My Hero

Here is a picture I just happened to run across, it was taken the last day of radiation at St. Jude and we were homeward bound. This mask was worn every Monday-Friday at 11 am for 6 weeks. At first it gave him nightmares. The tight fitting mask, having to lie still on the table as beams of radiation go in your head, while mom waited in the lobby. Black Eyed Peas blaring in his ears, who knows what he was thinking. Lots of inner strength, not knowing what to expect the next day, missing home. The cuts on the mask were made the last week due to puffy cheeks. Mason you will always be my hero. I share this picture knowing that September 13 is around the corner, we are returning to St. Jude for a MRI. Chemo will start again September5 and end the 18th. The 22 week treatment ends.What's next? Lots of inner strength.........

Head for the Cure..step by step

I don't even know how to start...the Head for the Cure 5K was awesome! I was so proud of Mason and the entire 13 members of Team Mason-we formed in just 2 days. Thank you!! Mason you made me smile every step of the way. And thanks to Carolyn, Angela, Jon and Jackson who walked along the way with Mason and me. Papa, Eddie and Maverick and Angie (Eddie's co worker) were the racers. Brandie volunteered for the Kids Race. And Ally and Mimi cheered everyone! At the award ceremony, Faith awards were given to those that are currently battling brain cancer. Mason received this award!! I don't even know what to say........Mason if only you knew how inspirational you truly are.
We are hoping to multiply the team participants by 10 next year. We will be more organized next year. How about 130 or more! Thanks, Head for the Cure and all participants for a memorable day. We can do it, step by step...

Take a Risk

This is one of my favorite pictures of Mason. He wanted me to print the picture for a homework assignment. He needed a picture, or newspaper article about someone taking a risk and then explain the consequences. I am not sure what he said in school; but he told me how scared he was the first time on the high dive. (This is that very first picture-July 2007) So I asked him the consequence and he said it was Fun and he would have never known unless he took a risk. I continue to grow in your simple and wonderful wisdom.
Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down. ~Ray Bradbury

Dance

It's Wednesday. Trying to stay as positive as we can. Another trip to the grocery store, this time for some Ensure and more Vitamin water. The only way Mason would swallow his Chemo this morning was with Vitamin water, his stomach did not hurt this time. Last night it would not stay down so we gave it a try. Now mom just wants him to eat. Last night, was awesome seeing Mason skate at the school Skate Party! What a wonderful feeling! Keep up those positive moments. It was awe inspiring this morning to see Mason teaching Rex to dance.
" Life isn't about waiting for the storm to be over, it's about learning how to dance in the rain"-Unknown

Summer isn't over yet!

We love the weekends! 400 plus water balloons and an evening with the neighbors sure made our weekend a Blast!! Make's Monday a little harder.........with an after school doctor visit, our weekly blood draw........ I don't want the weekend to end. The good news is Mason is awake and eager to start the week. Besides summer is not over yet, we'll be splashing every moment!!! Celebrate every day, even Mondays! Be sure to check out the Summer Memories Video on the right--We had the time of our life. Just wait Fall, we have a lot of FUN planned too....

Rex

Mason is enjoying 4th grade, he had a wonderful week, with 2 full days of school on Wednesday and today. We are all enjoying a routine. And Rex entertains Ally while the boys are away, she'll be dressing him in princess clothes soon. (Just don't tell the boys)

Rex was not given the proper introduction. He melted all our hearts,when the kids took us on an adventure, 7/31. We've had our share of issues when finding a family dog. But Mason was very persistent; he wanted a dog of his own. There was a strong connection with Rex. He was shaved bald, since he was a stray, but that made him more special. Mason was determined to pay the $20 adoption fee. Rex was the one. Not a coincidence; Mason's wearing his Much Love and Happiness shirt. The picture says it all. Welcome home Rex. Thanks for showering our lives with love.

Make A Difference For Mason

Make A Difference For Mason
Please click on the link above to help support St. Jude

So proud of the Brookridge team that was formed to help support St. Jude.
St. Jude gave us HOPE.

Once you choose hope, anything's possible.

Thank you for your support and prayers.

"Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others." -Danny Thomas (St. Jude founder)

Proud

Pour yourself into the lives of those you love. I am the proudest mom.

