FOUR years ago today..she's come a long way.

There are many dates that you don't forget.

Your wedding date, your children's birthdays, and the birthday's of family and friends.

(sorry, friends...I'm not too good at remembering friends birthdays)

There are three other dates that I never forget.

1.  The day that Anya was forever ours. (September 22, 2011)

2.  The day that Ellis Anne had her first heart surgery (October 20, 2008)

3.  and today's date...February 10, 2009

the day Ellis Anne had her second heart surgery.

On February 10, 2009,  Ellis Anne underwent her most invasive heart surgery. 

Her chest was left open because of the swelling.

The surgery lasted 8 hours.

It goes down in history as the longest day of my life.

Our little Ellis Anne was hooked up to so many machines it was hard for me to even look.

BUT GOD WAS THERE.

HE. WAS. THERE.

WE LAYED HANDS ON AND PRAYED FOR HER EVERY NIGHT 

BEFORE WE LEFT HER ROOM

Our surgeon, Dr. Robert Jacquiss, and the staff at Arkansas Children's Hospital treated us like family.

ELLIS ANNE RECOVERED IN HER OWN TIME.

BABY STEPS.

TUBES CAME OUT.

MEDS WERE WEANED.

ELLIS ANNE BEGAN TO WAKE UP!!!!

AFTER FOUR WEEKS.

WE CAME HOME....

TO BE A FAMILY.

TODAY....

ELLIS ANNE'S HEART IS PERFECT!

SHE IS OUR MIRACLE.

SHE LOVES TO DANCE!

SHE LOVES THE WATER.....

(bathing suits optional)

and she loves her new Plasma Car!

Today we remember where we started and where God has brought us...


Ellis Anne,

We love you so very much and are so thankful that God gave us you.

You have taught us so much.

You are...

P. E. R. F. E. C. T.

We LOVE you!

Mommy, Daddy, Mary Claire, Avery and Anya


P.S.  I have learned how to download videos.... (I just recently got an iphone)  This is a video of Ellis Anne dancing in the waiting area of ENT at Arkansas Children's Hospital recently...