's no weird, loner kids lacking social skills in public or private schools. Enough said on that point.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Aren't there good schools you can choose from? </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of course. And we loved our school experience. Both of our kids thrived. But our school was unique - it gave our incredibly creative kids the chance to use their creativity and to learn at their own pace. For us, for now, the best option by far is this hybrid homeschool option. I cannot explain the sense of peace I have felt since we made this decision. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>But why????? </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We feel God has called us to this for a number of reasons. There are so many things we want to focus on this year. Besides discipling the kids, perhaps the biggest is just to SLOW DOWN. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The last few years have been such a mad rush of "hurry, hurry, hurry" to go do something and then "hurry, hurry, hurry" some more. Living in a city is hard. It's so easy to get on the hamster wheel and not even realize the years are flying by. The time we do get to spend as a family has been limited and weaved with an undercurrent of stress and anxiety. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
God has been nudging me for the last year to make changes. He has been reminding me that our stress levels are too high, that our priorities are misplaced, that we only get one shot at this raising kids thing and we need to make sure we're doing it right. So this is our chance to heed His call, to step off the wheel, to slow down, to focus on us as a family. This is really giving us back a gift of time. Time to be with ourselves and each other. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We're excited and we're ready. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4Vlo12gc5MD1Ku8spU2pqm9Ec9HCBKbbFTIxp86hNun_UXlFsLe4hRexLC8LrrUwaaL5dtfplsKDpnOBRoRbMwoMui7KRo8jytqze8McIHrbK_h3g8UAPbwzeD-NgWXZqu-Ay6PfIo8t/s1600/20180820_084246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4Vlo12gc5MD1Ku8spU2pqm9Ec9HCBKbbFTIxp86hNun_UXlFsLe4hRexLC8LrrUwaaL5dtfplsKDpnOBRoRbMwoMui7KRo8jytqze8McIHrbK_h3g8UAPbwzeD-NgWXZqu-Ay6PfIo8t/s400/20180820_084246.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">(Dusk doesn't technically start school until next Monday, but I couldn't resist the urge to throw him in with the kids today!)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">Everyone's got mad goals...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKZMGClxiir82pvRGYT6HU8wmCPVKf2jdaku-GDddQKa-pIAASLESQBgC5cuz-OPzd13fX5jEkZPgkoGhyRA8Vr2ztQRf3qJYV4oWbHCjt8JsQNk68HeHJq0qeEpkcvOFao7hMKwK4AZm/s1600/20180820_084255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKZMGClxiir82pvRGYT6HU8wmCPVKf2jdaku-GDddQKa-pIAASLESQBgC5cuz-OPzd13fX5jEkZPgkoGhyRA8Vr2ztQRf3qJYV4oWbHCjt8JsQNk68HeHJq0qeEpkcvOFao7hMKwK4AZm/s400/20180820_084255.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkmNE4IGa9o-cTMTtik_JztQtIFu45l2N2xtdX6wXwIawLkJstYBH4tclGk1ardpOYuPuQI1yiemwCiPW0k1H5BDhkAdij7Af6SqVbWt5mULKlP0w4PnUdQgMSnyc9hdu45FLwqaDteT1/s1600/20180820_084323%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkmNE4IGa9o-cTMTtik_JztQtIFu45l2N2xtdX6wXwIawLkJstYBH4tclGk1ardpOYuPuQI1yiemwCiPW0k1H5BDhkAdij7Af6SqVbWt5mULKlP0w4PnUdQgMSnyc9hdu45FLwqaDteT1/s400/20180820_084323%25280%2529.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCU-1FhczoswX4WZK-Pfd_emi64Qkyz7hn6WOsrE6970ogo0TYqykNu9kpNpnPu-PO6GjJ417h16PSeCYT9OlkYa_bOcJG8OBXIU4T-weklKMsXbxlGY_zifNQacVA2k039dlFYpUtl0Az/s1600/20180820_084349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCU-1FhczoswX4WZK-Pfd_emi64Qkyz7hn6WOsrE6970ogo0TYqykNu9kpNpnPu-PO6GjJ417h16PSeCYT9OlkYa_bOcJG8OBXIU4T-weklKMsXbxlGY_zifNQacVA2k039dlFYpUtl0Az/s400/20180820_084349.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Did I mention we're excited?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdlseOMXpAwCs6yW2UXUspuQbW2dLoPITGCIDB9I6ndNRy_27keLDsDacF0GoJYsy0voaAVXuoMqfasvCFsI6oA_6yHESmhkg3zmavwo08YKfq_ifBE6Ab3GaHvnbAIB2Y5eeETLjLxC_/s1600/20180820_084423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="983" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdlseOMXpAwCs6yW2UXUspuQbW2dLoPITGCIDB9I6ndNRy_27keLDsDacF0GoJYsy0voaAVXuoMqfasvCFsI6oA_6yHESmhkg3zmavwo08YKfq_ifBE6Ab3GaHvnbAIB2Y5eeETLjLxC_/s400/20180820_084423.