Monday, October 26, 2009

Reasons to smile!

Have you ever had a weekend where you looked back and just smiled? I am about this weekend. Nothing life changing happened, no family birthdays, no family or friends over but yet I still smile.




One of my reasons to smile! Last week Jordan was hit with what we believe to be the H1N1 virus. She finally broke her fever on Friday and had a great weekend! Her fever didn't get crazy high and other than the fact she didn't want to take her Motrin/Tylenol, she did well. A bit groggy at the beginning but once her meds kicked in, she told me several times "Mommy-I not sick anymore!" Since she didn't get bad, we didn't take her into the doc so not 100% sure she had H1N1 but her preschool teacher had it. Now I am hoping and praying that the rest of my family doesn't get it!


Reason 2 to smile! Saturday was a great day! The boys had a birthday party to go to but other than that we could just hang out at home. I was even on my way to take the boys, ran into a neighbor who was taking her son to the same place and offered to take my kiddos with her! THANKS AGAIN AMY!! It gave me a chance to take care of "stuff" at home but you know what? I didn't do a thing! It's been SO LONG where we have had a weekend to just hang!


Reason 3 to smile! Anyone watch the Hawkeye football game? Holy Cow what an ending!! I know a lot of people are still taking about it even today. Now those of you who know me know that I wasn't always into football-just wasn't big in my house growning up. In fact, we rarely had the Hawks on when they played. Now it could have been because my parents are divorced and my mom just didn't watch a lot of sports or it could have been because when we did watch the Hawks play, I would laugh and tease my mom for yelling at the TV. Now I am doing the same thing! I know-like they can hear me right??





Reason 4 to smile! Sunday was a full day of games. Jeremy and I had volleyball and Riley and Drew each had their football games. Even though we don't keep score for football, I was told by each of them whether they won or lost. Riley tied and Drew lost. Next weekend will be the end of football for this year but never fear, baseball is here! Yep-Riley will being baseball practice for the Trojan baseball team in November. Luckily it is just on Saturdays for now and only a couple a month. I know he is super pumped about it so again a reason to smile!


Wondering how we did at volleyball? We got beat. Now I could say we were missing a person and played with 5 or I could say that we weren't playing our best game. Truth is we played a great team :-D Not saying they would beat us next time though ...


Reason 5 to smile! At the football games, we had someone who came up to use asking if any of us used to work at Subway. In my high school and college days, I worked at Subway in Independence, Coralville and helped open the one in North Liberty where I ended up becoming assistant manager. The guy who came up to us was no other than Mark, the manager at the time. The memories of working until 3 AM (yep-even when I was 17!) and surviving lunch during football season or boating season came rushing back. We chatted for awhile while watching Drew and his niece play football. I love running into friends and reconnecting who I haven't seen in years. I think it's been at least 10 years since I have seen Mark! I have found him on Facebook so he better watch out!!


One of my biggest reasons to smile is my family in general. We are all healthy, happy and active. I have a wonderful and loving husband who keeps me grounded and is the love of my life. I have 2 boys who are into all sports and keep us busy. I have a daughter who is just one big smile and who has opened my eyes! She has made me stand up and make people aware of the world outside and around them. She has made me want people to become more aware of CHDs. She has made me step out of my comfort zone and do things I never thought I would ever do. I love them all with all my heart :-)

Now...what makes you smile??

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Now for a Change I Can Handle!

Sooo...I have been bitten by the bug and made the switch. Call it jumping on the bandwagon or whatever but with Carepages acting up and others not wanting/needing an account, I figured now is time. Another Heart Mommy designed it for me of which I TRULY appreciate it!! Thanks Stef!!! I'm still learning how to tweak, post - well I'm still learning how to do everything so please know that this blog will be under construction a lot. I do love how it looks now though! You can subscribe to have copies of my blog posts sent directly to your email too!

We have had a lot of fun things happen to us in the last few weeks!! To start with, my baby sister, Kristy, got married!! While the day started off with snow (REALLY!?!? It's only OCT 10!), it was beautiful and was happy to have Ben officially join our family. Boy Ben-watch out! I'm sure Ashley and Jeremy can give some tips to handle us :-)

The wedding was in Marion. I was one of the Matron of Honors, Jeremy was a Groomsman, Riley and Drew were the Flowergirl Escorts and yep-Jordan was the Flowergirl.





