Alana's Angels

06/27/2013

I have another great project I'm working on :)

05/22/2013

PLEASE PRAY!!

Connor is not doing very good right now and he needs ALL the prayers we can rally up! The doctors don't think there is anything else they can do for him because there is too much brain damage. This is so incredibly heartbreaking and I am beside myself in shock right now. Please spread the word about this sweet boy and let's get all the prayers we can for him!

04/22/2013

Don't forget to stop by the Team Jax store and order some shirts! All proceeds from any shirt sales will go towards my mission to photograph children with special needs as well as a Scholarship fund I set up for a very deserving senior. I will be taking orders for about 3-4 more weeks so get them while they are hot!

Just go to www.teamjax.com and click on store.

Thanks so much!!

03/23/2013

Recenlty I have been posting a lot of current information and children's stories on my newest page, The Atlee Project. I wanted to make sure to post information on this page too for all my little friends in the cancer community. On April 7th I will be honoring 5 children that are now in Heaven soaring with the angels. 3 of these children passed away from cancer and I really want to honor each one of them by photographing a child(ren) with leukemia. I have received several nominations for some really amazing children but I haven't come across any with cancer. It just wouldn't feel right if the cancer community that I care so deeply for wasn't represented. If you would like to nominate a child with AML or any other type of cancer please email me (Leslie) at [email protected].

Thanks so much!!

02/21/2013

I can't believe in a few days Alana will have been in Heaven for 2 years. I always say my journey in life and learning started with Alana. She changed my life in so many ways it would take hours to talk about. God sent me to her and led me on a path that has changed my life in the best ways. It all started with a sweet little toddler named Alana. I think about her everyday and thank God all the time for allowing our paths to cross. Because of her I have met so many amazing families who have or are dealing with stressful times with their sick child. She helped me be the best possible mom I could for my boys but most of all for Jax (my youngest born with special needs). She showed me that life isn't always rainbows and unicorns and that there are so many children suffering who need help. I witnessed her family's deep faith and love for God. I believe Alana was sent here for the sole purpose of changing peoples lives and opening up their hearts to others in need. Crystal (Alana's mom) never once gave up on Alana. She was by her side every single day until she took her last breath. God knew that only Crystal could love Alana the most out of anyone in this world. That's why he blessed Crystal with this amazing miracle. I owe my new life to Alana! She taught me more about life and love than anyone could ever teach me. I know she is dancing up in Heaven with her best buddy Michael who also passed away from cancer. God bless Alana's family as they celebrate the beautiful life that Alana had and all the people she influenced. God bless!

01/25/2013

Please say a prayer for this sweet little baby girl :)

Today I am asking for as many prayers as I can for Atlee. Right now it's in God's hands and we are praying for a miracle. Atlee came into this world to teach others how to love and care for one another. She is one of the greatest gifts God has blessed us with. Whether she spends her life here on Earth or up in Heaven she will always be the greatest teacher I have ever had. Please continue to send photos/messages to Atlee, Lauren, Nathan and her big brother Ryland. This would be so much more difficult for them to endure if they didn't have the love and support from family and friends. God bless Atlee Grace!

~Leslie

12/23/2012

Don't forget to check out my latest project to bring smiles to a wonderful family ;) If you would like to spread some holiday cheer I have the perfect idea!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Atlee-Project/391851420898882

I started this page so people from all over the world can send Atlee Grace some inspiring photo messages for her hospital room. I want to fill her room with love! You can email your photo message to [email protected]

12/08/2012

Please take a minute out of your day to say a prayer for sweet Atlee.

This morning as we are all getting our days started I wanted to ask for more prayers for my sweet little friend Atlee. This is one of my best friend's daughters and she will be having heart surgery on Monday. This will be such a hard day for her parents, grandparents and all who love her. She has occupied a big spot in my heart and I have appointed myself as her prayer warrior :) This surgery may not heal her tiny little heart but there's a good chance that it will. Sweet Atlee has lived all but 2 days in the hospital since she was born. Her mom, dad and big brother have been through such a hard time over these past few months. Their life is in limbo right now and it's a scary and hard place to be. A parent can never be mentally prepared for their baby to have such a serious surgery. There is no time to wrap your brain around what is going on. As parents of sick children we turn into mini medical students. We try to understand all the big complicated terms but at the end of the day we just have to put our trust and faith in God and the doctors. Thanks so much for taking time to say a prayer for this incredible family!

10/07/2012

Many people often ask me what Pierre Robin Sequence is. I realized that I spend so much time raising awareness about other childhood illnesses yet I have never really said much about what this is that my son has. I have found that explaining it is so difficult because there are so many factors involved that are hard to understand let alone explain. It is pronounced Pierre (like the name) Ro-ban Sequence. It took me about 3 months until I realized I was saying it wrong the whole time.

This definition came from wikipedia:

PRS is characterized by an unusually small mandible (micrognathia), posterior displacement or retraction of the tongue (glossoptosis), and upper airway obstruction. Incomplete closure of the roof of the mouth (cleft palate) is present in the majority of patients, and is commonly U-shaped. It is not known how this abnormality occurs in infants, but one theory is that, at some time during the stage of the formation of the bones of the fetus, the tip of the jaw (mandible) becomes 'stuck' in the point where each of the collar bones (clavicle) meet (the sternum), effectively preventing the jaw bones from growing. It is thought that, at about 12 to 14 weeks gestation, when the fetus begins to move, the movement of the head causes the jaw to "pop out' of the collar bones. From this time on, the jaw of the fetus grows as it would normally, with the result that, when born, the jaw of the baby is much smaller (micrognathia) than it would have been with normal development, although it does continue to grow at a normal rate until the child reaches maturity.

10/07/2012

I have a special prayer request for a sweet little girl named Sarah. Just like my sweet Jax, she also has Pierre Robin Sequence. Right now she is in the hospital and could use some extra prayers. My heart goes out to Sarah and her family as I know this part of the journey is such a difficult one. Our babies have something that is so incredibly rare that as a parent it's hard not to feel alone sometimes during the battle. I have never met her but I know if she's anything like Jax she will show PRS who's boss! Virtual hugs and kisses to this sweet baby girl!!!

10/02/2012

Please say a quick prayer for our little friend Aaron. He is in the ER right now with a fever and they are waiting to get his white blood cell counts in so they can determine if he can go home or if he has to be admitted. We love you Aaron!!!!