Happy Birthday To Me! Some fun things about me. :)

I celebrated my Birthday last Saturday. Let's say I am over 40. :)

I love Birthdays. I am not one of those people who says, "oh don't worry about it" or "let's not do anything". I love to celebrate Birthdays! It doesn't have to be a huge party, but there does HAVE TO be CAKE.

I especially love CAKE.

CAKE, CAKE, AND MORE CAKE. I like gooooood cakes. Good frosting. I just savor it all week. Not the cheap frosting that some grocery store cakes have that sticks to the roof of your mouth like grease. I mean real, sweet, good frosting.

Having a piece of cake with coffee and being grateful for another year of life.

My sister-in-law visited on Saturday and she brought a cake that my mother-in-law sent from Mobile from Cakes By Judy. My favorite!! So yummy!

Yes, I really can talk this much about CAKE!

Birthdays are that one day to celebrate YOU! It's nice to have one day to say, it's fun to be ME!

Anyway, I am so thankful for my Birthday. I am thankful for another year to enjoy with my family. My husband. My kids. My friends. My job.

I don't talk too much about my job here on the blog, but I want to say that I love my job. It brings me so much joy. I have worked for the Disney Co. for 22 years. 22 years! Wow, that has flown by! I am a singer, comedian, dancer, actor, host, storyteller and more. I laugh with my friends everyday! How fun is that?

So here are just a few pics of what I do, some past, some present:

Well, First of all, let's not forget my CAKE! Thanks Lolli!

The Monster Laugh Floor, Magic Kingdom

Dolly Drew (along with Six-Bits Slocum) in the Hoop Dee Doo Revue Dinner Show

The Ziti Sisters at Epcot's Italy Pavilion

Cyclone Sally (with Tumbleweed Will) at Mickey's Backyard BBQ Show

Field Producers at The American Idol Experience, Disney's Hollywood Studios

Claire DeLune, with Johnny Ringo (my husband :) ) at the Hoop Dee Doo Revue Dinner Show

World Showcase Players at Epcot UK Pavilion

Citizens of Hollywood, Disney's Hollywood Studios

Host of "What's Your Problem" Game Show , Epcot Innoventions

Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree, Diamond Horseshoe, Magic Kingdom

Best role of all: Mom at Home!

Well..Surgery has been postponed once again...

Due to the cough that Hua Hua had, but doesn't have anymore, but did have, although not a trace of it is left, but hasn't been over long enough, ahhh, well, you get what I'm saying. They are not doing the surgery this week.

They have postponed Katie Grace Hua Hua's heart surgery until next week on the 22nd.

Don't get me wrong, I totally understand that they have to be very careful, and I want her to be safe above all! It is just hard to get all worked up and planned for a surgery and then have it cancelled and rescheduled at the last minute several times. Not to mention taking off of work, losing all of those hours (when you are an hourly worker and not exactly rolling in the dough :) ), then having to take off more work, and also changing families' plans who are trying to come from out of town.

But we will get through this and our little girl will have her surgery and most importantly God will bring her to health!

So don't get too set on next week, but pray that it will happen for sure!!! Let's believe to to be so!! Thank you for your prayers my dear friends!!

SURGERY HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED

I know I am not a good blogger these days. I hope to be a good one again soon.

Katie Grace was originally scheduled to have surgery this week and it has been rescheduled for March 14th. That is due to the fact that there were some other infants born into the Heart unit that have immediate needs.

Unfortunately, she has been very sick this week as well. Fever for 4 days and a cough, so it is possible they may even add one more week to that date, but I will keep you all posted.

Thank you SO much to you dear friends who have emailed me to check in and see how she is doing!

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY KATIE GRACE HUA HUA!! Pics from a Day at Disney.

Yes, once again, I have been out of blog land for several weeks. So when I say that I will get used to time management with now 4 kids, I guess I mean in about 5 years, LOL! Besides, we have been concentrating on other things here at the house, like Hua Hua's appointments, school, activities, work, etc!

Good news! Hua WILL be having her heart surgery! It is schedule for February 29th!

Our tiny little peanut turned 4 yesterday, Feb 7th! I will do a little more in depth "report" on how far she has progressed since coming home, at her 6 month home mark. But for today, I just want to celebrate her VERY SPECIAL DAY.

Katie Grace's Birthday is a VERY SPECIAL DAY because we will celebrate it with such joy in knowing God gave her life in a time and in a place where her entrance into life may not have been welcomed in the way she deserved. Nevertheless, He spared her, and someone cared enough to spare her. He placed her in our hearts and we began our journey to her.

Here she is! Smiling, dancing, laughing, talking, playing, directing, snuggling, hugging, kissing, and well, just basically marching around our house entertaining us all and wearing us out!

What a Birthday gift to us indeed!

Christina and Katie Grace on the tram heading into the Magic Kingdom!

Just had to post this because Joshua's face is making me laugh! Still on the tram from the parking lot.

Main Street USA in front of Cinderella's Castle!

