Camp LuCK 2012

We arrived as Doctors, Nurses, Lawyers, Architechs, Banking Executives, Accountants, Police Officers, Stay-at-Home Moms you name it, all walks of life were represented on the hallowed grounds of Camp Cherokee. Only this weekend it was Camp LuCK: 3rd Annual Family Camp Weekend.

Camp LuCK isn't for just any Family. To qualify, you must be a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Family. Rest assured NONE of our Families asked, insisted or wanted to be a CHD Family; we were CHOSEN. We have all wrestled with wanting to know , "Why us?? Why do we have to experience this journey?" In some cases with terrible uncertainty. Once I discovered, accepted, wrapped my head around "CHOSEN" and lived my life as a CHD Family, I realized it truly was a GIFT.

Not only as Parents do we become these AMAZING people, we are raising some of the most OUTSTANDING children.

Shortly after arrival "unzipping" is completed. We were no longer these professionals, we are just parents raising a "Heart Warrior" and their healthy siblings in a world that doesn't always comprehend the battle. Walls are shattered and crumbled, everyone has a similar story. Every family is marked with a scar. Only here at this camp we see the Glorious Gifts beyond the scars.

We observe our children laughing, playing, dancing, running, thriving and in that moment when nothing else matters and it will be a memory burned in our history.

This year, my goal was to truly enjoy and collect as many memories as one person could hold. I didn't even take my first picture until 18 hours after I arrived. We made memories my children will carry for a life time. We laughed more, strengthen friendships and down right wore ourselves slap out thriving on every moment.

If I had to guess with all the cameras brought to the camp grounds more than 5000 pictures were taken. Here are just a few of the photos (memories) I collected.........

Thank you again to Levine Cardiac Kids, Camp LuCK Staff and the Fabulous Volunteers  who helped emblazoned outstanding memories we will cherish forever.

TTFN~

Surviving the Insanity.....

Since celebrating my birthday the days have been slightly insane.

Two days after my birthday we had to be at the kids school for Katie's 2nd Grade Music Performance. It was all about recycling and saving the planet. Katie was a fish suffering in the water from pollution. It was really cute!!

Thanks to some wonderful friends of Camp Luck we were able to score tickets to a Charlotte Checkers game. Katie, Jack and Maddie had never been to an event like this and were just in awe of such a huge arena.We had such fun teaching the kids about hockey. They loved the Zamboni Machine. Jack wanted to know if he could get a chance to ride on it. It had been a while since we were able to just hang out and laugh, cheer and boo with other heart families instead of who is in the hospital having surgery.

The following day spent most of it at a friend's house to learn how to brew beer and just hangout. It was four families and 8 kids. It was pure chaos but I can not remember the last time I had so much fun. I laughed harder, talked about things not related to the heart, it felt normal. Not that we truly know what normal is......it reminded me of days before Madelynn's diagnosis. More importantly it showed me life can be that way again with some adjustments. I was completely exhausted when I arrived home but the good kind.

After this fun but exhausting weekend, I told Phil I was taking my birthday money and going shopping without any children. He needed to get the kids to Sunday School and I would see him at dinner. At first I felt kind of bad, but the more I thought about it I spend ALMOST ALL my time with the kids. One afternoon won't kill him and I needed a break from the insanity.

As I was walking out the door I get my phone and see my mom called. She asked what I was doing. When I told her, I asked if you wanted to meet me? What mother daughter team would say no to an afternoon of shopping?? Not any mother daughter team I know. It was really a lot of fun and I was really glad she called.

However, one of the things I missed......when Katie was in the shower getting ready to go to class her loose tooth fell out. This is her fifth tooth. After the rough road she has had with losing teeth it was nice she had a normal experience.

Katie was excited about her gift from the tooth fairy and asked if she could take her money to the school store. She wanted new pencils and erasers. I told her it was her money so off to school the next day she went to school with her purse and money in tow. Had no idea the $2.00 in coins would bring so much happiness.

A week in the life.....can be truly exhausting but with all those smiles how can you not keep moving.

TTFN~

Camp LuCK 2011

Things have been a little nuts and I am trying to catch up on my postings. Over the weekend we were able to go to Family Camp and get "unzipped". We arrived at Camp LuCK Friday evening and settled in for good ole Family time. By the time lunch time came Sunday afternoon we were absolutely exhausted but the best kind.

We are grateful for all of those who worked tirelessly to make our weekend unbelievable. Now that we are home, unpacked and all the laundry done we are already looking forward to next year. Thank you Jay "Bird" Thompson, Dr. Rene Herlong, The Jackson Family and everyone else who helped make our weekend of fun memorable.

