Valentine's Day!!

Before there was Madelynn, Jackson or even Kaitlynn, it was just Phil and I. For six years it was always Phil and I. As much as I love my children, I would walk through fire for them. Sometimes I miss when it was just Phil and I.
Today is a special day for so many reasons. For starters, it is Grandmother Caroline's birthday. Even when I was a little girl I always thought it was "cool" my grandmother was born on Valentine's Day. In my entire life I have only had one really SPECTACULAR Valentine's Day. I'm not sure Phil will ever be able to top it. Seeing as it was my FIRST Valentine's Day with Phil and he proposed. To most I am sure it all sounds very cliche but it was one of the few times in my life I was REALLY excited.

Since Madelynn's diagnosis and surgery Valentine's Day has taken on a WHOLE new meaning. Instead of just buying traditional valentine's and sugar filled candy, this year the kids created their valentine's. I cut out close to 60 hearts, we painted and the kids addressed each one. Since Madelynn couldn't write I used her's to spread Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness.

One side of the heart says, "One out of every 100 babies is born with a CHD every year".

On the other side it reads, "I AM 1 in 100. Happy Valentine's Day! Love, Madelynn."

It is strange to me to observe this permutation in my life. To reminisce about days of independence from children always makes me smile. But when I stop and admire my life today including the tremendous hurdles we have jumped or some days crawled under, we wouldn't be complete without ALL of it.

Life is just not how I ever thought it would be. I have learned to be grateful for the journey set before me. I am completely indebted to Phil for never throwing in the towel. Very glad he will always be my Valentine.

Wishing everyone a Wonderful Valentine's Day!!

TTFN~

Go Irish!!!

Funny little tid bit. Every year I have to surrender my "chick" banner flag pole from the begining of August until the ND Fighting Irish have finished there season; so that the the ND flag can fly proudly from the house (win or lose). The only exception is 9/11 I am allowed to take it down to hang the American Flag for the day. Well, this year I forgot to hang the ND flag. I asked Phil 2 mins before kick off of the first game if he wanted to hang the flag. "lets just see how they do..." was his response.

Well, Notre Dame is 2-0 against San Diego State and Michigan. At the end of the Michigan game Phil looked at me and said, "you're not hanging the flag this year...." I just had to laugh. So I guess until the Irish lose I get to keep my flag pole for this football season. Needless to say, "GO IRISH"