Parker Reese Foundation - Sponsor a Night 2010‏

Imagine caring for an entire family by simply buying and wearing a t-shirt. That's what "Sponsor a Night" is all about. Purchase your t-shirt today and wear it to show your support for families staying at Parker's House. Each t-shirt purchase shares one night with a family that calls the House, "Home."


It's a different year and that means a different design but with the same purpose. The Parker Reese Foundation has been providing free housing since May 2008. Help us help families diagnosed with congential diaphragmatic hernia by purchasing your shirt today!

Please purchase a t-shirts(s) at http://www.cdh-fundraiser.com/sponsoranight.html to help sponsor a night at Parker's House. If you have any questions please feel free to email us at info@theparkerreesefoundation.com.

Help us continue our mission by buying a shirt. Thank you for your support.

March 11th

Thursday, March 11th will be Addison's one year angelversary.  It is hard to believe that I have almost lived a year without my precious baby girl.  This time last year I was praying for a miracle to save my baby girl and this year, I am praying for continued healing and for God to show me the right path.

Addison changed my life for the better, and I know that I will be a better parent to little man because of the lessons that she taught me.  My hope for the future is that I can use this experience to impact people's lives in a positive manner and let them know that anything is possible through God.  My faith in God is the only thing that kept me going in the beginning. 

Happy Birthday

I want to wish you a very happy birthday sweet angel.  It is hard to believe that a year has passed since you entered so briefly into my life.  I can still remember the fear and excitement that I felt awaiting your arrival.  I will always remember the first time I laid eyes on the most perfectly made little girl.  God truley let one of angels enter to earth of ra little while.  You had big plans for mommy and daddy.  You made us realize what is truely important in life and that no matter how bad things can possibly get God is there for you.  You made both both mommy and daddy much stronger and better people. 

I will always remember February 17th as the best day of my life when I received the most amazing gift that can be given.....I became a mom!!  My little angel....I want you to have the most amazing birthday in Heaven with your other angel friends and make sure to tell your Great Grand parents and your cousins to give you lots of love from mommy and daddy. 

Scrapbook

I started a scrap book for Addiosn when I was pregant in hopes that I could write about how strong she was and her victorious battle over CDH.  Unfortunately,  that was not the plans that God had in store for her or us, so I had been debating on whether or not to finich the book.  Well, yesterday, I decided to go through all the pictures, cards, and papers and finish her scrapbook.  It was actually a very uplifting experience.  I was able go through all of her things with a level head and actually reflect on how amazing she was and how she changed our lives. 

I am really happpy with how it turned out and will share it with her little brother when he is old enough to understand.  I want him to know that he has an amazing big sister who is always watching over him.

New Blog

I have set up a new blog to keep everyone updated on our daily lives.  I will continue to update this blog with CDH related information.  If you would like to keep up with us, please visit the following http://acordfamilyhappenings.blogspot.com/.

Living One Year with CDH

It was one year ago today that Addison was diagnosed with CDH during our 19 week ultrasound. I remember that day like it was moments ago. At that time, I had no idea what God had instore for me. I have never been so afraid and panicked at the same time. I can honestly tell you that the last year has not brought me the things that I hoped and prayed for that day and the many days that followed, but I guess God had other plans for me. Through CDH and my daughter, I have found the following:

1. Who I really am and who I want to be
2. Many of my best friends
3. What true strength looks like
4. That God's love cannot be measured and is always with you no matter how bad it gets
5. God has plans for our lives that we cannot even imagine; we just have to open our hearts and minds to his plans and our lives will be better than ever imagined.
6. Being a mom is the greatest feeling in the world and a daughter's love is indescribable.

Many thanks to all of you who have lended your hearts, souls and kind words to me during the last year. I can never tell you how much it has all meant to Jason and I. It is sad that many time you have to go through a tragedy that you truly see God's love.

Win 2 Roundtrip Tickets on AirTran Airways!

Needing a vacation? Head over to The Parker Reese Foundation fundraiser website to purchase a $20 raffle ticket for your chance to win a set of coach travel certificates valid for travel in the continental U.S. on AirTran Airways for two passengers. If you are interested or have any questions please feel free to contact marion@theparkerreesefoundation.com.

