Fall, Field trips, and Friendship

We've really been enjoying the fall weather. Abby and Joseph have been on many field trips and have been enjoying new friends at school .

Abby enjoyed a field trip with her 4K class to the fire station! It brought back memories for me because when we moved to Florence 3 years ago, that was the first field trip Joseph's 4K class went on. I was fortunate enough to go with him too. He was so excited! The fireman even slid down the pole for the boys and girls! That was Abby's favorite part of the tour!

They had a Thanksgiving Festival at Joseph's school. The 4th graders and parent volunteers reenacted the first Thanksgiving. They reconstructed the pilgrim village, the Mayflower, and the Indian village. Joseph loved exploring these villages with his classmates.

Abby's field trip to the fairgrounds was fun and exciting. She is hugging her new friend, Izzie, in this picture. It was freezing cold on this trip, so I'm not sure if they were hugging for friendship's sake or if they were trying to stay warm!

Joseph's field trip to Lynches River County Park was a cold day as well! Here is a picture of him taking his turn crossing the swinging bridge.

We had to say goodbye to one friend though. Laurie, one of our favorite Cath Lab nurses moved away! This is Joseph with Laurie on her very last day! Thank you for all you have done for Joseph and our family. You are one of the reasons Joseph has always looked forward to Cath Lab! We will miss you, Laurie!

We are all looking forward to our Thanksgiving break! We plan to spend lots of quality time with family....it's the one time of year we get to see everyone on both sides of our family! We are having Thanksgiving dinner with my family and Stephen's parents. Then on the Saturday after Thanksgiving we will have our annual Greenwood BBQ. We are bringing dessert and the kids have already helped me bake the chocolate chip cookies! They've eaten half the batch so I think we will have to go back the drawing board! Oh well.....it was fun and delicious! :) We hope your family has a fun and festive holiday! We, as always, are thankful for many, many things, but most of all for our donor family who will allow us another holiday season with our special little boy who loves, laughs, and lives life to the fullest. Please say a prayer for them that they can get through this holiday season with peace in their hearts that only God can bring after losing a child. Please pray for the other sick children who face uncertainty and their families who are praying for a miracle.

I have a specific prayer request tonight also. Please pray for my friend Hayley's dad. His name is Flynn McCutcheon. He is in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at McLeod facing his own battle with heart disease. He's been Joseph's heart buddy ever since Joseph was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy over 2 years ago . They have been on similar meds, both had pacemakers, and basically have had a lot in common with this illness. He always goes out of his way to check on Joseph and talk to him about his experience. He truly understood how Joseph felt and could explain it to me because Joseph was too young to really express it himself when it all started. He's a good man and is loved dearly by his family. So, say an extra special prayer that the good docs can figure out a good plan of action in helping him.

Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for checking in!

Until next time...

Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail