Six!

I am so in love. Entirely, over the top, in love. Six years ago I had no idea my heart had room to love another baby this much.

I also had no idea ...

how tired I could get.

how happy I could get.

how angry I could get.

or how quickly my hair could turn grey.

Nor did I know ...

how hurtful the R-word could be.

how powerful inclusion could be.

how expensive therapy could be.

or how hard I would fight for equality.

And what I never wanted to know ...

how it felt to hold a sick child.

how many families are touched by childhood cancer.

or how many parents have to say good-bye way too soon.

Today we had Chelsea's FIRST 'friend' birthday party. We invited all 22 of her classmates and TEN attended her swimming bash. It melted my heart to watch them play. At first, Chelsea played alone while Daddy sat close by. Then, a little boy who she adores arrived, and they were inseparable the rest of the evening. I was overjoyed to see how she ran around with all of her friends. She fit right in with the other kids, she had no problem keeping up. She was even showing off some of her swimming skills. I look back at her birth six years ago and wonder what I was so scared of!

This party was just what she wanted for her birthday: to play, to swim, and to be with her friends.

In lieu of gifts, we asked her guests to just attend and to have fun. We also encouraged them to give the gift of hope to children, desperately in search of a cure. There are many organizations supporting cancer patients and funding research for a cure. Unfortunately, many of them spend very little money on childhood cancer. For this reason, we asked for donations to Braden's Hope Fund. Braden is one of the spectacular children we met while Chelsea was in treatment.  (You can read about Chelsea on the Hope Heroes page!)

We are incredibly thankful to have Chelsea with us for her SIXTH birthday. As you tuck your children into bed, please remember the parents who have an empty bedroom tonight. Consider celebrating Chelsea's SIXTH birthday with us by making a donation to Braden's Hope Fund. Thank you, for giving another family HOPE.

Cancer Sucks

We have some friends who are in need of prayer warriors, so who better to ask than our readers!!! You can read their personal stories through their caring bridge sites by clicking on their name.

Meet Claire. She's a precious little girl we met towards the end of Chelea's treatment. She doesn't have leukemia, but her cancer was miraculously cured quickly with some intense chemotherapy. We were thrilled to see her parents in October and hear of her good results. They are now facing a possible relapse though as Claire's AFP numbers are on the rise which likely indicates the worst. They had scans done today to check and see what is going on with her, but they won't get results until Wednesday. Please, please pray that her cancer remains in remission.

Also, I've mentioned our buddy Santos before. He is in Arizona with his mother seeking alternative therapies for his second relapse. Santos is one tough, fun-loving, active kid, and we love him! Please pray that these natural therapies will bring him into remission. If they are unable to get him into remission, these treatments should at least give him more time, and he will still be able to keep his energy and have a very high quality of life and feel good. He has spent way to much time in the hospital already and there just weren't any more chemo options for Santos in KC. Also if you live in the area and would like to help Santos and his family, they are holding a fundraiser later this month. If you can, please consider attending, it looks like A LOT of fun!!! Feel free to pass this fundraising information on through your blog or through emails.



Bowling Fundraiser for Santos

WHEN: JAN. 31, 2009
WHERE: RANCH BOWL
5604 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66102
TIME: 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
$20.00 PER ADULT TO BOWL
$10.00 PER STUDENT TO BOWL
$5.00 PER TACO DINNER PLATE (4 tacos and rice)
Everyone that bowls will be entered into a raffle.

If you're interested in going let me know, we're up for the fun! We'll probably find a babysitter for Chelsea (and maybe Logan).