Mon Sept 6, 2010

Hello my faithful readers! I want to start by saying that although I cannot reply to your comments on here-I love reading them all! You have been so supportive! I cannot even begin to tell you how much it means to me. Its been over a year now, since our world was turned upside down, and you have followed me through and have stayed there with me. I am still amazed by all the continued support. I am so touched at how many people love and care for my family. We are so blessed! Thank you for sticking with me-and continuing to pray and support us! You make this journey so much easier for me, especially knowing I’m not alone.

Now moving along, I must say that I am truly learning the meaning of ‘carpe diem’. With the help of my best friend, Christian, I am taking advantage of opportunities I normally pass up due to our crazy schedule and being plain exhausted from our daily activities. Lol I know sounds hard right? Well, before we went down to Houston, I was guilty of being ‘too busy’ for a lot of stuff. Since my return from Houston, we have actually managed to find fun things to do-almost daily. Lol Blake’s swing set has, of course, helped in a lot of ways. And don’t worry, I am still planning on having everyone over to play!! Just maybe not all at once. Lol I try to find time everyday to let Blake go outside and play on his swing set, pick up sticks for sword fights, and simply enjoy just sitting outside. I have even found my own fun stuff too! My newest hobby-Shrinky Dinks. Very very addictive. Lol I am trying to squeeze in more time for me. Thanks to Christian, Phil and I have even had some date nights! Woo hoo!! Lol Christian has also referred me to some families to do a little babysitting as well. I am truly enjoying my days! Finally we have a little normality back in our lives! Thank you GOD!!

We totally had a blast this weekend! Saturday we enjoyed a family day-coffee in Westport, while meeting a really generous girl, Mimi. She is such an kind-hearted and amazing person. (I will explain more about this in a minute) Then Phil and I took Blake to the Legends. Blake has finally grown into his brace and can wear the same size shoe on both feet. Lol Funny the things that make such a difference-lol. So he can finally wear converse again!!! YIPEEE!! I know I am silly, but they are my favorite shoes on him! We also went to Cabella’s and Blake LOVED all the animals. He has hit a really fun age. He walked around with us and looked at everything with such awe. Its really cool to watch him discover the world around him. Totally inspiring. We finished our night off with dinner at IHOP. Blake cracks me up-anywhere we go now he has to order his own food, and its so cute watching him. He ordered chocolate milk and chicken “nugnuts” (nuggets) hahaha. Cant help but laugh! Then on Sunday we started the day off at Nathan and Andrew’s 8th Birthday party with Christian. Blake had so much fun. It was so great to see some of the girls we used to work with, plus Pam and Terri!! It was a great party!

After the party we headed to Irish Fest. We ran into a few people we know and that’s always such a pleasant surprise. I also ran into one of the little boys who used to be in my preschool class. Its always so great to see ‘my kids’ once they are no longer in my class. I miss having a class. Lets see what else, oh Blake played in the fountains, fully dressed. He seriously looked so happy! We walked around and enjoyed the beautiful weather-a little windy-but oh so nice. Then headed home for a much needed nap. Today we had a very lazy day-Blake woke up with a cold, so we just laid around all day long. Perfect end to our weekend!

We have a busy month coming up. There are actually going to be several benefits going on in October! We are very excited and feel very blessed to have such amazing supporters. Okay so just in case you would like to attend them, here are the dates. I am sure I will be posting more info soon!!

October 16 & 17-Junk 4 Jackson: Garage Sale

Denise DeBrine is an amazing mom who lost her son to cancer last November. She has morphed this very tragic event into inspiration for helping other sick children and their families. This is her 4th annual garage sale and she has chosen Blake to be the honorary recipient of the funds raised at the garage sale.

October 17- Dinner/Pool Tournament/Auction in Nevada, MO

Larry and Jeanie (Christian’s dad & stepmom) are working with Christian and Catch me Running to host a benefit for us consisting of dinner, a pool tournament, and auction.

October 31- 2nd Annual All Hallow’s Eve
Catch Me Running is hosting its 2nd Annual Children’s Halloween Party. This is a great benefit that is SO much fun! The party includes: face painting, tattoo booth, fortune telling, games, a scare-dresser, pumpkin painting, and SO much more! The whole family will have a blast!
As if things couldn’t get any better for us-lol!! Christian has asked if we would like to join her in taking a family vacation in January. We have NEVER been on a vacation, so after talking it over we all decided we should totally do it. Again, Carpe Diem!! Lol Christian has invited us to go to Florida with her in January, she has family who live there. After we decided to go-we all started talking about Disney-of course. How can you go to Florida with a 3 year old and not think of Disney. So we started doing a little research and realized just how expensive it is. We talked about the upcoming fundraisers/benefits and how we could set aside some money to help us make the ‘Disney’ part possible. Then on Saturday, we met with Mimi, who wants to help us make sure it happens. Her dad gives her money each year to help a child with a brain tumor. She picked Blake to help this year. We are so excited! I am hoping to get to know her better, she seems like an amazing teenager. She too, had a brain tumor. How cool is that?! So thanks to Christian-and some help from a stranger, we are taking a trip to Florida including a day or two at Disney! This is going to be our very first family vacation!! I am SO excited I can hardly wait. Its been a life time dream of mine to go! Blake will be 3 ½ by then and what an amazing adventure he will have! I cant think of a better way to start off the New Year!! I am praying 2011 will bring a healthier Blake, with a stable tumor-or better yet make it a miraculous year and have his tumor disappear! Wouldn’t that just be the best!
I am so overcome with gratitude. We have so many amazing people behind us. And now our connections are growing. We have new people who don’t even know us, wanting to help! Its been so moving! I am hoping I can pay it forward in some way or another. Life is pretty darn good right now!
…Coming up-MRI in November.

Thur Sept 2, 2010

Hi everyone! We have been pretty busy lately. Rehab is going really well. Blake is doing such a good job. He has made some improvements in leg strength. He has been riding his tricycle at therapy, and finally has been trying to push the petals. lol Such a simple thing-but I am SO proud. He is also working on turning his had over all by himself. I was able to sit and watch one of his sessions, and let me tell you I take a lot of movement for granted. He has to totally concentrate to do it. But watching him try, its SO inspiring. He is working so hard. Im such a proud mama! Its amazing that after a year of therapy he isnt burned out. He just keeps working harder and harder. And making more and more improvements. Blake is also talking A LOT more. He is putting sentences and questions together, its been so amazing watching him come along. I look forward to many more little moments that mean so much!!
Blake is totally enjoying his swingset. He would live out there if i let him. He has been very disappointed lately with all the rain. lol We are looking forward to some sunshine and dry grounds. I too, have enjoyed the swingset. Its brought a lot of joy to our whole family. Sitting outside having cookouts, watching the kids play on the swingset, enjoying the summer weather. Cant wait for fall! Falling leaves, hoodies, and all the fall colors. I will def. be taking some fall pics!
Thanks for all your support! Blake is doing SO well!!