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. :)