The Fun Run

Dear Friends, I just wanted to send you a quick reminder about Corbin's Fun Run on Saturday, July 21 at Burke Lake Park, starting 8am. The event includes a 5-mile run and a 1-mile walk. Organized in memory of my son, the purpose is to raise money to fight CHD. Proceeds go to Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC and Inova Fairfax Hospital's Tender Hearts, a wonderful local support group for families with kids with CHD. Advance registration closes July 16, so if you plan on participating please register soon, preferably on-line instead of by mail. Visit Corbin's Fun Run to register. You can also register the day of the race starting at 6:45am (but we won't be able to guarantee that you'll get one of our cool T-shirts if you wait, so sign up early!) Hope to see you all there!

For all you Angel Heart Mom's out there Please email me a picture, name, dates of birth and passing of your child. We are going to be doing something special with the photos. I will email you to let you in on the secret! tgrabb@cox.net

On the Home front: We had a really nice get away. Thanks to the Long Family for letting us use an amazing cabin. The James and Schaaf Families for tagging along, keeping us very busy, for the special memory box, the candle ceremony and balloon release. You are awesome friends. Aiden is on antibiotics for his leg and joints as they have found markers for lymes disease. He is doing well. Walking better and feeling much more like himself. He is not allowed to run, ride a bike or jump for several weeks. That has been our hardest struggle. Thanks for checking on us and come on out and walk with us (Notice I said walk! :) ) Terri and Crew

Today

Many people have warned me how hard these coming weeks would be but never did I realize how hard it truly was going to be. Lately I am close to tears each morning and it takes me a few hours to get myself together so entering the church I had not had time to compose myself and get my thoughts together. Then upon sitting down and opening the church bulletin what did I see the July Calendar with all the July birthdays. What struck me and caused a rush/flood of emotion was the empty spot of Corbin's Name in those July birthdays. Realization of the finality of his death hits once again. The ability to wipe a name off our calendar in one moment. A day and time I, and I pray that my family, will never forget but one that is easily erased from existance of all others. In one moment I realize where we are at and why were are here one year later. Barely able to breath and almost to the point of panic I left the church to regain my composure. I ask myself will these moments slow down and not affect me so. Then I cry harder to realize that then that would mean that it would be many years that I would have last seen my son. The empty ache in my arms overwhelms me and makes me feel like I have lead for limbs. With a rawness and ache so deeply we come upon the time when we had to say goodbye to Corbin. This time last year I was numb this year I am an open wound bleeding freely and not sure how to stop the blood loss.
How I miss him.
Terri

Happenings in the Grabb household

Well, we have had a lot going on here.

The boys are finishing up soccer season. They have finished with the homeschool co op as well. They had their year end program and did just awesome. I wish we could have taped their sign language song. They were so cute!

We have registered Brodie up for Kindergarten at the local school. He is so very excited. He had a bus ride as well. I cried and cried to see my little boy get on that bus like a big boy.

We are still doing school through the summer to catch up.

I traveled to U of M for the memorial service for Corbin and the other babies at the hospital. That in itself is a whole update.

We have begun to remodel the bathrooms at the house which I am very excited about. Our community garden is growing very well. MC all your beans are growing great!!!!

Corbin's Memorial Run is getting geared up. We are in full swing with that. My sister did an awesome Heart Quilt that is beyond words that we are raffling off. The boys are crying about the quilt being raffled.

Well thats about it.

Try to update soon.
Terri

One Year

It is hard to believe it has been One year that we took Corbin to the U of M. The emotions and the memories overwhelm me. How unaware I was of what was to come. How I had such faith that this was the surgery that Corbin would fly through as he had so much trouble in the past and this one he was facing at his strongest and felt the best about! Yet, now we look around us and see an empty space at the dinner table, in the car, everywhere, and especially in our hearts.

Yet, with all the emotion flowing through me I am happy for Corbin. As he has WON his fight with this disease! He is HEALED!!!! I can't wait to see him healed and running, playing and free of tubes!

And so we begin the next three months of harsh memories. Please keep us in your prayers as we try to only remember his wonderful time at home and not dwell on the sad memories of these times last year. May we remember the truth and God's promises to us that we WILL see him again!

God Bless,
Terri and Crew

Corbin's Fun Run

With a lot of hard work from many great people in our lives we are able to announce the

First Annual Corbin Fun Run!!!!

