tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42887768229620520552024-03-21T23:15:04.568-05:00Green Eggs & Hamiltons...A family blog about our life with a child affected by Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07958291352730892348noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-55248253925491504182014-03-13T00:28:00.001-05:002014-03-13T00:28:54.774-05:00Make-A-Wish: Day 4 PicturesToday was day 4 of Tucker's amazing wish trip to California. <div><br></div><div>We spent most of the day at Universal Studios in Hollywood. </div><div><br></div><div>After an adventurous start to the morning by missing a turn in Los Angeles, we finally made it to Hollywood. Our detour did give us some good views of the Hollywood sign and a couple of other landmarks. </div><div><br></div><div>Tucker enters into the park just as all of the characters were coming out. He met the Minions, Curious George, Woody Woodpecker, Fivel, and Scooby Doo right off the bat. Later he met Shrek, Dora, and Sponge Bob. </div><div><br></div><div>After fighting awful traffic to get back to Orange County, we missed our reservations at Medieval Times for dinner, but we had fun ordering room service instead. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKul1wzdBgBZo1ATRs9usmMxZPSPmK1JPZqhmchOPgPW_JSQarm8JAL4KLajuFaupt93pcPKUDJy6RE2OpngRVQ2Ty3TgDUGxBJM0hbHFjyik_hHvRxPjKEJKb3q8hZzTk5J0N7cNC8jWd/s640/blogger-image-1873509306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKul1wzdBgBZo1ATRs9usmMxZPSPmK1JPZqhmchOPgPW_JSQarm8JAL4KLajuFaupt93pcPKUDJy6RE2OpngRVQ2Ty3TgDUGxBJM0hbHFjyik_hHvRxPjKEJKb3q8hZzTk5J0N7cNC8jWd/s640/blogger-image-1873509306.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwDsaR2va51-4mAgR0Spr771k1XlnfnvnrG-rT6JKcDo5gKkFjD0AdNVGbYDBTaeWRd2DUi117G1gRs_BdpM7HUGxUk_jijcZzMONXFYlMz7RuPKTBpbNKcSrne83SpMVXJGHSX3O0fPj/s640/blogger-image--1555195313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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Tucker was pretty much greeted at the gates by Minnir Mouse. We saw quite a few of the characters and rode just about every ride that Tucker was tall enough to ride. </div><div><br></div><div>Tucker got to spend some time in the special Wish Lounge, which is just for Make-A-Wish families and he got special VIP seating at the parade. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpJ6Y-tH5SXNxQD26AT5xMGRPOgPf2l0Fup-iA9atla92q2YiRowehdCsm3lMeKFDZVy2PPv42KTZYSYHcIuUb-rTjtOqNXl4DOYEZ2HosLsgGyG8g5T0wFkbb4Q0ORiTcYw2V30VIUSS/s640/blogger-image--328127142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpJ6Y-tH5SXNxQD26AT5xMGRPOgPf2l0Fup-iA9atla92q2YiRowehdCsm3lMeKFDZVy2PPv42KTZYSYHcIuUb-rTjtOqNXl4DOYEZ2HosLsgGyG8g5T0wFkbb4Q0ORiTcYw2V30VIUSS/s640/blogger-image--328127142.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAi6vMsTb4WwzHHj3hEkb4Q9m9xPFxQbkq3kQu4bZU_D6ssOjheFry_VsHsk8G5Vk-p0x7u24jFhEe9uguSywUJpft-4dUJwudWP3S7B-BGRlK-kR74PkMNBAqSrb0Rm-N9wPm3KCyO4Qe/s640/blogger-image-483222731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Jhfug5AB1Ne1L-TJ0Q-xuYVrnGdh1sUsHKQI3KZGzf6mPUtwfNkIXx3Z9qv-bwfdGMU4nfHMqxoJK07uug1ZVBQLgQV6440DXNbqQf_IPRYw0mzANCrL3SmIt9DBfF_mcUo6kzdzzUqB/s640/blogger-image-1836893762.jpg"></a></div>Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-81819445153051570412014-03-11T00:39:00.001-05:002014-03-11T00:41:49.520-05:00Make-A-Wish: Day 2 PicturesToday was pretty amazing. We laughed at the boys excitement, Dena cried several times from seeing Tucker's joy, and we all had a great time!<div><br></div><div>Now for some pictures. </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicI70jYz4e-P85S24Mb_iBgCwkOinzk08STay7MRHT-4Pabd6j8GzfuL25g3Wab3Ri-2wTLurcxXFC-S-ntOV1fXD8WTE2yuYOqM9irouT-MaS3LuFZnembYUoJgtMtgQnF5z_0hwbYBBk/s640/blogger-image--821303948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicI70jYz4e-P85S24Mb_iBgCwkOinzk08STay7MRHT-4Pabd6j8GzfuL25g3Wab3Ri-2wTLurcxXFC-S-ntOV1fXD8WTE2yuYOqM9irouT-MaS3LuFZnembYUoJgtMtgQnF5z_0hwbYBBk/s640/blogger-image--821303948.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSq7FdaFKO0z9GHtb3VwkP_hP9nOn7v6JJIuPdp_KOQ4r3ljBwf5eh8tQyQNnIfM_trH-DDs3nPkH5qddAE34rwEzA5XPwUNORBTqDEEozfujYI3IE-QOTbtjelD2sxiN_8s627YDzgfI_/s640/blogger-image--1208297257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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We picked up our rental car, grabbed a quick bite to eat, and made our way to Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We were met by our Wish Coordinator and she took care of everything for us. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After getting everything settled in out room, we headed for the coast to let the boys get their first glimpse of the ocean. After playing in the sand for a bit, we met one of my fraternity brothers and his family for dinner on the Balboa Pier. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It was a very long day and the boys were asleep before leaving the beach. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Now for some pictures. We will update in more detail after we get home. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZRxp8pScyOePByWDY64UJ7XNhohCEinM8wzMWdRwbHSRH4hxjWWNf2ExNQy0p1xloFtWgE2jIUqQTUc1hqjUUwxbeMPoUtJTI_RFWXC69Rc_xBjVrEX54NRDc63rqU0tSSVNXdxKnciL/s640/blogger-image--90475309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZRxp8pScyOePByWDY64UJ7XNhohCEinM8wzMWdRwbHSRH4hxjWWNf2ExNQy0p1xloFtWgE2jIUqQTUc1hqjUUwxbeMPoUtJTI_RFWXC69Rc_xBjVrEX54NRDc63rqU0tSSVNXdxKnciL/s640/blogger-image--90475309.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgul1VIV5YmAFj8Ow9zQjFgW4jYFfPplMCtvh9jzUJG1aZXzS4VHOfvtmFD1XQDNNwFjSfulHp3yUIa5cfeexMFg-EEGDBc-_kdWeXUMAswUopKRTXnfcBQl2HgcPOYQhUF-yi4If2ppbFs/s640/blogger-image--969238585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffAVo2OaK__lCX2ge2lgELbXpHddgzU4yl-eQYbw5YwxDbP7MrPIJdGJvuqHORG18hW706ZXMwHTfhKAepA4hgbjivOqr-_ADL7OWjfvfVlTG1dBbGXK0CbEei3vYEIIa89EnlEKDhyphenhyphen2o/s640/blogger-image-21703001.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nAepkLj8Y4gxsf2ANLw_nNc7qB0cdBj2BkBkV9_0FXNopZy7lRH_0NQPtvWy-HQIG0FjlB2DcypqQ6BrnO3Wm4e0iVcKlkDJkk3hye9VfXY-_oAQrqk3zK3EqGV2Vhj2e9pZu8voqLYc/s640/blogger-image--1697572445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nAepkLj8Y4gxsf2ANLw_nNc7qB0cdBj2BkBkV9_0FXNopZy7lRH_0NQPtvWy-HQIG0FjlB2DcypqQ6BrnO3Wm4e0iVcKlkDJkk3hye9VfXY-_oAQrqk3zK3EqGV2Vhj2e9pZu8voqLYc/s640/blogger-image--1697572445.jpg"></a></div>Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-34009640295277113432014-03-08T15:41:00.001-06:002014-03-08T15:41:31.169-06:00Send-Off PartyToday we had Tucker's official send-off party for his Wish trip. Out amazing Wish Granter really outdid herself. Tucker got a full, birthday-style party at Chuck E. Cheese, complete with cake, games, prizes, and a round in the ticket blaster. <div><br></div><div>The manager of CEC gave Tucker some special prizes and more game tokens than he and his friends could possibly use. It was a very special day and we are so blessed to have the family and friends that were there to support Tucker. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctQ87VWApi9-jXauOb5ZluDYzqnm_NYQhSYqWkk-i2I3Ehny-Qtso21Sly1LPHH2YBnmOoJTeLyfpf8FXs6_D6wZAPbDIt5PSY9ngk3uxk2Y_QIR_wfxnKCYp99eiV9bPjahrPgviJ16l/s640/blogger-image--752141327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctQ87VWApi9-jXauOb5ZluDYzqnm_NYQhSYqWkk-i2I3Ehny-Qtso21Sly1LPHH2YBnmOoJTeLyfpf8FXs6_D6wZAPbDIt5PSY9ngk3uxk2Y_QIR_wfxnKCYp99eiV9bPjahrPgviJ16l/s640/blogger-image--752141327.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKh-uB0JP_AAMKzQM0j647Kp7wZgc5gm-KdnAamO0kNEkFWI0EbDS5e5Ik4il3lemWbtdxgvK7gqbo9tl2Qn6E-hhw3P91PKiIJ4WaHm1CKlAN4crapicMUm39wokZ4tmcc-WiQBqzKzuM/s640/blogger-image-1081348711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffMmkkd_VSSictRafsxf3mNpx9n-9reCFYTBsozzwnzQ55QO9E9SP9oLMRGqydsJ0IRxWARbb9mUn6t5Wxbgnz_e3Vmz2KUp1ws0vhhUSVuMFwNaePZHNUFtD38AZi0hI-Su-Z6Zuh-3E/s640/blogger-image--1125794754.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkU6oKuEcraG7F4w0PIMu1IPhfF6oogHzRYHNbXdHMt2XO1DQNbCY1tuIaTSo2R_g4RasiiB7TIDHcBjJiHwJVYwiC8GI2BYL19PnxCjjabQaPBqq-GjXduPcAlC1zqcjrrCmm42Y9vIJ_/s640/blogger-image-2032752275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkU6oKuEcraG7F4w0PIMu1IPhfF6oogHzRYHNbXdHMt2XO1DQNbCY1tuIaTSo2R_g4RasiiB7TIDHcBjJiHwJVYwiC8GI2BYL19PnxCjjabQaPBqq-GjXduPcAlC1zqcjrrCmm42Y9vIJ_/s640/blogger-image-2032752275.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lu0ibN6KclqE7Ey3A7Y1KjFahaqLFXzVeaEFZGyzRCYAJoG_dLtMXBEHRjItH94p49LiqCSQIeTxwxf2k5TktrwR7xVeeKTtNFNz5WPAn1KVCQy9WLsl-Z9sVtMae_eFZuc6PJs4ii6_/s640/blogger-image--1337377843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lu0ibN6KclqE7Ey3A7Y1KjFahaqLFXzVeaEFZGyzRCYAJoG_dLtMXBEHRjItH94p49LiqCSQIeTxwxf2k5TktrwR7xVeeKTtNFNz5WPAn1KVCQy9WLsl-Z9sVtMae_eFZuc6PJs4ii6_/s640/blogger-image--1337377843.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQG1MxaXDPOsvYid8gAHVELN9Sf45pSWrHzKONIwofmwrKohjBhDyR9YDuqnd3JR1srwQfMU5hJMMFP9jIuBcTJnUDQ_cn24v1Vld_SWML1domZqsPtpu1A2FHEa-PzDe5-U1pGj8F65p/s640/blogger-image--1778049461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQG1MxaXDPOsvYid8gAHVELN9Sf45pSWrHzKONIwofmwrKohjBhDyR9YDuqnd3JR1srwQfMU5hJMMFP9jIuBcTJnUDQ_cn24v1Vld_SWML1domZqsPtpu1A2FHEa-PzDe5-U1pGj8F65p/s640/blogger-image--1778049461.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-whRU-VQ62MgAUVUriBWSCV94fGlB2CzKBfJRBSMDSN_Wf1Q9GkPhO1P7FqibDr42GUFatnpi16MeKoJfT9ExxPnMbRjg05nl2mp7oW6GZFIjmn_SZXnOnB1Om22FWEZhzl2_URXeVUP5/s640/blogger-image-1398271627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-whRU-VQ62MgAUVUriBWSCV94fGlB2CzKBfJRBSMDSN_Wf1Q9GkPhO1P7FqibDr42GUFatnpi16MeKoJfT9ExxPnMbRjg05nl2mp7oW6GZFIjmn_SZXnOnB1Om22FWEZhzl2_URXeVUP5/s640/blogger-image-1398271627.jpg"></a></div>Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-63142898861479991072014-03-07T18:24:00.001-06:002014-03-07T18:24:25.852-06:00A Wish Come True!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnNunFjbXQ_AXKAYzEK8t14s7EjlvtLQYSx0iyYoD6I2hGIwmYSNx4X48F79T1yTjWAXBhryh-B3y-xT4YHezLuuAOY6WOirAsm3PPYZCVeatRhViFdJLUOnmco6qOzsmywikpRCi1rUE/s1600/wish+packet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnNunFjbXQ_AXKAYzEK8t14s7EjlvtLQYSx0iyYoD6I2hGIwmYSNx4X48F79T1yTjWAXBhryh-B3y-xT4YHezLuuAOY6WOirAsm3PPYZCVeatRhViFdJLUOnmco6qOzsmywikpRCi1rUE/s1600/wish+packet.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Tucker's official Make-A-Wish packet</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A big thank you to everyone who posted/shared/commented on social media sites, dressed up, raised funds, gave us hugs and high-fives, and all other forms of encouragement we received during CHD Awareness Week! It was incredibly humbling to see our Facebook news feeds FILLED with red on February 7th. Start planning for next year -- we'll wear the true colors of CHD awareness: red AND blue!!!<br /><br />As many of you remember, at the Amazing Little Hearts Halloween party back in October, Tucker learned that he would be getting his Make A Wish dream: To meet Lightning McQueen! Well...the time has come! In just three days, the four of us will be boarding a plane to Disneyland, and Tucker will get his wish!<br /><br />This day seemed so far away back in October, but now that it's here, the emotions are overwhelming. My baby, who has endured more struggles than most people will ever know, gets to "be a kid" and enjoy what life has to offer. No hospital beds, IVs, heart monitors, blood pressure cuffs, chest tubes, PICC lines, steri-strips, bandages, etc. He gets to do what all kids want to do -- be normal. Oh, I know he'll get nasty looks when we get special privileges or people will see our blue Make A Wish shirts and wonder "what's wrong with him," but none of it matters. As far as he knows, he's the center of the world for a whole week. And Trent and I will do and buy whatever he wants because he deserves it.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkMRw-U-Tv6a_eXRK04DXlbD6VFbF8QIK1rI1Gp-x_gwKEabJNB4NeVmdn6KEbyMMmr4AFyvt6IwDm9NjCCVasttuvRVNnwDnH9hyww_geWd-9nhfowORofDdR7aPgT61v4Xlkl0aS7IG/s1600/balloons+smiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkMRw-U-Tv6a_eXRK04DXlbD6VFbF8QIK1rI1Gp-x_gwKEabJNB4NeVmdn6KEbyMMmr4AFyvt6IwDm9NjCCVasttuvRVNnwDnH9hyww_geWd-9nhfowORofDdR7aPgT61v4Xlkl0aS7IG/s1600/balloons+smiles.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Tucker at his school send-off party today</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our bags are packed. The house is (mostly) clean. All of our affairs are in order. For one week, we get to be a family. For one week, we can forget about all the hard times. For one week, we get to make memories we'll never forget. Get ready for lots of posts in the next week -- we'll be sharing plenty of photos and stories!