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ykih19yUMzXifCQJUB4oDkvlqD4tisVzqoI1gUdFhnakb2mgZRDdMj7nuHpH4zZZajhHGDMYtjhHZ149i_60VRdGeywdj6Z2gcnQBa0JvayMG3eHO7yJ4xIhuEqN3cJ3IgcKCHW8Ny97/s1600/20180820_084429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1150" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ykih19yUMzXifCQJUB4oDkvlqD4tisVzqoI1gUdFhnakb2mgZRDdMj7nuHpH4zZZajhHGDMYtjhHZ149i_60VRdGeywdj6Z2gcnQBa0JvayMG3eHO7yJ4xIhuEqN3cJ3IgcKCHW8Ny97/s400/20180820_084429.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We covet your prayers in this new journey we're embarking on.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I know there will be bad days. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But I also know there will be really amazing days.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Most importantly, I know we're heeding God's call.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And there's nothing like the peace in that. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>
Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-25358682328071463492018-05-11T22:14:00.002-07:002018-05-11T22:25:32.725-07:00Tears...the really good kind.<div style="text-align: center;">
Today was the kids' annual FundRun at school. Physical stuff is tough for Bodie. Last year's run was especially tough for Bodie, as his heart failure was really kicking him in the butt. He only made it a couple of laps in before the frustration set in, where he noticed his own limitations as his peers lapped him. He managed to make it 70 laps last year, with several laps piggy backed or carried by mom to hit that mark, but there were some tears shed along the way. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wasn't sure what to expect this year. He seems to be feeling better physically, although little has changed with his actual heart failure since last year. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But this kid. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6VuOMtx8CJ2jERQFWC4184jwU5phz_5Op77Kt0Caj61bDGqjL64eXMOTJGNpxg2Uwg64IkwU6reCoy2Q0WRSFu_yHy4F_offl0aRw84EAOXQDod3ms_v0JHUW-8mUJHw9Y0Xf_-m7pkB/s1600/20180511_144131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6VuOMtx8CJ2jERQFWC4184jwU5phz_5Op77Kt0Caj61bDGqjL64eXMOTJGNpxg2Uwg64IkwU6reCoy2Q0WRSFu_yHy4F_offl0aRw84EAOXQDod3ms_v0JHUW-8mUJHw9Y0Xf_-m7pkB/s400/20180511_144131.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He never ceases to amaze me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today, he ran/walked 121 laps.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOl54RkmUAtlNnlRexapYYy138zBb4JHPe8o7X1_F2O-hIn99diVgQ0drAExnlDFSmDz9G-talnf_pTHZviLykGCin1-zkOFL05e5bi8QrnspLytvK6nFnLQU1m2NChU7xWsYi39o4-5pZ/s1600/20180511_142451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOl54RkmUAtlNnlRexapYYy138zBb4JHPe8o7X1_F2O-hIn99diVgQ0drAExnlDFSmDz9G-talnf_pTHZviLykGCin1-zkOFL05e5bi8QrnspLytvK6nFnLQU1m2NChU7xWsYi39o4-5pZ/s400/20180511_142451.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
121 freaking laps.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All by himself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I ran with him for some laps.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I chased him for some of those laps.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I did not carry him for a single lap.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did not piggy back him for a single lap.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaMrJiWMYUE8BS-p-lHjIRtVhz2y3ZAN1tBv8rkQhcDPJr35SmRQgXvN2B4HhrXsXYFXYBYmcgpw6kFDzNqnYioY3okK1_y-mhpO-muIW2xFfoChy2BkEekBRLaMg7FjTWtmDuyC62slC/s1600/20180511_140938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaMrJiWMYUE8BS-p-lHjIRtVhz2y3ZAN1tBv8rkQhcDPJr35SmRQgXvN2B4HhrXsXYFXYBYmcgpw6kFDzNqnYioY3okK1_y-mhpO-muIW2xFfoChy2BkEekBRLaMg7FjTWtmDuyC62slC/s400/20180511_140938.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know, right? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I honestly don't know how he did it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With his degree of heart failure, he should not have been able to come even close to that.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And yet he did.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Earlier today, a teacher asked me whether I choked up every time I watched Bodie run. