It's that time of year again!!!!!! Time for the Pumpkin Run to benefit Le Bonheur Children's. The 5K will be Oct. 8 beginning at 9 am! If you would like to run/walk/stroll with your kiddos, here is the link to register:
Most of you know our love for Le Bonheur began 5 years ago when Madeline was diagnosed with 4 congenital heart defects. She had open heart surgery when she was 10 months old followed by heart caths, feeding tube placement, feeding therapy, surgery to close her stomach where her feeding tube had been, blood draws, chest x-rays, and so many check ups with echos to monitor her condition - all at Le Bonheur.
Eli has also benefited from our dear children's hospital and its east surgery center. He had tubes placed in his ears twice, adenoids removed, a CT scan to diagnose the need for sinus surgery (to open the passageways into his sinuses that had fused together due to swelling from severe allergies), blood drawn to determine his "IGE" level (allergy level) and now receives weekly allergy shots from LB. I have to say he was getting his shot at a doctor's office, and for about 7 weeks, he kicked, screamed, cried and tried to run from the nurse giving the shot. The FIRST day we took him downtown to Le Bonheur for his shot, he just sat in my lap and took it. He did not wiggle or squeal or make a peep. The only thing I can figure is that he loves that place and knows they love kids!
Our little Susanna also has had her adenoids removed this summer at Le Bonheur's east surgery center.
So, you can see why we love this place so much. We trust our very dearest, precious loves with the people of Le Bonheur.
OK, I'm kind of rambling..... I have some pictures to show you!
Here we are, OUR first Pumpkin Run - there was one the year before, but we didn't go. It's amazing how many events you notice that benefit the hospital after you've been helped there. Our family came to join us! Here's Mimi, Pop, Uncle Bradley and Nonna! And, of course, Madeline at 17 months.
The next year we walked the race on Eli's due date! My friend Leslie and I walked together, both pregnant! Needless to say, we discovered that at the 2 mile mark, you can walk up to the kids games and refreshment area! We were done at that point! All that walking did not spur Eli's arrival - he waited 5 more days!!!!!
Oh, I forgot to say that there are TONS of fun things for the kids to do! Face painting, bounce houses, crafts, etc. The kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes, too! That is so fun! Madeline was a doctor that year!
Here is Leslie's little boy, Adam! Madeline and Adam have been buddies since they were babies!
The next year Madeline started taking ballet, so she was a ballerina for Halloween and Eli was a giraffe!
We also began a new tradition of taking the kids' picture in front of the Safety Van at the Pumpkin Run! Madeline's baby picture is on the side!
Our fourth Pumpkin Run, Madeline was Dorothy and Eli was a firefighter!
Last year we went out of town to Mimi and Pop's house to pick apples. That was so fun, too! But, this year, our family is joining us again for the race. It will be great with all of us together! Mimi, Pop, Uncle Bradley, Aunt Tiffany and Sabrina will be coming from St. Louis. Nonna, Dada, Uncle Steven, Aunt Dessa, Lauren Ashley and Parker will be coming from Jackson, TN. Steven and Vadessa are going to run the race - it's Vadessa's first 5K!!! She has been training for months, and it means so much to us that she chose Le Bonheur's Pumpkin Run to be her first 5K! Thank you, Aunt Dessa! We wish Uncle Mark, Aunt Kathy, Dacee and Ryen could be there, too, but Florida is a long way for a weekend trip!
Ok, that was a lot to read! Sorry! Thanks for hanging in there! Please sign up to support the hospital! Even if you can't run - you can walk or be a "ghost runner!" You know you will be making a difference for so many kids!
Stay tuned for pictures from this year's race!
