Painting for Haleigh Pictures

THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE THAT CAME OUT!!!!

money wise

When it comes to money I have been known to spent more than I should have, but I have also made money go a along way when I needed to. It looks like I am going to be making things Stretch until Haleigh's surgeries are over.

We made over 300$ last night painting for Haleigh, and I have about 200$ left from what the ball park brought in. That is 500$ total. We will need about 700$ for each trip and in case and one wants to know that is
150 $ for gas at 3.50 a gal
400 $ for hotel at 100 a night for 4 nights
150 $ for food for 4 days.

Some things may be less like if we can stay at the Ronald McDonald house and we will not know that until we get there, then we will save the hotel money for the next trip. Gas could go down, it could also go down. So I choose to go a little higher with that. Meals we will need 3 on Monday, the hotels have fee breakfast so Tues, Wed, and Thursday just 2.

And as I sit here I realize we have to go back one week later for post op appointment. They tried to find a Dr to see her here for it and no one would, because she also needs stitches removed. Gas for that trip will be less because we are going in my sisters little car. We will need a one night hotel stay and then 2 meals Sunday and 2 Monday.

I know God will provide for us to care for Haleigh. He has sent her to me because he knew she needed someone who could handle everything with out falling apart. She needed parents who would fight to get her the care she needs, and not every mother can stand for her children that way.

He has always provided everything we have ever needed and he will continue to provide for us.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Painting for Haleigh

Thank you to everyone who came out tonight to support Haleigh! And the ones that couldn't come but sent in donations and the ones who were there in spirit and praying!

We had such a good time tonight! And I am so glad we did this and I am thinking of doing another paint night next year, doing it every January, as a fund raiser for Haleigh, it was really that great. I hope every one else had as good as time as I did! I do wish my oldest daughter could have went tonight, she will not miss the next one for sure though.

I hope everyone knows how much it means to us that y'all came out tonight, its always nice to see your friends and family, but tonight you made the effort to get dressed, and drive some of you a long way, to come help us, there are no word to express how grateful Jason and I are. With your help we are going to be able to provide Haleigh with everything she needs and get her there of course! The next fund raising event is not too far a way and as soon as I know details I will be air to post them!

Oh and we are planning a yard sale, so start going through all you old junk so that it can become a treasure for someone else!

Pictures will be posted soon!

A Picture A Day

This is something I wish I would have started doing 13 years ago when I was pregnant with my first baby. But I think its something that is never to late to start doing.

I am going to take pictures every day one of each of my kids. Some might miss a day when they are gone, but it will be mostly every day. I know people do this for their kids first year and while pregnant, but for me it started when I was thinking about when to take pictures of Haleigh through out the surgeries.

She may never want these pictures but I think it is important to take them. Not even just for me but for other moms out there that might be pregnant with a baby that is like Haleigh. They might need to see before and after pictures to decide on surgery. Dr. C might need them for parents or even just to show and teach other doctors.

But mainly these pictures are for me to see my kids grow and how they have changed from one year to the next. I will not post pictures everyday, but I plan on making a special slide show the will be posted in 6 months then in a year, for everyone to see. I will post pictures of Haleigh after each surgery so that every one can see how she is doing.

The first should be around the 24th of Feb!

Parenting

Sometimes I think we forget Haleigh is normal.

She is no different than other 2 year old, ok well, she is the smartest 2 year old there is of course, but she is not frail. She is not sick, she is normal. I think we have treated her as if she is slightly frail, and I am now seeing that come out in her in fits! I know all 2 year olds have fits, but this is really my fault!

I have always attended to Haleigh with what ever she needed and would put everything else on hold until she was taken care of. I did that to some point with all my kids, as Jason and I use a lot of Dr Sears' attachment parenting tools, but with Haleigh we used all of them, except co-sleeping, but that was Haleigh's choice to sleep alone, she has changed her mind the last couple weeks though. I think attachment parenting has taught us how to be more attentive parents, more caring, and I think we know our children better because of it. I think our children know what to expect, and what is expected of them, and that we're always here for them all thanks to attachment parenting. I know not everyone uses any of the tools we do and that is fine too, I firmly believe parents should do whatever works for them, not what works for others.

