Maddie's Mission

I guess you can say I'm still reminiscing about our time in Austin.

However it does help that the weather in Louisville is absolutely gorgeous this week, so at least we didn't come back to rain and cold weather.

While we were there we got the chance to take some family pictures--yay!

A friend of mine is an amazing photographer and is really able to capture "moments" and not just your standard photo.  So, we were excited when she was available to spend some time with our family at a nearby park.

Of course this is what the weather was like when we arrived...

But the sun quickly came out.  

After our time together Lynn told me about a friend of hers who also had some sad experience with CMV.  Her daughter was named Maddie and her story is at the link above.  

It was so encouraging to talk with someone who had at least heard of the virus, however due to unfortunate circumstances.  She told me her friend had started an organization called Maddie's Mission in the Houston area and I should check out her page.  

Her website does give a lot of the facts and has some encouraging stories of kiddos who are doing really well (which you don't find online very often).  This organization is fundraising and working with TX representatives to increase the awareness of the virus in that state.  Bless them!

I have contacted this organization and a few others, when I come across them, to see what they are doing.  I do pray that my kids will not have to worry about this virus when they have kids.  

I'll leave you with a few other photos from our time together.  If you are in the Austin area and need a good photographer make sure you check out this link you won't be disappointed!   

priceless snuggles

 finally getting my girl to smile!

father & son

I love you

"Therefore we do not lose heart.

Though outwardly we are wasting away,

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

2 Corinthians 4:16

A Breath of Fresh Air - Literally.

Last week we were blessed with a trip back to Austin!

Back to the land of big bridges, small trees, warm temperatures and sweet relationships. 

We decided to go so we could reconnect with friends and introduce Hannah. 

Since Hannah's diagnosis we have felt lots of support from our community of friends there but it was nice to have more time (in person) for more indepth conversations. 

Hearing everyone's questions about CMV (and confusion, since it's such an obscure virus) got me thinking about using this blog as an avenue of awareness. 

You may have noticed at the top of the blog there are now tabs about us & CMV. My hope is that people who have questions about the virus can find some answers here and be aware of the risk for pregnant mamas. We truly don't want another family to go through what we have. 

Ok, back to our trip. 

It was constant, but good constant. Seeing friends, seeing sights (and tastes) in Austin that we have missed. Visiting our church community, playing on one playground after another, going to a parade and so much more. 

All of us on the plane...surviving. 

Waiting on the parade with friends!

Kids, kids and more kids. What will they all be like the next time we're together? Sniff, sniff...

Above is one of E's closest friends when we lived there. It was fun to re-introduce them. 

Dancin' to the live music. 

Socked out on the way home. 

Our week was full in all the good ways. 

Thanks everyone in Austin for hosting us and making us feel so welcome. We miss you guys and can't wait to see you again!

"As iron sharpens iron, 

so one man sharpens another. " 

Proverbs 27:17

Thanks for sharpening us, friends!