July 21 2007

8:00am

Race kicks off at Shelter A at Burke Lake Park, Burke VA

Please visit the website to register and if you have any questions please use the email link on the registration page

http://www.corbinsfunrun.net

Thank you so much for all your support. Please pray that this event will go well and we can raise a lot of funds for CHD research!

God Bless,

Terri and Crew

Disney Trip

Our family vacation to disney world.

Walt Disney Trip

Well we are back from our trip. It was a great time. Moments of complete sadness but overall it was tons of fun. I can't say relaxing as much walking and work it all was but it was wonderful to see the children having such a great time.

There were only a few times when the children and Travis and I were overwhelmed with tears from missing Corbin. We worked through it and still managed to enjoy our time. It was a real joy to see Gunnar with such an expression of excitement and pleasure on his face. I can't remember how long it has been that we have seen him relax and take the world of his shoulders.

Well, we will leave you with some photos, enjoy!

God Bless,

Terri

Corbin's Fun Run

Hey, Keep checking in because we have a date, time and place for our first annual run to raise money for CHD!!!!

Many thanks to Diane, Hope, Diane, Jennifer and many others for working hard to make this happen. We are so excited as the date has worked out to be right after Corbin's birthday! We hope that many of you can join us.

Check out the website and stay tuned for registration!!!!

Terri

Congenital Heart Day

What does this day mean to you??? Does it mean Chocolate and Kisses, Love and Romance???

For our family that is what this day meant up until three years ago, now it means tiny broken hearts being mended. Hearts struggling to pump, little blue hands, feet and lips. Babies who struggle to even drink out of a bottle. Medications to give, blood pressure to check, heart rates and respiration's to be aware of. For us families coming home to empty cribs, car seats, and high chairs because their children's heart is now healed but that healing did not occur on this earth but in heaven. So now instead of their children's broken hearts they move forward with their broken heart.

Valentines Day for us will always remind us not of Love and Romance, Chocolate and Kisses but of the Warriors Who Fight so Bravely and the Families that Go on each day since their child's ultimate healing.

Terri and Family

In a Funk

Lately I have been in a real funk. Missing Corbin so much that at times it is a physical pain. I am finding it hard to motivate myself to do what I need to do around the house and for the family. I am really dreading this trip to Florida! It is supposed to be one of joy but so far it has brought lots of pain! I miss my Dad and my son so much!

I hate feeling this way yet I can't seem to shake it off! When oh when will it all end! How I long for HEAVEN!!!!


On a funny note, Aiden has taken up a new trade! He has become a barber a not so good one according to our beautiful neighbor girls. Yes, he cut not only his own hair but also our two neighbor girls hair as well. YES, HE CUT OFF A SWEET GIRLS BANGS!!!!! It is never good when a babysitter calls you while you are out! The funny comment that he made to us was "Mom it just didn't turn out how I thought it would!"

I don't know about that kid!

Brodie managed to break his glasses, yes his glasses that I think they plated with gold since they cost so much!!!! The ones that they tell you are made for kids so they don't break!!!

Our insurance fight is still going on with Blue Cross and U of M. Apparently U of M has not received payment because Corbin is not insured??? He was removed from the policy and that removes them from the responsibility of paying. Yes, it has gotten ugly especially as I yell into the phone at the poor lady that the reason our son was removed from their policy is that he is dead!!!! Yes, I had the poor girl crying. U of M has been very good about waiting but can't file any more until they get this situation repaired. Corbin was insured and is covered but for some computer and human malfunction they view him as uninsured and not on the policy since he was removed in July of 2006!!! Yes, after his death which they did once they received the information from the hospital! Can I tell you how much I despise insurance companies and all the mess with it! The system really needs to change, not sure how but it does.

Well there is my funk!

Terri

Governer's Letter

We received an incredible letter in the mail from the Governor of Virginia. This letter states how sorry he is to hear of the loss of our son and what a great fighter he was for such a difficult disease he had. For the first time Virginia is participating in Congenital Heart Awareness week in Memory of CORBIN!!!! Yes, Governor Kaine signed a proclamation stating that February 7Th through February 14Th is Congenital Heart Awareness Week!!!! How awesome is that!!!!

HELP SPREAD THE NEWS FEBRUARY 7TH - 14TH IS CONGENITAL HEART AWARENESS WEEK!

