CHD Awareness

is this week. It has been a bitter-sweet week. My emotions have been absolutely out of wack. Just the mention of my sweet niece's name, Mercydez, stabs my heart. I nearly break into tears. I love my little niece. To say I miss her is so....inadequate. So not-right. I miss "My Sweeeetie". I miss her expressions. I miss her noises. I miss her cute little attitude. I miss her spirit. One day. One day I'll be with her again.


CHD is Congenital Heart Disease/Defect. What that means is the heart disease/defect is formed before birth. There are more than 40 different types of CHD. Little is known about the cause of most of them. There is no known prevention or cure for ANY of them.


What is the benefit of CHD Awareness? If you are educated, you can encourage family and friends who are expecting to request their OBGYN to look specifically at their unborn child's heart. If CHD is suspected they/you will then have time to prepare; to network with doctors, hospitals, insurance companies, and other CHD families. This is a GREAT advantage.

Here are some other facts (yes, I'm spreading awareness!!)

1) Congenital Heart Disease/Defects is ANY type of heart disease/defect formed before birth. At least HALF of all children diagnosed with CHD will require at least one invasive surgery.

2) Almost half of all children and adults with complex CHD's have neurological and developmental disabilities.

3) CHD is the most common birth defect in the USA. 1 in 100 children born are diagnosed with CHD. 1 in 10 children diagnosed with CHD will not live to see adulthood.

4) Only one penny of every dollar donated to the American heart Association goes toward Congenital Heart Defect research. Only The Children's Heart Foundation contributes 100% of donations to CHD research.


With this month being the month of love, pink, red, and heart-shaped items, I hope you will remember and respect those who suffer from a CHD. Thank you for taking the time to read this, allowing me to spread awareness in honor of my Miracle Angel.

Happy Valentine's!

2010 Winter Olympic Games

Trav and I are sitting here watching the Opening Ceremonies. Wow. Isn't it incredible what we can do with modern day technology?! I think they announced that in China the budget for the Opening Ceremonies was 300 million - absolutely CrAzY - and the Vancouver Opening Ceremonies has the budget of 30 million (if I heard right). Compared to China that's pocket change! Yet if you think about it, 30 million dollars is a TON of money! The ceremony has been beautiful so far. I think so anyways.

I love watching the performers and hear the different facts shared through out the more boring parts. Fascinating. It was announced that Iran and Israel are separated by one country (Ireland) when walking in the ceremony. It was also mentioned that Iran has withdrawn when there has been direct competition between the two. That breaks my heart.

With that said, I find it completely fascinating that we can gather, as a world, to celebrate the athleticism of the many different countries. I do wonder, though, have we become so calloused that world peace is something we grunt or roll our eyes at? I wonder if there will ever be a time, besides the Olympics, when each country can wave their flag while other countries cheer them on..and we can do this together. I don't know. Probably not. Sad? Yeah.

Tangent. Sorry. I just get to thinkin' sometimes. I guess what I'm saying is I'm enjoying what I'm seeing. And despite the "small" budget, I think Vancouver has done a GREAT job.

GO USA!!!!!!

No Pain No Gain

If this is true then I should be gaining BIG TIME! And we're only running two miles/day this week. OuChY!

Prayers, sympathy, & chocolate are more then welcome! Feel free to shower me with them throughout the next 12 weeks. ;)

Oh boy...

An inspiring idea

So, Nic & Ash have decided to train for and participate in a half marathon and have invited others to join them. I have decided to put my best efforts forward and do it! They are dedicating their run to a precious, beautiful daughter of theirs who couldn't run...they are running for someone who can't; someone who couldn't. I find that incredibly inspiring. I know my little girl, Mercydez, is so excited for her Mommy and Daddy to get into shape and take care of their bodies. I'm sure she is so happy she's being remembered in such a positive, uplifting way.

I'm sure those who have trials with their health would hope that those of us who have been blessed with good health would be grateful for that gift and use it.

So, I have decided to commit myself. This is going to be incredibly hard and VERY time consuming. I have decided to do my best and TRY. I am dedicating this to my miracle-niece, Mercydez. I am also dedicating this to some dear friends who I admire and who I know aren't able to, not by choice either.

I wanted to invite any of you to join in our efforts to use what we've been blessed with (with deep gratitude) and dedicate our efforts. LET'S RUN FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T...whether they're still with us or not. Find your inspiration and let's do it.

I figure if we do it together it will, hopefully, be easier. And my mentality is this: who cares if you (or we) walk the half marathon. Who cares how long it takes you (or us!) to finish. All that matters is that we DO it. There's nothing to lose. Even if you train and have to stop before the big day in May. You will have gained better health! It's a win-win situation.

I have been reading an incredible book "Man's Search For Meaning" by Viktor Frankl. It's his story explaining how he survived the concentration camps during World War II. Ya want to know what kept him alive? His WHY. He lived by a one liner, "He who has a why to live for (insert run for) can bear almost any how" (Nietzsche).

So what do you say? Find a why and you'll be able to accomplish the how...

So, start today. If you "fall" just get back up tomorrow. Something is better then nothing.

Run 2 miles today, 2 1/2 miles tomorrow, 3 miles Saturday, and Sunday's a rest day (no running).

I hope you'll join me. Find your why and let's do this together! Even if you don't live in Utah I invite you to join in on the fun. You'll gain good health. :)

whaddya think??

P.S. Remember, you fail 100% of the things you don't TRY. Incentive enough?!? ;)