Hearts 4 Ella: March 2013

     For the last couple weeks I have been having a harder time then normal. While Ella is doing great, I am finding myself more sad than scared lately. The other day while Ella and I walked to the grocery store we passed the elementary school down the street from us. All the kids were out playing on the playground and in true Ella fashion she waved to ALL of them, telling them "hi!" and then proceeded to just stare at them and smile. This happened for a good five minutes as we traveled around the entire school. It was so sweet but at the same time completely made me burst into tears. It was as if she was wishing that could be her, she was in Awe. At one point she just laid her head on the tray of her stroller and gazed and smiled, watching them all play. It broke my heart. I do have very high hopes for my daughters future and want to believe she will live a VERY long life, but sometimes things like that just get to us heart moms. Things like, will my daughter ever go to school, have friends, swing on the monkey bars, or sit on a swing talking with her first best friend at recess? For instance tonight when I laid her into her crib with her bottle and she waved to me as I left the room. It made me not want to leave. I know she was just saying bye because she was going to bed. I always go back in and tell her "no baby it is not bye bye, just goodnight" The problem is I still have that fear of every time I leave her that it could be the last, it really messed me up.... blah However today was a special day and reminded me of how strong and determined our HLHSers are.
   Today Ella and I drove down to Ventura, about two hours from us to celebrate one of her heart brothers 2nd Birthday!! Lucas is HLHS as well. To top off this day there were also six other HLHSers at the party. One of them was Jeni Busta, being one of the oldest HLHS survivors at 28 years old. Many of you may know her she and her husband have stayed with us many times as well as been to many of our events. Today our 5 HLHSers under the age of five, celebrated one of their own at a park. ;) They ran ALL around, chased bubbles, laughed, swung on the swings, fell in the dirt, ate way too much candy and did everything a "normal" healthy toddler would do. It was amazing to be amongst so many others that knew exactly what we have gone through and too just see how well they are all doing..... that is priceless. There were five heart moms, five heart kids and one heart adult ;) all thriving, all LOVING life, wearing their moms out and eating lots of candy! HA! Not one stood out amongst the MANY other kids playing on that playground. ( okay maybe a few of them were a little blue from the cold, but hell we'll take that!) So my point was today was an awesome day, a typical day that any mom would spend with her kids celebrating their friends birthday. Taking pictures, singing happy birthday, and eating cake. This bunch just happens to be extra special, and damn I am so proud of all of these miracles and their families<3
Thank you for sharing your special day with all of us sweet Lucas!
Here are a few picture of our warriors<3

                                                        On our way to Lucas' 2nd birthday!