<br /><br />We ask for your prayers for safe traveling. We also ask you to pray for the boys to have patience. We want them to have the best experience, but we don't want either of them to be so tired and frustrated that they can't enjoy it. Please pray that Trent and I stay focused on what's truly important and that we can be kids again too. Most of all, pray that we come home with no regrets, knowing that Tucker got everything he wished for.<br /><br />Love and Mickey Mouse hugs,<br />Trent, Dena, Tucker, and Finn</span>Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-43709207014235623692013-12-30T07:30:00.000-06:002013-12-30T07:30:00.265-06:00Home Sweet Home To Me!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is no secret that our family loves the Tennessee Volunteers and that we consider East Tennessee our second home.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06rB6JdK8Sjutp9euMGGn6msYDumGlPq_6TDD3TOa7Hwnsu7bWTCankwMuf11mo5-cQzl0irmVqNlwiDqvsyY_hArwH7lmd94q2y9JISF7oLYKuCI3mgZiqqJnXdMeK1V24G5m1glfFPo/s1600/IMG_3519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06rB6JdK8Sjutp9euMGGn6msYDumGlPq_6TDD3TOa7Hwnsu7bWTCankwMuf11mo5-cQzl0irmVqNlwiDqvsyY_hArwH7lmd94q2y9JISF7oLYKuCI3mgZiqqJnXdMeK1V24G5m1glfFPo/s1600/IMG_3519.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the beginning of September, we were asked if Beads of Courage could use one of Tucker's 4 year pictures in their campaign to encourage people to carry Beads when they compete. Of course we said yes and, after doing a little research, I decided that I would try to get the University of Tennessee to participate in the program.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a tremendous amount of luck in this effort and the UT athletic department was very interested in learning more and possibly having some players carry Beads of Courage.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpe4unfHGi2HI4qmtbvltcTKMl2GG18x_VDzagwFSr7Md2WMKjt5xqkE6wzPfFii_jqiVeekeQvRrOKPpV5NkIanCp5gU38jOq_qgdpsGLYKhu5ugTiQjQ8Q3GViirTSB0KX8s400ImMwr/s1600/IMG_3083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpe4unfHGi2HI4qmtbvltcTKMl2GG18x_VDzagwFSr7Md2WMKjt5xqkE6wzPfFii_jqiVeekeQvRrOKPpV5NkIanCp5gU38jOq_qgdpsGLYKhu5ugTiQjQ8Q3GViirTSB0KX8s400ImMwr/s1600/IMG_3083.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tennessee Team Beads of Courage</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fast forward to November, where Tucker was invited by Beads of Courage and the Vols football team to attend the last home game of the season as a representative of Beads of Courage. We didn't hesitate to pack our bags and head to Knoxville.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIZKKmOIVIQzCMjX51w714etyziTDPcOOi1tSkczzalXAWNJGH66AksJsJxs2Ca3h6XxMmIsUW1pvg5h8fssqZhQypxns-6B9DdG1u5kDVAOooBKfp1h_s-1nN4YkkDcvvRid_qBO6uhi/s1600/IMG_3077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIZKKmOIVIQzCMjX51w714etyziTDPcOOi1tSkczzalXAWNJGH66AksJsJxs2Ca3h6XxMmIsUW1pvg5h8fssqZhQypxns-6B9DdG1u5kDVAOooBKfp1h_s-1nN4YkkDcvvRid_qBO6uhi/s1600/IMG_3077.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We arrived at Neyland Stadium after lunch on November 23rd for the game against Vanderbilt, the last home game of the year, senior day. We checked out some of the tailgate parties and Tucker danced to the music. About an hour and a half before kickoff, we made our way down to the stadium for the Vol Walk. We waited and watched as the coaches, players, cheerleaders, and band paraded past us ALL of them wearing Beads of Courage. Tucker got to "high-5" some of the players and coaches as they passed.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8TRzJOiBdUGCfUctwo-iwtCn-1ehJx-vMerjMc0lWLo8K1RltBrFFlehR97x8aBS6yIHhyP1fBfz5taz8MaK0JkLDFrzNuflKiBxl4ZLlXLuGVOP6YEbXnCmdEaXtssJqoldlxlZRULD/s1600/IMG_3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8TRzJOiBdUGCfUctwo-iwtCn-1ehJx-vMerjMc0lWLo8K1RltBrFFlehR97x8aBS6yIHhyP1fBfz5taz8MaK0JkLDFrzNuflKiBxl4ZLlXLuGVOP6YEbXnCmdEaXtssJqoldlxlZRULD/s1600/IMG_3486.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker at the Vol Walk</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the Vol Walk, we were escorted through the player's tunnel and onto the field for pre-game warmups. We got to hang out on the sidelines while the players got ready for the game. There was music blaring and Tucker had a great time. He had a dance-off with Smokey, the Vols' mascot, and got to meet a few of the players. Michael Palardy, the kicker, came over and talked to Tucker for a few minutes during warmups. He knew Tucker by name and was awesome with him. Michael is definitely a favorite of ours from now on.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEzEArfGawpA89C6K7HGXkuiMH_aLUpzurPxhKWT7E1QvY28PyQgkkbwXzSUgJFpeT0pO82bEBQQjKIqFX3KoPv3BB4JulJsr4Q7MbTjIiRnLqra41D32qWtFZWR0_0sGVlnaWPH9HTpw/s1600/IMG_3110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEzEArfGawpA89C6K7HGXkuiMH_aLUpzurPxhKWT7E1QvY28PyQgkkbwXzSUgJFpeT0pO82bEBQQjKIqFX3KoPv3BB4JulJsr4Q7MbTjIiRnLqra41D32qWtFZWR0_0sGVlnaWPH9HTpw/s1600/IMG_3110.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker & Michael Palardy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRt4H33XrIdp3AZHzdeQHdkGpkDyBK1UEV_AcOqqbkhyphenhyphenEjkGxn3F8UCazYpbyBrzfe4DA8WCsLHuT980H3_hyphenhyphenU3VI5eY2XGO7ENQh3Ndn8ini96F0Gi8Sm_2xzgube1QxRoQzTC96oNP9/s1600/IMG_3522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRt4H33XrIdp3AZHzdeQHdkGpkDyBK1UEV_AcOqqbkhyphenhyphenEjkGxn3F8UCazYpbyBrzfe4DA8WCsLHuT980H3_hyphenhyphenU3VI5eY2XGO7ENQh3Ndn8ini96F0Gi8Sm_2xzgube1QxRoQzTC96oNP9/s1600/IMG_3522.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker telling Michael his age</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We took a ton of pictures and made memories that will last a lifetime, doing something that not many people get to do. After warmups, we made our way to our seats to watch the game. It was a 7pm game and it was cold in Tennessee. By halftime, Tucker was very cold so we decided to watch the rest of the game from the hotel room. He was asleep before we left the parking garage. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was an amazing day for Tucker and for us. I don't think there is any doubt that Tucker is a Tennessee fan now and he sings "Rocky Top" almost daily.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZifOBEC37f44kFTQEPI8ZqVvf3cKwjY5Hfn0B86EQXKkFL1CcVX8KlooBSiVKblCUtJFM0v-NjiOAjNDCSHLPcvzljDqWg4BiOFBfWyyCMsHF5-ebwB7nj9Dumf9E6ENQnUn7AuL8dWh/s1600/IMG_3091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZifOBEC37f44kFTQEPI8ZqVvf3cKwjY5Hfn0B86EQXKkFL1CcVX8KlooBSiVKblCUtJFM0v-NjiOAjNDCSHLPcvzljDqWg4BiOFBfWyyCMsHF5-ebwB7nj9Dumf9E6ENQnUn7AuL8dWh/s1600/IMG_3091.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next day we traveled south to Whitwell, TN to see some of Dena's family. It was great to catch up with them and for Tucker to get to see where his Papa grew up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a fast trip that covered a lot of miles, but it was worth every minute of it. We left Texas on Thursday afternoon and were back at home by Monday night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are very excited to know that every single Bead that was carried that night will give enCouragement to a child fighting CHD or cancer. Tucker's story helped make it happen and he continues to get to bless others.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioKfgSQttAhHRVyp6No0MXw6jdMXbKcXmC7nG1gEFh7__uSq7Y7ra5hPqo7PMVbm1M0b72jFJnmBXPhg_T6A1hybvIf6pj1l6XT05YmDdddXh05RWjVmiBKat3vQxwb05n_V_mfR6QVz-/s1600/IMG_3525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioKfgSQttAhHRVyp6No0MXw6jdMXbKcXmC7nG1gEFh7__uSq7Y7ra5hPqo7PMVbm1M0b72jFJnmBXPhg_T6A1hybvIf6pj1l6XT05YmDdddXh05RWjVmiBKat3vQxwb05n_V_mfR6QVz-/s1600/IMG_3525.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker meeting Smokey</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKq4lLI3R04GwuKx45TfVwuw6ChY_uiTRh4koN9tqmrhg6xiaEc3zVFxqbTm16gTK0wugityHgvJ7MoWFBko52juYOHWr6cBPXZR0FEXaxKN3ZNuwKAyB3jf2N9qn6I1glE6DsvgrZjur/s1600/IMG_3549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKq4lLI3R04GwuKx45TfVwuw6ChY_uiTRh4koN9tqmrhg6xiaEc3zVFxqbTm16gTK0wugityHgvJ7MoWFBko52juYOHWr6cBPXZR0FEXaxKN3ZNuwKAyB3jf2N9qn6I1glE6DsvgrZjur/s1600/IMG_3549.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker & "The Real" Smokey</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are eternally grateful to Ashely from Beads of Courage and Antone Davis and the University of Tennessee Athletic Department for making it all possible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Rocky Top will always be home sweet home to me!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Trent</span><br />
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<br />Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-86980995303462378462013-06-06T20:50:00.000-05:002013-06-06T20:50:30.655-05:00It’s Just a Heart Cath…<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s just a heart cath. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve
heard that phrase come from the mouth of a heart parent. I can’t tell you how
many times my wife and I said it in the months and weeks leading up to my son,
Tucker’s (Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, HLHS), heart cath on May 22<sup>nd</sup>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A heart cath, or cardiac catheterization, is a procedure in
which doctors insert a catheter and guide wire into a major blood vessel and
move them until they reach the heart. Most heart caths originate in the groin
and enter the heart through the femoral artery. Once the catheter is in place,
the doctor uses a dye and fluoroscopy (real time x-ray showing movement) to get
a very accurate picture of the heart and surrounding blood vessels. In kids
with congenital heart defects (CHDs), heart caths are typically used as a
diagnostic tool prior to surgery or to make smaller repairs. In Tucker’s case,
the heart cath was used to make sure everything looked good in his heart prior
to having open-heart surgery on June 18<sup>th</sup>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few days before Tucker’s procedure, I found myself
thinking about the phrase, “It’s just a heart cath.” To most parents, it
wouldn’t be “just” a heart cath, it would be something big! To most parents of
kids with CHDs, it is a fairly minor part of their treatment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you compare a heart cath, which usually is a one day
affair, with an open-heart surgery, it’s not that big of a deal. But it really
all comes down to a matter of perspective. Many CHD parents experience numerous
surgical procedures during the course of their child’s treatment. Heart caths
usually occur before these surgeries. Most don’t require an overnight stay in
the hospital. There are, relatively, few risks involved. Heart caths are just
part of the process, like echocardiograms and cardiologist visits.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To a parent of a child with a more “minor” CHD, a heart cath
may be the only procedure that they ever have. Some heart holes can be repaired
during a cardiac catheterization. To a parent of a heart healthy child, a heart
cath would probably be a very big deal. Prior to having Tucker, if you had told
me that my child would be put to sleep, taken to a surgical room, have a wire
fed through the largest artery in his leg into his heart, and then have to
remain completely still for several hours after waking up, I would have freaked
out. Now it’s “just a heart cath!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perspective is an important thing. Things that are a big
deal to one parent might be minor to another. We don’t always know another
person’s story or experiences. Tucker’s HLHS is a more severe form of CHD than
a simple hole in the heart, but that doesn’t mean that a child with that defect
is any less important or significant than Tucker. His or her parents aren’t any
less of a CHD parent than Dena and I. Many CHD parents get wrapped up in our
world and we sometimes try to compare our lives to the lives of parents dealing
with other childhood disorders. We get frustrated because childhood cancer gets
more attention and funding than CHD research and prevention. But it’s not a
competition. They are both tragic. The kids and the parents from both sides go
to hell and back. Lives are lost to both. It’s all about perspective.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tucker’s heart cath went very well. The doctor said that his
heart looked as good as possible for a child with HLHS. The pressures in his
heart and blood vessels were in the correct range and he was cleared for surgery.
