My Nephew and His Brain

This is my handsome nephew, Brennan!

I love this picture of him!

It's that smile!  His smile is so big - it's so happy - and it's so contagious!
How can you not smile yourself when you look at this picture?!

Brennan loves garbage trucks and he loves to vacuum.

He loves chex mix and oreos.

He loves to pittle around and follow his curiousity....wherever it may take him...

He is the middle child with an older brother to "do what boys do" with and a baby sister to love and dote on.

He is one of the most lovable little boys I know - always cuddling and snuggling and gives the best of hugs.

Brennan also has really bad headaches almost on a daily basis and sometimes wets the bed.

He has began stuttering, he can't hear very well, and his eye sight is poor.

At times, his speech is very difficult to understand.  He has a hard time getting his words out.

...and after several years of these symptoms (worsening over time), many many appointments with teachers and doctors, lots and lots of testing - a couple of months ago, Brennan and his family landed in the hands of a neurosurgeon with a diagnosis of Chiari Malformation.

Chiari Malformation?
What's that?

In terms that we can all understand, Chiari Malformation basically means that your brain doesn't fit into your skull properly...your brain is too big for your skull.

Chiari Malformation is a brain abnormality that causes the cerebellum (the part of your brain that controls coordination and muscle movement) to protrude into the space that should normally be occupied by the spinal cord.  When this happens, it causes a lot of pressure on the brain and spine, causing lots of symptoms - much of what Brennan has been experiencing the past few years.

Brennan's mom and dad have been and will continue to keep a blog about Brennan and his journey with Chiari Malformation.  Within their blog, you can find more information and pictures of Chiari Malformation as well as their journey - step by step.  Their blog is called "Brennan's Journey With Chiari Malformation" and you can click HERE to take you there.

On January 28th, Brennan will be celebrating his 5th birthday!...but just 5 days before his 5th birthday, he will undergo brain surgery.

This Friday, on January 23rd, Brennan will be admitted to one of the best children's hospital around.  Brennan will meet up with his neurosurgeon for a few hours and undergo a surgery that will relieve pressure on his brain and spine.  

Will this cure his Chiari Malformation?
NO.

This is not curable, but something he will have to learn to live with.

Brennan is a strong, brave boy.

I know he is going to take this surgery and recovery like a champ.
He's going to come out smiling - that big, beautiful, contagious smile!!

I know I can't possibly begin to understand what Brennan's mom and dad are going through right now - their baby about to be admitted to the hospital for a very serious operation on his brain - but I hope I can help bring comfort during this difficult time by sending a love box to Brennan, raising awareness for Chiari Malformation, and helping to grow their support system by asking for thoughts and prayers over the next couple of weeks as Brennan continues his journey with this brain surgery and recovery.

"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you"

-Isaiah 66:13

To Brennan's mom and dad, I just want to say - 

Be there to comfort Brennan and let God do the rest.

I know the feelings you guys have talked about and how difficult and emotional this has been for you guys.  You are human.
It is normal to feel the way you feel and to have the thoughts you have.
It is normal to cry - It is normal for your blood pressure to rise - 

It is normal to cry - It is normal to want to scream -

It is normal to cry - It is normal ask "why us" -

Did I already say it was normal to cry?

You are human, but you are also warriors!!!

"Yes, you are a Superhero of sorts.  You are a warrior.  You wear the mask of bravery, the cape of strength, and the shield of hope."

You've stood strong from the beginning - 

from watching Brennan fight through his symptoms, to hearing the diagnosis, to scheduling his brain surgery - 

and I know you will continue to stand strong as you kiss him before he's wheeled off into the operating room.  You will stand strong as you wait for hours until he is in recovery.
You will stand strong when you see him for the first time after surgery.

You will stand strong as you guys head down the road of recovery.

We love you guys and I admire your strength.

...and we love you, Brennan!  Makayla, Mason, and Mia have been asking lots of questions about you and they keep saying that they hope you feel better soon!

Keep Calm 

and
Conquer Chiari

MARCHing Through With Pictures

March?
Where did you go?!

Well, let's see...

Super Hero night at the Riverman hockey game!

A little fun play at Ergadoozy!

Celebrating Grandpa's 56th birthday with chocolate covered strawberries!

Bowling...!

Visits to the parks!

Spending Saturdays in the gym practicing volleyball.

Spa night with the girls.

Click on **Arbonne** for more information.