Princess Jordan - Thank goodness Nana made her a shall!! Oh boy - it was COLD!





(L to R) Drew, Kaleb, Kristy, Jordan, Ben and Riley


We had a great time and wish only happiness for them and their already expanding family. Can't wait to meet my little nephew/niece in February!


You may have known (especially if you have me as a Facebook friend) that the Children's Hospital at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics was in the running for an Ultimate Gameroom from XBox and Children's Miracle Network. I know I annoyed people with the CONSTANT reminders (sometimes 2-3 times a day) to vote their 10 daily votes but it paid off. The hospital WILL be getting one of these rooms. It got quite hairy at the end so thank you to all who voted! It was amazing to hear from my Facebook friends who are in Michigan/Vegas/Arkansas -everywhere outside Iowa-who not only voted for us, but had their friends vote for us too!!! WOW! I hope we don't have to use this room, but feel very grateful it will be there for the kiddos who are stuck there!


Jeremy and I also just got back from Vegas! It was a great trip meeting up with some great friends and family. Jeremy and I had our 1st trip to Vegas 10 years ago and now have lost count how many times we have been there. Jeremy's brother, Pat, moved there last November to be with his girlfriend, Megan and son, Gibson. Megan is the marketing manager for the Freemont Street Experience and takes care of the events and obviously marketing of them downtown. She even can take care of the shows shown on the canopy. Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE KISS. Well, it didn't play like it was suppose to on Saturday night at 11pm. Megan made a call and POOF, it was being played at midnight! I loved it!


We went with friends, Jeromy Vance and Julie Kinsinger. They got to go do a ride-along at the Las Vegas Speedway. WHOA! I can't imagine what it was like to go 160 mph near a wall...YIKES! Julie hadn't been to Vegas before (and Jeromy hadn't been there in a long while) and it was nice to see it through fresh eyes again. We went up in the Eiffle tower which is always amazing. Thanks again Julie and Jeromy for inviting us along and making it happen!







It's so FRIGGIN' TALL!




Vegas at Night-You gotta love the lights!


We also got to meet up with some friends we had made the last time we were in Vegas. It was great to hang with Derrick and Nicole again! The next time you go to Vegas, you HAVE to go to the Golden Gate on Freemont. It has great atmosphere, better dealers, and some awesome bartenders. If you see a blond at the bar when you first walk in, just tell her Tracey sent ya!


The most amazing thing happened to us right before we left on Friday. Jordan has been chosen to be the Heart Child for the Johnson County Heart Walk in April 2010! Some time ago we had been approched by the American Heart Association for Johnson County for a short bio on Jordan. I had sent something in thinking she wouldn't be picked. We had an email the day before we left saying she had been picked. I, for once, was speechless. An amazing feat-I know! When Jordan's heart defects were first explained to us, we were told her conditions were on the minor side of heart defects, so when I first got the email-I was shocked!! We feel very honored to have Jordan chosen! So much for Jeremy's desire to be "under the radar"! She's now going to be all over! There will be more info on this soon. If you are interested in joining Jordan's team, please let me know!! We had a great team last year and would LOVE to see it grow!!!




Jordan in her Survivor Hat-Heart Walk 2009
The CHD calendar is out!! This was put together by a Heart Mommy out of Cedar Rapids. She took pics of several kiddos with CHDs and put this amazing calendar together! Jordan is September. The link is on the side bar. Her pic is so cute (I know I'm biased)! Heidi did a great job! We are talking orders with full payment until November 20th. They are only $20 (add $5 for shipping if you like or aren't local to me). They would be great Christmas presents so order many!! The proceeds will be going to the American Heart Association!
One last thing-I am helping Stef get some blankets around for a program she created called Cuddles from the Heart. There is a link on the side bar discribing it more in detail but the main point is that we are looking for NEW blankets to donate to the Children's Hospital. I have a few but would love A LOT MORE! Last year, Stef was able to donate over 300 blankets but I think we can do better this year. These can be homemade OR store bought! Just remember they have to be new! They are going to the hospital for kiddos who are stuck there and need just a touch of home with them as they are struggling in the NICU, PICU, 2JCP, and the Pediatric Cancer. Can you help us? Please contact me ASAP with this. Believe it or not, we ONLY have until November 30th and it's coming up fast!
Until next time~
Tracey

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Test Post

This is a test post on Jordan's page.