He was a little feisty when waking up from the anesthesia, but he recovered
quickly. It wasn’t too hard to keep him still for a couple of hours, all we had
to do was put on his favorite movie and give him snacks and drinks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we gear up for Tucker’s big surgery, it’s hard not to
wish it was just a heart cath! He has survived and thrived after his first two
surgeries and there is no reason to think differently about this next one, but
it is still tough to prepare ourselves for it. When I start to feel a little
overwhelmed about everything, I think about the families wishing for a surgery
to fix their child’s problem or the families who are making funeral
arrangements. I wonder if they would think, “It’s just a heart surgery!”?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perspective…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Trent</span></div>
Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-91332454312625367112013-05-09T19:56:00.002-05:002013-05-09T19:56:55.570-05:00Dads Should Go Back to School<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am an educator. To be more specific, I am a principal, but I was a teacher for 5 years and I still teach a few classes each year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I work with students every day, both inside and outside of my office. Unfortunately, many of the students who come to my office come back multiple times. There is a common thread among many of the repeat offenders; they don’t have a dad in their lives or, if they do have a dad, he isn’t involved with school.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Research shows that children who live in two-parent families are more likely to get mostly A’s, regardless of the level of the mothers’ involvement. Children who live in single-parent families headed by fathers are twice as likely to get mostly A’s if their fathers are highly involved at school, compared with those whose fathers have little involvement. Even with non-custodial fathers, when they are involved, they make a difference, particularly for children in grades six and above. Their children are much more likely to get A’s, enjoy school, participate in extracurricular activities and are less likely to repeat a grade.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sadly, despite the benefit of having dad involved at school, most dads leave the “school stuff” to mom. Even in two-parent households, moms are about twice as likely to participate in school meetings, events, and activities. Dads can have a lasting effect on education by helping to set expectations and by challenging their kids.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I admit that schools are usually more welcoming to mothers than fathers. There are definitely some things that can be done to encourage more participation from dads, but it ultimately comes down to dads making the time to be involved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some tips and simple things that you can do to get more involved in your child’s education.</span></div>
<ol start="1">
<li style="margin: 14px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Save a sick day or vacation day to attend a school meeting or teacher conference.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 14px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Email or call your child’s teachers to check on their progress and see if you can help with anything.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 14px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Attend a “donuts for dads” or similar event when they occur.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 14px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Join the PTA and attend meetings/events.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 14px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Organize a group of dads to complete a school improvement project.</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Probably the easiest and most impactful thing that you can do is to ask your kids what they learned at school and make time to help them with their homework or read to/with them. You don’t have to be an algebra genius or scientist to help your kids. Just reading to or with your children each night can have a dramatic effect on them. Twenty-six percent of children who were read to three or four times in the last week by a family member recognized all letters of the alphabet. This is compared to 14 percent of children who were read to less frequently. Fourth graders who reported reading for fun “Almost Every Day” score 3 percent higher on reading tests than peers who reported reading “Never or Hardly Ever”.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's the little things that make a difference in your kids' lives. Do the little things and you can make a huge difference.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Trent</span>Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-50380424607357275282013-04-17T22:58:00.001-05:002013-04-17T22:59:13.540-05:0070 Days...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The countdown is on...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In case you don't know, that means that we are only 70 days from Tucker's 3rd open-heart surgery. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back in March 2010, when Tucker had his 2nd surgery, this 3rd procedure seemed so far away. Now we are just over 2 months away. He will have his pre-op heart cath on May 22nd. During the heart cath they will check his heart and the pressures in his blood vessels to make sure that his body is in good shape for surgery. They will also look at the anatomy of his heart to begin to plan for the procedure. The heart cath is a fairly simple experience and he shouldn't have to stay in the hospital overnight afterwards.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On June 17th we will go to the hospital for his pre-op physical exam, bloodwork, and meeting with Dr. Mendeloff, the surgeon. Tucker will also get to spend some time with the child-life specialist where she will explain the surgery to him and let him pretend/play in the mock operating room. Dr. Mendeloff will walk us through the surgery and answer our questions. Pre-op days can be very long, but it is necessary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next day, June 18th, we will hand Tucker over to Dr. Mendeloff for the 3rd time in his short life. He will stop Tucker's heart and complete the "repair". The 3rd procedure, the Fontan, involves completing the re-routing of Tucker's heart circulation to eliminate the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. The recovery time can be a week or two or several months, this all depends on Tucker. We are already praying for God's blessing on this surgery and Tucker's healing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, 70 days...it will be here in no time at all!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The heavy stuff aside, I wanted to share a few things that have happened for us since my last post (which has been too long).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finn is now 11 months old and growing and learning quickly. He is now crawling and cruising around the house pretty well. He also got tubes in his ears last month after too many ear infections!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tucker continues to surprise us daily with something new that he has learned. He is very bright and after being tested by special education diagnosticians, has been deemed ahead in many areas, academically. We had him tested because we had observed some possible speech issues and also to establish a baseline for his cognitive levels in case there were complications with his surgery.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a great trip to the wildlife preserve in Glen Rose, Texas for Spring Break and also got to spend time with our family for Easter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm sorry if this seems like scattered/rushed post, but its just what was on my mind tonight. Enjoy some pictures and video of the boys.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wagon time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker with his friend the zebra</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker - 10 months old Finn - 9 months old</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-EYhYscYpJEiCn58KIayTKE2PmF7m2PcXsBXFGtfHo8MCSPB1uJB-Ct8sohaa1CvrnUNgRL2O8sif2jjHILTRGyMTPQw9b_h2oep54WcJ8YxIAL7p2M_x6DTZAOfWsSio65EBgW3gzj4/s1600/IMG_2129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-EYhYscYpJEiCn58KIayTKE2PmF7m2PcXsBXFGtfHo8MCSPB1uJB-Ct8sohaa1CvrnUNgRL2O8sif2jjHILTRGyMTPQw9b_h2oep54WcJ8YxIAL7p2M_x6DTZAOfWsSio65EBgW3gzj4/s1600/IMG_2129.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brotherly love!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuck & Finn - Easter 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddie, Tucker, Beckett, & Finn - Cousins</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker picking up his NASCAR tickets</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker's 1st NASCAR race</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to roll</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiley!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balloon boy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crusing</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-50841924616836426912013-01-19T21:37:00.000-06:002013-01-19T21:37:12.337-06:00Wishes for CHD Kids<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<img alt="Make a Wish Logo" border="0" height="103" id="img-1358485861179" src="http://www.heartwaves.org/Portals/142212/images/logo.make-a-wish-resized-600.gif" style="border: none; height: 103px; width: 307px;" width="307" /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
Did you know that most CHD kids qualify for the Make-A-Wish program? If you didn’t know that, you are not alone!</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
Our local support group, Amazing Little Hearts, had a representative from Make-A-Wish at our meeting this past week. He shared about the program and answered all of the parents’ questions. Since not everyone is familiar with the program, I wanted to share what we learned with you. Hopefully, the information below will help you understand Make-A-Wish a little better and answer any questions that you might have.</div>
<ul style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; margin: 16px 0px !important; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px !important;">
<li style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;">Any child between the ages of 2 ½ years and 18 years, that has a life-threatening condition, is eligible for Make-A-Wish. Children must be referred and determined to be medically eligible in order to participate. The final determination for medical eligibility is determined by the child’s treating physician.</li>
<li style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;">Most complex CHDs qualify as a life-threatening condition. These include, but are not limited to, Hypoplastic <a href="http://www.heartwaves.org/expert-waves/conditions/hlhs/" style="color: #76217b; outline: none; text-decoration: initial !important;" target="_blank" title="Left">Left</a>/Right Heart Syndrome, Double Inlet/<a href="http://www.heartwaves.org/expert-waves/conditions/dorv/" style="color: #76217b; outline: none; text-decoration: initial !important;" target="_blank" title="Outlet">Outlet</a> Left/Right Ventricle,<a href="http://www.heartwaves.org/expert-waves/conditions/tga/" style="color: #76217b; outline: none; text-decoration: initial !important;" target="_blank" title="Transposition of the Great Arteries">Transposition of the Great Arteries</a>, <a href="http://www.heartwaves.org/expert-waves/conditions/tetralogy-of-fallot/" style="color: #76217b; outline: none; text-decoration: initial !important;" target="_blank" title="Tetralogy of Fallot">Tetralogy of Fallot</a>, <a href="http://www.heartwaves.org/expert-waves/conditions/pulmonary-atresia-0/" style="color: #76217b; outline: none; text-decoration: initial !important;" target="_blank" title="Pulmonary Atresia">Pulmonary Atresia</a>, etc. If you aren’t sure if your child’s CHD qualifies, consult your pediatric cardiologist.</li>
<li style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;">Referrals for Make-A-Wish can be made by parents, doctors, nurses, and even social workers. Basically, anyone who has direct knowledge of the child’s condition and has a role in the medical care for the child can refer. MOST referrals are made by the child’s parent, but medical eligibility still must be confirmed by the child’s doctor.</li>
<li style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;">To refer your child, go to <a href="http://www.wish.org/" style="color: #76217b; outline: none; text-decoration: initial !important;">www.wish.org</a> and click on the “Find Your Local Chapter” button on the top, right side of the page. Select your state and then find the office that is closest to your home from the list. Call the number and they will walk you through the referral process. You can also have them send you a referral packet in the mail, but the quickest and easiest way to refer your child is over the phone.</li>
<li style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;">Some of the information that they will need from you during the referral process is: Personal contact information for parents/guardians, contact information for the child’s treating physician (usually cardiologist for CHD children), general information about the child’s condition or defect, information on any upcoming surgeries or treatments, any physical limitations, handicaps, or special equipment for the child, and an idea of what the child’s wish might be.</li>
<li style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;">Despite what you might have heard, Make-A-Wish is NOT just for kids who are terminally ill. While children who are terminally ill may receive expedited services from Make-A-Wish, your child does not have to be dying to be able to make a wish. Remember, ANY child with a condition that has or does threaten their life is eligible for a wish. In fact, most children who are granted a wish go on to live happy, full lives.</li>
<li style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;">Most wishes fall into one of four categories: “I want to be…”, “I want to go…”, “I want to have…”, “I want to meet…”</li>
<li style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;">The average cost of a wish is $7,500. It is the goal of Make-A-Wish for a child’s wish to cost the family nothing and to have zero impact on the financial situation of the family.</li>
<li style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;">Make-A-Wish goes to great lengths to ensure that the wish that is granted is actually the wish of the child. They will have trained Wish-Granters meet with the child and ask, “If you could have one wish, what would it be?”</li>
</ul>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
On a personal note, we got some great news last week. Our son Tucker, HLHS, has been accepted into the Make-A-Wish program. We are so excited for him, but also realize that we will be waiting for a little while for him to make his wish. Since Tucker is only 3 and he has his Fontan procedure coming up in June, it may be a couple of years before we meet with the wonderful Wish Granters. We want him to be able to truly pick something special for himself since this is a once in a lifetime experience. We also want him to remember his wish for the rest of his life. We believe that, in order to accomplish these two things, Tucker needs to be at least 5 years old before he makes his wish.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<img alt="Make a Wish acceptance letter" border="0" class="alignCenter" height="324" id="img-1358485562298" src="http://www.heartwaves.org/Portals/142212/images/make%20a%20wish%20letter-resized-600.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; height: 324px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 432px;" width="432" /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
I hope that this information has been helpful to you. Our CHD children go through so many tough times, they deserve the hope, wonder, and magic that comes with being granted a wish. I hope that you will take the time to refer your child to Make-A-Wish and that you will share this information with a friend who has a CHD child or any other life-threatening condition.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
~Trent</div>
Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-55911688075679882782012-11-18T22:10:00.000-06:002012-11-18T22:10:58.700-06:00Hope Made of Glass<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've decided to start <span style="font-size: small;">re<span style="font-size: small;">-posting blogs that <span style="font-size: small;">I have written f<span style="font-size: small;">or other s<span style="font-size: small;">ites here, in case someone happens to stumble upon them. Below is one I wrote for Whole <span style="font-size: small;">Hearts last month.</span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My family participates in the CHD support group at Medical
City Children’s Hospital, called Amazing Little Hearts. Our group meets each
month to share stories, hear doctors and others speak about CHD topics,
fellowship, and support each other. Occasionally, we have an outside group come
and speak to us about programs or special opportunities for our families.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Not too long after Tucker went home from the hospital for
the first time, we attended a meeting that had one of these special guests. Two
sweet ladies came to speak to us about a new program that was beginning at the
hospital. These ladies shared the story and inspiration behind the Beads of
Courage program.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you aren’t familiar with Beads of Courage, here is an
excerpt from their website:”The Program is a resilience-based intervention
designed to support and strengthen children and families coping with serious
illness. Through the program children tell their story using colorful beads as
meaningful symbols of courage that commemorate milestones they have achieved
along their unique treatment path.” Basically, kids earn beads for each test,
surgery, procedure, needle stick, treatment, etc. and the beads are strung on a
necklace for the child to wear as a testament to their courage and resilience.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Beads of Courage supports kids with cancer and blood
disorders, cardiac conditions, burn injuries, Neonatal ICU stays, and other
chronic illnesses. Each of these conditions has its own specific program guide
that fits the treatment cycle of the condition.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Beads of Courage is now in over 140 different children’s
hospitals in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, and the United
Kingdom. Over 30,000 children are benefiting from this amazing program, with
more being added each day. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Since Tucker is only 3 years old, he doesn’t really
understand his beads yet, but he definitely loves them and likes to look at
them. The older kids in our support group do understand the beads and know that
they represent needle sticks, procedures, and the pain that is associated with
CHD. Despite the fact that the beads represent “bad” things, the kids love them
and wear them like a badge of honor. They know that they earned those beads
with their bravery.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Our kids go through so much in their fight with CHD, it is
important to reward them when the days are tough. Beads of Courage is a perfect
way to provide hope and comfort, even when it seems like the fight is just
beginning. The beads also provide a tangible way for each child or family to
their story.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Behind the program is a large group of donors and artisans
who make the beads possible. Donors and organizations provide the funds to
operate the program at local hospitals. There are scores of special beads that
are made by skilled glass artisans. These special beads represent major
milestones in a child’s treatment and are especially treasured items.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If your hospital doesn’t already have a Beads of Courage
program, you can contact them through their website, <a href="http://www.beadsofcourage.org/">http://www.beadsofcourage.org/</a>, to
find out how to get one started.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Just like Beads of Courage, Whole Hearts Foundation is
trying to bring hope to the courageous kids and families battling against
congenital heart defects. Our mission is to provide education, support,
connections, and innovation to our families. Also, like Beads of Courage, Whole
Hearts relies on the generosity of others to be able to reach these families.
