Wild about Wolves--Annika's Twelfth Birthday

While waiting for one of his cardiology appointments, Jason found this beautifully painted rock sitting on a sill.  We both got pretty emotional as we thought about the story that might be told by whoever placed this rock.  We got emotional thinking about how our lives had been affected by this rock and organ donation.

It turns out that April is National Donate Life month, a time to raise awareness about organ donation and the many whose lives are influenced by it.  All week I've found myself reflecting on the gift of life, Annie's heart, her donor, and the ultimate Giver of Life whose resurrection we celebrate this month as well.  It seems appropriate that Donate Life month and Easter should coincide.

Birthdays are a natural celebration of the continuation of life.  This year Annika turned 12 just six weeks after her transplant.  It felt like a big deal.  Not to be morbid, but being listed for a heart transplant, especially Status 1A, rather implies that you won't survive long without one.  We are so grateful for Annika's shared heart, whether on her birthday, during heart awareness month, organ donor month, or all the unrecognized days in between.  Every heartbeat is a gift.

So how did we celebrate Annika's birthday?  We took Zion for his very first veterinary visit.

Annika wore this awesome wolf sweater that her classmate Mila gave her.

Ms. Birdwell invited Annika to come to school so they could celebrate with her as a class.  Everyone gathered outside so that they could social distance, then they asked Annika fun questions, made words out of the letters in her name, and made her cards.  She felt so loved and was so happy to see her classmates again.

Later in the day she went to the zoo with her cousins and NomiAnn, all thanks to the James family who gave Annika an annual pass.  It was lovely!  The zoo was the perfect place to both gather and be safe.

Check out the adorable baby gorilla.  I wanted to bring him home with me!

Cousin love.  These girls are so lucky to have each other!

For dinner we went out to eat at Sawadee with NomiAnn and Papa Kay.  This restaurant is always one of our favorites!  If we had the capacity to teleport, we would have kidnapped Brooklyn for an hour.  Out of all of us, I think she loves Sawadee the very most.

Back at home, it was time to open presents.  Looks like the excitement wasn't quite enough to keep Papa Kay awake. 

To add to the excitement, we created an Elf treasure hunt of clues that brought her all through the house for her final gift.  Too bad we can't remember what the gift was!  Just goes to show that the journey is more valuable than the destination.

I did, however, run across this birthday wish list a few days ago that totally cracked me up.  I'll transcribe it since it's a little hard to read.

Annika's Birthday wish list

listed 1-10  1-Most important 10-least important

3.  Freinds camping lodge with fox

4.  Freinds archery set with racoon.

2.  Archery set.  You know which one Mom!

1.  A DOG!

5.  A coconut.  I don't care if its the wrong season!

9.  A worm farm.

7.  Hogwarts legisy.  I know I spelled legasey wrong.

6.  The third book of Wings of Fire.

8.  Plants!   Any kind.

10.  Snow!

2.  Love, it's tied with the archery set.

Love Annie

Well, I hate to admit it, but I really don't know which archery set she is talking about, so it's a good thing that "Love" was tied for the number two spot because that's what she got instead.

In all seriousness, Annika's most special birthday gift was the beautiful letter written by her Papa Kay.

Plus, there was the delightful surprise of all the Young Women coming over to decorate our front door and sing Happy Birthday.    We really have the very best youth!

Looks even better in the morning light.

This visit was NomiAnn and Papa Kay's first visit with Zion.  They were extremely patient with our new pup who is still learning how to behave in his new home.  Here's NomiAnn joining him on a walk.

More puppy time at home.  Just don't forget--Jason doesn't like him,

So Annika's birthday was on Wednesday.  Early the next morning we had to report to Primary Children's for another cath lab procedure (cardiac biopsy.)  Annika enjoyed working on this book given to her by her at-home teacher Ms. Melody while we waited.  The instructions were to draw a picture without using your hands.

Feeling sleepy after.

Before long she was back to normal and requesting mac and cheese.  These cath lab days are lengthy.  I think it was four or five pm before we finally met with the providers and got to go home.

The next day we had time to get ready for Annika's party.  Inspired by the Wells family's brilliant saran wrap ball, we created a plastic ball of our own to house her party favors: pop-it wolves with hand-designed tags courtesy of Eli.

I also got to work trying out my cake decorating skills.  Can you guess the theme of her party?

We desperately wanted to gather with family, but we also wanted to keep Annika safe so we reserved the church cultural hall to give everyone plenty of space to spread out

In the end it worked great!

For her birthday, Annika requested snow.  In a way, God delivered because it started to rain just as all the guests arrived.  January rain in the valley almost always means snow in the mountains.

Eating pizza and playing party games.

Who can get an oreo from their forehead to their mouth without using their hands?

Justin succeeded, but looks like Brianna's out.

Playing musical chairs.  I'm putting my money on Grandma Susie!

Nope!  In the end it was a battle of the boys.

Cousin craft table with Violet, Anders, and Ruby.

The Wilhoits brought this awesome game where a weaponized Roomba randomly pops the balloons.  Last balloon standing is the winner.  

Everybody say wolf!  In the end, we were able to celebrate with both sets of grandparents, the Millcreek Wheelers, and the Wilhoits.  What a happy, blessed day!

With gratitude and love to family, including Annika's donor family, for the gift of life on this very special birthday.