The Shine Magazine: Cover Girl!

(Taken from our Medical Blog; just a little bit of redundancy)Summer Update
Posted Jun 15, 2009 10:42pm
I recently experienced one of the most joyous moments in our life with Isabela. I dropped her off in a classroom, with a teacher, with students, without swallowing a huge gulp with a pounding heart. Last week, my friend Jennifer invited me to coteach Vacation Bible School at her church. Because I was teaching the entire week, Isabela got to attend a class appropriate for her age. I had only one request, really. I needed Cavett, Jennifer’s son, to be in the same class with Isabela. He is so wonderful in reminding anyone that she has some limitations and that her chest can not take a hard hit. So, my request was fulfilled, Cavett did his best friend duty and Isabela got to be with other little people her age, to do things that 4 year olds do well, play! Of course, it was a beautiful journey in getting closer to God. The fact that Isabela has more endurance really made that daily morning drop-off less intimidating to me. I was thrilled that she could be somewhere, anywhere, independent from my watchful eye.

Aside from an awesome week with our friends, the Hills, staying an entire week with us, we have been out in Houston discovering pools to swim in, taking swim lessons, having playdates at various local venues and hanging out at home reading and playing. Isabela is soooo very happy. There are no signs of a recent heart surgery around here. Our only real reminder is when we spread sunscreen over her scar in order to promote beautiful healing.

On a more exciting note, we have also been asked to share Isabela's story with Texas Children’s Hospital to be included in a feature on the Heart Center. The Magazine showcasing Isabela's story along with another little girl's, is Shine Magazine. It is distributed throughout the hospital, to donors and regular subscribers. We have had a long interview extending from Isabela's in-vitro conception to the latest heart surgery accomplishment. Furthermore, she will be the cover-girl for the issue so we will have two FUN photo shoots in the next two weeks! I am trying to be careful on how I explain to Isabela why she was chosen. We have always been careful in not making her heart disease such an extravagant issue, just carefully weaving it into our normal-like lives. But, I just had to share her story. My bottom-line reason for participating is that I NEED the Heart Center to receive every bit of the merit it deserves. The world needs to know what they do and how they do it, from a mother's perspective. Crystal was also interviewed and will be photographed! It's only right. She also has had an integral part in all this.

Moreover, I hope that when this Fall issue hits the newstands, through the photographs and the candid words I shared, any mother or father or grandparent, who is looking for answers in any corner concerning the fate of their sick child, will receive the gift of hope from me. I know from personal experience, that one story has the power to inspire you to hold on to any little thread, for that child who needs you to.

I so love you Isabela, if you only knew right now just how many people's lives you impact.

Disclaimer: I will tell you that I am pretty sure Isabela was not chosen for the cover because of her external beauty. Yes, I know how gorgeous she is :-) After the writer was here for almost 2 hours, she caught some moments between Isabela and Crystal that warmed her heart and made her break a smile. It wasn't until she saw Isabela for the beautiful person she is with everyone around her, that the writer felt everyone needed to see that. I am glad it happened that way. It's only appropriate.

If you want a copy, let me know!

I love you all for being here...
Brenda

Vacation Bible School 2009

I must admit that I was not so thrilled in teaching VBS this year, or any year, for that matter. I have to say that when Jennifer asked me if I wanted to teach with her, I know she had a really good guess that my answer would be, "not really, but I will.", once she told me that if i did, Isabela could attend. My biggest, and only struggle with a teaching role in any religion setting is that I embrace my worship in a very private and intimate manner. It's not that I don't want to share with my fellow neighbors, I think it's that I am afraid to hear or see something out of realm of believing and feeling. Plus, I tend to get so overcome with "his" spirit that I can get so emotional about any given teaching. Then I just get embarrassed. But, I did it, for five mornings, assisting Jennifer in her wonderful interpretations of the scriptures. I admit now, it was so good for my heart...for reasons I can not discuss here, that co-teaching experience couldn't have come at a better time. My heart and logic were getting mangled as I was trying to sort through a conflict with a very dear friend of mine. The week ended well, very well.