You can make a tax-deductible donation to Whole Hearts by going to <a href="http://www.wholehearts.org/HowtoDonate.aspx">http://www.wholehearts.org/HowtoDonate.aspx</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Each of Tucker’s beads tells a story. They tell a story of
pain, surgery, and a broken heart, but they also tell a story of triumph,
courage, hope! What is your child’s story? We would love to share it with the
Whole Hearts family!</span></span></div>
Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-15934062366819156762012-09-08T23:50:00.000-05:002012-09-08T23:50:17.110-05:00Tucker's 3rd Year<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tucker is 3 years old...wow!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I posted a more "emotional" piece on Tucker's CaringBridge site: <a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tuckerhamilton">http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tuckerhamilton</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here, I just wanted to share my 5 favorite pictures from Tucker's 3rd year. Enjoy!</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> And here is his 3 year video:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Birthday, Tucker! </span>Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-18596813945118792402012-07-16T20:30:00.000-05:002012-07-16T21:03:26.807-05:00Finn is 2 Months Old!<span id="goog_1566826168"></span><span id="goog_1566826169"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I cannot believe that Finn is already 2 months old. I heard a saying today on the radio that completely describes raising kids, "The days are long, but the years are short!"</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little firecracker!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He had his 2 month checkup with the pediatrician today. Officially, he weighs 13 lbs. 4 oz, which puts him in the 81%-ile, he is 23 in. long, which is 53%-ile, and his head was 16 in., which is the 66%-ile.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All smiles!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He got some shots that made him feel bad, but I'm sure he will be feeling better soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Everything checked out for Finn this time, with one exception. His head is not symmetrical. This condition is fairly common and it is called plagiocephaly. If you remember, Tucker had something similar called brachycephaly. The difference is that Tucker's head was/is wide and was extremely flat on the back, Finn's head is not overly wide and it is only flat on one side of the back. This causes his ears to be uneven, one side of his forehead to stick out more than the other, and his eyes are not even. Some studies suggest that, without correction, plagiocephaly can cause learning disabilities. Other studies say that there is no danger and correction is only cosmetic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The doctor feels like Finn's case is significant enough that it can't be fixed by normal repositioning of the head and that we should put him in a helmet. Tucker wore his helmet for about 3 months, but Finn's is being dealt with early enough that it will probably only take 4-6 weeks to correct. There are two main companies that make these helmets, Cranial Technologies and Star Cranial. We used Star with Tucker and will probably use them again for Finn.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker in his helmet at 11 months old.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Other than the awesome helmet, Finn is good and Tucker is also doing well. You can read about Tucker's latest cardiology checkup on his <a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tuckerhamilton" target="_blank">CaringBridge page</a>. We are getting ready to gear up for school again and the boys will be starting back to daycare. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Give me a kiss!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for reading and please don't forget to pray for David Hood and his family!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Trent</span></span>Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-13092915074988330292012-06-25T21:58:00.000-05:002012-06-25T22:01:19.576-05:00Hamilton Family Vacation 2012<span style="font-size: small;">The Hamiltons, (Pops, Granny, Greg, Amelia, Trent, Dena, Maddie, Tucker, Beckett, & Finn) that is, took our annual family vacation this past week. We rented a lake house in Granbury, Texas and it was a great time! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granny & Pops with the grandkids!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We, mostly, just hung out around the lake house, which was literally steps from the water, but we did venture out for a few fun things.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beckett is ready for the PGA tour!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">On Thursday, we drove to Glen Rose to visit Dinosaur World and Dinosaur Valley State Park. At Dinosaur World, Maddie and Tucker got to dig for fossils and see "life-sized" replicas of about 30 different types of dinosaurs. They thoroughly enjoyed it! Tucker would run up to a dinosaur and growl at it, then he would run away saying, "Scary! He gonna eat me, daddy! Save me!" I don't think that he was really scared, he was just being dramatic and playing games because he would run up and growl at the next one on the walk. Next we went into Dinosaur Valley State Park to look for real dinosaur tracks in the Paluxy River. The water was too high to see the tracks, but Tucker and Beckett got to splash in the river and have some fun.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker, in the mouth of a T-Rex</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddie & Tucker, future paleontologists</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does he look scared to you?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkqzaHfU8pE-iG5l2MiP0OsCskpYV1cgPahVaVl5ssCqscq1IkzJXV4KOMK9BpBqCQnPh5UG7PfTi-Q5HzRp0QOD3ci0wrYcqhVarxHyddwX6USkbO8YAeAXCSmiCu-HTWA_DBPlqO_ep/s1600/tuck+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkqzaHfU8pE-iG5l2MiP0OsCskpYV1cgPahVaVl5ssCqscq1IkzJXV4KOMK9BpBqCQnPh5UG7PfTi-Q5HzRp0QOD3ci0wrYcqhVarxHyddwX6USkbO8YAeAXCSmiCu-HTWA_DBPlqO_ep/s320/tuck+river.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beckett & Tuck, enjoying the Paluxy river</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> On Friday, we visited the Granbury city beach, which is awesome! The city sectioned off a portion of the lake from boat and fishing traffic. They also trucked in enough sand from South Padre Island to make a true beach and go out about 50 yards into the lake. It was the nicest lake beach that I have ever been to. The kids spent the day splashing, throwing sand, building sand castles, and "swimming". I think that Beckett had the most fun of all, splashing and swimming the entire time.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRA4zEc1ociszxlhmjyf6K3pb4QhyphenhyphenohoLmzbio7ZenHw7lXMYG0hNaBp8OWKF4-Zl9_VFc3GUtLKEi5k7y-LdzgWrZtZfohEqj-53Vaiy98K3ixWr_fKHLfg5JDAevY-wK5HWd-Y_UqJtp/s1600/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRA4zEc1ociszxlhmjyf6K3pb4QhyphenhyphenohoLmzbio7ZenHw7lXMYG0hNaBp8OWKF4-Zl9_VFc3GUtLKEi5k7y-LdzgWrZtZfohEqj-53Vaiy98K3ixWr_fKHLfg5JDAevY-wK5HWd-Y_UqJtp/s320/beach.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granbury city beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhIqQilnvDwkSaOOnubVY9Lh6UJWCPpAklZxLXC9ZviQdkZivrTodHNxfFcJNRJ3dsvhgBEY4aCPG6dTEODfld_V324NmCFq5tX8IoG8X3ajqVyQH12CHZ_GdmuKOxbKHNOzhJItY6AYu/s1600/IMG_0921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhIqQilnvDwkSaOOnubVY9Lh6UJWCPpAklZxLXC9ZviQdkZivrTodHNxfFcJNRJ3dsvhgBEY4aCPG6dTEODfld_V324NmCFq5tX8IoG8X3ajqVyQH12CHZ_GdmuKOxbKHNOzhJItY6AYu/s320/IMG_0921.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beckett, the little fish!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B2MVjny2uTmDDYpeeonlyXR9AR6_4XnKqUN86cZOVgulufUADk8i4Q5JrkTgjWsCosqfweMD59kvmZgMYo2d_DqSv8nzbOi-4_9XcChdlHI7lPWbwBj8zzn92HW8knjwrr3r5NglfxFe/s1600/IMG_0922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B2MVjny2uTmDDYpeeonlyXR9AR6_4XnKqUN86cZOVgulufUADk8i4Q5JrkTgjWsCosqfweMD59kvmZgMYo2d_DqSv8nzbOi-4_9XcChdlHI7lPWbwBj8zzn92HW8knjwrr3r5NglfxFe/s320/IMG_0922.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker, enjoying the water</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We also spent some time attempting to catch fish. The lake house had a boat dock and a sun-deck above it. The dock was perfect for fishing and we saw lots of fish. After a day and a half of losing tons of bait, I realized that our hooks were too large. After a quick change of hooks, we started catching some fish. Maddie caught a perch, as did I, and Tucker caught a small catfish. They were so excited to catch the fish, but didn't want to touch them.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5W9UPJe9CddzAj2QQc5WuIQwZ74aqr2zze4dRFfMmlG1Y1bhn8UkuDXc4zJTeCwnPGW23FCTJRuKuSBJL_Bm3WZLB9zccfb8DY332Ju-3S0_45Usx8Sc73daV3IYcJVdK471Ql-GECQo/s1600/the+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5W9UPJe9CddzAj2QQc5WuIQwZ74aqr2zze4dRFfMmlG1Y1bhn8UkuDXc4zJTeCwnPGW23FCTJRuKuSBJL_Bm3WZLB9zccfb8DY332Ju-3S0_45Usx8Sc73daV3IYcJVdK471Ql-GECQo/s320/the+lake.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of Lake Granbury from the dock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxKSvEjcVLIwjvJdJyX5cOdurzVXg3vjcJc1bQ5EEKq7DMkjvfFzAXExHUN9ErApRsQWrN0M7Ru8JDq5Uun0q1RmteEZR-I1AEXxHrnSrj2wEXzx9hGZRd4IFytTmoXXuBdcVmnZiejlp/s1600/IMG_0907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxKSvEjcVLIwjvJdJyX5cOdurzVXg3vjcJc1bQ5EEKq7DMkjvfFzAXExHUN9ErApRsQWrN0M7Ru8JDq5Uun0q1RmteEZR-I1AEXxHrnSrj2wEXzx9hGZRd4IFytTmoXXuBdcVmnZiejlp/s320/IMG_0907.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddie, fishing woman</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCejC8Rxl4eoUXTMJ8Iuc7xvVhPpqMHlNftwmSHsD1ZWH2Z8aS20RLo7QCXJFH55KWP9oBuJWgFtjWp9fCYS6ZHqDCWtY9a5EWTwhMmBhKvXtoa70MoA5eRtx3lizwXGKwFFUeT_b9Hkd/s1600/the+deck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCejC8Rxl4eoUXTMJ8Iuc7xvVhPpqMHlNftwmSHsD1ZWH2Z8aS20RLo7QCXJFH55KWP9oBuJWgFtjWp9fCYS6ZHqDCWtY9a5EWTwhMmBhKvXtoa70MoA5eRtx3lizwXGKwFFUeT_b9Hkd/s320/the+deck.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun deck</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YrdPcH_iF2lY9AaRVqlaXc-cP31FGMUP2OiEUEC71FXkwbbNTkadrilyaXjQyZ51ohA1C8LFlYz7srvtPrKlhTiqoXIt2P2-e4wii9u_Y50546HBXutoY3cekqpOgPEZLlqspznNHONY/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YrdPcH_iF2lY9AaRVqlaXc-cP31FGMUP2OiEUEC71FXkwbbNTkadrilyaXjQyZ51ohA1C8LFlYz7srvtPrKlhTiqoXIt2P2-e4wii9u_Y50546HBXutoY3cekqpOgPEZLlqspznNHONY/s320/IMG_0927.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker's whopper!</td></tr>
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It was a short and simple trip, but we all had fun and were able to spend some quality time together!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRqEDGFo7xZEga4wtWWnyh3SeOhmNohLaQ3jBZkHCF1zcK76w9KjWihPy502wDQ_FV4phUwXBUwEHuxiTshunrXgb71yKPWVZRtpaMlvW-fcScNojp3Qm7wT_cl2YmkOLfbMu2PICGSmG/s1600/IMG_1312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRqEDGFo7xZEga4wtWWnyh3SeOhmNohLaQ3jBZkHCF1zcK76w9KjWihPy502wDQ_FV4phUwXBUwEHuxiTshunrXgb71yKPWVZRtpaMlvW-fcScNojp3Qm7wT_cl2YmkOLfbMu2PICGSmG/s320/IMG_1312.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beckett giving Finn kisses</td></tr>