See you all next year.................

TTFN~

I know I posted this on Facebook too but for family not on facebook I thought I would share.

Expected and Unexpected Visitors

Friday afternoon we patiently waited for Phil's brother Jason and his wife Franka and two of Jason's boys to arrive. I don't think I have seen Jason and Franka for almost two years. It was very nice to see them. The kids were thrilled when they realized they were here.

We didn't do anything spectacular but it was nice enough to grill out dinner, the girls got to escape to get pedicures and the kids played until they were literally exhausted. Today as Jason, Franka, Jared and Kaden headed to the beach we started preparing for the craziest week this year.

Kaitlynn, spent most of the day completing all the work she will miss being out of school a few days. Jackson after watching a movie or two completed his as well. We head to DC this week to bury my best friend's father at Arlington National Cemetery. I know her father would appreciate the fact that he has brought us together even if it was to wish him farewell. I am so excited just to see her.

We will head home so that we can see Jackson and the rest of the kindergarten's in their year end performance. I love kindergartner's and this musical performance ought to prove a little comical. Most of all it will be nice to just highlight Jackson. Sometimes I think he and Kaitlynn feel a little left out and night's like this help remind them they are important.

But oh the week is not over, Friday afternoon as soon as school gets out we are on the road again for a weekend to get completely "unzipped". We are headed to CAMP LUCK - Family Heart Camp for the weekend. No phones, TV, or other electronic devices just time to spend with Phil and the kids and other heart families. Sometimes it is nice to be around others who have walked our road and understand a new "normal".

Thinking the upcoming week could not get anymore exciting..........I was soooooo wrong. Over the last few weeks we have heard strange noises in the wall behind the dryer. We knew we had a momma bird make a nest on the outside of the dryer vent and where we live you can battle with other small critters. Phil however was convinced it was a bird.

After dinner he decided to move the dryer and investigate. He pulled the dryer vent off the dryer using Jack's flashlight to look down the vent. But there was nothing there.......Seconds later a FULL size robin flew out of the DRYER right over the top of Phil's head. A slew of expletives "flew" out of Phil's mouth to described his shock.....I yelled WHAT, WHAT, WHAT, is it!!!! There was this dramatic pause and Phil yells "BIRD!!!" Here she comes rounding the corner to the dining room and I hit the deck.

It was utter chaos the kids are jumping up and down yelling THERE'S A BIRD IN THE HOUSE!!!, Phil is trying to compose himself not to swear any more and you can tell his brain is burning "How in the H_LL do I get a bird out of the house. As the momma bird is making her rounds about the ceiling, the kids are really freaked out to see the bird up close and personal and I just kept ducking hoping not to get pooped on from above; the bird flew into the blinds.

We were able to trap the bird between the blinds and the window. As Phil kept her trapped and hoping not to cause injury I stuck my fingers through the blinds and opened the window, popped the screen and away the momma bird went to freedom. I would have never guessed the noises I have heard over the last two weeks was a bird in the dryer vent.

But I believe the best part of the story was listening to Maddie retell it to Phil as if he weren't here. Never a dull moment in the Addler household.

To Jason and Family: So glad you were able to stop by on your way to the beach.

To Justine: My friend I am so sorry your Father is gone but I am so glad he is no longer suffering and the thought of your mother meeting him as he entered heaven what a joyful reunion that must have been. Can't wait to see you.

To all the Camp Luck Campers: I hope that all of you take full advantage of Family Camp this coming weekend. To Jacob's Family: I can't imagine what it will be like entering the camp ground without him but I know he will remind us he is there in spirit all weekend.

To Phil, my bird rescuing hero: Thank you for always reminding me there is nothing in life that a little humor can't cure. Hopefully the kids didn't hear the potty words, LOL!!!!

Hope everyone has a great week!!

TTFN~

LCK Walk A Thon 2011

For those friends and family who are not on Facebook, I wanted to make sure you were included. This weekend we participated in a Walk A Thon to raise money for Camp Luck. This is the Heart Camp that we went to as a family May 2010. However, starting in sometime in 2012 there will be Family Camp, for the weekend and also Camp Luck just for the 'Heart Kids' and their siblings for a week.

We are very excited to participate in this. To see all of those bright shinning faces with there walking shoes who could have asked for more. To learn more about Camp Luck click here. If you feel so inclined to send a tax deductible donation to Camp Luck (5013C applied for) please use the following address Cadwalader, Wickersham and Taft 227 West Trade Street Charlotte NC 28202, Attn: Bryon Mulligan.

We are thrilled to watch as a young boy's dream comes true.

TTFN~