Thankful Everyday!

My Healthy Girl!!

Like everyone out there, life has been crazy lately. It has been almost 3 months since my last post (which I guess is actually fantastic) because there has not been much to report . No posts means Ava is doing Fabulous!!! Since she had her elbow cast removed she has been nothing but healthy. Her hips look great and no X-rays until April. Yeah!! This fall she completed her soccer season (and boy can that girl run), started Ballet and embraced Kindergarten. In early November she has her annual well check and I was thrilled she gained 3lbs and grew just under 3 inches! Finally she is healthy and I hope it all continues! As for me I finally feel more relaxed about her every day life. I no longer flinch at every fall and feel completely confident those hips are staying put. I am feeling very blessed. Princess P is finally on an upswing and It feels great to be on the other side. I hope her story can bring hope for other parents and children going through hip problems. The journey is not easy but seeing your child without pain makes every step worth it!

Through Ava's hip journey I have used this blog to keep family and friends updated, help spread awareness and wrote in hope to help even just one child. Writing for me has always helped me relieve my anxiety, stress and fears. So although this is going to go off my usual topics I want to share a difficult time my whole family has been going through...

When I began this blog I gave a little family history on my own immediate family but really have not shared much beyond that. I am the youngest of five children, with a 16 year span between the oldest and myself. I have 6 nieces, 2 nephews, 3 great nephews and 1 great niece. Needless to say our family is large. Most of us are married or have a significant other and the Holidays are crazy with our ever expanding family. On October 28 my oldest sister, Susan suffered a bleeding stroke. I will never forget the feeling I had when I received the call that she was on the way to St. Luke's in Bethlehem, PA. She was stable but we didn't know much else. I think I have been through every emotion when Ava was in the mist of surgeries and treatments but this was completely different. All I could think is I need my sister here and losing her would be unbearable.

Sisters~ Me, Susan & June

Despite our 16 year age difference, we are close. There have been waves through out our lives that we have been closer then others but now that I am older we have so much more to share. When I was 4 Susan taught me to read, to ride my bike and bought me my first pair of Dr. Scholl's. ( I had to have shoes that made clicking sound when I walked, just like hers.) I was her flower girl at age 5 and spent lots of time at her apartment. Susan has taught me many things like how important it is to take care of my skin (if you look at hers, she is ageless), always wear lipstick, never go out with roots, always wax your eyebrows, all else fails, bleach it and the first thing you do when you move is change the toilet seats. (I think she has bought me one at every house I have lived in as an adult.) She finds the coolest trinket that suit both my kids personality and her house is one of their favorite places to go. Susan has always been like another Mom to me. She has a giving heart and prior to her stroke, she cared for a man who suffered a stroke as a teenager.

Dave & Susan

Susan spent 10 days at St. Luke's and is currently in Kessler for rehabilitation. My brother-in-law Dave has been her rock and has been by her side every step of the way. He is her advocate and the love between them is absolutely amazing. Susan is slowly getting better and has even began to take a few steps with help. In the next few weeks she will be able to return home and continue with out patient therapy. She is recovering quicker then my family could ever dream but still has a very long road ahead of her.

Her best friend has set up a foundation to raise funds to help pay for the accumulating hospital bills. I am asking all the people that have been such a great support through Ava's journey to please consider donating. Our goal is $10,000, so far we have raised $4,045! I know you have bills to pay and holiday presents to buy but a $1 goes a long way. If you would like to donate go to http://www.giveforward.com/ and search for Susan Snider. We appreciate all the support.

Susan at Kessler with Jack & Ava.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for all I have. I am blessed with healthy children and a large loving family, especially blessed to still have my amazing, strong sister. Please pray for Susan's continued healing. Life can change in a instant so remember to appreciate all you have. Hug you loved ones tight and always tell them how much you love them! Happy Thanksgiving!! xoxo