Now for the past month, maybe longer Haleigh has decided that when she wants to do something she's going to do it and if you tell her no she is just going to do it faster before you can get to her. And then when you get to her she is going to cry and scream and kick until either she falls asleep or you give in.

There is no middle ground! Sometimes when she wants to be held, and that is all the time, even when I am cooking she will cry then fall asleep at my feet in the kitchen floor unless I pick her up, and that is not always the safest thing to do. I really think if the sling still fit her she would lay in it all day!

The only thing I can think is its because we have babied her so much that she now expects it all the time. Changing the way we parent is not something we are going to do, but I do believe we are going to have to teach Haleigh some boundaries, that came natural to the other kids by this age, and maybe its just that, maybe the other kids learned them naturally with out much help from us, and for Haleigh it just needs to be taught, just like all else. Math comes ease for some and for others they brew hours of work at it. Haleigh just needs to work at it, and is with her.

She really is a good kid, as long as she is in a good mood! She smiles all the time she is happy, she also knows exactly what she wants, if she doesn't want to wear a dress there is no getting her into it she is set! She know what she likes and what she doesn't. And again there is no changing her mind.

Maybe we just have a strong willed child, a child that knows what she wants, when and how to get it and is firm to it. As an adult that will be something to be very proud of, as a child its something us as parents have a hard time dealing with. Because after all we are the parents!

Staying Well

It has come to my attention that Haleigh has been doing very good this winter with her asthma that is mild and only comes up with colds anyway and with just staying well altogether. I need to keep her that way for surgery if she gets sick her doctor will not clear her for surgery and then the trip to Atlanta will be off.

Another mom with a child that is having surgeries like Haleigh posted a blog to let every one know to be extra careful with her daughter. And she is right. EVERYONE MUST WASH THEIR HANDS!

Do not get mad if you have a get together or party and Haleigh is not there, I am not going to put her on lock down the way I did last year, but I think its important not to have her around sick people so if I ask if you have been sick do not lie to me please! I don't want you or anyone else to be the reason surgery was delayed.

I understand I can not keep her from every germ and that is not what we are doing. I am just limiting the amount of time she is exposed . We are all starting extra vitamins with extra C in them and I have a lot of OJ in the fridge.

So Haleigh will still be at church, but not wal mart. Time to get out the Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer like were fresh out of the NICU!

Remember the days after Aden and Landon came home, not as bad as that but close to it. And remember its just for a month, our surgery day is fast approaching. And after surgery we can, take her out for at least a week so I think we are good there!

I really hope everyone understands as I know you all love Haleigh and do understand that this is for her!

Excited about fund raising

I have so many events coming up that are going to help get Haleigh to and from Atlanta, I want to be sure everyone has a chance to come to whatever they would like to do.



Heather & Haleigh

The first one is this Saturday we are Painting for Haleigh planned by her aunt Heather. Unfortunately Haleigh will not be able to attend this fund raiser she is too young to do the painting and to allow me to attend and paint I will have to allow her to stay home. I will have some pictures of her there that I am going to take this week! If you would like to attend the party please register at www.paintandpals.com.
After that we will have some things coming at church. There is talk of a dinner maybe for Valentine's Day. With those and the money we have left from other things I believe we will be able to make the first trip. But of course we need to then work on the next trip!

We also have a yard sale, a softball tournament, my brother in law has a football tournament planned for may, a Chili Cook Off, and we are putting together a cookbook too. My family and I are so thankful for everyone involved in the planning and everyone that will come out to support is!

I know a lot of you have been asking how much each trip will cost and I really do not know, I am going to put together about how much that first trip will cost, after that trip I will have a better idea of how much things are in Atlanta.

On another note, Haleigh is getting over her cold! She didn't need any extra asthma med to help her through it just some Vicks vapor rub and mommy's love!