Happy Memorial Day!

I am so thankful for the freedom I have. 

Thank you to all the men and women who serve our country!

 We spent the weekend at Ocean Isle Beach.  The weather was gorgeous and we had an amazing weekend!  It's back to reality as there is tons to do before I leave for Philly in 22 days!

 

Our Nephew Graduates..... Kindergarten

Today was a big day.  Our nephew, Caden, graduated from Kindergarten.  It was a joyful and tearful occasion.  He is one amazing little man.  I moved to NC when he was 7 months old.  I've watched him grow from a baby to a young man.  He lights up a room with his smile.  He makes you laugh with his wit and his random robot dance.  He's sweet and cantankerous.  But above all he's my nephew.  He saved me when I lost our daughter.  He gave me a reason to get up each day.  He gave me hope that one day I'd smile again.  He's too young to realize what he's done for me but one day I hope he knows.  I was so proud to share in his big day today.  I cannot wait to see what the future holds for him. 

CDH Summit in Philadelphia, PA

I am so excited to be attending this event next month.  When we were invited we said yes immediately.  It will become an annual event helping to advocate for CDH research and awareness.  There will be 4 CDH organizations there, several doctors, nurses, counselors, researchers and CDH families. 

For those who don't know what CDH is it's a rare and often fatal birth defect called congenital diaphragmatic hernia.  Our daughter, Parker, passed away from complications due to CDH in May 2006 after fighting in the NICU for 20 hours.  We started the The Parker Reese Foundation in January 2008 to help give families hope during one of the most uncertain times in their lives.  You can read more about it at http://www.theparkerreesefoundation.com/ or http://www.theparkerreesefoundation.wordpress.com/. 

I've never been to Philly before.  There are so many things I want to do and see while I'm there because I probably won't be back for a while.  I'm driving with a dear friend of mine.  I love road trips.  I discovered that IKEA is only 16 minutes from the hotel which makes me very happy!  And I found Terrain at Styers thanks to Eddie Ross.  I'll definitely be making a trip there too. 

Of course we'll be making our way to the Liberty Bell, Phillie's game and the famous Philadelphia Zoo.  And eating a Philly cheesesteak.  It's going to be a great 4 days. 

It's so important for those of us who've been diagnosed with CDH to help others become aware.  My goal is to one day have a woman go in for an ultrasound and not have heard those three words for the first time.  It's as common as spina bifida and cystic fibrosis but yet none of us hear about it until are children are diagnosed.  I feel like God chose me for a reason.  He chose Parker for a reason.  I could sit around and feel sorry for myself and believe me I do sometimes but I want to make a difference.  I want to offer hope to future families. 

Only 29 more days until we leave.  I'm off to get the IPOD ready!

Have A Seat

Not long ago I found this used furniture place that I really love.  I don't visit often because when I do I always walk out with something and we are at capacity in our home right now as far as furniture is concerned.  Wow, that was a long sentence.  Anyway, we live in a modest size home.  Actually a small home.  It's only 1,088 square feet.  There isn't a whole lot of space for more furniture but when you come across a piece like the ones I'm about to show you well you have to buy them.  Thank goodness for our tobacco barns and grain bins.... 

                                    

                                    

I paid a total of $156 for all four pieces.  Do you see now why I couldn't walk away from them? They will all need to be recovered before I use them.   I have a vision for each one and might even have a few photos taken in the 2nd green one before we recover it.   They are all in great condition too.

Tomorrow we go pick everything up.  I am taking my husband with me which means no shopping because although he never tells me no he makes me nervous.  He says its the guilt.  :)

Starting Fresh......

I started a blog several years ago after Parker died as a form of therapy for me and found it very therapeutic.  I actually enjoyed documenting not just my feelings about her death but our life in general.  I was on Wordpress but have now moved to Blogger.  I am excited to start documenting our lives again as so much has happened since I last posted. 

This is our story.  The story of two people trying to find their way after losing their only child all while renovating our new old house and raising a family of animals.