History

Monday, November 17, 2008

It has been a long time. Thought it was time to give those few that still come a look at some different words. He He!!! I have been busy online working on a newer Eli's Angels Website. Please come by and check it out.
http://www.freewebs.com/elisangels/

Thanksgiving!. For us since 2005 and really 2002 when I was pregnant with Eli it has really been about Elijah's life. We spent his last hours of his life doing normal Thanksgiving things. Cooking, watching Football and getting ready for after thanksgiving sales. We knew he didn’t have much time left with us but never did I think it would be the last day my son would spent in his earthly body. I know November 25, 2005 many of you came here expecting to hear how the holiday was spent and sat in tears as you read the words Chad wrote because I couldn’t. Our Eli was no longer with us.

I came here tonight and wrote a big long blah, cry, pity and well whatever ramble I did but thought I won’t share all of that crap with you or boar you with incomplete thoughts. As in true Ann style(no style) It sucks when you lose someone you love so dearly. Oh my we can pretend all we want and it still hurts. It is as I will always say “We were so thankful everyday of Eli’s life it is only fitting we be reminded of him on this holiday” It is really a celebration of his life. What a gift his life was.

Keep our family in your prayers as this is still a difficult time for us.

Ann K

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 12:17 AM CDT

What is there to say but we still and always will miss our little bear. Everyday and everywhere there are reminders of our precious boy. Even though our lives go on my heart and body long to have him near. It is still hard to beleive that something so precious is gone. From his cubby little checks to his beautiful little toes every inch of my wonderful boy is missed so dearly.

God Bless
Ann K

Tuesday, April 1, 2008 12:09 AM CDT

Eli’s Angels News!

I want to start off by thanking a couple of people that put together some wonderful fundraisers for Eli’s Angels this year. We operate off donations only so these fundraisers are what keep us going. The Fundraisers were done in honor of Marie Isabel and in Memory of Connor Scott Millard.

To celebrate Marie Isabel’s 1st birthday her Family had a wonderful party and asked for Donations to be given to Eli’s Angels in her name. They raised over $2000.00 in honor of their special little princess.Thank you Shannon!
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/marieschlachter

The Millard family held “Connor’s Courageous Kids Book Fair”. The books just started to arrive and the 1st box contained 110 books. There are more to come from their successful Fundraiser. It was done in Memory of Connor Scott Millard (3.1.1999 – 9.18.2007). He was a beloved member of Eli’s Angels. His smile made those around him smile too. He was a brave young man! He is missed…Thank you Deb!
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/connorscott99

Kurtz Family Stuff!

This Easter seemed to be pretty difficult for Chad and I. Some days are like that. The just hit harder than other days. I look at his pictures and I see the little boy that I once could hold and snuggle at will and my arms ache all over again. My heart feels the hole. I also look at those same pictures and I see one amazing, sweet, precious, special, snuggly bear that did more in his two years then I have ever. He meant so much to many. His life had such power. Just a look at those photos restores my faith in God the Father. For only he could have made such a perfect gift. I am humbled that I was Eli’s mommy.

Naomi and Nathanael celebrated their 1st birthday on March 28, 2008 Wow is all I can say. I remember Eli’s Party. It was the biggest birthday bash I have ever been too. We scaled it down a bit for the babies. They were Princess Naomi and Prince Nathanael. It may not have been a party for the whole world to see but it was special. This weekend was the most fun that I have had in a long time. It was just to be enjoyed. AHHHHHHHHHH!

Well I only have so much time while they nap and I have lots of stuff to fill it. God Bless all of you that still come for a peek.

Ann K

March 8, 2008

The 2008 book Drive is over! However you can donate all year. Just letting you know you haven't missed a thing you can still send your books. I do have one more box to pick up at the post office. It was behind the counter so I have to go in person. I will update the count at soon as I have it in hand. Here are the donations so far.

336 ---Books---
Curtiss, A
Franklin Family Book Drive
North Metro Church collection box
Kucharik, E
Holmes, M in Honor of Natalie
The Cuttle Family
McManus, J & B - In Memory of Kayley McManus
MacDougall, J & J - In Honor of Brian
Seltzer, A
Vanvleet, L
Elmore, L - In memory of Robert Elmore
Shanahan, C - In Honor of Hope
The Stevens Family
The Vejvoda Family
Parkview Elementary School In Honor of Dylan Rose
Galaska, K & D - In Memory of Elijah
Mellies, C

$50 ---Gift cards---
Hanrahan, C
Hall, B
11---DVDs---
Vanvleet, L
Elmore, L - In memory of Robert Elmore

$665.00 ---Monetary donations---
Millers
Kovalciks
Rowe, F
Kommer, L in Honor of Blake
Zimmerman, L

Please Stop back in for more updates!

