Happy FALL!!

It's my FAVORITE time of year!! YAY!! As you can see from the picture above fall has officially arrived and we're loving  it! I have a lot of catching up to do with all of you!

As most of you already know we most recently just got back from a family vacation/celebration of Ryan and Andrea's wedding in California. We had such a great time visiting family and FINALLY meeting some family (which was LONG over due ) We got to take the kids to the beach and they had such a blast! Turns out Colter is quite the little swimmer. It was his 1st time seeing/feeling sand and of coarse seeing the ocean. He loved every second of it! Ashlynn had such a great day at the beach as well, but Ashlynn usually enjoys just about everything:) We took the kids to the Santa Monica Pier and Ashlynn and I rode the roller coaster, I so wish they were selling the pictures of the ride that day cause Ashlynn's face was PRICELESS!!

 I took Ashlynn to Disneyland and she was literally in heaven all day long. To top the day off we had front row seats to the parade, there she got to see all of her favorite princesses! This picture was taken right before the parade got started! So cute!

Ryan and Andrea's wedding was magical, beautiful and SO much fun! Ashlynn was a flower girl and my word, Colter was a ring bear! Little tiny tux and all, he was quite the little gentlemen. Not only that he worked the dance floor all night long, fearlessly!It was a good time had by all.

We got back home and it was back to reality, and I had the big speech weighing in the back of my mind. For all of you that didn't read my last post. I've been working with the American Heart Association because they asked that I speak at the Heart Walk. Once hearing Colter's remarkable story they wanted me to share it. I accepted and boy what an absolute honor it was! The heart walk was just this Saturday and I'm so excited to say that I made a goal to raise $1,500.00 and guess what?! We nailed it! We made $1510.00!! So that being said we were the #1 walking team, yeahhhh Team Colter Cross!!! Before I go any further with the event details I have to say THANK YOU!!! To all of our supporters, family and friends. Your donations are more than just money, it means SO SOOOO much to us. Because of your donations and support you encourage ME to keep going and pushing to spread awareness and share our son's incredible story. Not only that your donations touch lives of those in need, help educate, and put money into research about infant heart disease. That is invaluable. Truly from the bottom of my heart thank you. It proves to me that Colter has touched and changed all of our lives.

The event was great, I got to share Colter's amazing story, it went really well. I think the goal was reached and we really touched people. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful, supportive partner. Tyler is always my rock, he always encourages me and has helped me see my full potential. I feel so lucky to call him my husband, I feel unstoppable knowing he always has my back.  We  won a few awards for top fundraiser. I also found out that the radio station that I did an ad campaign for pulse oximetery screening/ infant heart disease awareness was nominated for an award called the The E.B. Craney Broadcast Award. Apparently they thought the commercial was really good so they nominated the PSA for the award. Stay tuned.. Also The Valley Journal did a beautiful article on Colter before the walk and if you click on the link you can read it: http://www.valleyjournal.net/Article/6376/Family-raises-awareness-of-infant-heart-Newspaper article about Colter 

So in other exciting news, while working with the American Heart Association my contact information was forwarded to some important gals, one out of Seattle and the other out of Idaho, both very involved in advocacy. After speaking with me and hearing Colter's story they want to pursue making pulse oximitry screening a manditory practice done before a newborn is sent home. This would have to be done by all hospitals in our state. They would like me to lobby with legislation all spring and into next year, so hopefully by the the next voting year we can get this passed!! I'm so honored to be apart of such a ground breaking movement.

So to wrap it up, things are great, our family is great and Colter is doing just fantastic. Matter of fact we haven't used his tube in nearly 2 months, so our Doc said at his next appointment they will refer us out to get that little sucker removed!! There was a moment at the heart walk where they released some balloons into the sky in memory of those we've lost to heart disease. I couldn't help but to think about how lucky we were to be standing there not having to release a balloon. Tears streamed down my face as I thought about how blessed we are to have Colter with us today. I probably say this nearly every post but I have to thank God for delivering us with such a beautiful miracle that day, life. Words can never express my absolute gratitude. He restored our faith and made me see life in a brighter light. Life and faith is so beautiful, my cup is full, life is good and we're oh so blessed. Much love to all of you reading..

This is a picture I took the morning of my birthday