CDH Funds are Just a Click Away

The Parker Reese Foundation has partnered with Good Search to raise funds for CDH. I would really appreciate you downloading the Good Search toolbar from http://www.goodsearch.com and entering The Parker Reese Foundation as your preferred charity. Each time you use this search engine or the shop using Good Shop, a donation will be made to The Parker Reese Foundation.

Thank you for your support!!

Ireland Rose

Ireland Rose lost her battle to CDH. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers. I know how hard the coming days, weeks, and months will be for them. Much love to the family!!

The Parker Reese Foundation Fundraisers

I am so honored to be a part of The Parker Reese Foundation. We have so many exciting fundraisers planned over the next few months. I wanted everyone to be aware of what is happening so yo can get involved if you are so inclined. Here is a listing of the events that we have planned:


Change CDH August 1, 2009 - October 31, 2009
Charlie Daniels Fiddle Raffle Drawing on December 1, 2009
2009 Round for Hope (Texas)October 2, 2009
CDH Uncorked (Georgia)November 14, 2009
Addison's Angel Run (Georgia)February 2010
Maxton's March (Kentucky)March 2010
Heals for Hope (North Carolina)March 2010


For information on any of the fundraisers listed above, please visit www.cdh-fundraiser.com.

Change for CDH

Change CDH is a fundraiser to benefit Parker Reese Foundation. PRF is a non profit organization based out of North Carolina that provides a home to CDH families delivering at Duke and UNC. they also provided us with tons of support during Addison's life and after her death. They sent a beautiful arrangement to her funeral which let me know that I was not alone in this journey and that people cared. I am so lucky and honored to be part of this foundation.

Change CDH involves collecting your loose change to help PRF! Simply put, I would like everyone to collect their change until October 31st and take the change to the bank and then write PRF a check for that amount. Pretty simple. If you would like to get others involved you can put a jar on your desk at work or anywhere for that matter. $16 sponsors one family per night, so change can definitely make a difference! Thanks to those who are willing to participate. Please help us CHANGE CDH!!!!

Hello

It has been a while since I posted. It is hard to believe that Addison would have been 6 months old already. It seems like just yesterday she arrived into this world. Jason and I are doing really well all things considered. We have been keeping busy with the house, The Parker Reese Foundation and weekend get aways!

I am so glad that I have my CDH family! I really do not know if I would have been able to get where I am today with out all of your support. I just want to make sure that I give that same support to the other families that have or will face the same situation that I have lived through.

Jason and I have been cleared to start trying again, but I do not know if we are ready for that huge step. I just know that I will be a nervous wreck the entire time and I am not sure that I can deal with the disappointment of not getting pregnant immediately. We were so blessed just to get pregnant with Addison before we really began trying!

I just want to remind everyone to keep Ireland in your prayers. She is making her entrance into the world today!

The Beach

Jason and I went to the beach with my family the first week in July. I really love the picture that he took of my niece and a friend looking out into the Ocean. They are sporting Turquoise for CDH!

CDH Crosses

I made these CDH crosses after Addison passed for CDH babies to hang in the isolets as they fight their battle and for parent's of CDH angels and survivors to hang on the Christmas tree either in remembrance of their angels or in celebration of their gift. Making these crosses is very therapeutic for me. It gives me an opportunity to honor my baby girl!

I have made another batch of the crosses and wanted to know if there is anyone who would like one for their CDH baby. If you would like one, please email me (marionacord@hotmail.com) the following:

Baby's full name

Birth Date and Death Date (if applicable)

Your name and full mailing address

Addison's Marker

I finally took a picture of Addison's headstone. I am really pleased with how it turned out.

It is hard to believe that my little angel has been gone for over 4 months. Last Friday was her 5 month birthday! Jason and I went to see her and let her know how much we love her and miss her. I took some purple bearded irises to her grave site. This flower was planted at my grandmother's house when I was growing up so it makes me think of her and now my little angel. I know that my grandmother is in heaven doting over little Addison.

Also, I made a run at making some onsies for my friend that is preggo. It really did not turn out the way I had expected/hoped so our dog Bailey now has a new outfit. Here are few pictures of him modeling his new outfit.

Letters for CDH

I mailed 100 letters yesterday. While I was at the Post Office, the clerk asked me what I was mailing and commented on how the color really stood out. I told her about my precious Addison and all the other CDH babies. She was astonished that she had never heard of such a terrible defect. The letters are doing their job. Add one more person to the pool of individuals that are educated about CDH. I really hope that we get some one's attention so we will be able to bring attention to this defect.

