Sometimes it's fun to be a rule breaker;-)

     So yesterday we had a pretty good day.  I had a visit from one of my great friends through high school.  I practically lived at her house 9th-12th grade.  Julie Brashears and her two beautiful girls came to visit us in the hospital:)  I hadn't seen her in about 10 years!!  She was just as crazy and fun as she was back in high school.  It wasn't long after she got here that we decided to get into a little trouble (sorry mom, dad and Mr. and Mrs. Brashears) .  Julie had bought a brand new chihuahua puppy the day before and it just happened to be small enough to fit in my purse.  What 14 year old girl wouldn't what an adorable puppy to visit her in the hospital, right?  I am sure there is an argument for the validity of a pet's healing power!! So we brought the dog up in my purse and Bailey had about 2 hours of smiles while cuddling this adorable puppy!!

Bailey also had Nick come by and visit.  Unfortunately, she wasn't feeling great but still got to hang out a bit with him:) 

     I feel like Bailey is over the worst as far as medical issues but is really struggling with coming to grip with her illness.  We have been blessed with having several people in our life that know of ways to contact other teenagers with CHD (congenital heart defects).  We are actually talking about attending the It's My Heart 5k that is sponsored by TCH on February 18th.  It is supposed to be a lot of fun and an opportunity for Bailey to see thousands of people come out and support her cause.  I feel like Dustin and I have had 14 years to come to terms with Bailey's diagnosis but for Bailey it is like she is just learning about it.  The good news is we are in one of the best places in the world for a kiddo with a heart defect.

     Today was also a good day for me.  My sweet husband came up with the idea of letting me get out of the hospital to go surprise Maddie for lunch.  She was super excited when she saw me in the cafeteria and I had to fight back tears at her joy:)  I was also able to stop by Bailey's school and pick up some work for her as well as talk about the best way to tackle all the absences this year.  We ended our evening with a visit from old friends from when Dustin worked at Champions.  The Killoughs came to see us and Bailey was really happy to catch up with a friend, Elizabeth, who was her partner in crime since about the age of 6.  She just said, "I forgot how much I love talking to Elizabeth.  She makes me happy."  It doesn't get much better than that!!

     Hopefully, tomorrow I can talk about moving day.  Dustin and I are trying finagle our way off the 7th floor.  If we can get to a different floor then she might be able to go to the teen room, Radio Lollipop and maybe even outside.  We feel like these things might be a real help for the hospital blues.  Thanks again for all your words, prayers, cards, gifts and visits.  We are blessed:)

In Christ,

Jackie