Eli’s Angels February Book Drive in honor of Elijah's Birthday February 15,

Help us fill the bookshelves! We need New children’s books, music CDs or DVDs. You can always send gift cards if that is easier or use pay pal just visit www.elisangels.org and click on pay pal.

Send donations to:
Eli’s Angels
PO BOX 423
Eastlake, CO 80614

Or drop them off with a note saying who they are from:
North Metro Church
12505 Colorado Blvd
Thornton, CO 80241

Please email me for a “flyer” and help spread the word! Let everyone you know aware that we are having a “Book Drive this Month” I would love to collect 2000 books this year. Contact me at: akurtz1974@msn.com

Friday, February 15, 2008

Thank you all for remembering our sweet Eli's Birthday. I remember so clearly how peaceful it was when he came into this world. WOW! I know that most people can't say that about giving birth. I can!!! Time just stood still as we awaited his arrival. 5 years ago today I gave birth to a Blessed gift. I am still in awe at how our creator trusted me with such a precious gift. “Thankful” will always be the word I think of when I think of my sweet Elijah bear. He is missed so deeply I cannot even explain it to you. There are so many things I long to do with him again. I know someday I will see him again. It is just hard without him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIJAH!!!!! Mommy loves you so very much.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008 10:48 PM CST

First off I want to tell you all that Taryn and her daddy EJ are going to be on LA INK Feb 5. TLC at 7pm (check your local listing for time.) I know here/MTN time zone it is on at 8pm. I will be watching. I have known them via internet for a few years now. Taryn is one of those precious children that you would love to meet. From what I read she has some pretty awesome parents too. GO EJ!!! Visit Taryn's Page: www.caringbridge.org/visit/taryn

Eli’s Angels February Book Drive in honor of Elijah's Birthday February 15,

Help us fill the bookshelves! We need New children’s books, music CDs or DVDs. You can always send gift cards if that is easier or use pay pal just visit www.elisangels.org and click on pay pal.

Send donations to:
Eli’s Angels
PO BOX 423
Eastlake, CO 80614

Or drop them off with a note saying who they are from:
North Metro Church
12505 Colorado Blvd
Thornton, CO 80241

Please email me for a “flyer” and help spread the word! Let everyone you know aware that we are having a “Book Drive this Month” I would love to collect 2000 books this year. Contact me at: akurtz1974@msn.com

Stop back in for updates. I will be keeping a running tab on #s. We kick it off on Friday!!!

on to some personal stuff. The babies are doing great. Growing, learning and well into everything. We have gates up cribs lowered and slowly everything is disappearing to the basement as they can't keep their hands off. I think the look of our house in the coming year will be minimal. It will be the new style. They both crawl and stand. Naomi can stand all by herself and Nathanael isn't that far behind. Naomi is such a sweet little girl and a really good baby. Nathanael is too, he is just a mama's boy. He loves mommy. I think it is a phase and I try to remember he won't want anything to do with mommy someday so to love every moment. That is hard when he gets up often just so I will hold him or snuggle him. God has blessed us with some pretty awesome kids. Some days I just fall to my knees overwhelmed with thankfulness to our God in Heaven. I know what a tremendous gift we have... and have had! I pray as a parent I can do what is right for all of my children.

With love
Ann K

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Well it is a little after 1am. I am sure Nathanael will be up at 5:30 since he went to sleep at 7:45pm tonight so that gives me oh a couple of hours of sleep. LOL Since the babies have been sleeping through the night and warring me out during the day I haven’t been up like this in awhile. I went to bed early but tossed and flipped through channels until I thought I would come here and update.

I thank you all for STILL coming here and remembering Elijah. I used to think why do I even bother nobody reads this page anymore. Well I know that is not true. I just wish I had a little thinking time to come here and write to you all. Most of the day my head is on a ten minute timer. If it takes longer than that well I can’t do it. Someone is chewing on a cord, pulling the heat vents out or anything dangerous to a 9month old. These last few weeks have been crazy! Can we say childproof? Bumps, bruises and a lot of fussing about being stuck somewhere. It is as fun as it is tiring. I enjoy watching the twins grow and discover however it breaks my heart to see a new bruise or watch them stand only to find the floor a second later. I know it is all part of learning but could they do it without hurting themselves? Busy busy is what I am right now. Babies, Daddy and Eli’s Angels. Please pray for lots of energy over this next month. I need that and a lump some of motivation to get through it.