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The answer is that yes, I totally do. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because he shouldn't be able to do this, any of it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have gotten really good at stuffing it down and compartmentalizing, because, well, who wants their mom crying every single time they freaking run?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not my kid.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But the tears, they're all there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tonight, when I was telling Bodie how proud I was, he asked me about the tears in my eyes, about whether they meant I was sad.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No, bud. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not even close.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just so proud I can't find the right words. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So the tears will have to do.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And if we're talking about pride, let me mention this girlie here, with one of her besties, Rhiannon.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHXzD9nJOx2EC2EeaUvfGbYd6uGEJ7myIWXqNr9PxbmRP5j-ELXqLyqF6bl_jgnsSAs-YIfXKodAy3iDHaERFfsZLaGuud_p4qRsqFM2EO10wNCFFhFekYyggW0KXWEE6KKCRMAwC2CsR/s1600/20180511_144208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHXzD9nJOx2EC2EeaUvfGbYd6uGEJ7myIWXqNr9PxbmRP5j-ELXqLyqF6bl_jgnsSAs-YIfXKodAy3iDHaERFfsZLaGuud_p4qRsqFM2EO10wNCFFhFekYyggW0KXWEE6KKCRMAwC2CsR/s400/20180511_144208.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She was on the bigger track for the first time and was a bit nervous.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's just say our family hasn't exactly been blessed with athletic abilities, regardless of cardiac status.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But this girl, she blew me away today. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She ran and ran and ran.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then ran some more.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And logged more laps than most of the girls out there. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And had the hugest smile on her face the whole time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maybe there's a track star in there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or maybe just a dreamer who loves to run.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Either way, we'll take it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh, and if you're looking for other reasons I love that kid, I blogged about her recently for BluntMoms.com - you can find it here - <a href="http://www.bluntmoms.com/my-tween-and-me-and-our-adhd/" target="_blank">My Tween and Me and our ADHD</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>
Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-48066609494999538202018-04-15T22:13:00.001-07:002018-04-15T22:13:40.525-07:00Spring Break Shenanigans<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_guXE_dMRn32UIsBacettssQbHLSgdmvzG5VMNDZtmwSbf-ewHUAT1DDccqRSO1jsB7_q5Yqf1p97Zr8bmajrZN9u5Y4-NwWgk4dclZJKgsbwPHLjKmvITiMNTigTGoxE4haYxUEPQgE/s1600/20180403_181632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_guXE_dMRn32UIsBacettssQbHLSgdmvzG5VMNDZtmwSbf-ewHUAT1DDccqRSO1jsB7_q5Yqf1p97Zr8bmajrZN9u5Y4-NwWgk4dclZJKgsbwPHLjKmvITiMNTigTGoxE4haYxUEPQgE/s400/20180403_181632.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">The week after Easter, Bodie had two appointments at Stanford, helpfully scheduled 3 days apart from one another. Since it was Spring Break, we decided to make the most of it and make a fun vacation out of it. And did we ever!</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We spent our first night with Gigi and Popo before heading up to Palo Alto.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7dC4MC56wnVMOU1zzMkjfaQ8uiaLiDooy6OqCxyBhj6l-GW5AHaDJiQmzNwVDhQCL25nwnJfgAwPDmVHqSjGst8OrivkG0tJixZJy8RCC9JAXUxE3Kwph-6xV6UDL9qCIdkFI7hyPL8n/s1600/20180402_175736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7dC4MC56wnVMOU1zzMkjfaQ8uiaLiDooy6OqCxyBhj6l-GW5AHaDJiQmzNwVDhQCL25nwnJfgAwPDmVHqSjGst8OrivkG0tJixZJy8RCC9JAXUxE3Kwph-6xV6UDL9qCIdkFI7hyPL8n/s400/20180402_175736.