Time is precious, even to a cicada....

Mason is taking his Chemo (twice daily) Twice daily I feel like a monster, as he cries and his stomach cramps in pain. I feel like I rush through because every second feels like an hour. There is some good news, he gets a week break during our NY vacation!!! No Chemo during that time, I understand why. Because I watch his pain 2x a day as he swallows the pills. Mason has always been compliant when it comes to following directions. Sometimes his persistence in following the rules drives me crazy. So when he fights back it kills me even more. And when he yells at me "Why don't you try it!!" I so wish I could. I am so proud of you Mason!

Cicadas. Mason spotted one this morning hatching from it's shell. Would I have noticed? No, I was weeding, swatting mosquitoes and thinking of the list in my head. But Mason made me stop and watch. I know it's just an insect. My point of the story is Mason had me stop at the cicada's transformation. Think about it, it's a major deal to the cicada-wings! And with only a short time to enjoy those wings. It's those little things that we go through our day and don't even notice. Lately I have been feeling like a giant sloth, and then the minute I start racing around like the Energizer bunny I lose track of what is really important. Thank you Mason I enjoyed watching the cicada. You teach me something everyday.

"Don't dream your life, live your dream"

"If you want to make good use of your time, you've got to know what's most important and then give it all you've got."
Lee Iacocca

Star Fairy

At Give Kids the World, Mason added his own star to the many stars in the Castle of Miracles. He was then asked to make one wish to the Star Fairy, it was a very quiet moment. Mom made her own special wish. Last night, the Star Fairy traveled many miles to grant his simple wish of his very own camera. (Along with the movie, Pinocchio) If only.... when you wish upon a star, your dreams really did come true.......

We are home

We are home! Arriving home in style! We had the most magical adventure of a lifetime. And truly the most relaxed, care free, FUN vacation!!! Give the Kids the World was fabulous, we have memories to treasure in our hearts forever. Sea World and Universal Studios were our top favorites, but it was all so magical. Ally loved seeing Barney and Little Einsteins. Maverick loved the roller coasters and Tower of Terror and Mason loved the water rides, Simpsons Ride, Mickey Mouse and collecting souvenir pennies. I could go on and on......... We will post pictures on FB. It's amazing how quickly reality hits us back in the face. We are having Orlando withdraws. The Chemo has started, being on vacation and having ice cream for breakfast and after dinner each night sure made it easier! He has to take it with 6 oz. of plain water, but this morning after swallowing 3, I let him drink fruit punch, anything so he does not vomit. We had one night where he could not do it. Last night,with no magic in the air, nightmares and tears returned. I am hoping it is just a meltdown from the overwhelming "FUN" trip. And after viewing vacation photos, seeing his hair loss hit him hard. Reality hurts. We have to remember that Disney motto, Celebrate Today!! We thank Make a Wish for the magic and memories!!!!!

Mickey Mouse here we come!!

I've learned so much about the key ingredients in life; love, happiness, friends and kindness. Thank you Heather and John for the wonderful concert. It was a beautiful performance and gave me some peaceful time to reflect. You are amazing!!!
We are taking a break from the blog until July 24. We are excited to be headed to Mason's dream vacation in Orlando, FL. Thank you Make a Wish!!! We are staying at Give Kids the World. And playing at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, and maybe Coco Beach!!! Looking forward to magical memories. Ally is ready to meet Mickey Mouse!! Maverick is ready for the wild rides and Mason is ready for it all!!! Still has not hit me yet, maybe once we are in the airplane looking down at the clouds below it will hit me. It's been a difficult journey and it will continue to be, looking forward to traveling to a place where smiles and laughter can only be heard. And we can wish upon a star. Since the day Mason was born, my dream came true. Now my wish is for his dream to come true, and then some.

"If you live to be one hundred, I want to live minus one day, so I never have to live without you"
Winnie the Pooh
"I didn't make it all the way through third grade for nothing."- Rescuers

"A dream is a wish your heart makes when you're fast asleep. In dreams you will lose your heartaches. Whatever you wish for, you keep. Have faith in your dreams, and someday, your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep believing, the dreams that you wish will come true". Cinderella

You are Invited-this Saturday!

Everyone is welcome to an afternoon of piano duets performed by Heather Lewis and John Scoville. This Saturday July 17 at Indian Heights Church 103rd and Nall in Overland Park.
We would love to see you!!! Please invite your friends.

"Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder." Thoreau

Love smiled on me today. Nothing like a phone call and visits from friends. And the yummy lunch and dinner from friends the day before. And Celeste, Zack, and Christine thanks for the mailbox smiles. It those little things that add up to so much. We thank everyone and are so fortunate for you. Love to all. The above photo is from Maverick, finding beauty and enjoying nature. And yes, I am crazy over quotes. Hope it brings a smile to your day.

" All of us are born for a reason, but all of us don't discover why. Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others. - Danny Thomas, founder of St. Jude Children 's Research Hospital

We are back HOME!