A must-stop in Adventure Land for delicious pineapple ice cream! One of our favorites!

Well, she definitely is one ours, because Hua Hua loved the pineapple ice cream too!

Katie Grace and Joshua patiently waiting for Captain Jack Sparrow!

Those pirates are funny!!

Matthew (13) having a great day too! He decided to have a seat in the stroller during the show. Comfy Matt??

Katie Grace wasn't so sure about those pirates.....

Captain Jack Sparrow was fantastic!!

What a fun show! Mom happens to know these funny pirates!

I was cheering away, as you can see, Hua Hua wasn't so sure about being so close to them!

I must have been totally enthralled, she, still not sure, lol!

Some of the kids got to go onstage and become pirates! Joshua was SO HAPPY and took the pirate oath loudly!!!! Hua Hua was so excited! She just kept looking at me and waving and jumping up and down with excitement.

Captain Jack Sparrow came up to the kids to give them a special farewell!

Opening their scrolls!

Ok, good bye pirates! Now it's time to find some princesses!

Katie Grace couldn't believe her eyes when she walked into a room with 3 princesses!!!!! She was just ENTHRALLED!!

Sleeping Beauty woke up and took some photos with the kids! She was so lovely!!!

Belle certainly was a Beauty, not a Beast! Um Belle, I don't remember that dress being so.... well.. ummm... :) Oh well! She was wonderful!

Cinderella was Hua Hua's favorite! Hua Hua was just in heaven! Cinderella was so nice and beautiful and talked with her! I love this pic!

Christina hopped into a pic with Cinderella because she happens to feel as though she and Cinderella are "good friends" ;) .... Almost as if they've known each other "for a long time" ;)

Nothing like a big sister to hold you after a long day of walking! Even if you are a very large 6 year old!

Joshua, Matthew and Katie Grace sitting on the Monster Laugh Floor sign, just before we went in for the show! I happen to work there and "know" those Monsters quite well! ;)

Sisters.

Snack time.

Ok, AND NOW, it was time for The Mouse, The Big Cheese, The payer of my paychecks... Mickey Mouse! Hua Hua went crazy when she saw him, shouting, "Mickey! Mickey!" and dancing and hopping around him, giggling! I honestly believe that he was actually overjoyed at the moment too because we were all laughing, including the assistants, and Mickey was dancing around too with her for several moments and looking at us and making fun gestures!

She still was just giggling with joy! Joshua thought this all was pretty funny!

The kids had a nice group pic!

Hua's Hua'a face at seeing Minnie Mouse live for the 1st time!

There's Minnie and the whole gang in the show at the Castle Stage!

And finally, to end the day, fireworks!

KATIE GRACE'S HEART IN MORE DETAIL

I was only able to post a quick update after surgery. This post is a little more detailed for those who have been asking.

Also, I am adding just a few precious photos of our little angel. I know she is so delicate as she is recovering, but if you saw the fight she put up after surgery, pulling out her breathing tube and yelling for me, fighting the nurses, even after they gave her medication that would "calm her down in a minute" NOT, you will know what strong girl she is. She is a survivor. She was back to playing and giggling again by the time we arrived home the following day, in fact it has been hard to get her to not "jump, run, or climb."!

When we received Katie Grace's file for adoption, we knew of 2 heart defects. A VSD and PFO. These are usually considered minor or correctable. In other words, these holes could close as she is growing, she could just live fine with them or if necessary, the VSD could be closed and this is done often and successfully. The PFO is usually left alone. We also knew that she had Pulmonary Hypertension which is common with a VSD.

Upon her 1st visit to the cardiologist. We found her VSD to be very large. Much larger than most, causing much stress to her lungs and damage. The cardiologist said she needed surgery in order to have a full life, but that her lungs probably wouldn't allow the surgery. This was very concerning news.

Upon her 1st visit to the cardiac surgeon, they also detected a 3rd defect. An ASD. On more hole on the anterior. (you can google all of these defects to get more details if interested). He scheduled that Cardiac Catheterization to be done immediately. This specialist however felt she would be a candidate for surgery. This was encouraging!

During cardiac catheterization surgery, they found yet 1 more defect, a PDA. Now a total of 4 defects. This one will also need a repair. They also found the lungs to have sustained damage, HOWEVER the heart and lungs were giving pressure. This is good! The Dr believed she will still be able to receive surgery and will meet w/his team this week to discuss if they agree she can handle surgery, when she will have it, and what type of patch they will put on the VSD. The bad news is, her lungs are struggling and have a small amount of time to get this done. The good news is, the type of pulmonary disease can be reversed, if she has surgery, with medication over time.

We will hear from the Dr in the next few days and they will give us a surgery date. She will need to have open heart surgery in 3-4 weeks. Keep this in your prayers and that again, she will stay well and free from any cold. My oldest daughter now has the cold that has gone through the house, UGH!

Thank you for your love and prayers!

JUST A BRIEF UPDATE

I wanted to post a quick update because I am so grateful for my dear friends who are praying!

Katie Grace is in recovery. You all are right, what an agonizing wait it was indeed!