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Oh, and yes, Finn was there too, but he pretty much slept the whole time!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeSBUlmbf1DJpjgl4G2xXGJ-QCAf8DqrTpJW-SZasZqTK7TwkRNR7lsEvzr6MKdYPGJG3g079ztiw7tFA18eIMmSLXDP2BDhSXpQj_Z5Xbbc6NNErS6upy1AMa7RCOVgNqCbuTUdL4UDO/s1600/IMG_1325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeSBUlmbf1DJpjgl4G2xXGJ-QCAf8DqrTpJW-SZasZqTK7TwkRNR7lsEvzr6MKdYPGJG3g079ztiw7tFA18eIMmSLXDP2BDhSXpQj_Z5Xbbc6NNErS6upy1AMa7RCOVgNqCbuTUdL4UDO/s320/IMG_1325.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See! I told you Finn was there!</td></tr>
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~TrentTrent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-33433993836036248882012-06-04T19:35:00.000-05:002012-06-04T19:35:18.670-05:00Finn, Man of Many Poses!Last week, Dena took Finn and Tucker to have pictures made. The session was mainly for Finn, but we got some great pictures of the two of them. Just like with Tucker's 2 year pictures, we used our friend Kelsey and her amazing <a href="http://www.empbykelsey.com/Home_Page.php" target="_blank">Everlasting Moments Photography</a>. She does a great job, so check out her website if you need some pictures!<br />
<br />Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-82921388835068962402012-05-16T20:30:00.002-05:002012-05-16T21:07:04.768-05:00Baby Finn!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRpQerqUuQbPFIyLVZL8WodfVVVsVD_IsXa5iBjLlJA_q-9WXXtRoFIyBqFA9n9hmhxKQBjaLBOjYlSU1EN9AtL1dILgouQfwEllepYeBZEXBd0CFVH9oen4XZG3TeSBo3kNd27EFdSs1/s1600/newborn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRpQerqUuQbPFIyLVZL8WodfVVVsVD_IsXa5iBjLlJA_q-9WXXtRoFIyBqFA9n9hmhxKQBjaLBOjYlSU1EN9AtL1dILgouQfwEllepYeBZEXBd0CFVH9oen4XZG3TeSBo3kNd27EFdSs1/s320/newborn.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finn's 1st minutes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Finley Thomas was born this
morning at 2:44am. He weighed in at 8lbs 8oz and was 20.5" long. He is
doing very well and eating like a champ. Dena is also doing really well.
She is up and moving around, I'm very proud of her!</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOs8iky1fOnBPV5N_gzSexZItsc15hG02NQBMK_ihmeOZjO_sUfhh6H1Wdm13jj5eOHXt-5SRORm4ALBk5OtEM9qiC6rS6EdWSS0vvf0Kcr2nXSpZH_1Wb6zK68Zl2-7u7YxKUfJw90xG/s1600/1day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOs8iky1fOnBPV5N_gzSexZItsc15hG02NQBMK_ihmeOZjO_sUfhh6H1Wdm13jj5eOHXt-5SRORm4ALBk5OtEM9qiC6rS6EdWSS0vvf0Kcr2nXSpZH_1Wb6zK68Zl2-7u7YxKUfJw90xG/s320/1day.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finn's 1st morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzA-PGZgoYhxQ9NREwsOkArpjUUQ6Q0f0l0VWSbTydZTd4FAU5SohV8qfh6u-cD6Xtbg8FELTV1iLsXBNmHWWUCOKKi0Htmzr670Giqk2fr8np4lK4-6Ccnr3SoJWmthhWIs-1K9r5BQM/s1600/1dayafternoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzA-PGZgoYhxQ9NREwsOkArpjUUQ6Q0f0l0VWSbTydZTd4FAU5SohV8qfh6u-cD6Xtbg8FELTV1iLsXBNmHWWUCOKKi0Htmzr670Giqk2fr8np4lK4-6Ccnr3SoJWmthhWIs-1K9r5BQM/s320/1dayafternoon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finley in the afternoon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Tucker got to meet his little brother today and he seemed to like him, although I'm sure things will change when this weird baby comes to Tucker's home. </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy4n7QFbSX2qQ9jrR0cB_gJqFmE1vZnRjLFMUNUuAfaDpHYzbTwd979FIg79fmrb3N_YzcxD9UU_7Ii0HTIHg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We will probably get to go home sometime tomorrow, but I will update if something changes. In the meantime, we are at Medical City Hospital in Dallas.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7916vA2b0fUJrslGztzYIv4mtvpjDBETNNRebHy-BkcIAY274OAPvNvC7Egcdmdl_EYYkbiqA_w0wuveDcKs7p5F1yZoWruHk1GDFN7HVw6QTpBzAG9Cm5Afbt5udJtSXknzBD3V9uMdi/s1600/IMG_0890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7916vA2b0fUJrslGztzYIv4mtvpjDBETNNRebHy-BkcIAY274OAPvNvC7Egcdmdl_EYYkbiqA_w0wuveDcKs7p5F1yZoWruHk1GDFN7HVw6QTpBzAG9Cm5Afbt5udJtSXknzBD3V9uMdi/s320/IMG_0890.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, Tuck, that is your little brother!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9uEXwbLjqLkOEL88h80_HzMv1gO62BdU4Q9Q-cjPwpik-R0x1dTpB2yMM7qf21uetwJXasn22TrT0dShmD8U8inMvbMXDr_ohCONMcsAkNpfulcpS5mPIPaPaFteQ9o_eWPfaP2hXpm7/s1600/IMG_0892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9uEXwbLjqLkOEL88h80_HzMv1gO62BdU4Q9Q-cjPwpik-R0x1dTpB2yMM7qf21uetwJXasn22TrT0dShmD8U8inMvbMXDr_ohCONMcsAkNpfulcpS5mPIPaPaFteQ9o_eWPfaP2hXpm7/s320/IMG_0892.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving sweet kisses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNE7rmQna94LNkEseSqrqw0XEYI0guv6_xGTVmWjd7zKYNvI9-DeFn5IgcpdsJ4FcH2Hu1bKYsv-e60PK89fEIN1uflWPKJHbI1R0BUAHKao_mgQ4_a6H6izXSzcT0putLLCT5st4P676/s1600/IMG_0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNE7rmQna94LNkEseSqrqw0XEYI0guv6_xGTVmWjd7zKYNvI9-DeFn5IgcpdsJ4FcH2Hu1bKYsv-e60PK89fEIN1uflWPKJHbI1R0BUAHKao_mgQ4_a6H6izXSzcT0putLLCT5st4P676/s320/IMG_0895.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker is holding his brother for the 1st time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I have included some of the best pictures from today, enjoy!</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLq9oATMsJnszYsfLCpmVlA8eL-0XNTq45nLqULv_nkNdvYwxSW4kj6LAMLoZ_iV-rfmJie5BJ-es9KVNEYraaUAffQY2l2MxmCOAyif8ko5Z6vnlyCGz1d9_C5ufJZYSqjn4z3xejQNS/s1600/tuckervsfinn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLq9oATMsJnszYsfLCpmVlA8eL-0XNTq45nLqULv_nkNdvYwxSW4kj6LAMLoZ_iV-rfmJie5BJ-es9KVNEYraaUAffQY2l2MxmCOAyif8ko5Z6vnlyCGz1d9_C5ufJZYSqjn4z3xejQNS/s320/tuckervsfinn.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">newborn Tucker vs. newborn Finley, do they look alike?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">~Trent </span>Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-67754356253360686102012-05-10T20:53:00.002-05:002012-05-10T20:53:34.459-05:00Almost FINN-ished!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This past Sunday, Dena passed the 37 week mark in her pregnancy. Finn is almost ready to make his appearance. In fact, we thought he was going to come two weeks ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In case you didn't hear, Thursday, April 26th during our monthly grocery trip, Dena started having regular contractions. We called the doctor and she wanted us to come in to the hospital. They checked her out and found that she was dilated to 1cm and having real contractions, so they kept us there for a while for observation. After about 3 hours, she hadn't progressed any further and the contractions had slowed, so they sent us home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Since then, she has had some more contractions, but nothing regular, and she hadn't really progressed much more. Yesterday, during the weekly OB check-up, they wanted to take another look at the baby with ultrasound just to get a better idea of his size. It was not a surprise to us to find out that he is going to be a big boy. At 37.5 weeks, he weighs between 8lbs 10 oz and 8lbs 14 oz. At his point in a pregnancy, a baby will gain about .5lbs per week, so if he goes until the due date, he will be at or over 10lbs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Dena's doctor discussed the option of an elective c-section, but we don't really like that idea unless it is an emergency. She also made sure we knew that she couldn't induce labor until 39 weeks, which is on May 20th. When they checked her, she is now dilated to between 2-3cm, which is good progress. The baby still hasn't dropped, but she expected Dena to be "favorable" by sometime next week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">All that being said, it seems like Finn is about finished up and ready to make his appearance. He has huge checks, big, wide feet, and seems like he is going to be another clone of me. Oh Joy! Dena and I are both ready for him to arrive and I actually think Tucker is warming to the idea too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Dena is going to continue working until he gets here, secretly hoping that some kid will send her into labor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We would appreciate your prayers for continued health for Dena and Finn. Also, for a quick, safe delivery when he decides to come.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I will update if something changes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Trent</span></span>Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-7236806488004693252012-04-16T23:34:00.001-05:002012-04-16T23:34:03.378-05:00A Picture is Worth...<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I know it is cliche, but a picture is definitely worth a thousand words.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Between Easter, baseball games, trains, and birthdays, we have had a busy two weekends. This past weekend was especially packed. We had an Amazing Little Hearts event at the Frisco RoughRiders game on Friday night, "A Day Out with Thomas" on Saturday morning, then a birthday party Saturday afternoon. I could go into great detail about our fun with Tucker, but I'm going to let the pictures do the talking this time. Needless to say, we love this kid!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NitsLu0hBkesiIJLoNigsVAbMPoS4iqj9pgmxDGfTz3LaXOKkM4iTXl01Utd6RxOeJC69OT6zLo6prMigRDzyrot5t5jHXRiEbxkJf6OXayICHxB69tElNq4lFpaUAhMModOWJWdfCYk/s1600/IMG_0991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NitsLu0hBkesiIJLoNigsVAbMPoS4iqj9pgmxDGfTz3LaXOKkM4iTXl01Utd6RxOeJC69OT6zLo6prMigRDzyrot5t5jHXRiEbxkJf6OXayICHxB69tElNq4lFpaUAhMModOWJWdfCYk/s320/IMG_0991.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our handsome man on Easter!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5dj9O5Fj3bajksOLft7EiH0TfkNlvKIUmxc8hMkVPKljJ2M4eZjaq-NmfXo-xHoytjt8eSfK6uMqlknqOGzYCI6DiYq6brcx5K0KCOE8XAU0uDYHGZghw9w-X2UxrBmow1aPAO-UXSnI/s320/tuck+rr+game.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RoughRiders Game</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAVAB0e_4SMy-2_RR0rlSQ83uGoIubY3BzyxCjrG3kIPKB5FomxT8WwXnamEnE1NAPKg73AsKc0TAXOyAAvWzOX1fXZ_rcsO8knvh_0OMTuUCKTUUIKAIAUhapnlWqblqb4ABpEM2r9wR/s1600/day+with+thomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAVAB0e_4SMy-2_RR0rlSQ83uGoIubY3BzyxCjrG3kIPKB5FomxT8WwXnamEnE1NAPKg73AsKc0TAXOyAAvWzOX1fXZ_rcsO8knvh_0OMTuUCKTUUIKAIAUhapnlWqblqb4ABpEM2r9wR/s320/day+with+thomas.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun with Thomas & Friends!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5oYVL_9wLTuhF5MjBZ1OJASHjEiPJXxL55BeMzn8HPrz2mYcv1z7YcK4JQQeqP0LGO49VkILoeOh8muJCyF7UOhDHhlYVB_mrEFvbFOCqQckN7m9zR7TEekFTSmCEzSJRk0__WR6Lv9M/s1600/too+cool+tucker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5oYVL_9wLTuhF5MjBZ1OJASHjEiPJXxL55BeMzn8HPrz2mYcv1z7YcK4JQQeqP0LGO49VkILoeOh8muJCyF7UOhDHhlYVB_mrEFvbFOCqQckN7m9zR7TEekFTSmCEzSJRk0__WR6Lv9M/s320/too+cool+tucker.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little engineer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdryBHGIJZnWOkC5XQWsgxDoLoGQZGBl3Ytfid32k1HbivzIjOa3y5DU0p7iiCTASRS6ii-JLNWyczolJyp07Dwgb7Xv-NxeHR2neLWji42jyFAHIBr9_lYfdqkLpI6rR5l5D00I-Yfmd/s1600/tucker+and+friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdryBHGIJZnWOkC5XQWsgxDoLoGQZGBl3Ytfid32k1HbivzIjOa3y5DU0p7iiCTASRS6ii-JLNWyczolJyp07Dwgb7Xv-NxeHR2neLWji42jyFAHIBr9_lYfdqkLpI6rR5l5D00I-Yfmd/s320/tucker+and+friends.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker & his Friends!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXGDbCXdqTXbKKhech1P6mTJwCIYwfRMFdEt6YTvm_0yBPXDK0aFtdDtVCH7wb2SDEHsQGLctDRsAi3sQP9baaSs3nIXI55TZVZ5JqapW_N4VJAkH6_Z9fUH6gkrrI0zoUs6pdI_Pf5ob/s1600/tucker+on+train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXGDbCXdqTXbKKhech1P6mTJwCIYwfRMFdEt6YTvm_0yBPXDK0aFtdDtVCH7wb2SDEHsQGLctDRsAi3sQP9baaSs3nIXI55TZVZ5JqapW_N4VJAkH6_Z9fUH6gkrrI0zoUs6pdI_Pf5ob/s320/tucker+on+train.