Getting treats delivered to your door.

It's the little things...

Click on **BirchBox** for more information.

Game night!

Click on **Telestrations** for more information.

"May the dreams you hold dearest come true and the kindness you spread keep returning to you."

Wearing green for St. Patrick's Day!

Watching the Lincoln Railers basketball team win the Super Sectionals - Elite 8.

A wedding with Mr. Q and Miss U.

A complete ceremony and reception in Makayla's Pre-K class to help the kids remember that Q and U stick together like glue!

Meetings and gatherings to plan a benefit for this beauty, Lyndie!

Watching the Railers win the Final Four!

Watching the Railers win 2nd in State!

The Railer's homecoming!
A parade of proud players and fans - hundreds and hundreds of cars lining the street and parading with honking horns through town.
I still get chills when I replay it in my mind.

A Pet Death.

I know it was just a fish, but it was one of Makayla's special fish and it was a big deal to her!

Makayla was so heart broken, she felt the need to leave a note for the other fish...

Two weeks worth of swimming lessons!

Love for Lyndie Benefit!

...and, boy, do I have more to share on that!

Volleyball Tournaments...

Makayla can serve the ball like nobody's business!

Life School Musical!
Lincoln Christian Church Kid's choir presenting their Spring musical.

March has come and gone.
Whew!
It was a very busy month for our family and I'm thankful for everything that came along with March, but...
I'm ready to move on to April!!

Buffett, Round 3

Year THREE of Buffett! 

 Lots of fun, LOTS of laughs, delish food (awesome shrimp, corn on the cob, pork, onions...), drinks that looked sooo good

(had to sit out on the boat drinks this year due to baby girl),

...pool with ice water, cored out pineapples, friends and family, dancing, pee puddles in the parking lot, blood and sweat, meeting new people, checking off the bucket list (paying a toll), among many more memories with a group of amazing people that just keeps growing.

...just being happy.  

Happy and carefree - having a good time!

...and while we were away enjoying Margaritaville in a parking lot and listening/dancing/singing to Jimmy Buffett, the kids spent the night with Grandma and Grandpa Allen (mommy's mom and dad as Makayla likes to say).

They spent a lot of time in Grandpa's jeep!

Makayla is still talking about riding in the jeep.  It was sooooooooo bumpy and it almost blew her blanket away!

They drove the jeep to the park and looked for deer...

They drove the jeep to Dairy Queen and got a yummy treat.  Makayla said that she got Peanut Butter Cup ice cream and Mason got Sprinkle ice cream...

They went swimming in the backyard (actually, only Mason enjoyed pool time.  since there was thunder rumbling in the background, Makayla decided to stay out of the water)...

And they got to go see horses!  Makayla said that her and Mason's favorite part about seeing the horses was petting them!  Makayla said they got to pet a lot of horses and one of the horses had a boo-boo on his nose.

Jimmy Buffett for the grown ups and a night with Grandma and Grandpa for the kids...

A wonderful way to end the month of June!

1, 2, 3...!

1, 2, 3...!

It's only Tuesday, but we've already done three exciting things this week.

1.  Swim Lessons

 Makayla is in the "Mommy and Me" class, but now it's called the "Mommy and Daddy and Me" class.  I do not like cold water and I knew I wouldn't be very instrumental in teaching Makayla how to swim this early on in summer.  There haven't been enough scorching hot days to make the water warm enough for me! I'd be clenched up in an ice cold ball!  Kevin gets in the water with her for the class and I sit on the edge with Mason and a video camera.  Yep - I'm the dorky mom, but I definitely want lots of pictures and videos of my kids so that they have something to look back on as they grow up.  We cheer her on and clap when she does something new and exciting.  Last night was her first night in class and her Grandma and Grandpa Allen came to cheer her on, encourage her, and bring her bravery and confidence.  So far, she's done really well and I think it's going to be a great two weeks.  Look forward to an update in two weeks when her classes are done to find out all of the great things she has learned!

~I love watching her learn~

2.  Time spent with Tyler

Makayla got to see her cousin Tyler this week!  They haven't seen each other since Christmas and they had a great time playing together.  They played together as if they have been friends forever.  They bounced on balls, looked at Makayla's new baby frog, and ate popsicles together.  It definitely put a smile on my face to be able to watch them play together and spend time together, even if it was for just a little bit.

