Some Thoughts

I don't know if any of you have ever checked out the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund link on my blog page. If you haven't, please take a moment to check it out. Jason and I feel so blessed by all of the doctors and nurses that took care of Joshua and Abby Kate when they were in the NICU. Every year, we have made it an effort to give back to the hospital that cared for our premature infants. Just the other day, I visited the NICU and dropped off some of Abby Kate's and Joshua's preemie clothes for other families to have and use. One of Abby Kate's first outfits was from a family that had done the same thing with their child's preemie clothes. That outfit is one that I will always keep and cherish. Just riding up the elevator and walking down the hallway to the NICU brought back a flood of memories and tears to my eyes. Those days in the NICU were some of the hardest days that I have ever faced. We will forever be grateful to the doctors and nurses that cared for our babies when they needed it the most.

For the past three years, a "Swim for Melissa" benefit has been held to raise money for the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund at Huntsville Hospital Foundation. Last year, they raised $117,000 for the NICU! The money that is raised at this year's event will go towards the purchase of the state-of-the-art Giraffe OminBeds for critically ill premature infants in the Regional Neonatal ICU. Last year, the Memorial Fund was able to buy three of these special beds. Since November 2005, the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund has raised $435,000 for the NICU!
My friend, Anna, also delivered her babies early. Her triplets were born at 31 weeks and spent 4 weeks in the NICU. Their family is participating in this year's event by raising money for the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund. Please visit their webpage and help them reach their goal of collecting money for the "Swim for Melissa" benefit.

On to some other thoughts...

• In an effort to lower our electricity bill (this month's bill was about $50 higher from June), we raised our thermostat two degrees. It now sits at 79 degrees and we are adjusting pretty well. What do you keep your thermostat on?

• Today Joshua found a bug by the front door. He called me over to check it out and so I went to pick it up and put it in the trash. He told me that he would be "my bug catcher". I gave him the paper towel and he picked it up and put it in the trash can. He sure was proud and told me that he would take care of all the bugs for me!
  

• Jason has been out of town all week. My grandmother came down to help me out. She was such a great help and the kids just adore her so much! Thank you Mimi!!!

Here is Jackson's latest trick (and he's only 13 months old)....