They told us she might never walk...

and look at her now! That's my 8 year old daughter Savanna, the 2ND one in on the left. When she was born 4 weeks early weighing a whopping 4 lbs 4 oz she was diagnosed with severe Hip Displaysia. Basically in English it means her hip sockets weren't formed. In her case at all. She wore a special brace called a Pavlik Harness until she was about 9 months old. Once the brace came off we were told she would probably walk with a limp and have gait problems her entire life. Well her Orthopedic Surgeon obviously didn't know Savanna very well. To say she was off and running would be an understatement! Once she was given the freedom to move around she did just that and never looked back!

This Christmas she is participating in Mountain West Ballet Company's Nutcracker performance as a Bon Bon. This is quite a milestone for as she endured quite painful treatment for Ankle Equinus this year. As if her Hip Displaysia weren't enough right! Well to put it in language we can all understand Ankle Equinus is a condition caused by her Achilles tendons being much too short. Up until this last spring she has never been able to walk flat footed. It was physically impossible for her to walk other than on her tip toes. After being accepted into Shriners Hospital she endured 6 weeks of serial casting and 4 months in custom made braces while they attempted to stretch her tendons. She has now moved onto wearing the braces only at night.

The reason I tell you all of this is just to remind us all that miracles do happen everyday. It was a miracle that Savanna made it through an incredibly difficult pregnancy and emergency C-section. It was a miracle that she crawled and ran (not walked, ran). It was a miracle that she was accepted for treatment at Shriners where she received top notch care from some of the best doctors and specialists in the world. It was a miracle that her tendons were still able to be stretched at 8 years old and that she can plie properly now for the 1st time in her life. Let us all remember the miracle that is Christmas. This is such a special time of year and I am reminded now more than ever that miracles happen everyday for those that believe! I leave you with one more photo of my baby who is now 8. There are miracles in all of our lives if we just look closely enough. Thank you for indulging me in my proud mamma moment and Merry Christmas to you all!!

Love,

Angela

68 years ago today

The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor resulting in the US involvement in WWII. The attack sank 4 US Navy battleships and damaged 4 more. The Japanese also sank or destroyed 3 cruisers, 3 destroyers and 1 minelayer, plus they destroyed 188 aircraft causing more than 2400 deaths and injuring close to 1300 people. While WWII did not happen in my lifetime I still personally feel it is my duty as an American citizen to recognize the brave men and women who fought to eradicate evil back in 1941 as well as today. Please stand with me today and proudly recognize their sacrifice and the lives lost. This great country we call home would not be what it is today without their bravery!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Angela

Happy Thanksgiving-a little late

Hello everyone. I know that I am little late as usual but I want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. This time of year always seems to remind me of all the amazing things I have to be grateful for. I could always just recite the 3 "F's"...Family, Friends and Food. But to be honest that would be cutting my list way too short. I have so much more to be grateful for than just that! I want to say a public THANK YOU to all of my amazing clients! I am truly blessed to be entrusted with your precious families and beautiful memories. I am also incredibly blessed with an amazing family of my own, both immediate and extended. I have a super patient and understanding hubby and 2 really fun, spunky kids that keep me on my toes. I also have a warm home with yummy food plus lots of extras that many go without. I am truly blessed and at this time of year I am reminded more and more of those who are not so fortunate. So I am putting a public THANK YOU out in the universe. I know things could be a lot worse and that I am rich beyond measure.





I'd better add a photo now after all what good is a blog post without photos right?!

This little cutie is Taylor and we've been friends for a long time. This is one of those photos where I was quick enough and fortunate enough to capture a glimpse of the "real" Taylor. Starting about this age I really have to work hard to catch the quiet sweetness that you miss if you're not paying really close attention. There was no posing and no "cheese" here-just pure sweetness through and through. Thanks again Heather! I always feel so special to be included in your girls' lives.

Back to the grindstone for me!
Angela