pretty princess purple pumpkin

Sunday was a relaxing day.  We carved pumpkins and Ally even painted hers.  She loves to find "P" words and then make the sound. Please may I paint my pumpkin purple?  Maverick worked on some Wiscurzoos and enjoyed the outdoors.  He wore the perfect shirt, "Much Love and Happiness shirt.  He was on cloud nine after a spin around the block on a Harley.  The smile on Maverick's face says it all. As Ally would say it was a P..P..Perfect Sunday!  

Always in our hearts...

Good days, bad days... So, it was a great week. Friday was like a toddler building with blocks; "Look how tall my tower is" then, "BOOM", down comes the tower.  Simple solution, build the tower again. So maybe that was a bad analogy?  Let's pretend the blocks melt away like the Wicked Witch of the West.

There is nothing I can say or do. I am ill-prepared when it comes to the direct attacks or the tumbling of the building blocks.   Maverick seems to take things out on me, and now his sister.   Mom's are suppose to be able to fix things and comfort.   But, there is a connection of a brother never to be replaced.   We cry together, we laugh together, we hurt together, all at different times and different ways.

Ally and I were alone driving to the grocery store, and Ally started talking to Mason.  I sighed and said,  I really miss Mason.  "Mom, he is right here"  I said, tell him I am thinking about him.  She whispered and then announced, "Mom he is thinking of both of us and picking flowers with us."  I immediately visioned a day in Memphis, a beautiful day by the Mississippi river looking for rocks and picking white clover flowers.   So thankful for these memories.
  

Late last night as I turned off the television; I glanced down at Mason's tiger,  to my surprise there sat Ally's lizard.  My heart skipped a beat; as I know, Ally placed it there, removing it from the glass cabinet. (She is not suppose to open)  I think they look great together. We all want to be closer to you, Mason. We all long for your hug and peace.
We miss you so much, 6 months, 7 months, the days go so fast.  We will always remember you.

Ally's right, "Mason is always in our hearts."

Mashed potatoes and gravy

Mashed potatoes and Meatloaf.  Last night, Maverick peeled potatoes, as I sliced them in to the boiling water.  Comfort hugged us.  We had a normal night.  Maverick finished his homework; Ally and Maverick happily put a puzzle together; we picked up our van after a flat tire.  Everything fell into place.  Ally still has an imaginary Mason where ever she goes.  Even though this really irritates Maverick, he has learned to accept her pretend play.
Maverick is excited to make more Wiscurzoos, he even has an idea for wee wee Wiscurzoos. I am so proud of his creativity and confidence.
It was a good night; maybe it was the brown gravy on the mashed potatoes, maybe the Earth was tilted just right?  An extra ounce of happiness has settled in.  I wish everyone the same.  Here's a scoop of mashed potatoes and gravy for you; may it add a smile to your day!  (or a rumble to your tummy)

Thank you

Thank you to everyone that stopped by to see the Wiscurzoos.  Maverick was so happy to see them go to such wonderful new places. What a great start for Make-a-Wish®!!  He even got some orders that will keep his hobby going into the next year!  This is just the start of his fund-raising goal. We have the Christmas lighting in November. Red Robin at 95th and Metcalf, South Overland Park, Olathe, Liberty and Independence will have a special night, Wednesday December 7 from 5-8 p.m.  10% of the proceeds will benefit Make-a-Wish® in Mason's memory. We are so  EXCITED!!!  Please spread the news and be sure to join us on this very special night!

We will keep you posted as this holiday season. Maverick's goal; to sponsor a local child's wish.  How much does a wish cost?  Last year Mason and Maverick raised over $3,000 to send a local child to Disney World.  The cost associated with coordinating a wish varies depending on the type of wish, but as of March 2010, the average cost of a wish was $7,205.   Ways to count down on costs, is by donating airline mileage.You can find more information on the link below.
http://www.wish.org/help/donate_airline_miles

Wiscurzoos on Parade!

Sunshine has filled our house with the power of Wiscurzoos. Wiscurzoos have brought a smile as they hope to find new homes. They are ready to be loved, squeezed, and brighten your day!  Maverick has been busy stitching his last few creations. Hope to see everyone Thursday at Brookridge (open to the public) 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. to benefit Make a Wish® Seasons of Wishes in memory of Mason.  You can also purchase holiday cards designed by Ally to benefit Braden's Hope for Childhood Cancer.  Have a great day everyone!!  We love you Mason.

I can only imagine...

The rain hides the trickle of tears flowing down my cheek this morning.  As the song, "I Can Only Imagine",  by Mercy Me plays in the background.   We can only imagine.  Mason, the sound of crunching leaves stirred me from my dream last night. Your magic touch will always be present in every season.  Thank you for reminding me to keep my eyes open.  I can only imagine what size pumpkin you'd pick at the Pumpkin patch.  I looked for your shadow. I can only imagine. I wonder what you'd collect today? Your rocks, key chains, and tigers fill our home with memories.  I imagine your smile today, as the last few leaves fall from our tree. 

Voices of Autumn

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you will not see the shadows." - Helen Keller.

Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.
~Stanley Horowitz

Autumn is alive in the branches of our front tree; it is peaceful, joyous, an awaken to October.  As Mason once wrote in a school paper," Autumn is the leaves crunching".

Tin Man

Some days it's best not to say anything at all. 
Confusion has wrapped its arms around me; perplexed.  If all my worries could just vanish when I run down the street.  But I only collect more along the way. Life's obstacles seem to intensify lately. So I am having one of those days.  I was amazed tonight as I checked the blog to see more views and readers still following our journey. 
Today I visioned myself at Ronald McDonald house, instant flashbacks; a ton of bricks hit my heart.

Then there was this story on the radio; a duck with a broken leg landed in the front of a vet's office.  I could not stop crying, guilt rushed through me like no other. All I could think of is where was our miracle?  There must have been somewhere, some place, someone?  Anger sure gets in the way.  I even get wrapped up in a butterflies last flight knowing the bitter cold nights are close in sight. There is no correcting a malfunctioned heart.  Go ahead call me the Tin Man tonight.
It's been a quacky day!

For kicks, here is the story of the duck.  It really is a happy story. I have to smile knowing one of Mason's very first words was Duck.
http://www.heraldonline.com/2011/09/28/3404249/a-quacking-miracle-duck-lands.html