Emotions Can you Trust them? I once bought a book with that title and read most of it. However the content of the book isn’t what sticks in my head it is that darn title. I thought that after time I would just come alive like a fall bulb that has remained dormant through the winter and blossoms in the spring. I do have my moments but I still feel kind of numb to life. Emotions! Sad, happy, angry, excited, pitiful, sorrowful and the list goes one. How do I feel? Shoot sometime I don’t even know. I move through the emotions like I move through the days. I just keep going and going. Good ones and bad ones I just keep going. I pray that someday the Lord will grace me with some of that spirit that I used to have. Still I understand that life experience is a growth process. The innocence of a new mother with her healthy baby gone, a women growing with God into what he wants me to be is what is happening now. That is a process too. All I can do is open my heart and pray. I am a stubborn one and I will be the first to admit that. It is hard for me to come here and write from the heart like I used to. So much of life right now healing. I know my heart will never be truly whole without Elijah. How do you ever truly feel whole after losing a child? I have accepted that he is with God and is whole in heaven. There is nothing more a mother could ever want for her child. There is only the thing a mother wants for herself, and that is to hold her child again. I know that I will in heaven.

Oh Elijah! We go out to the cemetery and spend time there. Sometimes it is a place I feel closest to you and other times you feel so far from me. The tears flow. It is such a beautiful place. I say that to your daddy every time we visit. However I know in my heart you are in a much more beautiful place and I know I will see you again. Mommy loves you little man.

Eli’s Angels
For those of you that still come here for updates. I am sorry I have been so bad at not putting them out. I hope to have another web place someday that will be easier to visit, find update on our program, newsletters and events. I guess that is the problem with running a small non-profit. So many ideas and much need of time to make them happen. There will be a February book drive so if anyone wants to get busy promoting that please do so…January is always a busy month for me as a non-profit there are year end letters to get out and taxes to be filed. It will get done it will just take a little more effort this year. I thank you all for your support! I think about where I am today in life and I know I wouldn’t be here without many of you. I also think about Eli’s Angels. Since I am the one that talks to the parents it is me that they thank. I wish I could share those thank yous’ with all of you that have supported Eli’s Angels. Without your support it wouldn’t’ exist.

Ok a little about the life stuff. The holidays were differant but good this year. It was fun to watch the babies open gifts. New years gets more boring everyyear. However this one we celebrated with two little babies sleeping peacfully through it all. So far the year has been nuts but with all the new things the babies are learning I am sure it will be for a bit. Then we move on to another stage that will amaze me just the same.

I pray that each of you had a wonderful christmas and peaceful new year.

Many thanks and Love
Ann K

Sunday November 25 2007

I want to thank those of you that remembered Eli at this time of thanksgiving. I have received a few Emails and I read every guestbook entry. Margo I think of you and your family too. It fills my heart each time I read of how my little boy touched so many people and continues to do so even after two years. I don’t want people to feel the pain that I do yet when I hear that during their thanksgiving celebration they took a moment and thought of Elijah. I think of the impact one little boy had. WOW!

My days are filled with things to do from the time I open my eyes until the moment my head hits the pillow. Down time doesn’t happen very often and I hardly have time to update this journal. Really, I don’t have much to update anymore I just don’t have anything profound to say. For me it is a time to reflect. God has a hand in everything and he keeps me pretty busy.

It has been two years now since my Eli took his last breath. To write that hurts so deeply I think of all the nights that I would come to my computer and spend hours on updates, research and checking up on our little buddies. I would start at the moment I placed my little Elijah in bed. My computer was only a room away. I could check on his every cough or anything I felt needed a look. I would eventually go to sleep but I felt I needed to watch over my boy for a while before God took over for the night. I have thought about how different life was. It seems with my Elijah life was so clear. I knew what had to be done. I knew what God wanted me to do and I never had to second guess myself. My thoughts were clear. Elijah taught me many things and I still have much to learn. The day we said good bye, this day two years ago was so very hard. I remember everything clearly. Maybe it is the events over the last two years and all that has changed still I feel as though I am a little lost. Ok sometimes a lot lost. I look at life since that day and I can’t even organize my thoughts. I can’t even think through my tears. I have to keep so many things separate so that I can get through the day. Sometimes it is a picture, a toy, maybe just a thought, tears come and dry up as quickly. I feel the pain in my heart with each thought. The pain of missing my son still hurts as it did the day he left. I thought it might hurt less after two years. No, I may have learned how to deal with things. However I still go numb when I think of my little boy with his purest of hearts, the sweetest soul and all that he was and will forever be. Oh how I miss him. Two years is a long time to have had to go on without holding my son.

