Starry Night Walk with PBTF

Cancer mom warriors.  Some of these women have lost a child to a brain tumor, some are still fighting and some are trying to navigate a new normal on the other side of treatment.  No matter which category they fall in, these are some of the bravest, toughest women I know.  Women who have had to do and watch the unimaginable be done to their children, all with the hope of making them better.  I couldn't ask for better support than from this group who really knows.

Cancer can take away a lot of things, but it can't take away a good friend.

Simon lost his walking buddy when Jonah was offered the chance to ride in the pace car instead of walk.

Thank you to all who came out to support #teamjonahgoodall.  We love seeing your smiling faces and are forever grateful for your unending support.

I was given the opportunity to talk about why events like Starry Night matter.  The obvious reasons center around awareness building to support fundraising and fundraising to support a cure.  I talked about the less obvious reason - it is at events like this where, as a cancer family,  you feel fully supported.  You are surrounded by other cancer families who "get it" and you are also surrounded by dear friends who "get you".  There aren't many chances for those two communities to come together, but when they do, as a cancer family, you leave feeling better.

The blue represent children who have died due to a brain tumor, the yellow/orange are children living with brain tumors and the white are those who support us.  PBTF exists to try and prevent more blues and yellows.  If you'd like to help donate to the cause, it's not too late http://pbtf.convio.net/site/TR/2017StarryNight/General?team_id=14316&pg=team&fr_id=2918

Gratitude for the Randomly Mundane

When Julia can't stop working her Vouge-worthy poses ala Madonna.

When your church does end of summer fireworks and they don't mess around.

When you accidentally opposite match your friend.

When your MRI in August is stable and you take the step to MRIs every 4 months.  We'll be back in early January to do it all over again.

When you go to John Mellencamp at Ravina with friends and despite the forecast, it doesn't start raining until the closing notes of his last song.

When your dancing daughter takes to the soccer field and wins the MVP medal during her first game.

When you drive 1 hour to Harvard for the balloon festival, eat bad fair food and then have the balloon launch cancelled because of rain, but still manage to have it be a favorite memory.

When your oldest son boldly shares your family's journey with cancer with his whole school for Pediatric Cancer Awareness month.

When your eldest daughter tries something new and rocks it.

Annual Apples

What would fall be without a trip to the apple orchard?  This year had especially sweet overtones, as Jonah could manage the terrain with his walker, which is a clear testament to how much stronger he's gotten over the last year.  This year he got to help pick apples and feel a little more normal and we were so grateful for this vidid reminder of the growth of this last year.

Jonah wondering if this is a "good" apple.

 Julia running through the orchard.

 Any seasoned apple picker knows that you must sample the product as you go.

Uncle Scott & Aunt Ericka were able to join us for apple picking which was exciting because it was a first for both of them!

Julia thought that this angle really showed off her apple.

Anna doing a closer inspection of an apple.

Julia really loved the hand on hip, apple in air pose, while Jonah was more interested in sampling the product.

A behind the scenes shot of apple picking.

Noah's Ark Goes Back to School

Julia sporting her first day of school sign

Kindergarten - man!  This is such a hard fought for sign that it hardly does justice for the celebration that its existence causes.

Uncle Scott & Aunt Ericka were in town for this first day of school and got up extra early to make sure that they could see the students off on their first day.