Also, for anyone who purchased a Parker Reese t-shirt from me, I put them in the mail yesterday. I would assume that they should arrive by the end of this week or early next week.

I want everyone to remember Avery Mae's family as they begin the difficult journey of saying good bye and grieving their precious baby. We know that Avery was greeted by the many CDH angels that are already in Heaven.

It is hard to believe that Addison has been gone for 4 months. Some days it feels like a lifetime ago that I said good bye to my baby girl and other days it seems like it was just moments ago. I thank God for lending her to Jason and me. She made us better people and made us realize what is really important in this life. She was wise beyond her days. I love her so much and know that she fulfilled her purpose in this world and she was lucky enough to never have to endure the pain and suffering of this world. She entered and left this world completely innocent and perfect.

Update and Sand Picture

I have been really busy lately. I have been traveling for work, going on vacation with my family at the beach and then going to Raleigh to see Jessica and Parker's House. I had such a great time in Raleigh with Jessica.

Also, I finally got Addison's picture back from To Write Their Names in The Sand. It is so beautiful and I know that she is smiling down from heaven.

I want everyone to continue to pray for all the CDH babies that are fighting or are preparing to fight this defect.

Father's Day

This weekend was really hard for Jason and I. We conceived Addison a year ago yesterday and today is Father's Day! I am really proud to call Jason my husband and I fell in love with all over again when I saw how he looked at our little girl. He is the best daddy any little girl could have wished for. I just hope that God will bless us with another one of his miracles and allow us to keep him or her for a while. I want to see that look in my husbands eyes again. I guess it is the unconditional love of a father that I saw when he looked at Addison.

Today, we spent the day together doing whatever he wanted. First we went to the gym for a good long workout and lunch and then headed to Harry's for dinner ingredients. We then decided to go to the movies to see the "The Hangover". It was really good to laugh that much. Tonight we are cooking dinner at home: Steak, crab cakes, shrimp and corn! We are also opening a bottle of wine from the cellar: Oracle. A very special wine for a very special occasion!

I want to wish all father's a Happy Father's Day! I know how much my father means to me and how grateful I am to be his daughter.

All is Well

The world finds me well lately. I have been having more good days than bad. I really miss my little angel but know that I am becoming the person that she would be proud of and that God wants me to be. I have been really busy lately with work and with my favorite Job - The Parker Reese Foundation. I am so glad that God brought Jessica and this amazing foundation into my life.

I equate CDH Awareness to ants. One ant cannot move the large piece of food to the ant hill, but if all the ants all work together there is not anything that they cannot move. We need to bind together as a team and fight this for our Heavenly and Earthly CDH angels. The only people that can make a difference are the ones of that we are chosen by God to have the precious angels in our lives whether it is for a lifetime or just a fleeting moment. Everyone of us has a story to tell. Use it not for sympathy but to anger the rest of the world and light the fire that will fuel people to become active for this cause.

I want to remind you to keep all the CDH babies and families in your prayers. There are many that are in the thick of the fight, about to begin their fight, or are fighting the daily battles of CDH survival that could use the added support.

PHOTOGRAPH FUNDRAISER

CAPTURE THE MEANINGFUL MOMENTS IN LIFE WITH
THE PARKER REESE FOUNDATION

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPH FUNDRAISER

The Parker Reese Foundation has partnered with JN Hoffman Photography to provide this exciting photography event. JN Hoffman Photography has offered their services at no charge to help raise funds for The Parker Reese Foundation! You may view samples of their work at their website: http://www.jnhoffmanphotography.com/.

Details: We are selling a photography package with JN Hoffman Photography for $65.00 and $3.00 raffle tickets for a chance to win a Canvas Wrapped print of the pose of your choice from your session.

The terms of the package are listed below:

1 hour photography session at the studio of JN Hoffman Photography (maximum of two poses and three persons) including the processing of the following:
1 (8x10), 1 (5x7), 4 (4x6)

No substitutions on the package prints but additional prints available for sale by contacting JN Hoffman Photographers. The session must be booked prior to August 14, 2009 with a session date prior to September 1, 2009.

Please contact me to purchase a session by July 31, 2009 or if you have any questions at 404-849-1800 or marion@theparkerreesefoundation.com.