Tue Nov 2, 2010



Blake LOVED painting faces



I am so sorry I have taken so long to do an update. We have had such a crazy, busy October. It was a great month-just super busy! We had 3 benefits for Blake in October alone. We are so grateful for all the continued support. It has been a year now since all this has happened, and knowing that we still have the support of all of you means SO much to us! Blake is doing really well. He is talking more and more each day. If I could only remember all the funny things he says. He has quite the sense of humor. His balance is a lot better-he doesn’t fall nearly as much anymore! I have SO much to tell you!




Junk 4 Jackson-garage sale



During the month of Oct. we were able to meet so many amazing people! Our month started with Junk-4-Jackson‘s 4th Annual Garage Sale. We met Denise through a mutual friend. She was looking for a child to be the honorary recipient of the sale since her son died in November of 2009 from brain cancer. We felt so fortunate that she chose Blake! Her son’s story was so touching, and we had a lot in common. She is such a strong and inspirational woman! We also met a ton of people through Junk-4-Jackson. Just a few of the people who were touched by Jackson and his story formed a group called “Friends of Jackson” in order to help raise awareness for childhood cancer! They are all such amazing people! We have a whole new support group…everyone fell in love with Blake! He is seriously one loved little boy! He had so much fun at the sale. He loved the fire truck; he didn’t want to get out. Channel 9 came out and got some footage of Blake in the fire truck. We missed it. L We are still trying to find someone who recorded it… Channel 5 also came out and did an interview with Denise. I am so amazed at how many people donated their time and ‘junk’ for the sale. The sale had some great attractions: Slugger, KU band, soloist, guitar player, moonwalks and SO much more!! It was a blast!!

Blake watching the pool tournament

After the sale we headed down to Nevada, MO for a ‘Catch Me Running’ benefit. For those of you who are not familiar, Christian has started a non-profit organization in Blake’s name to help families of children diagnosed with life threatening illnesses. We have received a lot help from Christian and her events. She is doing an amazing job; it’s a lot of work to get a foundation up and running. Her goal is to obtain 501(c)(3) status in the next few months. This has been a dream of hers; she was waiting to find a cause. Lucky for us, Blake is now that cause. Her passion for this organization is so incredible! I look forward to working with her to help other families down the road. It’s such an amazing thing to give back and help people who are going through similar situations. Ok-, back to the CMR event in Nevada, lol. Christian, her dad, and step-mom hosted a dinner, auction, and pool tournament. We were interviewed live on the Nevada radio station prior to the event. I must say that small towns have some of the BIGGEST hearts! There were only about 40 people who attended-but let me just say that with all the love and support, you would have thought there were a hundred! Nevada will always hold a special place in my heart. It reminded me a lot of the dinner we had in Paola, KS. The community of a small town is amazing to me…everyone is there to help you out like you are family. It’s truly inspiring!

Blake as Two Face

We had a week off in-between these events and the Halloween party. Thank goodness! We all worked really hard on the details for the party. Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday. I take pride in making Blake’s costume, as well as mine. This year I made Blake’s, Phil’s, and mine, along with helping Christian with hers when she needed me to. I am pretty proud of the turnout! Blake was Two-Face (from Batman), the Tommy Lee Jones version. J He looked the part! We originally planned his costume off the bald spot he had from radiation; however, his hair had almost grown back in the few weeks before Halloween. Lol So the night before Halloween, we shaved off the ‘new’ hair. I know you are thinking we are crazy, but we did shave the remaining hair off Monday morning. Lol Oh, and I actually saved the ‘new’ hair in a zip lock baggy. I know I’m weird. I have to keep it for the baby book! The party was a hit! Phil made an inflatable maze-so cool. My dad was the bearded lady at the kissing booth, SO creepy lol. Jon’s dad, Tom, was the mad scientist. He made this really cool game, which was a huge hit with the kids. We had some really great volunteers. We couldn’t have done this without their help: Sara-photography, Brooke-pumpkin painting, Jackie & Janet-entry table, Jeff & Kelsey-face painting and tattoos, Katie-our salon scare dresser, Phil and Jon-the maze coordinators, Megan-pregnant vampire @ the vampire tea party, Kathy-mad scientist assistant, Rebekah-games, and-of course-Ted at the Veterans Hall, who donated the space to us! We are so thankful for all the help and hard work! Also, a big thank you to everyone who came and enjoyed the party! Without you ,we wouldn’t have a party. I love that everyone dressed up! The costumes were so great! I will be posting pictures soon! I LOVE Halloween!!



Our amazing crew that volunteered for the party!







So, after our incredibly long day Sunday, Monday we had to be at CMH by 7:45am for Blake’s MRI. I am praying that we get good results. I’m a little nervous…I always am even though we have had good results since Houston. We find out Thursday the MRI results, so I will keep you guys posted. This month is another eventful one-MRI, a short break from Rehab, Botox, CMH rehab follow up, return to Rehab, Cast Blake’s good arm again, and Thanksgiving. Whew. I think that’s all. Life remains as busy as ever. Oh, and did I mention we are trying again to get Blake into the school district’s special preschool program? Lol It seriously never ends! We have SO much to be grateful for though. I have such amazing supporters and family who love us. I know no matter what is thrown our way, we will make it through…with a positive outlook. God has a plan for us!!

I will talk to you all soon. I promise I will try my best to get back to updating you a little more frequently!! xoxo