WE ASK THAT YOU WEAR A RED AND BLUE RIBBON ALL WEEK TO SUPPORT OUT KIDS THAT ARE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS AND THOSE THAT ARE STILL FIGHTING!!!

Thanks for your love and support!

Planning Fun

We had our first Disney world planning event. We planned some fun things we are going to be doing while there. We are having an international dinner and dessert with VIP seating for the Illumination fireworks and laser show at Epcot. A character dinner event at Magic Kingdom. Lots of great things. The boys are really getting excited.

They were also very excited to spend some time with Mr. Army Pat yesterday too. He had sent some small BDU's for them and they were all dressed up and ready to play. Even Savannah wasn't going to miss out on all the fun!

We are also starting a new project of re modeling our basement! So life stays busy and we love it!

God Bless,

The Grabb's

Looking forward to our fun adventure in Disney!!!

Change

Well we have made the changes to Corbin's room. We cleaned it out. Gave away all his toys, bed and such. This is how it looked when he was alive! HOW I MISS THIS LOOK!!!!

This is how it looked after he passed away. Many of his toys just sitting out of site so they would be out of mind! This is the look that drove me absolutely crazy and kept the door shut to his room so whenever we walked by you just wouldn't be reminded of the sadness of it all.

So this is the current look. Our new classroom and office. One that we can remember Corbin in and yet not have the sadness of boxed up toys and his clothes packed away constantly reminding us of what we don't have here on this earth.

How do I feel about it???

Good, I feel that it was time and the sadness of the closed room needed to leave our home so we could move forward and heal more. Pray that we will find joy in the new room and make new memories while remembering the old.

Terri and crew

Yucky Flu!!!! And the New Year!

We are finally over the flu. It took us all a week to recover from the yucky violent flu virus. It was really nasty stuff. All five of us caught it. It doesn't help having the crazy emotions hit in the midst of being so sick. We made it through the new year. It is amazing how you can feel so bad about something as simple as a change in a calander year. Yet, it took us two days to recover from that date change.

Well, we are back to school and working on all our new projects again. The boys are doing great. Getting school done by 1pm every day so they can plenty of time to get out in the fresh air. It has been great weather here lately.

We are also working on a new project. We are finally clearing out Corbin's room. Yes, we are going through all his things and giving away his bed, toys, books, clothes and medical supplies. It hasn't been easy but we know that they will be going to great new homes. Some will be going to families within our church others will be donated to the Cheseapeke Center where Corbin had his speech and physical thereapy. His room will be transformed into our new classroom for the boys. We have also cleaned out the boys room and given them more space and an organized closet.

We will have to give you a pre and post view of the room. Corbin's room became a room that contained all of his things and was hard to walk through. It will be nice to have it become the classroom and spend time everyday in his room, in some ways it makes me feel better that we will be using it again and not just leaving it closed up.

Ending with a picture of Savannah opening her ornament from Christmas eve!

God Bless

Terri

Mixed Feeling and The New Year

As the year 2006 passes on and 2007 enters in I feel mixed emotions, I hate the thought of changing that Calendar over to a new year with the knowledge of knowing that Corbin will never be here this new year, I will never hold him, kiss him, smell that sweet smell of his, feel his arms around my neck in the year of 2007. So as this time approaches it comes with mixed feelings. As it also means one year closer to our Savior coming down from heaven and bringing the new earth and new heaven! One when I will be free from sin and free from these crazy mixed emotions that draw me away from God instead of closer to him.

The year 2006 began with wonder and joy as we watched Corbin grow and gain such amazing strength. He went from not eating and being told that he would take years to gain all that he lost in the hospital to gaining it all back in months. He was eating mostly on his own, walking and climbing as any other 18 month old would do. Just beginning to communicate with us in sign and in some words. As the year went on it became the most difficult year we have ever lived through.

Corbin entered into Jesus arms, not long after my Dad followed Corbin into Heaven’s gates. We have had months of illness here at our home. The three boys have showed the stress of losing their brother and grandfather by becoming ill. We have had all three boys have strep over five times, a tick bite, two boys with stitches, sprained wrist, a closed head injury that landed us in the ER for 12 hours, all three boys once again diagnosed with strep and mononucleosis, and then to end the year all of them contracted the flu virus. Yes, we have made so many Dr visits that it seams very cruel considering we spent the past two years surrounded by Doctors and doing all we could to keep the boys healthy for Corbin’s sake. Now we are surrounded by illness and Doctors once again.

