Organ Donation

I saw this video (just click on the link) posted on Liver Families today and thought that I would share it with you. It is about a young boy in Dallas who received a liver transplant from a young drowning victim. Maybe it is not the most upbeat of topics but it was certainly a reminder to me of Nathan's gift of life. At times it is hard to think of the loss of life on the other side of transplant, but it is a very real fact that another life was lost so that the life of my child (my Nathan) could be saved. I think that it takes amazing courage for donor families, who undoubtably are facing the hardest moments of their lives, to choose to give life to others. In many instances, maybe the family knew the wishes of the donor. But even so, I still imagine it is a hard decision. In Nathan's case, a 16 year old young boy (16 seems younger and younger to me as the boys get older) died in a car accident on Christmas Day. Can you imagine? I don't ever want to forget the sacrifice that they made for Nathan. I want to remember every day. Each day that he can get up and do normal things like play with his new puppy or go to the library, play with his brothers, eat ice cream or ride a bike is because of an organ donor. And of course because of our great God who is so faithful. If you have ever considered being an organ donor, tell those you love. You might just have the opportunity to give life.

Pictures Of The Day

This picture is priceless to me. Nathan puts his shoes on the wrong feet practically every day. Sometimes I think he does it just to annoy me. Now it is captured on film!


Have you ever seen anything so cute?

Blog Award!!!!!

Nathan had to be at the hospital early for labs this morning and to my surprise when I got home and checked the blog - I see that I have received a blog award from my dear friend Connie over at Laughter by Lakeside. Connie has been my very best friend for years and years and we grew up together. She truly is like family to me. We also both share a tremendous love for the lake. Connie is an amazing designer and has a wonderful blog that will provide you with a lot of inspiration for your home and family. You will enjoy her creative design and beautiful pictures of her work on her blog.

Personally, I haven't been a very good blogger this summer as we have been kind of busy. Maybe this award will inspire me to get back to blogging with more of a purpose. As I understand I get to pass this lovely award on to someone. So here goes....

Unique But Not Alone is one of the first blogs that I found when the boys were diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency last summer. Jen blogs about her two girls who have alpha-1. Jen is also a wonderful advocate and leader in the Alpha-1 community. Her blog has provided me with encouragement as well as a lot of educational information about alpha-1 and what is going on in the alpha-1 community. Thank you Jen!

I think that I also am suppose to share a few things that you might not know about me so let's see....

1. I have been married to my husband Stephen for 12 years now. Stephen is a minister at Liberty Park Baptist Church where we have been serving for 13 years now.

2. I am a nurse by profession and have an amazing job teaching nursing. I attended nursing school at UAB and graduate school at Samford.

3. Believe it or not I was a cheerleader all through high school. Most people are surprised by that because I tend to have a rather quiet personality.

4. I learned how to water ski at the old age of 27, which I really do not recommend. If at all possible, learn when you are young. I think it would be much easier that way (thus the pictures of the kids skiing recently).

5. I once went rappelling off of a pretty steep cliff (again, not in my nature). No one mentioned that it is best to pull back long hair. Needless to say, my long hair got tangled in the rope and had to be cut in order to get to the ground. --Not one of my better memories.

6. I grew up riding horses and doing anything outside with my dad. I still love the outdoors and love to spend summer days outdoors either in the yard, at the lake or at my mom and dad's house. There is nothing better than a day on the lake in the boat.

That is about all I can come up with. Nothing too exciting here, but now maybe you know a little more about me. Thanks again Connie for the award! Enjoy your day!

Lora

Meet The Newest Member Of The Shelton Family!!!

The boys have been wanting a puppy for a while. Actually, I have been wanting a puppy for a while. Each time we have gone to the lake this summer, Nathan has brought home a frog or a cricket in a jar to keep as a "pet." He had to wait at least 6 months after his transplant to get a new puppy. He finally reached the 6 month mark, and I was ready to trade in the bugs and frogs for a real, fuzzy pet. So I finally took the plunge and brought home Sunny this past week. He is an adorable little fur ball, a golden retriever. I hope that he will bring many wonderful, happy times to our entire family. Check out the pictures.

4th of July

Okay, I know that the 4th of July was almost a week ago but I am just now getting around to updating the blog. I have put together a short slide show of last weekend. We spent a few days at the lake which we always love doing. We were able to spend a lot of time with Connie and her family. Her little girls, Campbell and Caroline are so sweet and just beautiful! Check out the pictures (in the slide show) of her kids learning how to ski. Harrison might be mad, but I don't have any pictures of him skiing (oops!). I'll do better next time Harrison. In case you were wondering, Nathan is an excellent skiier as well but can't get in the lake this summer. I will have to share a picture with you from last summer. By the way,I love these Smilebox slide shows. They are really easy to create. I can't figure this particular one out, but the pictures don't start until 30 seconds or so into the song. I guess you get to watch the fireworks while you wait. Make sure to mute the play list at the bottom of the page in order to hear the music with the slide show. Enjoy your day and take time to enjoy whatever special blessing that God has brought into your life today. Lora

Make a Smilebox slideshow