More Than a Year

The Ladies in the 'Hood

I missed writing it- about my one year heart-iversary, mostly because August was a really busy month. Then, my laptop crashed and to be truthful, I do not enjoy blogging on the family computer. I decided before anymore time passes, I should share, because my one year was so great and I feel very blessed. God is good to me, of this there is no doubt.

August 12th of last year, I went in for my surgery and had my miracle. August 12th this year was wonderful! I was able to spend the day with ladies in my neighborhood, making freezer meals for a darling family I have come to know and love deeply. They had a preemie baby at 27 weeks and the mama then suffered from a bad infection. The baby still fights for his life every day. We wanted to do something to help. What better way to show God gratitude than by serving His children?

Linda and I

That evening, some girlfriends in the neighborhood took me out for ice cream. I loved being with these ladies! They made me feel so blessed to live where I do. We went around the table and shared a little about each of ourselves. It was so fun to get to know them better! Of course, Linda was my server. It seems every time I have gone to this place of deliciousness, she takes my order. We have become pals and always delight in seeing each other. On the way home, my young friend, Macady, and I took some fun pictures of ourselves in the car. (Scroll down)

When I got home, the Hubby also surprised me with some gorgeous flowers to commemorate! How did I get so dang blessed?!

Beautiful!

The weekend took my family back to Nampa, Idaho. My best girlfriend, Debbie, had her son returning home from his mission for the LDS Church and we wanted to be a part of that homecoming. Saturday morning, my darling friend, Kati threw me a heart luncheon after we had family pictures taken in the morning. (Along with the family pictures, I had my one year heart pictures taken.) I had about 30 women and even a few men come to celebrate the miracle of my heart. We had homemade guacamole with chips, chicken salad on crackers, and so much fun

Lovely Roses

and laughter! It was incredible to be back home and show off my new heart that God granted me. Nampa was the place we lived during the years that I was so sick. These were the friends who took care of me. To be able to sit there with them and just relax without any health concerns was such an incredible blessing!(I will post these pictures in my next few entries.)

Later in the month, The Hubby and I finally got to go celebrate my heartiversary. We went to really test what my heart can endure when we went to see the movie "Into the Storm". WOW!! That was INTENSE!! I have a fascination with end-of-the-world type movies and this one is (so far) at the top of my list. I do not think I stopped squeezing his hand for more than two minutes. It was a wonderful way to spend time together, and just being... alive.

The next evening, I had my last celebration for the month. I invited a few girlfriends to go out for a special dinner at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in downtown SLC. Not everyone was able to make it, but those that came had a lovely time. The reason I invited these particular friends was because their actions and love took on a deeper meaning in my healing process. These were those friends who held my hand through everything as I healed physically and emotionally form my heart trauma. Sometimes, you just have to celebrate a little bit differently with certain people in your life.

I am SO happy to be here to celebrate, to serve, and to enjoy life! God is so Good and knows what we each need. His plan is perfect. Time for me to share more and get back on the blogging wagon again!

My name is Jenny McKinney. I AM A SURVIVOR!! Here's to one year and eternity to come... and I really want some chocolate!! 

A Sneak Peak into the upcoming pictures!