Love For Ashley

Ashley's dance recital is scheduled for June 13 and 14, below are some pictures of her in a couple of her costumes. This is Ashley's 7th dance recital. Below is her Jazz costume, dancing to "Kansas City." These next group of pictures are of her Lyrical costume. She will be dancing to "Christmas Shoes." This number will certainly require a box tissues to watch, Ashley dances beautifully in this number. I can't wait to see it.

It's been a while since I posted any news about Ashley's liver transplant fund. After careful research and several phone calls to attorneys that went unreturned, we decided to move Ashley's liver transplant fund to COTA (Children's Organ Transplant Association). Right now, we are in the process of filling out the paper work. As soon as that is complete and her account is open will post a link on this blog. We decided to go with COTA for several reasons. The most important reason benefits the donors; all donations to Ashley's fund through COTA will be a tax deduction. We also like that COTA works with the United Way, that way you can donate directly to Ashley fund via your employer and the United Way. They also allow you to donate to Ashley's account online using credit card, debit card, etc. The process to donate to Ashley's account through COTA appears to be a lot easier than the American Liver Foundation. COTA will also help train volunteers to handle the...

What would keep a person up past 3:30 am? Decisions... As most of you know we have been using ALF (American Liver Foundation) for Ashley's Liver Transplant Fund. However, in the past year, we have found that ALF is not offering us what we need among a few other reasons which I will not blog about. When we opened Ashley's account with ALF we did so quickly after the death of my dad during Christmas 2006 and New Year 2007, we did not have time to research the best fundraising organizations. There are so many organizations out there from ALF , COTA , NTAF . But because of my dad's untimely death and because his dying wish was that friends, family, etc. donate to Ashley to help defray our medical costs, the first organization that came to mind was the American Liver Foundation. After all, Ashley does have a liver disease. Now, both my husband and I are wondering if we should have used COTA. We have also thought and inquired about opening up a local trust fund for Ashley. Howeve...

One of my biggest worries at the present time is Ashley's transition to middle school. My worry goes beyond my baby girl going on to middle school. My worry is that the teachers and administration at the middle school will not be as accommodating with our concerns regarding Ashley's health. The staff at Ashley's elementary school spoiled me and certainly helped ease my fears when Ashley started elementary school in 2003. Since Ashley's liver doctor does not want Ashley to take PE next year, I felt it was important to set up a meeting with the school administrators, 6th grade counselor and the school nurse before the new school year. Today at 2 pm I walked into the school office a little nervous that I would not be able to protect Ashley while she was in middle school. After the meeting was over I left relieved that Ashley will be good hands at her new school. The school not only accepted that Ashley would need to be exempt from PE because of health issues, they als...