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9c1VZMvgy3uYfNvOnL2sWxsu910KWYoUo4swU5bwxQxvLBvU964ILO5-laUkwK-H_mAW1ZUK0W9vJu9ZGvOU0P0KeYzaJe47bmABY_5sUc1VwVR4cxbdYjk4I3DvzwwqpoH0-i-uViPc/s1600/20180402_175746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9c1VZMvgy3uYfNvOnL2sWxsu910KWYoUo4swU5bwxQxvLBvU964ILO5-laUkwK-H_mAW1ZUK0W9vJu9ZGvOU0P0KeYzaJe47bmABY_5sUc1VwVR4cxbdYjk4I3DvzwwqpoH0-i-uViPc/s400/20180402_175746.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Up at Stanford, Bodie got a fantastic report from the heart failure team. In probably my favorite quote ever from a practitioner, the doctor noticed Bodie's energy level and said </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"If we can't catch him, we're not going to list him for transplant." </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We will SO take that! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbCcFv9Gd_blXM3RbhBZ2gk9SdavvxKC-D6P7mBJNjxUihlXV2_QS1npsdGgNsKzPBx23_zgLLyhXKhFvHOukYmb9mljlATQwx4vXn-6tISvWfCzNqwz2CxWC8GawqPHsmimEZYDaFQ4I/s1600/20180403_135821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbCcFv9Gd_blXM3RbhBZ2gk9SdavvxKC-D6P7mBJNjxUihlXV2_QS1npsdGgNsKzPBx23_zgLLyhXKhFvHOukYmb9mljlATQwx4vXn-6tISvWfCzNqwz2CxWC8GawqPHsmimEZYDaFQ4I/s400/20180403_135821.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Barring any changes, we don't need to go back to Stanford for a year, which is really exciting. We do know that children Bodie's age and with his anatomy typically have long wait times once they're on the list (3-4 years + is not out of the norm), so if all goes to plan, he will likely still look pretty good when we list him. Our plan is to list him before he actually needs the new heart, so that he'll have time to wait for it. But the time to list isn't yet. So, for now, we enjoy life, and pray for guidance on when that time comes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We spent the rest of that day exploring the incredible new grounds and children's hospital at Stanford. It's so beautiful! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNFnGmVXvoCfehbnCfcM6GrQoqMtg0ap1cMVBNwnjJrEDBA4Sj07tFFDfssk_jrbMQF4TCgZ2sm1eh8umxQbgB3Y1mByUxvgrBv09JOs8hEQnKKENX1ERQkqnYDZphyphenhyphenwyDd_NKPoJ1QCq/s1600/20180403_140043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNFnGmVXvoCfehbnCfcM6GrQoqMtg0ap1cMVBNwnjJrEDBA4Sj07tFFDfssk_jrbMQF4TCgZ2sm1eh8umxQbgB3Y1mByUxvgrBv09JOs8hEQnKKENX1ERQkqnYDZphyphenhyphenwyDd_NKPoJ1QCq/s400/20180403_140043.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0N4wUki309uIhCYVqRUCseYmkMoyhb_TmCOPLflWniOUspwEMDLOiXkzDbREjnTP69iFJAcR_Lzui9Tl_t2bEjfMcRejbQC6756zjMR4Bw1dYohsoLV3KQGcUOVCO7gLQSNC1T6w9wbn/s1600/20180403_140725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0N4wUki309uIhCYVqRUCseYmkMoyhb_TmCOPLflWniOUspwEMDLOiXkzDbREjnTP69iFJAcR_Lzui9Tl_t2bEjfMcRejbQC6756zjMR4Bw1dYohsoLV3KQGcUOVCO7gLQSNC1T6w9wbn/s400/20180403_140725.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From there, we headed to our hotel in Capitola (just south of Santa Cruz), where we stayed for the next 3 nights. It's so beautiful there!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAT1tzzydrzl74aa2L5A1V1WoCP19l6KYw8clQ1hfHh3H5_qjOYKgdkQRbJF7YvThH92_10hc1BNZwAOczwMfLu0Re_hHC4Eps_f5LQByZVOSzsdY-nVi5SP_ijaglVPBTe451nd2Upwa/s1600/20180403_175806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAT1tzzydrzl74aa2L5A1V1WoCP19l6KYw8clQ1hfHh3H5_qjOYKgdkQRbJF7YvThH92_10hc1BNZwAOczwMfLu0Re_hHC4Eps_f5LQByZVOSzsdY-nVi5SP_ijaglVPBTe451nd2Upwa/s400/20180403_175806.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
During our time there, we met up with our close friends, the Briends, for some Boardwalk shenanigans.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Cs6M9bsJqDbyFoWypFL8yrifYlS1VDil5p5itmU1O2PpYVqSHuW2S1HKVp5SbRbJHNkPysssazY2Pm5N8IgncadBT36_HSxbFuwaxXzMW09s4Z_WWFURuarn0vYlAVtcfkpP0rzepCXp/s1600/20180404_181746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Cs6M9bsJqDbyFoWypFL8yrifYlS1VDil5p5itmU1O2PpYVqSHuW2S1HKVp5SbRbJHNkPysssazY2Pm5N8IgncadBT36_HSxbFuwaxXzMW09s4Z_WWFURuarn0vYlAVtcfkpP0rzepCXp/s400/20180404_181746.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TfWRrqzu1KKfGZqTOALXBXPF1tcIyguRWPqcnqBv8HmHJYdt17Ms2t7EkzthE7Cx8w287bgAll8hwM_WKRiXQTfdrypomZE9dNvxfbodxEmyXax_ePvn8cif9fMBvJ-AancC1GJhU0QY/s1600/20180404_162638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TfWRrqzu1KKfGZqTOALXBXPF1tcIyguRWPqcnqBv8HmHJYdt17Ms2t7EkzthE7Cx8w287bgAll8hwM_WKRiXQTfdrypomZE9dNvxfbodxEmyXax_ePvn8cif9fMBvJ-AancC1GJhU0QY/s400/20180404_162638.