Back to School

School started with a huge SMILE!! It is great to be back and have a normal day, back with friends and teachers. Walking to school with the neighborhood kids, playing after school, and even doing homework again. A normal day, you know where farts are funny, Nerf gun darts are scattered throughout the house, and Rex wagging when you come home from school. All normal, except for twice a day when it's Chemo time and the world just doesn't seem fair. So glad for normalcy, but still needing that extra hug at the end of the day. Still seeking knowledge and strength; being a kid shouldn't have to be so hard.

We are HOME!!

We are HOME!! We have so many fond memories from our vacation, just AMAZING!!! Reality kept its distance and Fun took over. The boys experienced traveling through 6 states, waves at Lake Erie, their first tubing, boat rides on Lake Conesus, campfire with giant marshmallows, mint brownies, lots of laughs, driving 4-wheeler alone, a dip under the waterfall at Stony Brook, mushroom hunting, eating chantrelles, finding red newts, searching for rocks in Lake Erie, building a volcano at the beach, jumping in the hot tub, looking for bald eagles, Leaning Tower of Pizza, paddle boating, kayaking, fishing, and most of all being with FAMILY!!!! It was truly amazing; the smiles and laughter say it all. I have never seen my boys smile so much, zipping along on the back of a boat in the middle of Conesus Lake. Smiles forever etched in my mind!
Cancer kept its distance, a few times stepping in, Red Fruit punch reminded him he had to take Chemo again, and the sensitivity of his body and not handling the heat were reminders.

School starts Monday. Mason is the most EXCITED 4th grader. He just wants to be just like any kid starting the fourth grade. As much as I want to sit next to him, this is his day. So reality keep your distance. Mason be a kid, laugh and play and be a fourth grader. You are amazing!!!
Chemo started this morning;we are Home. Thankful his medicine is here at home (7:30 am and 7:30 pm.) It was not easy this morning.........

Road Trip..........

Above are pictures from last year's NY vacation. The water at Stony Brook was a refreshing 55 degrees!! We are so ready for some family fun and relaxation!! Can't wait; a vacation full of memories!! I know why Mason wants to live in the country, from our wonderful trips to NY every summer. It's always so adventurous and carefree!

Mason is Chemo free the entire vacation, the doctor gave the O.K. to wait until we return, so the first day of school he will start Chemo again. (Monday August 16) We will try and keep the blog updated, but are going to enjoy every minute of our trip. Smiles and thank you friends and family; you bring a ray of hope to our day and a smile to our hearts. And a special thank you to our neighbors who have done so much!!! Cherish everyday, live, laugh, love and splash!! And Great Grandma you are forever in our hearts, we miss you so much!!

A quilt is a treasure which follows its owner everywhere.

A quilt will warm your body and comfort your soul.
Many thanks to Many Hands Quilt Ministry for the prayer quilt. And Connie, Ginny,Toni, Shirley, Pam, and Mimi (Starlight guild) for Mason's Favorite Things Quilt. Every stitch brings a smile to Mason's soul. And there is nothing more comforting than feeling that warmth and love at the end of every day. Thank you everyone for taking time to make Mason a "piece" of your life.
And Melissa thanks for your friendship and adding "Hope" to my day.
For everyone's support and prayers,

A bed without a quilt is like a sky without stars. ~ Unknown
Those who sleep under a quilt, sleep under a blanket of love. ~ Unknown

Also, special thanks to The Red Bridge United Methodist Church for the quilt in May and the Prayer Quilt Ministry at St. Mary's Parish in Burlington, NJ. Can you touch a prayer? You can if it is a part of a prayer quilt. Love it! We feel so blessed right now. Mason sleeps with every one of these quilts!! Thank you for your love and warmth!!

Country Road...

Wow, what a fun day. A simple drive to the country was more than we imagined. We started the day letting the kids be our tour guides, "you tell us where you want to stop" So many things they saw out the window. And such wonderful family time. We got lost in the peaceful countryside and talked about our dream farm. Mason would have rows of blackberries and raspberries, chickens and of course a log cabin. Mom wanted a llama, Ally a Cow (one you could ride) and Maverick, MUD!!! Dad would have lots of trees and a mile long to-do list from mom. We found the biggest blackberries!! And then it was on to Five Guys for lunch. We stopped and wished Maggie a happy 1st birthday. And then on to Wellsville at Aunt Jen and Uncle Ted's for some 4-wheelin' fun and relaxing dinner!! And the adventure continues............

*This was also the day Rex became a member of our family.

* We picked up some strawberry pill glide at CVS (Thanks Rhonda) We have not tried it yet, as we are waiting for the official o.k Monday, but it sounds like it is going to be o.k. to use. :)