Elijah,

With everything I do you are always in my heart. I feel how close you are, I fear the times when I have to search to remember. Elijah mommy will always love you. For the last two years I talk of you with pride and that will never change. I have so much to say to you and you know what is in mommy’s heart. I don’t have to write it all out. Really I don’t even have to think about it. You know! My sweet little boy, you know I love you. It isn’t for all to read it is between you and me. Oh my sweet boy with the beautiful blue eyes, Oh my Elijah I love you. Maybe you could think of mommy as I think of you and help dry mommy’s tears and bring a smile or two. Well you won’t have to try too hard I always smile when I think of you even through my tears. It is possible to do both. You showed me that.

Friday, October 26, 2007 2:57 PM CDT

Here is a list of those that have sent gifts or promised to for our Christmas boxes. If you know of business that is willing to give please let them our name or tell me about them. I will send them a letter.

Have
Claim Jumper Restaurants
Walmart Stores (Omaha)
Eli's Cheesecakes
O'charleys
Tokyo Joes

Promised gifts
CEC Entertainment (Chuck E Cheese)

We have one month left and we are still looking to support about 125 families this holiday season. We CAN really use giftcards for nationwide places such as: Mcdonalds,chick fil A, Blockbuster, Target, Walmart and other useful places. Send donations to:

Eli's Angels
PO Box 423
Eastlake, CO 80614

If your group would like to adopt Eli's Angels as a charity this holdiday season please contact me and we can work out a plan. akurtz1974@msn.com
1.800.497.5219 or 720.221.7403

God Bless

Tuesday, September 25, 2007 11:56 AM CDT

Sorry sorry it has been so long. Those little ones keep me busy and just when I think I have a minute to spare NOPE!!! Anyway I am working on CHRISTMAS BOXES for Eli’s Angels. YEAH!!!! We do need your help again this year. I did a count the other day and we NEED 40 handmade Christmas stockings yet. We have a need for NEW Stuffed toys. We would also love to have $10.00 gift cards to Wal-Mart, McDonalds, Target or Blockbuster. These will be given to the families in the boxes. I will let you all know soon what else is needed. I am not sure how many still read this page. If you do please recruit some helpers.

Here is a list of those that have sent gifts or promised to for our Christmas boxes. If you know of business that is willing to give please let them our name or tell me about them. I will send them a letter.

Have
Claim Jumper Restaurants
Walmart Stores (Omaha)
Eli's Cheesecakes
O'charleys

Promised gifts
CEC Entertainment (Chuck E Cheese)
Tokyo Joes

Onto other things. I first have to tell you about this very moment I type this. It is something special to me. I have been working hard to establish naptimes around here before things get way out of control. Well today I decided to try something I haven’t shared with the babies yet. I don’t know why today I just felt like it. As most of you know I made Eli listen to music all the time. I think he liked it and it did help him fall asleep. Anyway one of the first CDs I played for him “Praise Baby”! Both babies were away but tired so I laid them in their crib and started the CD. Within ten minutes they were sleeping. It just made me feel as if Eli were there helping them fall asleep. Now I do know it sound crazy but I can think whatever I want. They should be up soon so I have to update in little pieces.

Naomi and Nathanael have been such a joy. When they nap everything is A OK… When they don’t it is Crabbyville around here. Naomi is sitting and Nathanael is trying. Both are very vocal and grabbing everything in site. There are so many mixed emotions as I know everything they do is new for all of us. I enjoy it all. There are many times I recinize that Eli never could do those things and by this age he could no longer eat. I was no longer breastfeeding. I pumped for many months and fed him through his G-tube so he could have the good stuff. It is odd to still be breastfeeding the twins. The bonding, the biting and the wonderful feeling of it all. I missed so much of that because of Leigh’s Disease.