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to go to Sodor!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RpqVQ2-96F0q3D7MXXPryAo6KDfsqF3W3abWsd3VSNoWe2geL0X5UMYEk_Q21fpTdWjIJ88RIxE1o-WTiL_7Duu-bUn-Za_oz8rH2qlwO21kIYGtUllVE5oNfxRv73prmSeZtAjdSKLb/s1600/tuck+and+pops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RpqVQ2-96F0q3D7MXXPryAo6KDfsqF3W3abWsd3VSNoWe2geL0X5UMYEk_Q21fpTdWjIJ88RIxE1o-WTiL_7Duu-bUn-Za_oz8rH2qlwO21kIYGtUllVE5oNfxRv73prmSeZtAjdSKLb/s320/tuck+and+pops.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker, Pops, & Thomas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2jC_i1fT_oy-Wctq5eJWayoJa7kgEQFeQdchAS7pGD7TFaVt9CJvMNIDkplQz-nyjAEbIFV6GTi_rH8NZz3yx1DPgJEXEXnw54bD0rVYiSYZZMl5HS7_w9no5c39Bz2PQDADeZaYNQQG/s1600/tuck%252C+toppen+hatt%252C+mommy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2jC_i1fT_oy-Wctq5eJWayoJa7kgEQFeQdchAS7pGD7TFaVt9CJvMNIDkplQz-nyjAEbIFV6GTi_rH8NZz3yx1DPgJEXEXnw54bD0rVYiSYZZMl5HS7_w9no5c39Bz2PQDADeZaYNQQG/s320/tuck%252C+toppen+hatt%252C+mommy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sir Topham Hatt, Tuck, & Mommy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmbkwGQVZO3nVbd7ZVhxgvaoVp_NKTEbbjkWy_Rbxa_jaA4inDeCTwy7cA3dOtHYO4TnZH9APWQLABkOE1dHnxNFoJAoGqHW4z-N4Aj47MUr823KaNugCiCZZhGKLt_INSeuNlH2mdI25/s1600/tuck+and+ponies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmbkwGQVZO3nVbd7ZVhxgvaoVp_NKTEbbjkWy_Rbxa_jaA4inDeCTwy7cA3dOtHYO4TnZH9APWQLABkOE1dHnxNFoJAoGqHW4z-N4Aj47MUr823KaNugCiCZZhGKLt_INSeuNlH2mdI25/s320/tuck+and+ponies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happiness is a pony ride!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Baby Finley is now a little over a month away, we can't wait to share pictures of him too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Trent</span></span>Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-67796983015158987352012-03-27T23:04:00.001-05:002012-03-27T23:04:28.578-05:00An Exhausting Success<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hard work is...well...hard, but it generally pays off in the end! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I am happy to report that the Whole Hearts Foundation fundraiser event in Dallas, this past Sunday, was a great success!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggm6bzsB08bNgJyje9u0f8wf4_gexAioHGQWEKd3cH52gV_O7TNB81V5xCvhlXLLuTmiVODYqklUk_66gEnFJ6YxDzzWRZcN7yBFzwFFqFMsF_Ra-gc6vA7R1mC5kKQixe8a_ECX-Oi5qe/s1600/wh+sign+wh+dallas+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggm6bzsB08bNgJyje9u0f8wf4_gexAioHGQWEKd3cH52gV_O7TNB81V5xCvhlXLLuTmiVODYqklUk_66gEnFJ6YxDzzWRZcN7yBFzwFFqFMsF_Ra-gc6vA7R1mC5kKQixe8a_ECX-Oi5qe/s320/wh+sign+wh+dallas+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">After months of planning, meeting, recruiting helpers, inviting guests, and changing plans, the event went off without a hitch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We arrived at Medical City Children's Hospital at 10am on Sunday morning to set up and get everything ready for the guests. By 11:30, most of the stuff was ready to go, Dena just needed to put the finishing touches on everything, as she is so good at doing! Matt and his manger, Jenn, and two band mates, Chris and Mark, arrived to tour the hospital and Congenital Heart Surgery Unit. The tour was very good and I was excited to get to hear and see a few things that I didn't know about at the hospital.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">At 12:30, the tour was over and it was time for Matt to do a sound check for his acoustic performance. I knew that people would be there for the event because we had about 125 RSVP's, but the few minutes before it was supposed to start were still tense due to doubt. By 1:15pm we probably had over 100 people there to support us. At 1:30 I had to work up the nerve to step up to the mic and welcome everyone. It is so weird that I don't have a problem standing in front of a class of kids, but if you ask me to speak to a room full of adults, I get so nervous! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSuFPa8otCLdAKhJexKpUrL9vnXoR_cJPn3SberOSyxaoVFM0I55e1mq2z6ssNjKNSrIawDgkFizHXe_iC486YOjHqkgZl93jY6DoztFbnXDQa1h-8GJqbQsZ8WDCqDVjG5cdL8aI1Nt0/s1600/trent+speaking+wh+dallas+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSuFPa8otCLdAKhJexKpUrL9vnXoR_cJPn3SberOSyxaoVFM0I55e1mq2z6ssNjKNSrIawDgkFizHXe_iC486YOjHqkgZl93jY6DoztFbnXDQa1h-8GJqbQsZ8WDCqDVjG5cdL8aI1Nt0/s320/trent+speaking+wh+dallas+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me giving my welcome</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">After I welcomed everyone, Devin Bruton, who is a hospital administrator, spoke a little about Medical City and then introduced Dr. Mendeloff (Tucker's surgeon). Dr. Mendeloff spoke for about 10 minutes and it was great. He shared about the past and future of treating CHDs and about the hospital's program. Finally, the moment that most were waiting for, Matt performed a few songs, including "All of Me".</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfWWQItAT8bLBDCXVclnQXWRq9tg8bjBnkWPdcBauPxpyKJXPcF-SFY44HoWACZ7D_JtyTj26Qq2bn4ucc7pscYbZGkPl7zrFpmut8DM2fq2v0R3AH37Yefv_DkpaMm-IBW8jLSvuuBoO/s1600/dr+mendeloff+wh+dallas+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfWWQItAT8bLBDCXVclnQXWRq9tg8bjBnkWPdcBauPxpyKJXPcF-SFY44HoWACZ7D_JtyTj26Qq2bn4ucc7pscYbZGkPl7zrFpmut8DM2fq2v0R3AH37Yefv_DkpaMm-IBW8jLSvuuBoO/s320/dr+mendeloff+wh+dallas+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Mendeloff speaking</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjWbz7_KXG1A2q_jwetoQ-VJalws_uonrzd52cq1mf81BL6MgpBGuESD6Aiv90Pl4UXqKWgNF6YbWhjKgANXSR3fSNnWLtoG5IC6OYQ7ASo3uSD_KwUGeSMBP7Hqn4qOb1Z2l-Lx2FK-A/s1600/matt+singing+wh+dallas+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjWbz7_KXG1A2q_jwetoQ-VJalws_uonrzd52cq1mf81BL6MgpBGuESD6Aiv90Pl4UXqKWgNF6YbWhjKgANXSR3fSNnWLtoG5IC6OYQ7ASo3uSD_KwUGeSMBP7Hqn4qOb1Z2l-Lx2FK-A/s320/matt+singing+wh+dallas+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt singing "All of Me"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2RjNFSDS7801hJpvOT__TwUyvqEnvnWAvdPvbG3Ho4hlA_ep8HZFEewSLEQVPb5usuMi_d36Tfaq1S1v0El0mkPZyM1fDfeLGSe8-5i3it33W3I1-6kkNaoWheJRvcRZXQRcY2MN0c75/s1600/matt+chris+singing+wh+dallas+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2RjNFSDS7801hJpvOT__TwUyvqEnvnWAvdPvbG3Ho4hlA_ep8HZFEewSLEQVPb5usuMi_d36Tfaq1S1v0El0mkPZyM1fDfeLGSe8-5i3it33W3I1-6kkNaoWheJRvcRZXQRcY2MN0c75/s320/matt+chris+singing+wh+dallas+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt & Chris performing "The Redeemer"</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It was so awesome to see everyone's reaction to the Whole Hearts mission and our plans. The support of the families and people there was surprising, to say the least. We were honored that Matt's band mates and manager took their time to join us. I was blessed to have some family and old friends who came to support us. Also, we had a few businesses that I had invited who came. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYg6HBRNJ8uZvnRLO_vdIGAuOOKcyVc0hTn-07PzozDUa-CZiuVaiOD03JSWE7NdRw0gewHhNw7_gEx7lBBG3YAUCTWPSEOfhGDvyKST44XvjdbuHbh8wXJN4rTFEIyrhVYBlpxplVBsku/s1600/guests+2+wh+dallas+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYg6HBRNJ8uZvnRLO_vdIGAuOOKcyVc0hTn-07PzozDUa-CZiuVaiOD03JSWE7NdRw0gewHhNw7_gEx7lBBG3YAUCTWPSEOfhGDvyKST44XvjdbuHbh8wXJN4rTFEIyrhVYBlpxplVBsku/s320/guests+2+wh+dallas+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The great crowd!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEH9_Y3pTKqGlQ1rM5jyb59_HxUCWKxTM6KmagmfG41WA57uqW63-Vo08JFmMZx3sQmSWi4q6dZunWo1Fm4mwS9izcnKKMrmsq09Wdn4dLjYTBhqNkWeyFoEbOm1CcVQGF-TYVqi0DoAn/s1600/guests+wh+dallas+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEH9_Y3pTKqGlQ1rM5jyb59_HxUCWKxTM6KmagmfG41WA57uqW63-Vo08JFmMZx3sQmSWi4q6dZunWo1Fm4mwS9izcnKKMrmsq09Wdn4dLjYTBhqNkWeyFoEbOm1CcVQGF-TYVqi0DoAn/s320/guests+wh+dallas+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So proud of the group!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Honestly, it was probably one of the most involved, pressure-laden project that I have ever undertaken. However, it was totally worth all of the time and energy that was spent on planning, setting up, and putting it on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I had a tremendous amount of help and support along the way. The event absolutely wouldn't have happened without my friends and "teammates" from Whole Hearts: Andrea, Matt, Brett, & Julie! Also, I had a ton of help from the people at Medical City Children's Hospital, particularly Devin Bruton, Amy Carlisle, and Jennifer Abrams. My brother, Greg, and his DJ partner, Dan, donated their services for the cause too, and that was a great help! Most importantly, Dena put up with all of the time that I spent planning and working on stuff. She also helped me make decorations, set up, and tear down. And the biggest job of all was single-handedly wrangling Tucker while I was busy at the event.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9l26-r3woX-u4EXguZw1oKRp_ZlWaF-6BDP9EkHiV6IUsgVmxjHEXMQb2A2e72IdxZd5hIXKYoPx9XRQWznSu1yekhPRmdhffHeq7wzf42M5isQjPfi_-twzchnaAMADd1do2PfKAXJP/s1600/greg+dan+matt+wh+dallas+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9l26-r3woX-u4EXguZw1oKRp_ZlWaF-6BDP9EkHiV6IUsgVmxjHEXMQb2A2e72IdxZd5hIXKYoPx9XRQWznSu1yekhPRmdhffHeq7wzf42M5isQjPfi_-twzchnaAMADd1do2PfKAXJP/s320/greg+dan+matt+wh+dallas+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greg & Dan with Matt</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We ended the day by going to the Winter Jam concert at the American Airlines Center, where Matt's band, Sanctus Real, was performing with other groups. We had great seats and got to hear some wonderful Christian music. Tucker had a blast! By the time we made it home we were all exhausted. Tucker actually gave a little scare on the way home by having some sort of panic-attack or bad nightmare. Luckily, he seemed to be fine the next day. We aren't really sure what happened, but he hasn't had any more of those, so I guess he is alright.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I hope that you might consider making a donation to Whole Hearts to help us support families dealing with CHD. It is really simple to donate, just click this link: <a href="https://www.wholehearts.org/HowtoDonate.aspx" target="_blank">Whole Hearts Donation</a>. The link is totally secure and 100% of the money will go to help families.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for listening and please share our blog is possible!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Trent</span></span>Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-33052256443281751402012-03-19T21:43:00.001-05:002012-03-19T21:43:12.259-05:00Spring Break<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We had a great Spring Break!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqGEH4J1UyXi4OielZs2h7Pc4aInqm8GdV9K9QH11N-bgxTIUo7DEBbcEminlKShpYePOOQ2Ergn40z4QhAB24egYDlkqoQvakugz9O2vmXXoxYF9oZ08DPTk6wNwH-f2tGOe1vkRI7aI/s1600/WH+Dallas+reception+invite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqGEH4J1UyXi4OielZs2h7Pc4aInqm8GdV9K9QH11N-bgxTIUo7DEBbcEminlKShpYePOOQ2Ergn40z4QhAB24egYDlkqoQvakugz9O2vmXXoxYF9oZ08DPTk6wNwH-f2tGOe1vkRI7aI/s320/WH+Dallas+reception+invite.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YOU are invited!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Before I get into all of our family stuff, I want to share an opportunity that is coming up. I have been planning
