Congenital Heart Walk 2013

It pains me a little to write this post, but I'm going to anyway so I can have it documented for our family.  This past June (on the 22nd) was the annual Congenital Heart Walk in Pittsburgh.  Last year I was invited to attend, but opted to stay home because John was going to PA already for a guys' weekend and I wanted time at home alone.  Now, in hindsight, I wish I had gone since it was the first and last walk my sister ever did.  I already had planned to attend this year, though, when Ashlee passed away, so I kept that promise and still went anyway. It was a super hot and humid day, but sunny and not a cloud in the sky! We brought the stroller with us just in case one of the kids pooped out and needed to hitch a ride. I can't remember for sure, but I think we finally stuck Henry in when we were about 3/4 of the way through the walk. He did really good, though, considering he's a two year old with short little legs. haha

 

It was a hard day, but I was proud of myself that I held it together for the most part. A few tears, but thankful for sunglasses ... no one could tell! My oldest cousin and her daughter were able to come, so it was really nice getting to see them. My younger cousin was supposed to be there, but couldn't come last minute .. we missed him!

   

 The walk was 1 mile and went through North Park. It was such a pretty walk! I ended up walking almost 2 miles because I'd run ahead to tell John something and then walk back to see how Henry was doing. That went on for awhile which is when I just stuck him in the stroller. lol Got in some good exercise that day, though!

   

 Here's Henry bringing up the rear with Pap. So cute!

 

This walk is also very kid-friendly! Lots of fun stuff for the kids ... face painting, balloon animals .. all sorts of fun stuff! After the walk was over we went out to Sewickley, so I could go visit Ashlee and see her new headstone. It was finally put in in late May/early June. That, too, was pretty painful, but I'm glad I went. Her headstone is gorgeous. Mike did an awesome job picking it out.

   

 "It really sinks in when I see it in stone" 

~ Miranda Lambert - Over You