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I mean, SERIOUS shenanigans. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78GoCUtG5jt9H8HCDpH1m65c7PMLM9JoRGW5afui9TxWIwMypjbVxO_cBHPEtVUFwewE3XNCMjFNlQvTu4BmN6g4IDmKuOxjOvTxfFUwHlIQouJGzHQOnEuW7umWDFNJtW0JPiMxGzmUr/s1600/29790858_10215686613186145_5281578713822841315_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78GoCUtG5jt9H8HCDpH1m65c7PMLM9JoRGW5afui9TxWIwMypjbVxO_cBHPEtVUFwewE3XNCMjFNlQvTu4BmN6g4IDmKuOxjOvTxfFUwHlIQouJGzHQOnEuW7umWDFNJtW0JPiMxGzmUr/s400/29790858_10215686613186145_5281578713822841315_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I cannot begin to explain how grateful I am for this family and their sweet little dude, Tyler. He has HLHS like Bodie and they're probably two of the most complicated heart kiddos Stanford has seen lately. They give everyone a run for their money. But the day at the Boardwalk, they were just two little boys, having the time of their lives. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-A7Y6IK3WaTJj6iUavT_tQLE7xrwxl09cZ3o6cxaOZl7R1xd-_uxRdr5_YbGDZoomkfM5o-2dYyGX-Wrn0aevADoB9W58i-PyrP1xSZ9Hs7WN0fXwFEK93UMKVp7Nw0WTbSNqfx7HdFE4/s1600/29793409_10160267961935357_3407775237608046592_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-A7Y6IK3WaTJj6iUavT_tQLE7xrwxl09cZ3o6cxaOZl7R1xd-_uxRdr5_YbGDZoomkfM5o-2dYyGX-Wrn0aevADoB9W58i-PyrP1xSZ9Hs7WN0fXwFEK93UMKVp7Nw0WTbSNqfx7HdFE4/s400/29793409_10160267961935357_3407775237608046592_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There is so much joy in watching these boys, and Jennie, Tyler's mom, is incredible. She is the funniest, most compassionate wise-cracking mom I know. And she makes me feel less alone in this journey. There is so much power in walking together. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They mastered all the rides they were tall enough for.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And Sierra and I caught a few crazier rides (one of which snapped something in my shoulder that hurt for a week afterwards - riding roller coasters at 41, I'm pretty sure that's that would be "my brain writing checks my body can't cash").</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And I have the dubious honor of having lost Tyler's hat on this ride, requiring the sweet maintenance man to climb all the way up there and get it </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62H9-ceMrqdlNz4C3tuzIbqR2x3KJBLTe5-9OLEOLAggJmfVojVpC7A31zqk-8inj-zoYo4lj2jkrfsqNlEM5_ZttI4-Sv8H5xPSojh79Wluw9Dyj_wHWsZW1hqgeWa2oQzpfy5IQOuNR/s1600/20180404_210157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62H9-ceMrqdlNz4C3tuzIbqR2x3KJBLTe5-9OLEOLAggJmfVojVpC7A31zqk-8inj-zoYo4lj2jkrfsqNlEM5_ZttI4-Sv8H5xPSojh79Wluw9Dyj_wHWsZW1hqgeWa2oQzpfy5IQOuNR/s400/20180404_210157.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(meanwhile, pretending like I <totally> had no idea who had done that, as the ride was shut down and people were leaving the line.) It was super awesome. Really.</totally></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After wearing ourselves out on the Boardwalk, we met up with the Briends the next day to take a train tide up into the Redwoods.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was absolutely breathtaking!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdelj4VAy6VA1RtsGnTzwj4hJ2Z_5ipfjL5NiwWOqwbT59ZZAXsbE5hIStgiPeonCP9sus4Fmaj_t4U3oYFui0xkdTqpT-oGdKiiLIfgkUzG87XYzDZbuLu_LiPMbzjTJqZr4WTriva2Fq/s1600/20180405_115217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdelj4VAy6VA1RtsGnTzwj4hJ2Z_5ipfjL5NiwWOqwbT59ZZAXsbE5hIStgiPeonCP9sus4Fmaj_t4U3oYFui0xkdTqpT-oGdKiiLIfgkUzG87XYzDZbuLu_LiPMbzjTJqZr4WTriva2Fq/s400/20180405_115217.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was HANDS DOWN my favorite part of Spring Break! So so so fun!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wGWZh5gwYFjq1ntitbhcjw6k6p0kd0s99Ue_OwztYZpMbdZhYx2v8W6bGmHHQxTjYpDkSnoHvHoKLDFLIhx7HBIhQ3HkTV4ueBwN4XNrD8S4PDiz-_IcrOfMmlZeXr99rhZi3sgnc-pb/s1600/20180405_115446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wGWZh5gwYFjq1ntitbhcjw6k6p0kd0s99Ue_OwztYZpMbdZhYx2v8W6bGmHHQxTjYpDkSnoHvHoKLDFLIhx7HBIhQ3HkTV4ueBwN4XNrD8S4PDiz-_IcrOfMmlZeXr99rhZi3sgnc-pb/s400/20180405_115446.