Will finish later….. Babies are up

Thursday, August 9, 2007 12:43 AM CDT

I will update a little later maybe add some photos. However here is a link that came in an email from a friend. Please take the time and listen to the message. Amazing!

Just so you know we are all good. Just busy. I don't think I sit in a chair for very long. These days I spend most of my time on the floor playing. When I am in a chair like now I often have a wiggle worm that is all over the place in my lap. So computer time is limited, Good thing I type fast. No time to check spelling!!!!

Ann

Wednesday, July 11, 2007 1:59 AM CDT

What does a person do when they are given the sweetest gift in the world and then one day it is gone. I am left missing my Elijah. Now in my life I am blessed with being a mother again. This is something I have always wanted. I try to remember all those things that Elijah taught to me. I try to remember everything about him. Still I am left forgetting some of what I should be doing through his teaching and things like what it feels like to hold him for hours, nothing else took priority. Throughout his life I shared a great deal of my pain through this Carringbridge site. It helped me through all of those not so good days. It helped me to look at his life and not feel sorry for “ME” writing my feelings down showed me all that I had to be “THANKFUL” for. What a blessing. I learned how much of a GIFT my Elijah was. Many had said that my doing so inspired them. Well I don’t feel like much of an inspiration anymore. Really I am looking for some inspiration my self. I am not lost I just need some thing to help my spirits. Overwhelmed seems to be how I feel most of the time. Some of you may laugh and wonder is she nuts. 3Month old twins and overwhelmed. I haven’t updated and I rarely get around to any of the sites I used to visit. I do miss it but I am not sad about it. My life has flipped a little. Our journey continues….

Eli’s Angels is going strong I do hope to have the website updated and some updates for all of you. Remember just because I am not writing about it I am still doing what we do. I think there are 128 kids in the program and I am looking to plan for Christmas. Things may take me a little longer now but I eventually get them done. If you are ever wondering about me please email me. I am here just less often. Please excuse me for that. I really would rather spend the time with my babies. Plus sometimes I just can’t. I am left wondering “What it is like to have everyday NORMAL stuff going on”. No Neurologist or metabolic specialist. I know life can change in an instant so I will not take any moment for granted or I will try hard not to. I have walked a difficult path emotionally. Now I guess it is more the physical part. Crazy Crazy yes I know. I have to get to know my new roll as “Mommy”.

This past week we traveled with the babies to Omaha, NE to visit family. It was their first trip. Still even so far away Elijah was never far from thought. At grandmom’s house there are many photos of my boy all around. Each time I ventured to a different room to view the photos of all the grandkids, there among them were photos of my Angel. Oh how I miss him. I get so busy with the twins that I sometimes forget how much it hurts. For brief moments in time the pain is less and replaced with emptiness. I talk to people very openly about Eli. I sometimes forget that it might make them uncomfortable. He is my son and will always be. I do find it very hard to explain my life to “Newcomers”. They don’t know who Eli was nor did they ever get to meet him. I find it impossible to explain how truly special he was. Really I think they stop listening after they find out he is gone. I think it hurts them too much. When I am out with the twins it is like a sideshow. Everyone stops to look. Lots of ooh’s and aah’s. Then questions. I dread the “Are they your first”? That means I must answer No and tell them all about Eli. I don’t dread telling them about Eli it is just sometimes I wish the answer was simple. If I try simple like No! then they ask “How old are your other children?” Please don’t get me wrong. They are human and really I would ask the same things. All in all it is sometimes fun to have people interested. Naomi and Nathanael are pretty special too. Oh yes and I might add pretty darn cute!!!!

Well I am up WAY too late getting things done I better go.

Ann K

Wednesday, May 23, 2007 6:48 AM CDT

Mothers day weekend was wonderful. My mother in law and my sister in law (Angie) came to spend it with us. Thank you gals so much for coming. I am grateful. I can't begin to express how much I enjoyed it. I know I can be alot to take in you know talk talk talk. We were able to spend time just hanging out and did one very important thing that I didn’t think I would get a chance to do this year. We went to the greenhouse, gathered all that we needed for our little gardens and PLANTED everything. It is the best feeling to know it is done and ready to enjoy for the summer to come. “Eli’s Garden” is very special and we do try to keep it looking beautiful just like when he was here with us. It was a very strange “Mother’s day”. I can’t even grasp all of my feelings. I will just say how blessed I am to have Naomi and Nathanael. However I will always miss my little man Elijah. On that day I sure felt something missing.