So the Dr came and spoke with us and he was maybe not quite as joyful as he was pre op, however, generally positive.

He said that her VSD was very large. They detected yet another defect, a PDA, making 4 now. VSD, ASD, PFO, and PDA

He feels she is most probably a candidate for surgery. He will
consult w/his team this week and meet w/us on the plan and dates. Most likely in 3 -4 weeks.

He also said her lungs have sustained damage. This damage means that the heart surgery can be risky so keep praying! The good news, after the surgery, this type of lung damage is reversible w/medication. Praise the Lord!

She has had a hard time coming out of it all this afternoon and evening. Pulled out the intubator tube and then fought like a pro wrestler, throwing one of her all time great tantrums that I haven't seen for awhile for 25 min! :) She is still having low oxygen and breathing issues and vomiting even at this time, 6pM.

Thank you and know that God is so good.

MID SURGERY...

Our Katie Grace is now 4 1/2 hours into her heart and lung catheterization surgery as we speak. They have called me about 4 times now and have updated me on her progress from the surgery room. All is well and they are still checking her heart chambers for pressure levels at this time.

Keep your prayers coming.

THIS IS HOW I FEEL ABOUT HEART DEFECTS! TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY.

Our 16 year old Christina took Hua Hua outside for a photo shoot, and wow! She really took some cute shots! Of course what an adorable model! This first picture of Hua I think sums up how we feel about heart defects!!

Tomorrow, Monday Jan 9th, Katie Grace Hua Hua goes into APH for her Lung Catheterization Surgery. This surgery will determine whether or not her lungs have the capacity to handle the heart surgery that is absolutely necessary. If you recall, the 1st cardiologist we saw was not optimistic. The surgeon however, was optimistic! For those of you with heart babies, Katie Grace has a large VSD, she also has a PFO and they just detected an ASD as well. 3 holes. The VSD is the most damaging for her. We trust and believe that God has already taken care of this situation and given her heart and lungs all that they need for a full and healthy life.

I haven't posted the date for this surgery until today, I know many have asked, because we already had to cancel once due to a cough she had a month ago. She has to be free of any cough or runny nose. She has been free of any issue this entire past 4 weeks. Unfortunately I came down with a cold this week and so has her brother Joshua who she plays with constantly. I just wanted to cry!! I have been washing and sanitizing hands and doing everything to avoid this. So far she is clear and she is less than 24 hours from surgery. She has sneezed a few times though.

We will arrive at the hospital at 7AM. They will begin surgery at 9AM and she will be put under anesthesia. They will use line through her leg and up to her lungs for this surgery and it will last for 4 hours. Then she remain overnight tomorrow night.

Asking for your heartfelt prayers my dear friends and family!!!

HAPPY 13th BIRTHDAY MATTHEW!!!! AND HAPPY DIA DE REYES!!!

Today is a day to celebrate the day our Matthew was born!! As I have mentioned on occasion and is no secret, I was married once before. Matthew and Christina's heritage from their dad is Puerto Rican. On this day of January 6th, (which is also celebrated as The Epiphany) in Puerto Rico and many South American countries, they celebrate Dia De Reyes! or Three Kings Day! This day represents the day that the 3 kings arrived to see the Newborn Savior, and they were bearing gifts. In Puerto Rico, Santa Claus was not quite a big deal at all up until recently. He was more a tale and and a stocking might be filled along with a big feast and music was held on Christmas, but Dia De Reyes was the big day for gifts. The children would put a box of grass under their bed for the camels, and the grass would be tossed around the room in the morning and the box filled with gifts!

Well, Matthew was born on Dia De Reyes, his full name is Manuel Matthew Castro. Manuel, bearing his dad's name, a translation of Emanuel meaning "God With Us", and Matthew meaning "Gift From God". So his name fits the feeling of the season and what a gift he is indeed on this day that represents the bearing of gifts for one another!

He is a kind and gentle soul. Helpful and thoughtful and always the one to know when someone needs assistance or a kind word. He is also full of boy energy and often plays outside with his friends all day and loves sports, plays violin, and video games too!

The True Spirit of Christmas - You HAVE to read my friend Amy's post about HER Christmas.

Just hop over to her post for just a quick few seconds, I swear you'll be hooked to read the rest!!

Many who read my blog are in the adoption community or just have a heart for the orphan. As I have expressed on a few occasions, being a true missionary is something I feel I may have somehow missed out on, although adoption and representing children in court is definitely a form of mission work! I still am so enthralled and drawn to the true missionary; living out their life on the mission field, just their family, the needs of the people, and God are what they live daily. As you can see by my favorite books list on my side bar, this is what read about often!

Amy at Amy's Assorted Adventures lives it. She and her family picked up and moved to Zambia and run an orphanage. If you have a moment, go over and read her post, The Other Side Of Christmas Week and then The Other Side Of Christmas Week Part Two and experience her heart wrenching and joyful post and what it means to live out the true spirit of Christmas by giving of yourself fully.

Go Amy!