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRlSiPFAjesay7bgmZNCrp4ecVSnYtuYx_qg6jLYPziZO_8cgprf3fdHikU35ostISIB0wFsnKGatQEd4COB6I2qlsYY8LUdDsCM7S_NstoJnFppYBkdQtYZB9HAsg8Si0kPZrGn8j6zm/s1600/20180405_115404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRlSiPFAjesay7bgmZNCrp4ecVSnYtuYx_qg6jLYPziZO_8cgprf3fdHikU35ostISIB0wFsnKGatQEd4COB6I2qlsYY8LUdDsCM7S_NstoJnFppYBkdQtYZB9HAsg8Si0kPZrGn8j6zm/s400/20180405_115404.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiu6j05aMvJDL3AV_UTyBnAPeBIvJ50N8SZUFoM9_648AQjIvKuZifXo4X3POsSCRjdKoHiH3W-vP6nANoYNI3fXa7QFFlQ7dpEVJquzj_rMgM6UWPU_riU4NVtvr5357aRNZa4U0F-0B5/s1600/20180405_115527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiu6j05aMvJDL3AV_UTyBnAPeBIvJ50N8SZUFoM9_648AQjIvKuZifXo4X3POsSCRjdKoHiH3W-vP6nANoYNI3fXa7QFFlQ7dpEVJquzj_rMgM6UWPU_riU4NVtvr5357aRNZa4U0F-0B5/s400/20180405_115527.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivahgaobZAd0iIEhJ7k_rEPTgfSTFJxzKKs58I494pLZsJ4lzmf306hfEyvkrmpDwz-j0a8jrcwYpqTEoC3niZ6VFyyDE_3Vc9WYujhQt8xaCtm3a4-sd-8oZ9gdiAc_33CklVVWiD04QK/s1600/20180405_124909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivahgaobZAd0iIEhJ7k_rEPTgfSTFJxzKKs58I494pLZsJ4lzmf306hfEyvkrmpDwz-j0a8jrcwYpqTEoC3niZ6VFyyDE_3Vc9WYujhQt8xaCtm3a4-sd-8oZ9gdiAc_33CklVVWiD04QK/s400/20180405_124909.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then the boys played hockey, ran circles around each other until Tyler's oxygen got disconnected, and Tyler got a bloody nose. All in like 2 hours. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's too bad these kids with HLHS have no energy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After our Santa Cruz shenanigans, we headed back to Stanford for Day 2 of appointments, this time for several hours of nuerodevelopmental testing. We don't have the official report yet, but lots of interesting information discovered that we're processing. I'm so grateful this type of testing is becoming more common for our CHD kids, as they are at such a high risk of learning disabilities and academic struggles.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We then headed back to Gigi and Popo's for a couple of nights. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We rode golf carts</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeN4qtCeFCD3cvMT9dNxCVPuFauK0b8TYqgl1OGtpTEl8NCShtf-eRSeuw-4vVlObWhQ3MzmonifAuZoS3hVEJiNqUTTsdLAxKBTh9nt90rjl9AoLA66YdaqVh9g8WdRfja2nbIgwN0o8/s1600/20180408_151433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeN4qtCeFCD3cvMT9dNxCVPuFauK0b8TYqgl1OGtpTEl8NCShtf-eRSeuw-4vVlObWhQ3MzmonifAuZoS3hVEJiNqUTTsdLAxKBTh9nt90rjl9AoLA66YdaqVh9g8WdRfja2nbIgwN0o8/s400/20180408_151433.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We went out to lunch with Judy, who has always been like a second mom to me. I am so grateful my kids love her as much as I do!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzwJNe4Yblv6XnkMSgxO3m1jh-bHTvBt4mROg5fPg2CFIkt_oUKhnkeUnDwvOxm-ExBwCSQxq16qbjVeA31g_ve-WMjDEAyatFMUVUUacZq6dJmgP7Fz1_GY45NIL0KTUs11SYQzlp40d/s1600/20180408_130737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzwJNe4Yblv6XnkMSgxO3m1jh-bHTvBt4mROg5fPg2CFIkt_oUKhnkeUnDwvOxm-ExBwCSQxq16qbjVeA31g_ve-WMjDEAyatFMUVUUacZq6dJmgP7Fz1_GY45NIL0KTUs11SYQzlp40d/s400/20180408_130737.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Finally, we caught the cocktail hour at the local dog park and the kids were in Heaven. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuLWw8EBbOEQO20ssdOr7HfoYaXKUGNAW4YxWhP0L0TziGojnwxQLqsq6TPK0iFKtbNpBtUIRlEVHU9lRezq9z7vD1NC2IGg3bci5ChnIAbtEcy1ahAP_ZnrA5UWCfQvJZ3WMujXaOyjm/s1600/20180408_170552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuLWw8EBbOEQO20ssdOr7HfoYaXKUGNAW4YxWhP0L0TziGojnwxQLqsq6TPK0iFKtbNpBtUIRlEVHU9lRezq9z7vD1NC2IGg3bci5ChnIAbtEcy1ahAP_ZnrA5UWCfQvJZ3WMujXaOyjm/s400/20180408_170552.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All in all, this Spring Break was a smashing success.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are so beyond grateful that Bodie is doing so well that doctor's appointments were just a small part of Spring break, not the focus of the entire week!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QAzIB6rZknSS2yFe91jlUu_EKiJbWV1Fg0ufLJfv-J9Woir8LLH-OajtLCmM5KuwLbE7jo0UyGsfcCpoS3QFAid-zlLDjqTWZKzreWsLTVOuju0XskIRljg0rco9E8f3Y2aIo_com-hT/s1600/20180403_181637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QAzIB6rZknSS2yFe91jlUu_EKiJbWV1Fg0ufLJfv-J9Woir8LLH-OajtLCmM5KuwLbE7jo0UyGsfcCpoS3QFAid-zlLDjqTWZKzreWsLTVOuju0XskIRljg0rco9E8f3Y2aIo_com-hT/s400/20180403_181637.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>
Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411742878167645288.post-28171957843811087992018-03-22T23:30:00.001-07:002018-03-22T23:30:18.265-07:00Just so we're all on the same page...<div style="text-align: center;">
So, we have this family friend. This guy who is at our home almost weekly. In LA, that sort of makes you like inner-inner-inner <i>you know all our secrets</i> sanctum. So, this dude knows us and the kids reallllllly well. And we all love him. Anyway, he was over last weekend and says to Dusk "So, like, Bodie's done with all his surgeries and stuff, right?" </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For reals, guys. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm pretty sure my head started spinning. Like straight out of exorcist spinning. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I mean, how can someone who knows Bodie so well not understand the gravity of his situation?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After I picked my jaw up off the floor and my head stopped spinning, we sat down and explained that no, he is not done and that he is actually in severe heart failure and his next step is transplant. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our friend was genuinely surprised. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Which should give you a pretty darn good idea of just how good Bodie looks from the outside. Someone who knows him really really well didn't even realize the extent of his heart failure. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(By the way, I feel comfortable sharing this story here because the dude doesn't read the blog. Obvi. And, if I somehow guilted him into it by way of our conversation last weekend, um, sorry? But he shouldn't feel bad - B looks so good he fools a lot of people these days.) </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But, I digress. Bodie looks good from the outside. REALLY GOOD. His energy is great, he's eating us out of house and home and generally being the funny, ornery Bodie we all know and love. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But with these heart kids, looks can be deceiving. They can compensate <i>reallllllllly</i> well. So, suffice it to say, I was pretty nervous heading into today's appointments with the heart failure and electrophysiology doctors. We were hopeful he would look stable on the inside, but didn't know what to expect.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Honestly, today's appointment couldn't have gone better. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Ok, that's a lie - his heart could have magically improved back to normal, he could have regrown the missing half of his heart, we could have won the lottery on the way in, etc. But, in terms of things that might have actually happened today, it could not have gone better.)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
**His BNP (measure of heart inflammation as a result of his heart failure) is even lower than last time - it's at 25, which is considered low-normal. That is pretty astounding.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
**His heart itself is smaller (less stressed and inflamed) than it has been since right after his last surgery. These side by side x-rays kind of blew me away. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYQLlrl8_haQlAMg0ORVbiuHLItNyGh8sgAckdeLgXjga5cjVyMefhvDz7TfczmjhhVdP3tEwzZ0_P9aX10JtN-5J6D7-twvyg0BCdJlTiyounSRwCtr4OLnNh8_QgyC7tzQSO4BvD2zv/s1600/20180322_160236_LI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYQLlrl8_haQlAMg0ORVbiuHLItNyGh8sgAckdeLgXjga5cjVyMefhvDz7TfczmjhhVdP3tEwzZ0_P9aX10JtN-5J6D7-twvyg0BCdJlTiyounSRwCtr4OLnNh8_QgyC7tzQSO4BvD2zv/s400/20180322_160236_LI.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The one on the right was taken in August of 2016. The one on the left was taken today. His lungs are crystal clear and his heart is taking up less space in his chest cavity. Plus, his pacemaker just looks super cool on the bottom left. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
**His echo showed a tiny bit of improvement. Small, but definite improvement. Every appointment has been sort of a "maybe I could convince myself there is a tiny bit of improvement" conversation. But this time, there was a legit improvement. A tiny improvement, but enough of an improvement for his symptoms to really abate. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
**His rhythm is about the same as it was last time. He's in an abnormal rhythm approximately 50% of the time, which is pretty consistent with his last appointment. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The best news? Assuming the Zio Patch monitor we put on today doesn't show anything alarming, we got a six month pass until we have to go back. A SIX MONTH PASS, peeps. In the world of heart failure, this is huge. I honestly didn't even know kids in heart failure got six month passes between appointments. Of course, if anything changes, we'll bring him in sooner, but it's nice to not have to go in sooner.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today was a very good day. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's still in severe heart failure. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He will still need a transplant. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Much sooner than we wanted or expected.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is still no surgery they can do to avoid transplant. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is still no other medical option other than transplant. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He is still on a boatload of medications (<b>8</b> <b>serious heart meds</b>, to be exact) to keep his symptoms at bay.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just so we're all on the same page here.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But, for right now, we're good. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's not listed for transplant yet. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's happy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's thriving. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's just a regular second grader, obsessed with Legos and spiders and farts. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are so grateful for this respite between medical emergencies. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We'll take it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because we can get pictures like these.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is Bodie with Dr. Anoop. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59brzIcsNP1_ZrO5Fj_w5Sa3Nx7dBh1NV64vnrXmaloJp3mRQ0AwMbBeXOnpFUt5fsL14K18ESeWF2l-XVz3AgvdyOeTmSy7MMkK4UojKwDL8Ys27CqkT0Bne5jSwiRMS0nOWhOMnmxkp/s1600/20180322_142802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59brzIcsNP1_ZrO5Fj_w5Sa3Nx7dBh1NV64vnrXmaloJp3mRQ0AwMbBeXOnpFUt5fsL14K18ESeWF2l-XVz3AgvdyOeTmSy7MMkK4UojKwDL8Ys27CqkT0Bne5jSwiRMS0nOWhOMnmxkp/s400/20180322_142802.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dr. Anoop was there with us on the night we almost lost Bodie. I will never forget her standing in the doorway of his ICU room for several hours straight, just watching him decompensate, watching and waiting and worrying right alongside us. So to get to run into her today, to get to see the two of them together, for her to see Bodie so full of life, it just meant so much.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And this one.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PiGQ-OkBgFKHcGeGpPZroAk_Svu61xoMP9qNII3ULGacE7slNG_AyNr7-bcZ40pgfvON8wjlGyelbGz6aACbGuo4Rrm-FzaM-xBcEMlYm5A53PSPm_O_uonwFF1DMTttRfcihEBXmQqs/s1600/20180322_162503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PiGQ-OkBgFKHcGeGpPZroAk_Svu61xoMP9qNII3ULGacE7slNG_AyNr7-bcZ40pgfvON8wjlGyelbGz6aACbGuo4Rrm-FzaM-xBcEMlYm5A53PSPm_O_uonwFF1DMTttRfcihEBXmQqs/s400/20180322_162503.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bodie and his surgeon, the incredible Dr. Starnes. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My hero with his hero.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enough said. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/?action=view&current=Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/agerrish/Fullscreencapture21201192857PMbmp.jpg" /></a></div>
Amy Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06256967321013244018noreply@blogger.com0