Can't Wait!

Almost 2 full weeks away... As sad as it is for vacation to end, it's always nice to come home.  Home to our dogs, home to our comfy bed which usually gets bombarded by our dogs, home to Lucia's nursery and cozy crib, home to our big soft couch which also usually gets bombarded by dogs, home to our humble little abode, and home to plan for a party that is just 1 week away!
The St. Lucia White Party.  The St. Little Lu White Party.  It's about a little girl that came into our life a little less than 17 months ago.  My dear friends and co-hosts of the party have been doing more than I can say...and Jason and I couldn't be more excited.  There will be live music from Jamaican native- Herman Wynter, Caribbean cuisine by the Saucy Chef-Kim Hicks, a Candy Bar by Elyse Slayton, a most generous array of silent auction items, open bars, raffle items, information about PKS Kids, and some other festivities throughout the night.  And beside us, amongst friends, the guest of honor-our little girl.  Our little St. Lucia.  Little Lu, Lubird, our Light.  I love planning this party with my friends-Kim, Laura, Megan, and Elyse.  I love seeing the guest list grow.  I love helping design the perfect White Party for PKS Kids.  I even love asking for silent auction item donations.  And I love that this is all because of a little angel named Lucia.  I'm blown away so many times by the generosity, the excitement, the help, the planning...it sometimes seems like a dream.  It's truly amazing.
One week from today we will have the Second Annual St. Lucia White Party to help raise funds, awareness and spread the love about these precious kids affected by a crazy syndrome called Pallister-Killian Syndrome.  We can't wait.  I'm so proud of my little girl.   I love you Lucia. I love all that make this night possible...

Fall 2011 in her White Attire

Fall 2012 giving a beautiful smile! She's growing up

Thank you Jon, Courtney, and beautiful baby Imogen for a great visit at your home-you're a family!  Thank you Aunt Katy for a perfect but too short of a visit in your home. Thank you also for your donation- it was so great to finally have you meet Jason and Lucia.  Thank you Mario and Linda for a PERFECT paradise vacation.
Thank you Richter family for the Bee Mighty t's www.beemighty.org- check it out! And last but not least- thank you Lizzie and Lucy Bobilya for the new cozy pj's for lubird!

Aloha and a girl named GINNY!

an exotic and beautiful Hawaiian Lubird!

Aloha! It's Monday or Sunday or Tuesday or actually, I'm not sure... but it is another day in paradise!  We're vacationing in Maui, Hawaii, with Jason's family.   Ahhhh the palm trees, the ocean, the cute little lizards, bustling floral bushes, fresh seafood and succulent fruit, and perfectly deliciously lush place that seems just like paradise...  ha-vai-wee.  weeeeeeee.
We have so many great things to do, to see, to smell, to eat, to not do...it's just that kind of place... so much to do and at the same time, a perfect place to do nothing at all.
  

love my lu

funny Kayla- 3 pacifiers!

relaxing mornings...

daddy and lucia together and all to themselves

bird on a horse!

lady of leisure strikes again!

love birds! Linda and Mario

the crew at Monkey Pod-mmmmmm

daddy and lu

cousins!

morning canoe-we swam with sea turtles!

After our glorious trip we are so excited to have a 2 1/2 day layover in San Francisco where we will meet my new niece, Lucia's new cousin, Jon and Courtney's NEW BABY GIRL!!!!!
Imogen "Ginny" Eleanor Hicks born on September 7th by natural birth-awesome Court!
I grew up with boys, boys, boys and lately its been girls, girls, girls...YAY for girls!

mommy and daughter-meet for the first time

proud daddy Jon!

so beautiful- little Ginny!

Can't wait to meet this bundle! So happy for their first little child.  There's nothing better!
And am so fortunate to be on this trip, with this family!  Life is GRAND!

Just One Touch

We have met some incredible families on our little journey of having a child diagnosed with Pallister-Killian Syndrome.  Brooke and Shaun Turner are one of those families.  Their daughter, Isabella was born in October of 2010, just 6 months before Lucia in Mobile, Alabama.  We've gotten to know each over the past year, first through facebook, then email and phone and thankfully at the PKS conference.  Brooke recently wrote and sang a song for her little girl and Jason and I think it's one of the most beautiful songs we've ever heard.  Here it is:

"This is a song I wrote the other day. I was inspired while thinking about my little girl and the struggles she faces, and the hurt I feel watching her struggle. I sometimes sing to her a song of healing to lift both our spirits. But this time, words come out that I had never heard. Words of healing, words of comfort, words I needed to hear. In that moment, I felt the presence of God. Just one touch from Jesus is all Isabella and I need."

http://youtu.be/zLy2f-9vmsM

We love you Brooke, Shaun and Isabella!  Thank you for sharing this amazing song and for sharing this journey with our little girls.

the Turner Family!

And Emilio Valazquez, father to our next door neighbor and friend,  Karen and grandfather to her children, Emilio and Mateo, may you rest in peace.  "Do not stand at my grave and weep". xo