When the weekend was over and I dropped Cheryl off at the airport the tears fall for my sweet boy “Elijah”. I have become accustom to not crying in front of people (all the time) that while we sat in church I choked the tears back and when one did come out I whipped it away and went on. There were many times throughout these past few weeks I thought of my big guy, my sunshine my boy. Oh how mommy misses you. Elijah, Even as I look at you brother and sister you are still so much a part of my heart as you always will be. It is more than difficult to pick up and move on without you. I miss everything about you.

Things are going ok. Some days end with me almost on the floor and some I do ok. Two babies are lots of work but it is also so much joy. Yes, even when they cry. Now I say this with a smile. I do get a little frustrated when I am feeding one and the other wakes or is crying. We are finding or trying to find a routine. I would love to hear from some of you with twins. Like how long will it be before I can function again? Overall they are very healthy and growing like crazy. Today 8weeks wow where does the time go…

I better go. Couldn’t sleep after the 3am feeding so thought I would update. I hope you are all well.
God Bless
Ann K

Monday, April 30, 2007 3:53 PM CDT

Just a quick update! I just received and email today about one of our Eli’s Angels Members. Katilynn passed away April 17, 2007. Please keep her family in your prayers. If you want to visit her site: http://www.caringbridge.org/ky/katilynnsmom/

As for the Kurtz family. We are doing just fine. It gets a bit crazy around here with all the diaper changes and feedings. I have no memory. I think I make it five or six minutes before I forget something and spend the next hour trying to remember what. I do write most things down but still forget. Today was a busy day. Heather P one of Eli’s Angels volunteers came and got birthday boxes together and two other volunteers came to pick up the MAY packages to be mailed this week. WOW! Things are getting done.

Sorry just a short update
Love
Ann K

Wednesday, April 18, 2007 4:06 PM CDT

Ok! Ok! Ok! Some of you know and well some of you haven’t a clue so I am here to set you all strait. For the last month or so I have been very sick. I had a really really horrible flu. It had it’s grip on me and pretty much knocked me down for over a month. I don’t think I have ever been that sick in my entire life. The part that I left out is that I was 33 weeks pregnant with twins when I first got sick. Now I just have to say that being that pregnant and that sick was just miserable. Emotionally I was at my line. I was so pitiful, I felt bad at every end. Ok enough of how horrible it was and onto the news you all really want. At 35 ½ weeks I started coughing and coughing then vomiting which cause my water to break. March 28 at 10:30 pm our beautiful twins were born 8 mins apart. We welcomed them with so much love and know that they are such a blessing to us. They are three weeks old today and well I am still not over this flu crap. I am however MUCH better and finally got my voice back after several weeks without one. Oh yes Labor was interesting. Nobody could hear me. Chad had to interpret for them.

Naomi Marie Kurtz
6lbs 5oz
18 ½ inches
Name is from the Hebrew name (Na’omiy) meaning “Pleasantness” In the old testament this is the name of the mother in law of Ruth.

Nathanael Jeramie Kurtz
4lbs 10oz
18 inches
Name is from the Hebrew name ( Netan’el) which meant “God has given” In the New Testament this is the name of an apostle. (John1:48)

Both babies are doing well. They are coming into their personalities which has been the most exciting thing. When they cry it is like a symphony. We have waited so long to hear such a sound. What a blessing times two. Thank you God for the gifts (Elijah, Naomi & Nathanael) that you have given to us. We cannot wait to share who Elijah was with Naomi & Nathanael. We want them to know they had a big brother that is now in heaven watching over them.

As you can all guess my time is limited if you need me just email me and I will get back with you! Oh and I will list the full book drive #s and donors soon. It was a wonderful drive and we collected many books for the kids. Thank you to everyone that contributed.

God Bless

Ann K

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Sorry for such short journals. I have a really bad virus and have felt just aweful.

I do have some sad news to share. One of Eli's Angels passed away MARCH 09, 2007. Please stop by her site and say a prayer for her family.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/ellaharpur

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Prayers for Alec Please:
Visit his site: http://www.caringbridge.org/sd/alec/

"He is at the hospital in St Paul at Gillette Children's. Right now Alec's vital signs are stable, but they do have the potential to turn very quickly. We have another line placed in his arm (only two pokes so that was a miracle) and we are getting ready to pull the line in his neck. Blood work was done and blood cultures were drawn out of both lines. If the blood culture out of the new line grows gram negative rods like the line in his neck, it is forsure a blood infection. We won't know this until tomorrow evening around this time. By tomorrow afternoon we should know what sort of bug it is exactly for maybe a different plan of treatment. We are currently doing two different IV antibiotics." Alec's mommy

Monday, February 26, 2007
Eli’s Angels on CH 7

Eli's Angels will be on the Ch 7 news Tuesday at 5pm!

