Every moment

Wow, time sure has flown.  The holidays are right around the corner and I find myself rushing and bustling, busy, busy, busy.  I think about you EVERY day, Mason.  Whether it's a song, a picture, a comment,  even one word triggers a memory.  Last night before bed Ally mentioned her eyelashes and all I could think about is your beautiful long eyelashes.  It would drive you crazy because so many people commented about them.  We miss you so much.  I think about you all the time.  I know the holidays were your favorite and we celebrate. You taught us to live, laugh and love.  And although there are moments when the world stops spinning or feels upside down, you lift us up as we remember.  I ache for your voice and presence in our life.  Forever in our hearts, our angel in the sky, our hero.  We love you. 

Beauty of Fall...

Fall is here.  It brought a smile to my face when the neighborhood kids were talking about how our tree loses its leaves first.  One of the younger kids said, "I know its Mason."  We all know that's not true. What I do know is, I have never experienced such joy and beauty in all the seasons until Mason. Now, I  actually watch as the leaves fall to the ground, in awe of the beauty.    As the leaves fall from the trees; just like snow falls from above;  my heart is wide open.

Today after church if the rain slows down, I hope we can visit the pumpkin patch, another beautiful fall tradition; memories swirl in my head.   Maverick one year picked a half rotten one because no one else would bring it home. His heart as pure as gold. We've had a great 3 day weekend, the kids were off on Friday.  It's just what we needed.  Time with each other and smiles in our hearts. And at the start of the Jared Coones pumpkin run just before the red/pink balloon release,one green balloon floated high above. (coincidence or not, I heard Mason say hello)

2006 Schaakes Pumpkin Patch

Thank you Everyone!!

THANK YOU everyone for all the love and support at the Overland Park Craft Fair!  Together, $1,166.49 was raised for Make-a-Wish®!! Thank you!! That is an amazing start to the $5,000 goal.  We will be starting a web page hopefully soon so you can watch the progress of our Adopt-a-Wish® Season!!  Together we can fulfill a local child's wish. Maverick, we are so proud of you; you are an amazing brother and son.  Mason, it is an honor to continue Making a Difference. Forever we we share your story as you taught us so much!! It was a roller coaster of a day; your memory is alive and your love keeps us moving as we strive to make a difference.

Wiscurzoos are ready to Escape!!

Help our house is under attack!!  Wiscurzoos keep multiplying.  We are EXCITED to be selling over 300 at the Overland Park Craft Fair in downtown Overland Park. During those hot summer days we all were busy creating, stuffing, and sewing our hearts out!!!
 Folow the link below for more information for the Saturday, September 29 from 9 -5 p.m. This is the same craft fair where we marched in a parade 2 years ago. 
http://www.opkansas.org/Things-to-See-And-Do/Overland-Park-Fall-Festival

We were fortunate to get a spot at the Overland Park Presbyterian Church Booth 21.  If you happen to be in the area stop by and say hello and help us send off the largest collection of Wiscurzoos ever!!  Maverick is selling Small Wiscurzoos for $ 4 and Medium for $ 6 and Large for  $10.  All proceeds to help grant a local child's wish through the Make a Wish Missouri Foundation®. The Missouri Chapter serves the Kansas City Metro area which includes Johnson, Wyandotte, Franklin and Miami counties in Kansas.  As of today Maverick is ready to sell out.  Each Wiscurzoo is unique and there is even a limited supply of KSU, KU, MU, NU, Chiefs, and Royals for an additional $ 2.  

Happy Tigers

We can not even put into words how incredible the VIP Tiger Exhibit Opening was!!!  It was such an emotional night and very inspiring.  The fact that MU was there...as someone stated divine intervention.  I have been a mix of so many emotions, happy and sad.  The exhibit is a place we can always go and remember.  Mason you will always live inside our hearts and we will never stop sharing your story and fighting for a Cure.  Thank you family and friends for your support and love.  It means so much to us.  Time moves forward we can only imagine and wonder.  Mason we imagine a big Tiger Smile across your face; only I would give anything to see that Smile!!
Thank you Kansas City Zoo and family and friends, for honoring Mason in such an amazing way.   A huge THANK you to the Dixons, and MU for sponsoring the tigers; we made some incredible new friends. 

Head for the Cure

Team Make a Difference for Mason is so Excited to be running, walking and volunteering in your memory Mason.  And we are growing, with new members we have yet to even meet. We are making a difference. I miss you so much!!!.  I promised you I'd always fight for you.  We love you and will carry your determination with us, forever in our hearts.  Love you.
http://www.headforthecure.org/metro-kc/hftc-metro-kc

Heart shape puddle at the pool

Mason says hello in heart shapes, it all began at Lake Michigan; Ally found a heart shaped rock.  Then at the zoo; our first visit to the new tiger exhibit, a heart shaped potato chip.
Yesterday at the pool; Ally spotted a tiny heart in a puddle, I wish I had my camera.  My mouth dropped at the beautiful puddle, amazing to spot such a creation.
 When a tiny sunflower emerged from our drought afflicted lawn.  My first thought was where did Ally find an artificial flower?  But it was real.  Immediately I thought of Mason.  After closer observation I laughed at the sign next to it, "Sunflowers for Sale"  Mason, you are still sending laughter and sunshine.

 Lots of summer memories.  We visited some of Mason's favorite vacation spots. We each etched Mason's name in the sand at Lake Erie and we could hear his echo of laughter while tubing on Lake Conesus.  We also made new memories as we visited Indiana Sand Dunes for the first time climbing Mt. Baldy and sliding in the soft sand. At Cedarpoint, Maverick fulfilled a lifetime goal to ride the Maverick roller coaster; his cheers with my tears at 70 mph priceless.

 We look forward to the days ahead; as school approaches, I can still picture a little boy with a Superman backpack; how I wished he wasn't such in a hurry to get to school.... 9 more days, my little girl will do the same, she will march, with crayons in her hands and she won't look back.  I am elated and proud of her confidence.





We are so EXCITED at the upcoming Head for the Cure, August 26 at Corporate Woods, we'd love to have you join Team Make a Difference for Mason.  (Click on team photo on the right corner of the blog for the link) And it is already time to think of Christmas lights; as we start our Seasons of Wishes Make-a-Wish fundraiser in September.  Thanks for all your love and support.
Summer is still here and we hope every splash brings a smile and a heart shape puddle finds a way to your heart.