Makenzie age 12

Happy Birthday Makenzie. 12 years old is such a big milestone, so she wanted a party. Ever girl that turns 12 their grandma Madsen always made a Barbie princess cake, so to continue the tradition I made one for her. She invited 22 girls and 21 of them showed up it was a house full of girls for sure.

We decided to do a pajama party, and have all the girls come in pajamas and have a pancake bar, and do manicures.We then had a Chocolate fountain with all kinds of goodies and fruit.  Happy Birthday beautiful girl

Makenzie at 12

What is your favorite food?
Crab/steak

 What is your favorite color?
Teal

 What do you want to be when you grow up?
Cardiologist

 What is your favorite song?
This is Me (greatest Showman)

Where would you like to go on vacation? . Why? . 
Paris- it seems fun

What is your favorite subject in school? 
Science

What is your favorite primary song?
Heavenly Father Loves Me

 What is your favorite animal?
Don't really have one

 What is your favorite T.V show?
When calls the heart

 What is your favorite Season? Summer. Why?
I get to play with friends

What is your favorite place to go for dinner?
Olive Garden 

symposium speech

Makenzie had another opportunity to speak about her Transplant Journey. She was more excited because she got to miss school that day haha! This time it was in front of Doctors and Nurses so she was a little more nervous because her cardiology nurses were there. She was actually on a panel as well so it was an open discussion so that was a little more nerve wracking for her to be put on the spot like that, but she did a fabulous job. She is such a little fire cracker that nothing scares her. She definitely doesn't get that from her mom.

Makenzie's Donor speech

Makenzie had a huge opportunity to speak at the Ceremony of Life celebration Downtown. She loves promoting organ donation and loves to have the opportunity to share her story, even though she gets nervous. She spoke in front of about 1500 people, She did such an amazing job, a lot of people had tears in their eyes. I am so proud of her for doing something I would be terrified to do.

Follow-up Cath

10 years post transplant

Makenzie made it 10 years post transplant. We are so grateful for her donor and the family that selflessly donated their loved ones organ so my baby girl could live. It has been a roller coaster of a ride these past 10 years but such an amazing opportunity to watch her grow. Makenzie has always wanted to go to Disneyland for her 10 year Heartaversary, but it is so expensive. But
Since its been 10 years we decided to surprise the family with a vacation to California. We were blessed to get free tickets to Lego Land through a foundation called Merlin's Magic Wand foundation.
An amazing thing happened about a week before we left for our trip. Our Bishop, Bishop Grant found out we were going to California for Makenzie's 10 year, he is a huge Disney Land fanatic, and told me you can;t go to California with out going to Disneyland . After a couple of days of him finding out he surprised us with a Disney gift card for $800 from anonymous donors. Tears filled my eyes, it was like he knew Makenzie wanted to go to Disneyland for her 10 year trip. On Saturday the day before we were leaving he called me and told me had another gift card for Disney, because you can't go to Disney with out trying all the food and getting souvenirs. What an amazing Bishop we have, and amazing Donors that have know idea who we are to give us a total of $1500 to take our family to Disneyland to celebrate Makenzie's big day.
We left on Mother's day and got to California. On Monday we went to Lego Land and spent the day there. It was such a fun day.
Tuesday we decided since that day was Makenzie's day we went to Disneyland and celebrated her heartaversary there. What better way to spend it with family, and the happiest place on earth. The kids have never gone, and they loved it.
Wednesday we went to the Beach, it is cold in May so we didn't stay to long. The boys had fun in the water while the girls pretty much stayed in the sand.
We had such a fun adventure, and are so thankful for those you help make it happen. My parents also gave us some money to help pay for gas so we could get there. We are so blessed to have so many people love and care for us.
Be a Hero, Be a Donor

Cath