Hip, Hip, Hooray!!!

At the end of the school day on Friday, August 24th, the Eisenhower students and staff organized an all school assembly to give Diego a heartfelt farewell.  Mme Barnes presented Diego with a package of letters from every EIS student.  He was told that inside the letters were uplifting words of encouragement for him to read after his surgery.  At the close of the assembly, the entire school gave Diego three Earth shattering Hip, Hip, Hoorays!!!  It was astonishing to say the least.  The image that will be forever engraved in my memory is the moment during the assembly where I said a few words of gratitude and began to tear up.  A very humble and sweet Diego walked over to me and put his hand on my shoulder to offer his support to his mother.  I stand in awe at his bravery. 

The Grand Soccer Finale

Diego’s soccer coach organized a soccer scrimmage for August 23^rd, only a few days before our Boston departure.  This was the last game Diego will be able to participate in for a while.  He played hard and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.  Diego’s team won the game 2-1 against a tough group of girls.  At the end of the game, Coach Britt presented Diego with a team jersey that had all his teammates’ signatures on it.  As we walked off the field, Diego immediately decided that he was going to wear the jersey on the plane, both to and from Boston. I think it is wonderful that Diego recognized that this would be a meaningful way to feel the energy and support of his teammates at the beginning and when he returns home from his successful trip to Boston. 

A Heart Warrior

I want to give a huge “shout out” to Jacob Palmer of Little Moments Photography.  Jacob gave my family the wonderful blessing of photographing Diego before his first heart surgery.  He did a fabulous job portraying the spirit of my Heart Warrior!  Thank you Jacob and Jessica for blessing our lives and being a part of Diego’s heart journey! 

facebook@littlemomentsphotographbyJP

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The Big Birthday Bash!

Diego’s 9^th Birthday Party

Since Diego’s 9^th birthday is during his 6 week post surgery recovery period, he asked if he could have his birthday celebration before his PA band operation.  He wanted to do something wild and fun.  We decided to have a swimming party on August 13^th.  He invited all the boys from the Eisenhower 3^rd grade class and his Blitz soccer team.  It was such a wonderful time for me to relish in the moment of watching this group of energetic boys have a blast.  The simple things in life that you sometimes forget to sit back, relax and appreciate, like a 9 year old boy swimming and hanging out with the best of friends.   

Church of the Madalene

             

And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him and said, arise and eat, because the journey is too great for thee.  And he arose and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.  1 Kings 19:7

This was the first reading from the August 12^th Mass.  My heart smiled as I felt these words embrace my family.  After each Mass on the weekend of August 11-12^th the parishioners hosted a bake sale.  The Madalene Social Concerns Committee sold “Team Diego” wrist bands as a reminder to pray for Diego and his doctors on a daily basis.  In addition, the Women of the Madalene sold their Tastes of Yesterday & Today cookbooks throughout the bake sale.   All proceeds benefited Diego’s Heart Fund to assist with the medical and travel expenses to Boston. But even more, the parishioners of the Madalene saw that Diego’s heart journey was too great for us to walk alone.  Their gift provided nourishment for our soul that will strengthen us along Diego’s heart journey.  We are grateful and blessed to be a part of the Madalene parish. 

Less than Perfect

This morning, Saturday, August 11, 2012 Diego’s soccer team had a scrimmage.  On the way home from the scrimmage Diego was struggling with the fact that he would not be playing in the fall soccer season because of his upcoming surgery.  He asked, “Mom, did you want to have a child with a defect”.  That question hit me hard, right in the stomach.  During the years when my husband, Cesar, and I were dating I told Cesar that if a child had to be born less than perfect that I was one of God’s warriors…I could handle it…I could take care of a child with a defect.  I don’t know why I felt that way, but I did.  So when Diego asked me this question I was reminded of that conversation between my husband and I over 15 years ago.  I told Diego that no mother ever wants their child to struggle with any type of defect, but that I always knew that I was strong enough to help my child if they were not perfectly created. 

Interestingly, last night my Dad and I were watching a YouTube video of how the human heart is developed in utero.  At the end of the video my Dad and I both commented that given the precise development that must occur that it is amazing that any heart develops perfectly.  The human body is truly a miracle and should be cherished and appreciated.  If you have children, whether they are perfectly created or not, please hold them and know that they are a precious gift from God that should be cherished forever!

Blueberry Muffins

Typically my second meal each day is a whole wheat bread.  I have found that eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast followed by a whole wheat muffin or slice of bread 2-3 hours later will help curve my appetite and sustain my energy level during the day.  I like to bake muffins or a loaf of bread over the weekend to eat throughout the week.  I have several recipes that I enjoy, but this blueberry muffin recipe is one of my favorites. 

Ingredients:

1 ¾ cups of whole wheat pastry flour

¼ cup of ground flaxseed

½ cup sucanat

1 tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

½ tsp sea salt

2 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

2 cups of fresh blueberries washed and dried thoroughly

½ cup of chopped pecans

1 large egg

1 cup low-fat buttermilk

3 tbsp virgin coconut oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°

In a large bowl mix the flour, sucanat, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking powder, and baking soda

Gently fold blueberries and pecans into the dry mixture

Bring buttermilk to room temperature in a medium bowl

Whisk egg and coconut oil into the buttermilk

Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients being careful not to over work the batter

Fill each muffin cup with ¾ cup of batter

Bake for 16-18 minutes or until lightly browned and a toothpick, inserted in the center, comes out clean

Remove from oven and let cool before gently removing muffins from tin