Ann

Wednesday, February 21, 2007 6:00 PM CST Eli’s Birthday was a pretty good day. We have our own little things that we do to celebrate Eli’s life and it all went well. This was his second birthday away from us. Still I have to be thankful. Just after he was diagnosed we never thought he would see his 1st earthly birthday. He (and God) had other plans and we were blessed to have him for 2 earthly birthdays. We had a good celebration!

We love you little bear and always will. The days pass by and it doesn’t get easier without you it is just different very different. I cherish all the memories we have of your life. You were such a sweet boy never did you have a chance to do wrong. You were perfect in everyway. I can only hope that we did ok as your parents. We tried the best we could.

Denver Channel 7 came on Monday (Not sure when it will air yet) and did an interview for our February book drive. They said it will be a really short little segment. I was talking with another mother telling her how nervous and forgetful I am and she said I need a PR person. LOL I tell you when asked questions I can never remember what I truly want to say. I know the answers but they just don’t come out right. I hope it turns out well anyway and brings in lots of books for the kids. I did it for them!

Eli’s Angels was started to give a little something to children like my Eli. I think of him each time an application comes in or a child passes. It is hard to remain such a part of a painful world. On the other hand it is such a blessing in the same. Bittersweet! So much of Eli’s life is a part of everything I do. I am so very proud of my little man yet it is still so hard to share all the details or lay my heart out there for all to see. The tears still come no matter how strong I try to be. The memories still flood in at a minutes thought of my bear. He had lots of good and bad days but all were a blessing to us.

I would also like to take a moment and invite all of you locals to a music Jam of all your favorites. It’s FREE!!!For more details visit http://northmetrochurch.org/

METROPALOOZA
Friday February 23, 7: PM

North Metro Church
12505 Colorado Blvd
Thornton, CO 80241

February book count as of today 621
Still need at least 879

Thank you to all of you that have donated this month or sent books for our book drive.

The Kreager Family
Elena Kucharik
The Galaska's
Kiddie Academy of Collegeville
The Jackson Family in honor of Anya
The Cuttle Family
Lori Zimmerman
The Miller Family
The Hartman Family
Hailey & Brenna Tobin
Joshua Lisle
The Campbell family
The Franklin Family
S.C. Johnson in Honor of Josie Wells
The Stevens Family

If you would still like to contribute send donations to:

Eli's Angels
PO BOX 423
Eastlake, CO 80614-0423

Or drop off books at:

North Metro Chruch
12505 Colorado BLVD
Thornton, CO 80241

One last thing Wyatt and his family were on his local news and I must tell you it is a fantastic story. I have watched it a couple of times and it makes me smile and cry. I encourage you all to check it out.

http://www.kare11.com/video/player.aspx?aid=42299&bw=

Tuesday, February 13, 2007 10:31 AM CST

Happy Valentines Day everyone! Well one more day!

Things are good. While the rest of the country was hammered with snow ours had a chance to melt a little. UNTIL today! Now we are getting more! I think I am just tired of the white stuff.

Eli’s Birthday is just a couple of days away. I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that he would have been 4. That just doesn’t make sense to me. Time passes yet the power of his memory still goes strong. No matter what I am doing it can hit. A thought comes in my head. I just cry (HARD) for a moment then collect myself and move on. It just sucks. Nobody should ever have to loose a child. It is true that we had so much time with Elijah and filled that time with as much love as we could still it doesn’t make up for the fact that we hurt for him. Such a sweet little boy. I think I could replay every moment of his 2 ½ years, Good and Bad. He is missed so dearly.

The February Book Drive is still underway. Remember if you don't feel like sending books we also need small items like Stickers and Postage Stamps.

We have collected 491
Our goal is 1200-1500! Help us reach our goal for the year.

Wednesday, February 7, 2007 5:50 PM CST

I just wanted to give a quick update. We are having a book drive this month and wanted to let you all know how many have come in already! Remember if you don't feel like sending books we also need small items like Stickers and Postage Stamps.

