blessings...

I can't believe it has been over a year since I last posted! So much has happened in the last year and I have to say that I am feeling completely BLESSED, it has been a great year! Cooper is doing fabulous! We met with his cardiologist back in May and he said his heart looked great and we didn't have to see him again for another year. This was incredible news for us since he has been going to cardiology appointments at least every 6 months since he has been born. We are so happy, and are hoping the worst is behind us and his little heart will stay healthy and strong...so far so good!

As I mentioned in my V-day post last year, since Cooper's birth Valentines day has always been a hard time of year for me. Something about preparing for open heart surgery during the month of February 2 years in a row just kinda takes the fun out of it...but last year on Valentines Day we got some great news for once when I found out I was pregnant!

Everyone was SO excited, especially Cooper, he couldn't wait to finally become a big brother!

And here he is. Baby Beckham!

He is perfect and heart healthy, and has changed our lives forever. 

We are so in love with him!

So this year Valentines Day took on a whole new meaning for us as we celebrated with our new addition, and of course counted our blessings that it has been 3 years since Cooper's last heart surgery!

I couldn't love this little guy more, he is growing up way too fast and we are so proud to be his parents. He has taught us so much. Now when Valentines Day comes around, instead of dreading it like I have done in years past, I think about how precious life is and how blessed I am to have my beautiful little family to love and celebrate with, not just on Valentines Day but every day! 

Valentines Day...

So, it's been awhile since I posted on this blog. But in this case, no news is good news right? Cooper is doing great, he is now 3 1/2 and is still as crazy and active as ever. Every single day I catch myself looking at him and thinking to myself what a miracle he is. Words can't express how thankful I am to have him in my life and doing so well! If you have followed my blog in the past you will probably remember that we usually get bad news in February and it is NOT my favorite month of the year. Valentines Day takes on a whole new meaning when you are stuck in the hospital or preparing for open-heart surgery...Somehow those cute little hearts everywhere just don't sit well with you and I will admit, ever since Cooper has been born I dread February and especially Valentines Day. But last year for the first time since his birth we celebrated V-day with Cooper being heart healthy and this year Valentines Day took on an entirely new meaning to me when our family got some exciting news...I will post about that later :)

Anyways, I am slowly getting over my Valentines Day phobia and realizing that life really can go on and I am so grateful it has! I am so blessed for so many reasons, especially for my wonderful husband and 3 amazing little boys. I am now realizing that Valentines Day is the perfect time to celebrate! So here's to many more awesome February's bringing good news and picture perfect Valentines Day's surrounded by the people that I love!

love...

It's Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week Feb. 7-14 and I can't help but feel SO blessed that our little Cooper is doing so well! This is the first year since he has been born that we haven't been planning/preparing for a heart surgery during Valentines Day. Having gone through this for the past 2 years has given the "month of love" a whole new meaning to our family...Give your loved ones a hug and say a prayer for all the Heart Angels & Heart Hero's!

before my heart stops...

I just wanted to share this with you all...Paul Cardall, who is not only an amazing pianist but a CHD/Heart Transplant survivor and HUGE inspiration to me and many others has written an amazing book that I can't wait to get my hands on. {I think it comes out September 9th} He is such a great guy and I have had many touching experiences involving him over the last 2 years, so don't forget to check it out :)

heart moms unite...

Back in May I was invited to attend a very special event that I will never forget. Carolyn Quigley, President of Intermountain Healing Hearts, put on an amazing luncheon at Gardner Village to bring together and honor "heart moms." It was so touching for me to meet so many other women who have been through and are currently going through similar experiences as me and my sweet Cooper.

Margaret Cardall, who is the mother of the amazing pianist and CHD/heart transplant survivor Paul Cardall was the keynote speaker and she gave an inspiring talk about how important mommies are to these amazing, fragile, and courageous little heart kids.

She told about all of her experiences with Paul and how she got through them and how all of her trials made her a better mother and a stronger woman. It was just what I needed to hear and really strengthened me and gave me courage to face what may be to come. Following her speech Paul played his beautiful music for us and I am pretty sure he brought just about every single one of us to tears. He is amazing.

That afternoon I bonded with each and every one of those 100+ heart moms, it felt so good to be able to come together with something so awful and emotional in common but at the same time be lifted up by each others knowledge and strength. It truly was a day to remember...

Miracle Mason...

I just wanted to let all of my awesome friends and family know about a fundraiser that is being held tonight for an amazing cause.

As many of you know our little Cooper was born with a heart defect and has already been through 2 open heart surgeries in the last year. It hasn't been easy but I feel extremely blessed that he is doing so well. I am also very thankful for the amazing support that I have received from other Utah heart moms. I have met so many wonderful women who are raising precious little heart kids just like Cooper and it has been such a comfort for me to learn from them and follow their stories.

One person who has really touched me is little "Miracle Mason's" mom Summer. Although I have never met Summer in person I feel very close to her and I check her blog regularly. She and her family are so strong and are such amazing examples to me, and her little miracle baby Mason is the cutest little guy ever. My heart goes out to her and her family, they have all been through so much and yet they continue to be so strong. You can read more about Mason's incredible story here http://miraclemason.blogspot.com

Tonight {Wednesday, June 23rd} at 7:00 pm at Blue Lemon in Highland there is going to be a benefit and celebration night for little Mason. Friends and family of the Strickland's have put together a silent auction and a concert featuring Paul Cardall. Tickets are just $10 and you will have a chance to win some amazing prizes, including some darling heart jewelry donated by me:)

Luckiest Mommy Ever...

I often wonder what I did to deserve these 3 little guys in my life...I guess I must have done something right:) I couldn't feel more blessed to be a mommy to these amazing kids and I am especially thankful this Mothers Day for my little Cooper and how great he is doing. Happy Mother's Day everyone!!!