the first Whole Hearts Foundation event for Dallas for months. The time
has finally arrived to put all of that planning into action. Our Whole
Hearts "social" and fundraiser is this coming Sunday at 1pm at Medical
City Children's Hospital. It will be a reception in the atrium of the
hospital and it will feature an acoustic performance by Matt Hammitt
(Bowen's dad). He and his wife, Sarah, founded Whole Hearts and they
will be sharing their vision for the foundation. All money raised at the
event will go to support a special project at Medical City and heart families in Dallas. You all are
invited to join us at the event, just RSVP to info@wholehearts.org to
let us know you are coming. I have attached a copy of the invitation so
you can see it. </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxok7sUfjXkbU3tanah6ZnFSn1_ZdcC2m9wXVJ5RkPdVz8I0mZ4IrIr1e0dqgEGDWS3W937znyujomR-z7mAg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Tucker knows his ABC's</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So, for Spring Break we took a short trip to Oklahoma City. We took Tucker to the zoo, which he loved, we went to Bricktown, and we visited the Oklahoma City bombing memorial and museum. It was a great little trip and we had a lot of fun and made some memories. You can read a little more about it on Tucker's caringbridge site here: <a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tuckerhamilton">http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tuckerhamilton</a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiTVo33jTtbXJz4gLTXrqH8tunKNw74V2pYAGNksNx5HGMZ6R3m4zn0AjJ_81AzvFrf_CRUFqtQaXWLNKhGAuX2Dr7TIGyPsK-qds6S6HITj8HPIwMdVSehHrHtczfa8lHLBK23vWgeUa/s1600/pops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiTVo33jTtbXJz4gLTXrqH8tunKNw74V2pYAGNksNx5HGMZ6R3m4zn0AjJ_81AzvFrf_CRUFqtQaXWLNKhGAuX2Dr7TIGyPsK-qds6S6HITj8HPIwMdVSehHrHtczfa8lHLBK23vWgeUa/s320/pops.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy, Tucker, and Daddy at "Pops" on Route 66</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcpGNfTwR-fLGfb2s5BFu9fn8T4pUEDnwkKENaOf1bsImrSA2ekMiC8sc9EACaybTbzx3P5F1Y5VcU0p3POYXa9GMyGyK8x6pQy6Nc9oyQjx_bZBWHoPsmL0Jqyi1nrWPDsc9JYlgiknh/s1600/ready+for+the+zoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcpGNfTwR-fLGfb2s5BFu9fn8T4pUEDnwkKENaOf1bsImrSA2ekMiC8sc9EACaybTbzx3P5F1Y5VcU0p3POYXa9GMyGyK8x6pQy6Nc9oyQjx_bZBWHoPsmL0Jqyi1nrWPDsc9JYlgiknh/s320/ready+for+the+zoo.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell he is ready to go to the zoo???</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicXSlyyDXUA_qmiFOT8d3aGCfhSrixWto4SthOJLr3FiuP7-y37yCvPyiZB6Pa4y4mirhM1W6vuDRJIolU2a0mRMERlu7w6pBJXeQJaUlUn3g94pCJBZs5fsDzojnsfjaC1cdXm9FWmKn/s1600/okc+zoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicXSlyyDXUA_qmiFOT8d3aGCfhSrixWto4SthOJLr3FiuP7-y37yCvPyiZB6Pa4y4mirhM1W6vuDRJIolU2a0mRMERlu7w6pBJXeQJaUlUn3g94pCJBZs5fsDzojnsfjaC1cdXm9FWmKn/s320/okc+zoo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker and his "pride"!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx46roCHKMAQqb_d9g1wyTCT4onddL2Oi3TuOechX1BJFY0DwODtbFBpheMR-ZsdNyyQ_J0Q-3Yt4uJsVgxQZZhPIiFa5sKmmnEVJszg2R5OM5tj2ts6VjyBGchC-ZxjfDXc9ZSsVxTHA-/s1600/leo+bbq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx46roCHKMAQqb_d9g1wyTCT4onddL2Oi3TuOechX1BJFY0DwODtbFBpheMR-ZsdNyyQ_J0Q-3Yt4uJsVgxQZZhPIiFa5sKmmnEVJszg2R5OM5tj2ts6VjyBGchC-ZxjfDXc9ZSsVxTHA-/s320/leo+bbq.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucker & Mommy having lunch at Leo's BBQ in OKC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;">The other big event for Spring Break was to get Finn's nursery ready. If you didn't know, the nursery was our guest room. It was painted the color of a Tiffany jewelry box and VERY feminine. This would not do for our new little man. We picked out some crib bedding after we found out it was a boy and it is red, white, and blue. The idea was to save the red and white stripes that were in the middle of the room and paint the Tiffany's blue to match the bedding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I started priming the walls on Wednesday night and then moved on to the paint on Thursday. The top half of the room is light blue, almost like denim, and the bottom half is navy blue. I finished up on Friday afternoon, with some help from my mom and dad. There was only one mishap, a puddle of spilled navy blue paint in the middle of the beige, carpeted floor. After trying numerous things to clean the stain, I gave up and decided to up the stain with beige paint. It doesn't look great, but I think it will be okay until I can find someone who can patch the piece of carpet. See the before and after pictures below.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIBHUpmIWXhgTYAZPflFLrpuDDJES79UJLtaNmxDrW-CXitdOKNfsFr7UprY6b86lt-3fadWLzTuK3-5sORLE8CS8K2lPR0DBECFaDlHNm8CtCVd664WOL0r2zbZtCGNdniJXBWrDvYH4/s1600/Finns+room+before+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIBHUpmIWXhgTYAZPflFLrpuDDJES79UJLtaNmxDrW-CXitdOKNfsFr7UprY6b86lt-3fadWLzTuK3-5sORLE8CS8K2lPR0DBECFaDlHNm8CtCVd664WOL0r2zbZtCGNdniJXBWrDvYH4/s320/Finns+room+before+after.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before - "Tiffany's" room After - Finn's room</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It was a great Spring Break, not too busy, but not boring. Now comes the countdown to the end of school and the arrival of Finn. We are ready for the new little guy to get here and join our family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Thanks, as always, for visiting and sharing our family journey with us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">God Bless,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Trent</span></span></span>Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-54414375807577829712012-02-29T22:32:00.003-06:002012-02-29T22:32:33.498-06:00A NNN-EEE-WWW Car!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We are the proud owners of a 2012 Kia Sorento! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Since finding out that we were having another baby, Dena and I have been discussing the fact that we would probably need a new car, something bigger. I started looking at options for a small to medium-sized SUV. There are lots of options for SUVs, but we either didn't like most them or they were too expensive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Now, if you know anything about me, you might know that I am a researcher. I research most major purchases that we make to ensure that we are getting the best product and the best deal. I enjoy reading about the product, learning the features, reading expert reviews, etc. I was hesitant, at first, to even bother looking at the Kia, because, well, it was a KIA! But I did start reading about them and found out that they had come a long way in the last few years, a lot like Hyundai has. I was surprised to find out that Kia and Hyundai are the same parent company, like Chevy and GMC</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Through my research, I found out that the Sorento is a IIHS Top Safety Pick, it gets great gas mileage, it has an optional 3rd row seat, and it has some of the best options and features in it's class. Even better than all of this, it was WAY cheaper than the other cars we were looking at. Basically, we could get a brand new Kia for the same price that we could get a medium mileage version of the other cars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">After many hours researching the best prices and the options that we wanted, I was able to negotiate a VERY fair price with a salesman at Huffines Kia in McKinney. After searching all over Texas and Oklahoma, the dealership was finally able to locate a car that matched what we were looking for. Monday night we went to the dealership to sign all of the paperwork and to trade-in Dena's Malibu. Our car hadn't arrived from Oklahoma yet, but they gave us a loaner to take home for the night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Dena picked up our (really it's hers) new car yesterday and we couldn't be happier! I highly recommend researching your next car purchase on a site like www.edmunds.com. I also recommend doing all of your price negotiations via email. Email negotiations allow you to state just the facts and to not deal with the high-pressure sales tactics of most dealerships.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmWsn2ZNJXfvMrmXUc0ievT8bAdqrX7j-I1H_NGR9aPCnDBKmIZgzYvaAoNc2-3wCk_gvThKlifwnw6ij5ttobtAHlKHE2Hl_3FON2qX1YxqCaBgsvpMD8QyPjpixvjlz_fGGugdtSIBG/s1600/new+kia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmWsn2ZNJXfvMrmXUc0ievT8bAdqrX7j-I1H_NGR9aPCnDBKmIZgzYvaAoNc2-3wCk_gvThKlifwnw6ij5ttobtAHlKHE2Hl_3FON2qX1YxqCaBgsvpMD8QyPjpixvjlz_fGGugdtSIBG/s320/new+kia.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new family-sized car!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now we just have to find a place to get a read DVD system installed...I guess I need to do some more research!</span></span>Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-4248551060432347252012-02-12T23:09:00.000-06:002012-02-12T23:09:22.606-06:00Survivors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsi4YToVMzbpLSvSYXYYC8Aq0Q9SIBJj57Ux6xxm6Zuzi6bny85tkhSMl5CsoCSY0zWIbroecwu7B8y6WK2RQsqZwhUxJBU6eiA90PNAk_MrTLr68lO-FJUMb-UswNtJ2swLBY8fLkTcR/s1600/IMG_0792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsi4YToVMzbpLSvSYXYYC8Aq0Q9SIBJj57Ux6xxm6Zuzi6bny85tkhSMl5CsoCSY0zWIbroecwu7B8y6WK2RQsqZwhUxJBU6eiA90PNAk_MrTLr68lO-FJUMb-UswNtJ2swLBY8fLkTcR/s320/IMG_0792.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><b>Survivor</b>
- A person who survives, esp. a person remaining alive after an event
in which others have died, also, a person who continues to function or
prosper in spite of opposition, hardship, or setbacks. <br /><br /> Tucker
and his friends are the epitome of the definition of the word survivor,
they are the physical embodiment of the concept. <br /><br /> We had the
pleasure of attending and helping host our annual Amazing Little Hearts
"Heart" party this weekend. Each year, we bring all of our families
together at the hospital and celebrate our kids' lives, strength, and
perseverance. We have a celebration cake, crafts, games, snacks, a blood
drive, and tons of photos. More importantly, we have the opportunity to
share our kids and our stories with each other and to show that we are
not all alone in this life. <br /><br /> Our kids, our survivors, our
miracles are so important to us and to each other. Many of our kids have
survived a terrible malady that would have meant certain death only a
few short years ago, Tucker included. As late as 10 years ago, the
life-saving surgery that Tucker had was still considered risky enough
that many families were told to just take their baby home and enjoy the
remaining time that they had left with them. Yet, Tucker and his friends
have found a way to defy the odds and live. God deserves the credit and
the glory for this blessing, but it also shows the strength that can be
found in a life that is only a few days old. <br /><br /> Sadly, too many
kids don't beat CHD. Despite the numerous medical advances that have
been made, CHD is still thee #1 cause of birth defect related deaths and
twice as many children die from CHD then from all forms of childhood
cancer combined each year. More money is needed for CHD research and for
the support of these families. <br /><br /> While we celebrate our kids and
their survival, we are ALL ever mindful of what could happen at any
time. We honor our kids, but we also honor those who have not survived.
