Tue March 9, 2010

Hello everyone-I just received this on facebook. I wanted to share it with all of you as well. Joy is an amazing mom with a huge heart! I am so grateful for everything she is doing. Here are the details she posted:

Catch Me Running

A Children’s Art Show and Auction
Call For Entries

(You don't have to have a kid to participate!)

How could anyone with an eye, or just with eyes really, not want to see a child's fantastic first attempts at faces or little handprints of smeared paint? Or the watercolor worthy of a prominent place in somebody’s living room, and then there are those beautifully crooked clay pots made with no inhibition. A child’s creative side deserves more than a spot on the refrigerator.

Break out the washable paint ‘cause here’s that chance.

The Gallery at 19 Below will be hosting a very special exhibit and benefit during the month of June, that will feature the work of the children dearest to you. This group show will be part of the June 4th First Friday Openings, with a Private Viewing and Silent Auction Thursday, June 3rd.

That’s right; don’t get too attached to those masterpieces, unless you are willing to up the bid!

“Catch Me Running” A Children’s Art Show and Auction will donate 100% of its proceeds to a very important cause – a 2-year-old boy named Blake. Blake is currently receiving treatment for a brain tumor that was discovered last summer. Please help us help Blake get the absolute best treatment he can, and enable his parents to spend their energy helping little Blake fight this horrible disease rather than picking up extra shifts and overtime.

Submit the work of the children you adore, regardless of age. We are asking that you make a $10 hanging fee donation for each masterpiece you submit, or you may submit 3 pieces for a $25 donation. Please have the work ready to hang, meaning mounted/framed or however it’s intended to be viewed. We will begin accepting submissions immediately. Work can be dropped off or shipped to The Gallery at 19 Below, 5 W. 19th Street, Kansas City MO, 64108, and hanging fees paid through Wednesday June 2nd.

Please forward or post this information so all-little artists can participate!

You can read more about Blake and his families struggles and miracles through their Care Pages:
http://www.carepages.com/visit

From the link above, type in fightingforTUMORrow in the search.

A personal note:
I met Blake when he was in Aurora's class at Union Hill Day School. One morning, Roro's teacher told me that Blake was having surgery for a 5 cm brain tumor, I felt like someone punched me in the stomach. The thought of what his mommy, Miss Mandy, a teacher at UHDS, must be feeling brought me to tears. In addition to the unthinkable stress of keeping their son alive, Blake's parents are feeling the weight of finances crashing down on them. They applied for treatment at St. Jude’s, but were informed that Children's Mercy is already doing everything that would have been done at St. Jude’s. This is good news in that the family can stay in KC for treatment, however treatment with St. Jude’s would have been provided at no cost. Blake has also been accepted to the Make A Wish Foundation, I’m not sure what his wish is yet, but I bet it has something to do with Lightning McQueen or Tony Hawk!

I realize that this event is a few months from now and you have time to forget (though I'll remind you!), but you also have time to learn about Blake and his family. You have no idea how much you can help.

You can read up on the little rocker Blake and see plenty of cutie pie pictures at http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/group.php?v=wall&gid=139746882707

Please consider making your heart a part of this show and a part of Blake’s life.

Sun March 7, 2010

Hello everyone! We have had a pretty great weekend!
Friday-We stayed home from Rehab, and Mason, my mom and Arlene came over for a play-date. Blake had SO much fun. The boys got to paint little ceramic cars, play with play-dough, and made bracelets. They played cars, and ran around the house just having so much fun.
Saturday-Megan and Kirsten came over and we all went shopping. Blake and Kirsten both wore masks. lol. Blake is really getting used to wearing the mask now. I love it because now we can actually run errands. Then Sat night I went to see Alice in Wonderland with the girls. It was great! I had so much fun!
Sunday-We all stayed in and relaxed. I wasnt feeling that well for most of the day. However, we had a girl come by and test drive my Xterra-and she is calling me back tomorrow after she talks to the insurance company about cutting her a check. Her car was totalled. Its funny because I posted my car a month ago-and had a few hits. After we figured out we didnt know where the title was-I deleted my post. Once I found the title I re-posted my Xterra. Within a few hours I had a ton of hits and calls on it. Over the weekend-I probably talked to 10 different people lol. I am so excited. Its gonna be so great to sell it and get something a lot more affordable. Im looking at Honda Civic's. They get great gas mileage. Im sad to see my Xterra go, it was the BEST suv! I love it! Its funny how attached Ive gotten to it. :)
So Blake had his Vincristine on Thursday-and he actually has had very little side effects this time. They did give him Gabapentin two days prior to getting the Vincristine. Im thinking that helped him. Today he did complain about his mouth hurting, so we gave him pain medicine. It seemed to help him out. I am hoping that this is as bad as its gonna get. I am also going to call our nurse on Monday because he has had an ongoing temper tantrum since Thursday. Im hoping its medicine related so we can fix it-lol. He had been quite the handful. Although, I know that there is a possibility that it is terrible twos and his age. But in all honesty this is SO out of character for Blake. Im talking major tantrum, out of nowhere lasting all day long. Its crazy. Megan was shocked because she hasn't ever seen Blake act out-lol. So im telling ya-its bad. I will keep you all posted!

Tue March 2, 2010

Today was a GREAT day!! We were able to go to Rehab this morning. I think everyone was so glad to see him back. Its been almost 2 weeks since we've gone to therapy. Blake worked really hard-like always. There was a fisher price little people doll house with a red card that read 'Blake'. I have no idea who gave it to us-its super cute though. All the card said was "You deserve a village" signed with 3 hearts. Its a mystery. None of the other moms know who its from either. It was a happy surprise. I just wish I knew who to thank. lol. Then it was off to CM to get Blakes new brace. Its blue with lime green and yellow spaceships and rockets and stars. There of course are some pink shooting stars too. He got a blue strap and a pink strap. The ankle is hinged-so he will be able to walk a little easier. He likes it-although I have to watch because when we got home his little pinky toe was red-so if it continues we will have to get it adjusted. While we were at CM we stopped by radiology to pick up more supplies to change Blake's g-tube dressings. Then we went down to Hanger to pay for part of his brace, then on to the pharmacy. They let me know CVS already had filled Blakes prescription. I was frustrated because we were supposed to get it last night and for some reason they only gave Phil one of the two medications. Our last stop was CVS-had to get the prescription. Then finally we were home. Blake played with his new doll house for over an hour. He sure does love doll houses right now. lol. Its so cute to listen to him talk-pretend with the people. He is so sweet! He always having his people kiss. lol. He is such a good kid. I am really so proud of him. That was our day-I am hoping the rest of our week follows todays lead-it was such a great day!! Oh and the weather was amazing too! Gotta love sunny days!