Wow! What a trip!! The good news Mason's MRI results were stable, and he can continue Chemo. I do not have the strength to tell him, the dose doubled and in order for the correct mg, he has to take 7 pills. 3 were very difficult. (that's twice a day-total of 14 daily) He starts again July 20. He was a brave trooper. I had so many mixed emotions returning to St. Jude. I fought back tears, as I felt happy, proud to be there, sad, angry, all of it! But most of all thankful and hopeful. We were looking forward to returning home by 9 p.m Tuesday. Little did we know our flight would be delayed 12 minutes, then 2 hours, then 2 hours 30 min, then 4 hours, then 4 hours 30 minutes, then 6 hours. The plane actually landed at midnight, only to find out our flight had no crew! At 1:30 we had an option to get a hotel, but would not fly out until 8 pm the next day. I was glad we waited to see if the crew showed up at 2:30. Sure enough at 2:15 they arrived, with a loud cheer from all! Fortunately, Mason slept while we waited and a kind Samaritan shared her jacket as Mason's body shook from the cold. Who knew in Memphis we needed a jacket. It is good to be home.

Courage......

Courage is being a fireman. Today was awesome! Two firefighters visited with the neighbor kids. Eddie even tried on a uniform. The kids were rescued from a pretend "fire". How absolutely wonderful! Lots of smiles today! Thanks to our neighbor Angie for arranging a fun afternoon, and thanks to the firefighters, Drew and Jeff. What a great lesson! We can't thank you enough! All I can think of is how brave and courageous firemen are and how much Mason has gone through. Two heroes sharing their livelihood with my hero. Courage is being a firefighter. And thank you to our other neighbor Angela for the Miraculous Medal which Mason has worn around his neck ever since. Courage is if you knew where there were some mountains, you would definitely climb them. Here's to everyone who faces courage everyday!

Lots of Smiles

The world always looks brighter from behind a smile. ~Author Unknown



Mason has been feeling better, his taste buds are still off. But the smile on his face makes our heart fill with joy. We splashed on Friday, and enjoyed pizza and a movie. Then Saturday, Mason wanted to search garage sales. Only to find a friend was having one for him! Truly amazing!!! And he spent $1.00 to buy his sister a teeter totter chair. His only other purchase was a pair of $3 binoculars, big ones like Grandpa in NY. And then back home to relax, and an afternoon swim. Then mom stopped at a sale and found a Yorkie, free to a good home! Mason wants a real Yorkie or dog someday, but mom found one that you don't have to feed. (It made a smile) Then we ended our evening with the company of friends. The smiles that friendship create leave a forever mark on our hearts. We are so thankful. Thank you Heather, Darrell, Donna and everyone for the love and support. Mason is forever thankful. Mason and mom fly to Memphis tomorrow night. Mason is anxious to have his MRI over, and home by late Tuesday night!! Please keep him in your prayers.

"Friends are the angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly." -Anonymous

Feeling Better

It was a cloudy day, but we felt the sun shine!! Mason is feeling much better! Smiles! May you feel the warmth of the sun everyday.

What a Day

Mason started the morning with a slight headache, which only worsened, causing him to sleep all day. He woke up around 3 with the same headache. (I gave him Tylenol to relive the pain) At this time he moved from the bed to the living room floor and went back asleep. He complained it hurt to lift his head and did not eat all day! His right eye also seemed to look a bit off, his headache was in the same eye. Thankfully by 6 pm he woke up. I promised anything he wanted for dinner. Bolings was ordered. Crab Rangoon and Mandarin Chicken! We said an evening prayer and now he is watching Minute to Win it followed by America's got Talent. Pretty scary day for mom, and dad too. He is relaxing now with a small headache. Thanks for all the support and prayers, we truly feel all your love, you bring a smile to our troubled hearts.

"For all the love and blessings you have given unto me, May God return it all one day. Twice as much to thee." -Yolanda Cohen

Two week Break

Monday was a wonderful evening, we watched the fireworks at Corporate Woods. Snow cones added smiles and singing under the stars while waiting for the show! Loved every minute!
Mason is glad to be free of Chemo for 2 weeks!!! (until July 20) He got his blood drawn today, a little more nervous - a long wait rattled his nerves. And his taste buds are off; he lost three pounds this week, he is hungry but no desire to eat. Thanks for all the prayers and for everyone taking part in the group prayer. Mason's first MRI since treatment is July 13, we fly to Memphis. Your prayers and support mean the world to us.

Happy Fourth of July. Mason has been looking forward to Fourth of July for the last few months, but he woke up with a 103.7 temperature. He was too sick to take his morning Chemo. And slept most of the day. He still had a temperature last night but was able to take his nightly Chemo. It really helps that after July 6 he gets a 2 week break from Chemo. This morning he is fever free!!! And the fireworks were rained out, so hopefully we will get to see them tonight!! The picture below was taken on July 1, for Mimi's birthday. Thank you for all the prayers!
Mason watched Superman 2 yesterday, how perfect a quote for today:

A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.
-- Christopher Reeve

Your support means so much

Good news! Mason took his Chemo the last 2 nights much better, no tears!! Your support helps so much, just knowing everyone is on his side really helps. We are also slowly moving the evening dose to an even earlier time, this should help too. Last night he ran outside and was so thirsty that he swallowed the Chemo right down, so maybe he can jog before each dose. Smiles!! Thank you everyone!! Have a safe and wonderful 4th of July weekend!

Like a pebble cast on water, making circles that reach out far beyond it's center, your kindness can touch more lives than you will ever know.