I know I keep throwing these Magazine and Newspaper articles at you guys, but I can't help it. Moriah has been in the media! That girl better keep her sunglasses on...but she better not start wearing them indoors...it irks me when people do that ;-)
Anyway, moving onto the point. Moriah's grandmother, Vera, has initiated a 5 million dollar endowment fund for Dr. Philippe Friedlich, under Moriah's name. The funds for the Moriah Nelson Chair will go towards research to improve the transition from hospital to home care for children who are medically complex like Moriah.
Even though we moved to the Bay Area, there were people in LA who made lasting impressions on us...Philippe was one of them with his incredible care that he provided for Moriah and our family.
This will be a priceless gift for families in our position. Thank you Vera and Philippe for wanting to make a difference in these children's lives...
Click on this link to read the article in the Beverly Hills Courier
Here is another similar article in our hometown's newspaper. Shout out to SM! =)
Click on this link to read the article in the San Marino Tribune.
As a family, we cannot stress enough the importance of being home. If it's possible, it is the best place for a child to thrive, and we believe, first-handedly, that home provides the consistency of care as well as a sense of "normalcy" that any child/parent needs. It is exciting to think about Philippe empowering even more families with his research. He is an amazing Doctor, and we know he will continue to make so many more lasting impressions on patients and their families...
Remember when Moriah was in Hope Magazine last year?
Well, this year they did a quick follow up on your girl to show everyone the incredible progress she has made since then. We are honored for Moriah to be one of the many inspirational, heroic stories in this magazine. You can click on this link to read.
Thank you Children's Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition for never giving up, and for always having hope...
Since we moved the weekend of Moriah's Birthday in January, we celebrated her Birthday a month later.
Included in our little Birthday celebration was the most spectacular cake donated by Icing Smiles! Icing Smiles is a non-profit organization that donates incredible cakes to medically fragile children and their siblings. We were so blessed to receive one of their beautiful cakes.
When Annette from Ana's Bakery walked through our door with this masterpiece, our jaws dropped to the floor!
It was one of the coolest cakes we've ever seen...hands down, it was the coolest Sesame Street cake ever.
It was the most perfect cake for this little Sesame Street Princess
Both our kids wanted to eat the cake so badly that they are shoving their fists down their mouths.
I was so sad to cut the masterpiece...
But we did, eventually, and it was delicious!
We were so fortunate to have Baba and Philippe here, helping us with the party. We couldn't have done it without them, and their endless runs to the store for us. Love you guys.
I wish I was able to take more pictures than I did, but I was too busy enjoying the moment. The few that I did take did not turn out that great.
But at least I know that this little girl ended the day with smiles...
Thank you Icing Smiles and Ana's Bakery for making this such a happy day for our family. It is one that we will always remember...
Ski Week? President's Week? Whatever the reason, Moriah had a week off from school.
I might add that I never got as many days off from school as the kids have nowadays. It's extremely upsetting...not because they should be in school, but because I didn't get to have all these awesome breaks like they do. Sucks.
Well, we for sure didn't waste anytime having fun.
Sunday:
Auntie Nina and Cousin Summer came
Monday:
Chill Play Day
Tuesday:
Ikea with Sharon! (Oh man. This is where the exclamation marks begin!)
Wednesday:
Happy Hollow!
We went with Sharon, Shannon, and Baby Savanah
Sharon feeding the goats with my children since I was too freaked out to get too close to them. Sharon, I'm not a total city girl! =) In my defense, I was traumatized as a little girl when I went to a goat farm in Malaysia, and the goats rammed my brother and I, and tore my clothes. No joke. Goats can be vicious.
The kids together!
And the best part of my week:
Moriah got to go on her first Carousel ride!!!!!!!
The only thing is, I felt like throwing up (I've become such a wimp in my old age), so...
Shannon got to take Moriah on round two!! Woohoo!!!!
Thursday:
Recover
Friday:
The Chez Family came to visit!
Hands down, this was also a favorite part of the week. This was a very special visit from some incredible friends...
Love. Moriah, Luke, Jadon, and Abbey.
Moriah was smitten by Adam, and pretty much wouldn't leave his side.
I was smitten by Terra =) This woman pretty much lifted me up the whole time M was in the ICU. I am forever grateful for her friendship, love, and support, and I am honored to be with her and her beautiful children.
And to end, the newest video from Hopeful Hearts. February is the month for creating Awareness about Congenital Heart Defects. Please spread the love...