On top of that, we got to have our dear friends, The Hills, here with us for one full week! Oh, what fun for all. If only Isabela knew that she is more to handle than Cavett and Kendrick together. Great, great boys. Nonetheless, I still do love my little stubborn, mischievous little girl very much!


BTW, THANK YOU Jennifer for asking me to teach with you, even though you aleady knew how I felt about it. That's what I think a friend is for. Also, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing you in action, you're a true teacher at heart.

Our Hurrication

Another heart-felt story told by Jennifer Hill:

This week has been full. Full of good friends, good food, good drinks, good times, good laughter, good discussions and fun games. I don't even know where to begin.

Our kitchen has been at the center of the "Core". Isabela even helped me bake some Congo Bars.

Here's what we've eaten:
Chicken and Mushroom Soup with Rice
Spaghetti
Guatamalan Black Beans, Plantains, and Chicken
Pork Tenderloin
Gumbo
Hamburgers
Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Tamales

Everyday we tried to excersise to keep all those calories burned, but it didn't happen this weekend. We walked alot around the neighborhood having picnic lunches and did some P90X. Plyometrics is tomorrow morning. We have all (the girls and Stephen) vowed to get up at 6:30 and do it together. Friday we even braved the mall with 3 kids.

Thursday evening we played Apples to Apples--a "Core" appropriate game (apple core). We had some interesting words that have been repeated throughout the weekend--flying monkeys, profound zucchini, grass skirts. Play the game and you'll see.
Friday was poker, but I think we only lasted for 10 hands when we then ended up discussing politics. Basically, it was 5 against 1, trying to convince Brenda why she needed to vote for McCain. As you see in the picture, it got a little heated and you had to have the "can" to talk.

Saturday morning, after a Chick-Fil-A biscuit breakfast, the entire group showed up for Cavett's first soccer game. He did well, but I just don't think he was prepared for the pushing and shoving by the other team. I would say he cried about 75% of the time he was on the field, even while he was running after the ball. I will have to say the other team was quite aggressive and their coach was even more. Hopefully, next week will be better.

That evening, we had 2 other neighborhood couples over for burgers and ended up in the pool. It was great fun, but I ended up with a major ear issue. I have water in my left ear that I can't get out. It feels like I have a pillow over that ear and yes, I have tried pouring alcohol in it.

Today we are recovering, everybody checked in on their houses. Still no power and the Falcone's found a spot on their roof that is leaking. All the boys will go to work tomorrow and Cavett will return to school. Life is slowly but surely returning back to normal. But, we are still glad we have our housemates.

The Hill Shelter Expands

original author: Jennifer Hill
retold: Brenda




Today our shelter expanded to accommodate more hurricane victims. Anna, Mark and Baby Walker got back to Houston and still have no power. We are loving this time with the Core and will be sort of sad when the pwer comes back on. These are times we will cherish and look back on fondly.


On another note, here is one of the pictures we captured this evening after dinner. We caught Cavett and Isabela playing doctor with their shirts off!

Post-Hurrican IKE

WE are glad to report that Isabela has triumphed with her recovery and we left the hospital on Monday, went home to pack more clothes for...

This is straight from Jennifer's blog:

We are now a refuge from the aftermath of Ike and couldn't be more excited about it! This afternoon Isabela was discharged from the hospital and after gathering some things at their house which has no power, they are here to stay at our house.


Cavett and I made a poster to welcome them. Cavett even drew of picture of himself and Isabela on it. Of course, his self portrait was in dark blue and Isabela was pink. We enjoyed a few toys, played outside with the neighbors, had dinner, a bath and storytime. It was a perfect evening. We couldn't be more at ease with these house guests. It's like they are family. Love you guys and we are so glad Isabela is better!