3.  Horse Races

 It's becoming a tradition!  At the beginning of summer, on a Tuesday, we'll spend an afternoon at the race track with grandma and grandpa.  Last year, Makayla LOVED the horse races!  She cheered them on like she was going to win a million dollars for being the biggest, loudest, best cheerleader at the track. 

 Here are two pictures from last year:

This year was a different story:

She was "into" the races and concentrated so hard on the horses and their running.  She was very serious this year and maybe cracked a little smile just once.

 

Makayla is excited about her winning ticket!

And Mason is excited to just be sitting in his diaper!

  

 So, three exciting things in two days!!  The start of swim lessons, seeing family that we don't get to see enough, and going to the horse races!!

The Tears At Relay 2011

Relay For Life 2011.

I was a hot, blubbering, wet mess last night. 

There's something about friends and family uniting, coming together for a purpose.  What I experienced last night is indescribable.  No words or pictures could do it justice.  Being there is something you just have to experience for yourself.  Being there to see everybody come together to set up camp and become family for one night. 

Compassion. 

Peace. 

Love. 

Support. 

And lots of tears.  Happy tears and sad tears. 

There's so much I love about Relay.  Let's start out with the the Survivor's lap.  The night started out with our teams lining the track.  (Our team, The Kangaroo Crew, raised over $2000!) Once all the teams were announced and lined up, the survivors gathered and took the first lap of the night, together, while the crowd cheered them on.  It was a sea of purple. 

They walked and we clapped. 

They held hands and we clapped. 

They cried and we cried. 

Like I said, I can't describe this event.  I was bawling.  Thank goodness, I held Makayla in my arms.  Distracting her and holding her helped me to keep my composure at a normal level!  Why was I crying so hard?  First of all, I was so happy to see so many people I knew walking around that track.  They are survivors!  My heart goes out to them for what they have gone through in their lives.  The pain, being scared, the fight.  But they are here and they are alive! I cried because I played the "what if" game.  What if I ever got cancer and ultimately it took my life.  I would leave my babies here on this Earth without their mother.  I thought about that and everything that goes along with that.  It made me stop breathing for a little bit.  Then I thought what if one of my babies ever got cancer.  I wanted to drop to my knees.  I squeezed Makayla a little tighter, cried a little harder, and thanked God for my life right here, right now.   I know a lot of people who have had and do have cancer.  I am also in the healthcare field.  I see cancer everyday.  It's real.  It's scary.  It happens and there's nothing we can do about it but fight, pray, hope, and believe.  So, during the Survivor's lap, my mind was busy!!  Although I was a crying mess, I wasn't the only one.  I'm sure there wasn't a dry eye in the building.  Seeing all of the purple shirts is your only clue that they are cancer survivors -- each one having their own incredible journey of recovering from, fighting or surviving cancer.

After the Survivor's lap, it was time to have some fun.

Makayla:  Mission Ready

Getting her face painted like a kitty cat. It was her first time getting her face painted and she loved it.  She was quite dramatic as it was being done.  Every time the brush touched her face, she dramatically jerked her back and blinked her eyes 50 times.  I was laughing so hard, I had tears rolling down my cheeks.   

 Notice the whiskers are smudged!  She scratched them immediately as she was getting out of the seat!

Mason just woke up from a 45 minute nap in his wagon.

This was actually a site to throw wet sponges at Bob's face.  After Makayla attempted her three throws, we just decided to get a picture of her as a kangaroo.

After a little fun of walking, playing games, winning prizes, eating, visiting, and laughing

...along came my second breakdown of the night.

The Luminary Ceremony

 All of the lights were turned out and the track was lit up with luminaries honoring those who have won their fight or are still fighting and remember those we lost.  The first lap was led with the bagpipe, playing "Amazing Grace".  That alone is enough to bring me to tears, but to add the reason why we were united together - to find a cure for cancer - made it even worse.  Thank goodness the lights were out.  After the lap of "Amazing Grace", there was a second lap of PURE SILENCE.  The luminary ceremony had an incredible impact.  Once again, I can't even begin to describe this and the feelings I had.

It feels good inside to know that, in some little way, my participation has helped improve the life and health of at least one cancer survivor - someone who struggles and fights for their life every single day. It's "that" feeling I get, that makes me want to participate in Relay For Life. 

It was a great time celebrating together and I hope that our efforts will one day make cancer a stranger to all of us...that we can one day raise our families in a cancer-free world.

We will be back again next year to celebrate, to remember, and to fight back!