We have collected 483
Our goal is 1200! Help us reach our goal for the year.

Email me and I will send you a flyer to share with others.

Send doantions to:

Eli's Angels
PO BOX 423
Eastlake, CO 80614-0423

Stay warm everyone.
Ann K

Those that have contributed so far to the 2007 Book Drive!

The Kreager Family
Elena Kucharik
The Galaska's
Kiddie Academy of Collegeville

Wednesday, January 31, 2007 4:26 PM CST

The weather just stinks around here. I guess for something positive the sun does come out at least once a day. It melts a little bit of snow then goes away. The slush then refreezes and it is one horrible drive on some of the side streets. My biggest fear is falling. So I just don’t go anywhere unless I have to or really need to get out. It snowed most of the day and then just stopped. The sun is out now. We are expecting snow again this weekend. No telling how much. It seems every weekend we get something.

Everything is going well here. I don’t have a whole lot to say. I have been working on year end stuff for Eli’s Angels. If you donated last year and did not recive a tax sheet and need one please let me know.

Also Don’t forget about our February Book Drive. We plan on a month long Book drive. This will help us collect the books we need to distribute to the kids this year. Our current supplies are getting low and it is time to refill the bookshelves. Ok not to panic but our current supplies are very low. If anyone has ideas or wishes to help shoot me an Email. I have a flyer I can email out to anyone that wants to help us spread the word. What is needed: NEW or very gently used books, DVDs or music CD's for Ages 10 and under!

Send Donations to:
Eli's Angels
PO BOX 423
Eastlake, CO 80602

I am sure I have more to say but not right now. Maybe I will update again later. Sorry.

Ann K

Also just a quick note to RACHEL C
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Friday, January 12, 2007 11:02 AM CST

Hello everyone! It’s Me! Yep I bet you all thought I was buried under a snow drift. Almost, but today just a frozen Popsicle. I used to take pride in the fact that Colorado’s snow was here today and gone tomorrow. Well this round is awful. We have had snow for almost 4weeks. YUCK! Each week getting a fresh layer. Just nuts I tell you. We make GMA almost everyday. They had a national correspondent down town today standing out in our 0 degree weather. I guess I am tired of Denver hitting the News can we stay under the radar for a little while? Or maybe make the news for something GOOD!

This Thursday I got to do something fun! There was a luncheon for the 7 everyday Hero awards that were given last year. For those of you that don't know I was awarded the 7 everyday hero award for a week in January 2006 for creating and working on Eli's Angels. The Luncheon brought together all of those that recived the Award in 2006. It was intimidating, humbling and exciting all wrapped together. The producers put together a video that included little captions of each Hero and what they did. I of course cried when I saw Eli’s photos. No matter what setting he always has my heart. Anyway the video was really neat highlighting some AMAZING people. I was so humbled to be there in the presence of such giving people. WOW! Is all I can say. They are all people that have giving so much of themselves to help someone else and in most cases a stranger. I had a little “I’m not worthy” going on in my head yet I took it all in stride. The lunch was good and Christina (my date) and I had a nice time. Thank you again Christina for being a good sport and joining me. All of the newscasters, weather, sports & traffic people were there. The weather man Richard Ortner sat at our table. At first I didn’t know what to say so I leaned over and said “I just don’t know what to say I feel as if I know you after watching you on TV for so long” Then I laughed at myself. I sure say stupid things. LOL Really he is the most down to earth man and I am glad I had the pleasure to meet him. The only thing is that I wish that I hadn’t been so nervous; I would have mingled a little more. I just haven’t been that social in the last couple of years I guess I have to learn how to do it again. Life sometimes is so surreal….

I would like to ask for prayers for those in Eli’s Angels. Many of the children are fighting those nasty winter things that we all get. The difference is that for them it can be life threatening.

Also GET READY FOR February: We plan on a month long Book drive. This will help us collect the books we need to distribute to the kids this year. Our current supplies are getting low and it is time to refill the bookshelves. What is needed: NEW or very gently used books, DVDs or music CD's for Ages 10 and under! If anyone has ideas or wishes to help shoot me an Email.

Send Donations to:
Eli's Angels
PO BOX 423
Eastlake, CO 80602

Ann K

Sunday, December 31, 2006 1:21 PM CST

I am here today to wish you all a wonderful New Year. Oh yeah! Go Broncos! Well you just never know.

I don’t really have much else to say.

Ann K

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