Then to top it off, we get a new puppy. One we have been looking into getting for over a year. The boys were eagerly awaiting the return of Corbin from his final surgery so we could bring a new puppy into our home. So as we recovered we did finally bring the new puppy into our home. Yet, as it would go we would get the puppy that was very sick. She was in our home for only five days before ending up in a puppy hospital with a central line receiving medications for not only severe dehydration and a blood infection but also insulin for diabetes. Yes, our new puppy is diabetic! So after a very scary time and thoughts that the puppy was not going to make it, the puppy spent over a week and a half in the hospital we finally brought her home again. She too has many doctor vet visits and is on special food and medication to maintain her blood sugar! Yes, the year 2006 was not one that brought the easiest of times for our family!

We would not change God’s plan for our family. Even though we miss our sweet Corbin greatly and celebrating Christmas without him was very hard. I was a little sad that no one mentioned sweet Corbin Christmas day, yet he was greatly missed. Yet, we must continue to go forward and trust God’s love for us. This New Year, Corbin and Dad leave us with a gift of new memories. We are taking our family and the Lamons to Disney World. We are using the life insurance money from Corbin and the money from Dad’s estate to give the family time together to heal.

With all our love,
Prayers that the New Year is Gentler to our Family and yours,
The Grabb Family

Family Newletter

Here is a link to our family newsletter!!!! Thanks for checking in on us.

Give you an update on the puppy soon!

http://www.grabbfamily.com/2006_Christmas_Letter.pdf

Merry Christmas
Love
The Grabb Family

Our new addition

We made it through Thanksgiving. We left just the five of us and went to Williamsburg, VA.

We toured the historic areas and had a good time. The boys loved playing solder and fighting with their muskets.

We are doing a fund raiser for Save A Heart this Saturday at Travis' Car groups Christmas party. Mary Catherine came this past weekend and helped pull me off the couch and dig me out of my funk.

We are awaiting the arrival of our little girl! Yep, we are getting a new puppy! She should arrive Friday. We can't wait to bring her home. She is a havanese.

My wonderful sister is coming to help us get through Christmas. Just knowing she is going to be here is a relief.

Thanks for checking on us.

Love,

Terri

This Week

This week has been a hard one for us. It seems just when you feel things can't feel any worse it does. The tears come easily for Travis and I. We miss Corbin greatly as the holidays approach. We feel the knot in our stomach and the ache in our hearts.

How is it that a person can hurt so much and still be alive?

Terri and Family

Tick Bites and Head Injuries

Having recovered from our camping adventure and strep throat virus. We found other ways to entertain ourselves.

Travis went to Conneticut for a few days and returned Tuesday night. Wednesday we found a tick that had a rash around it on Brodie. So we had to go to the Doctor again and have it removed. He is being covered by antiobiotics due to the rash being a first symptom of Lymes.

Later that same day, Aiden built a ramp for his bike and had an accident. He was out for a few and very disoriented and confused. He could not walk or even see. So as the symptoms became worse it required a trip to the ER! So off we went to have a CAT scan. We had to stay for several hours as he was observed. Thankfully, nothing broken or bleeding in his noggin and just had swelling so only a concussion. We are now trying to keep him quiet and stop the others from wrestling around or hurting his head.

Yes, I do feel the need for a quiet hotel room with bubbles and a nice book all alone after a week like this!

Terri

What do you do????

When all three of your children have strep throat??? Of course you set up a tent in the back yard and go camping!

To keep our sanity and find a way to break the boredom in the house as we are not allowed around others we set up a tent and went camping in our back yard. As the day was nice and hot, the night turned into a wind storm with heavy downpours. Yes, we did not plan that well. We did enjoy a campfire with marshmallows, roasted hot dogs on the fire and songs. As we sat around and told our favorite memories of Corbin.

Travis, I am sure will never want to sleep in his own bed again after such a wonderful night of sleeping out doors in the rain and damp cold. It was glorious! The boys were snuggled down in their sleeping bags noticing nothing of the cold. That is except Brodie who could not sleep in his as he kept falling out of it! :) And everyone managed to stay dry except for Travis' shoes. Somehow his shoes were under the only leak in the tent and all the water poured into his shoes! Yes, it was slightly humorous to all of us. It actually saved the boys from being wet!

Hopefully soon we can again get out and about as this virus completes its course.

Take Care,
Happy Camping!!!
Terri and Family