Kids like Liam, Joshua, Ewan, and countless others, whose lives ended
far too soon. We hope and pray that our kids can live lives that honor
the memory of those who didn't survive. We hope and pray that our work,
as parents, can change things for those that come after us and that we
can help them deal with this tough battle. <br /><br /> Dena and I pray each
day that Tucker will grow up and appreciate the life that God has
blessed him with and that he will have a heart to give back and help
others. We hope that our example can give him a love and a passion for
this important aspect of being a survivor. <br /><br /> Tucker is a survivor
for a reason. We don't yet know what that reason is, but we pray that
God gives us enough days to find out. <br /><br /> We invite you to join
Tucker and some of his survivor friends for dinner tomorrow night.
Monday, Feb. 13th from 6-10pm at Durkin's Pizza, we are having a
fundraiser for Amazing Little Hearts. Our group will get 10% of sales
and that money will support the families at Medical City Children's
Hospital. Join us for great food and an even better cause, the address
is:</span></span><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span> 8930 Hwy 121 Suite 594</span>, </span></span><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">McKinney, TX 75070. There will also be a proclamation from Texas Rep. Ken Paxton for CHD Awareness week. <br /><br /> ~Trent</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span>Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-33616712561408823102012-02-08T22:57:00.001-06:002012-02-08T22:57:55.933-06:00CHD Awareness Week - Day 2<h5>
</h5>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Dena
posted about some FAQs that come up often for us as CHD parents.
Tonight, I want to take a moment to share some things that I have been
working on and some things that our friends have been working on. <br /><br />
This may seem like a "mailed in" post, but I just think that we can
create awareness in many different ways and one of those ways is sharing
what others are doing to fight CHDs. <br /><br /> First, I would like to
call you to action and ask for your help! One of our dear friends,
Jennifer Hood, has put her words into action and done something to
create change in the world of CHDs. Jennifer created a petition to the
U.S. government for increased funding for CHD research. We need 25,000
signatures before March 3rd and we currently have 185. It only takes a
minute to sign the petition and it doesn't cost a thing. I'm asking that
each person who reads this page, take a second, sign the petition, then
share the link to at least 5 other people. This project could lead to
countless lives being saved. If you would like to participate, just
click on the following link and sign the petition: <a href="https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#%21/petition/increase-funding-congenital-heart-defect-research-leading-cause-birth-defect-related-deaths/thjXMqzH">https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/increase-funding-congenital-heart-defect-research-leading-cause-birth-defect-related-deaths/thjXMqzH</a>. Don't forget to share! <br /><br />
Second, I would like to tell you a little about some things that I am
doing for the CHD community. I have officially started working as the
Director of Local Support for the newly created Whole Hearts Foundation,
which was founded by our friend, Matt Hammitt, and his wife, Sarah. I'm
working with families and groups, across the country, to coordinate
efforts for CHD Awareness week. I am also helping to plan our Dallas
fundraising event, which will be in March. <br /><br /> I am also working
with, the newly created, Heartwaves.org website. Specifically, I am one
of the dad bloggers for the site. My first two blog posts have been
shared with the world, one of which happens to be on the topic of
spreading CHD awareness. You can read my blogs by clicking on the
following links: <a href="http://info.heartwaves.org/bid/122821/CHD-Awareness-Week">http://info.heartwaves.org/bid/122821/CHD-Awareness-Week</a> and <a href="http://info.heartwaves.org/bid/120578/A-Congenital-Heart-Defect-Father">http://info.heartwaves.org/bid/120578/A-Congenital-Heart-Defect-Father</a>
. I would also encourage to read the other blogs that have been posted
from a wide-range of bloggers, including Matt Hammitt, Tucker's
Cardiologist, Dr. Thomas, one of Tucker's nurses, Holly Tomlin, and a
couple of our CHD friends. You can see the rest of the blogs here: <a href="http://info.heartwaves.org/">http://info.heartwaves.org/</a>. <br /><br />
In addition to the blogs that are available on Heartwaves.org, the
website also offers a patient page that is specific to CHD patients.
Basically, the patient page combines the best of sites like CaringBridge
with the greatness of Facebook. I foresee a time, in the future, when
we will close this site down and just have Tucker's page on
Heartwaves.org. It provides us with the ability to update family and
friends, post pictures, and blog, but it also lets us have specific
information about Tucker's heart defect, information from his doctors,
videos, and many additional things. Heartwaves.org is going to change
the lives of CHD patients and their families! You can create an account
and visit Tucker's patient page by going to: <a href="http://www.heartwaves.org/">http://www.heartwaves.org/</a>. <br /><br />
Third, I would like to direct your attention to some others who are
fighting this battle along side of us. These are friends and
acquaintances and their thoughts and ideas from their blogs are an
inspiration to us! Our friend Jennifer Hood, who created the petition,
has an amazing blog where she shares the trials and blessings that come
from raising a child with a CHD and other disabilities. Her strength and
passion have helped us through some tough times. Pay special attention
to her last 3 posts: <a href="http://fumblinggraciously.blogspot.com/">http://fumblinggraciously.blogspot.com/</a>. <br />
Next, another local Heart mom has been doing some phenomenal writing
this week for awareness. Again, pay special attention to the 2 most
recent posts: <a href="http://heartofourjourney.blogspot.com/">http://heartofourjourney.blogspot.com/</a>.
The last one is a very poignant letter to her son's future wife and the
one before that is a post that could potentially save your child's
life! <br /> I would also like to bring your attention to another friend
of ours, Tara Johnson. Her son, Liam, was Tucker's roommate when he was
recovering from his first surgery. Tara is also a great writer and she
creates some awesome artwork. You can read some of their story and
possible win a piece of her artwork by going to her blog: <a href="http://www.johnsonheartbeat.com/2012/02/chd-awareness-week-awareness-advocacy.html?showComment=1328762319717#c4707337685962556958">http://www.johnsonheartbeat.com/2012/02/chd-awareness-week-awareness-advocacy.html?showComment=1328762319717#c4707337685962556958</a>. <br />
Last, please take a minute to check out the blog of Kristine McCormick,
whose daughter, Cora, passed away after 5 days of life because her CHD
was undiagnosed. Kristine is single-handedly changing the world for
babies. She is a driving force behind making pulse ox screenings
required for all newborn babies. She is truly an inspiration! You can
read about Cora and her mommy at: <a href="http://www.corasstory.org/2012/02/proud-parenting-moment-thats-my.html">http://www.corasstory.org/2012/02/proud-parenting-moment-thats-my.html</a>. <br /><br />
Finally, I would like to take a minute to invite you to our 2nd Annual
CHD Week fundraiser on Monday, Feb. 13th from 6-10pm at Durkin's Pizza
in McKinney/Allen/Frisco. It will be at the same location as last year,
but just in case, the address is: </span><span><span><span>8930 Hwy 121 Suite 594</span>, </span><span><span>McKinney,
TX 75070. The food is great and you will be supporting our Amazing
Little Hearts group to be able to provide meals, snacks, care bags, and
financial assistance to families in the hospital. Our group will receive
10% of all sales, so the more the merrier! <br /><br /> As always, thank
you for taking the time to read our thoughts and ramblings. Please help
us spread CHD Awareness and save lives! <br /><br /> With love & Heart Hugs, <br /><br /> Trent, Dena, & Tucker</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<span><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Trent </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> </span></span></span>Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288776822962052055.post-16069211590883140242012-02-08T22:55:00.000-06:002012-02-08T22:58:14.108-06:00CHD Awareness Week - Day 1: FAQ<h6 class="journal-title">
</h6>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Today marks the beginning of CHD Awareness Week!
Normally, Trent takes the honor of updating all of you and providing
information about CHDs, but he asked me to take on the responsibility
this year. My posts may not be what you've seen in the past nor may it
be what you would like to see, but I'm just trying to share something
new and important to me.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">For Day 1, I saw this on the blog of a
mother affected by CHDs and thought it might be interesting to use her
idea of a FAQ session for those of you who might not know our story or
still have questions about our journey.
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Q: What do you want the public to know about congenital heart defects?
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A: There are so many things, it's almost impossible to list them
all. Perhaps the most important detail is that heart defects touch every
1 in 100 children. 1% may not sound like much, but heart defects are
the number one killer of infants under the age of one. They are also
more deadly than all forms of childhood cancer combined, yet they
receive considerably less funding for research. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I also want
people to know that there is no "cure" for a CHD. Yes, there are
surgeries, but a child living with a CHD will always have side-effects.
His/her stamina will never be that of a normal child. Simple illnesses
like colds will always be more dangerous. Physical exertion, which
stresses and ages the heart, will always have to be monitored and
sometimes limited. Just because you can't see anything wrong with them
doesn't mean they're "fine." They will never be "fine."</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Q: What causes congenital heart defects?
</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A: I wish I had an answer, but I've been assured many times by many
experts that even the most intelligent and experienced doctors have no
idea what causes them. There are tons of theories, but none of them has
been proven to actually cause heart defects, only to increase risks.
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Q: Do you know why your son has a heart defect?
</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A: Not at all. I ask myself this same question all the time, but I
have to trust that God had a plan for our family and that He knows why,
but I don't think I'll ever have a definite answer.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Q: You said your son had two open-heart surgeries. What's wrong with his
heart?
</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A: Tucker is missing one of the four chambers of his heart. The
left ventricle, the largest of the four chambers, is responsible for
pumping blood out to the body after it has come from the lungs and been
cleaned up through the left atrium. Without this vital part of the heart
(and a series of three life-saving surgeries), Tucker's body would
suffocate and die.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Q: Does that mean that Tucker has a lot of restrictions on what he can do
physically?
</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A: At this point in his life, Tucker has no official restrictions.
Because he's not old enough to participate in sports, we don't have to
limit him. If anything, he limits himself. When he starts getting out of
breath, he stops running or jumping until he feels comfortable again.
This will be something he'll have to self-monitor as he gets older, and
only he can determine how much is too much. However, according to his
cardiologist, he can do anything his body will allow him to do.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Q: How has Tucker's heart defect
affected him?
</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A: It hasn't. He lives a very "normal" life. Like I said before,
illnesses hit him a little harder, so we had a 4-day hospital stay
Christmas 2010 for RSV, but we haven't seen any other direct effects.
The most noticeable effects came at the very beginning of his life.
Other than the difficulty of the first surgery, he had some feeding
issues as a result of a temporary paralysis of his vocal cords. However,
once the paralysis healed, the feeding issues disappeared -- and he
certainly has his voice back!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Q: You said that Tucker's heart defect wasn't diagnosed until he was a day
old? Can't heart defects be discovered during routine ultrasounds?
</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A: Many women do find out around their 20th week of pregnancy, but
we did not. Those heart defects are typically noticed by a sonographer
in the OB's office and referred to a perinatologist or pediatric
cardiologist. We had two sonograms with a perinatologist (a specialist
trained to look for abnormalities in fetuses), but it was never caught. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Q: How did you discover there was a problem?
</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A: Nothing seemed to be wrong with his heart until a lactation
consultant
who was working with us noticed he was breathing heavy and took him back
to the nursery for observation. That's when the on-call pediatrician
discovered a murmur (we later learned that feeding difficulties are an
early symptom of a heart complication). At that point, we were told it
could be one of three scenarios -- one being as simple as an in-utero
artery that hadn't closed yet but could be treated with medication and
the other being as complicated as an underdeveloped heart. We never
imagined it could be the latter. For safety reasons, our delivering
hospital decided to move us to a nearby hospital with more specialized
resources, and shortly after we arrived there, we received the news that
it was indeed the worst of the three scenarios and if we didn't get to
Dallas immediately, we could lose our baby. With that statement, we were
loading ourselves back into the incubator and ambulance for the final
leg of our transport to Medical City Children's, where we later learned
that Tucker was within 30 minutes of losing his life.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Q: How has this affected your marriage?
</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A: It certainly hasn't been easy, and we have questioned ourselves
and each other more than once, but the struggle itself has shown us how
strong our friendship and marriage was to begin with. There is no
possible way we could have survived this nightmare if we hadn't
understood how to comfort (and sometimes distract) the other person. I
can't speak for Trent, but I can honestly say that witnessing his
courage and resolve has motivated me to be a better person. In the chaos
of the first few days, Trent threw himself into countless websites
looking for information to explain to my feeble mind what was happening
to the baby that I had just delivered, adored, and blamed myself for
hurting. Additionally, and in no way am I trying to diminish the affect
this CHD has had on our family and friends, there was no one else that
could understand what it felt like to be in my shoes. Only Trent could
understand what I was feeling, and I found comfort, peace, and respect
in that fact. Those feelings continue now that we are expecting our
second child. We are both experiencing the fear that comes with knowing
our new baby has an increased risk, but we also know - beyond a shadow
of doubt - that whatever happens, we did it once and we can do it again.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Q: What is the risk that the new baby will have a heart defect?
</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A: The chance of a CHD in any family is 1%. In our situation, the
risk of another child with a CHD increases to 2%. However, we have been
assured by our surgeon and cardiologist that it's very rare, and we have
yet to meet a family that has more than one child with a CHD.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Thank
you for taking the time to read the answers to these very important and
common questions. If you have a question that was not addressed in this
entry, please ask. We are more than happy to share anything that helps
spread awareness and understanding of this complex and life-changing
disease.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">With heart hugs,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Trent, Dena, and Tucker</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">~Dena</span></div>Trent Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215634096782325864noreply@blogger.com0