Fall pictures, at least

Since I'm due to post Christmas pictures in about a week, I figured I better get some fall pictures up here!

But first we want to extend a horribly belated, but huge thank you to everyone who participated in CURE's September event. We were able to raise more than $3,000 in memory of Hayley (wow!), and she's actually pictured in this month's CURE Report (a welcome surprise to open the newsletter and see her smiling face!). If you didn't receive a personal email, please accept my apology - there were a few emails I didn't have (J&K - that means you!) Please know how much we appreciate your support. It's made all the more meaningful because it's been a really rough year for all our former cancer buddies, and it's more apparent than ever how desperately research is needed. At the moment, two more old friends are in the thick of difficult battles. Please keep Merrill (www.caringbridge.org/visit/merrillking) and Jack (www.caringbridge.org/visit/campjack) in your prayers. We spent lots of time in the hospital with these sweet families in 2004, and it hurts our hearts to know that they're back at it again.

As for us, its is hard to believe this December will mark five years since Hayley's home-going. It's an odd sort of milestone to reach. It seems impossible - and somehow wrong -that we could have lived without her that long. And though the pain is no longer as sharp as it once was, she is still missed every day. Reminders of her are everywhere at Christmas - happily so. Her stocking hangs with all the rest, and the angel ornaments are slowly but surely going to require their very own tree.

In spite of the inevitable ache this time of year brings, I have to admit that I feel truly joyous at Christmas for the first time in a very long time. Jacob is TOTALLY into every aspect of it. We have never laughed so hard as decorating the tree with him this year. He literally couldn't wait to do it. In fact, one morning (after putting the tree and lights up the night before), we found him with the entire bottom half of the tree covered in ornaments. Make that 2-3 branches on the right side of the tree covered in 30 ornaments! He has also assured me that there's no way he's crying on Santa's lap this year becuase he "gets it" now. We shall see!

Meanwhile, Riley is growing like a weed and is 8 months old now. She has the biggest, gummiest smile, and might just be the most ticklish baby ever. How she laughs and laughs (and loudest for Jacob, of course). She is also a force to be reckoned with. Tug-of-war with contraband items is her favorite activity! And she also seems to have an unusual fondness for eating paper. Argh!

More on all that later. For now, pictures!

First, a few stunners of Riley at 7 months from our talented friend Alisha (www.agrgallery.com).



(I love how you can see her two teeth in the big grin!)


(Neither Hayley nor Jacob ever sucked their fingers. Riley's actually a paci girl, but every now and then, she'll break out the two fingers. I was so excited to have it captured on film!)

And here are a few pics from our fun fall escapades... I promise a more detailed update soon!


Jacob, 3 1/2



Our littlest pumpkin - Riley at 7 mo.



Fun lovin'



Showing off his creation (Gingerbread house to follow!)



Check out her muscles! ; )



Sweet siblings



Superman!!



And sweet kitty!



Thanks for checking on us!

PS - Thanks to those of you that let me know about the Sphors!

CURE Remembers Hayley

It's not unusual around our house these days for Jacob to cue up "Hayley's video" on the DVD player. He usually declares, "Riley wants to watch it" and eagerly runs over to press play. His favorite part is Hayley's newborn cry in the beginning of the video, and he excitedly narrates through the rest of the all-too-short six minutes.

It's followed by questions like, "Why did Hayley get cancer?" and "What makes cancer better?" and "What did Hayley like?" and sweet declarations like "I love Hayley in heaven."

It is sweet, it is heartbreaking, it is challenging...It makes us smile, and it also makes us mad.

Why? In large part, because curing childhood cancer still isn't a priority in this country. The statistics tell the story.

• Every day, two full classrooms of kids are diagnosed with cancer. That's 46 children each day
• Little progress in cure rates has been made over the last decade and 1 out of 5 of those children diagnosed will die
• As a result, cancer continues to be the number one disease killer of children in our country, more than asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and pediatric AIDS combined
• Yet, only 2 percent of federal funding for cancer research is directed at solving cancers that impact our children. It's simply not enough.

Some of you may know that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month so what better time to rally the troops! We're thrilled to be taking part in an initiative this month called “CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time.” AND September 17th is Hayley's day!

To make a donation in memory of Hayley anytime this month, simply visit http://www.firstgiving.com/curekidhayleythomson. If you happen to be visiting this site on the 17th, look for her smiling face on the home page of curechildhoodcancer.org as well.

***As some of you may know, Alan is fortunate to serve on the board of directors of this wonderful organization. CURE and some of the special families it serves were recently featured on the 11Alive news in a three-part series. You can see the final of these three pieces HERE (or see below). Through this video, you can see how the research CURE is funding is saving the lives of real children. With your help, we truly believe we can find a cure in our lifetimes!

We urge you to donate.

Donate so that no other parent ever has to endure the heartache of losing a child.

Donate so that every little boy and girl can know their sibling through more than pictures and video (no matter how much they love to watch it...)

Donate for one of the 46 children that will be diagnosed today.

Beach 2009

Much to update, but first beach pics....(from a month ago!)

Smiley Riley





Our little builder and destroyer of sandcastles....



Jacob the fish in his inner tube



Our visit to the land of giants....



It's a bird, it's a plane...it's Dayna on a zip line!



Our fearless euro-bungy jumper. It's all in the preparations!


Flying high (terrible picture, I know)

And just some sweet sibling love!

Patriots and Prayers

***Please send prayers to the Morgan family as they are forced to adjust to life without beautiful Missy and precious Ryan (http://www.superryan.blogspot.com) While I love the picture of Missy and Ryan united together in heaven, my heart just aches for the family left behind...
********

A few pictures of our patriots!

Sweet Riley (yep, she's a chunk!)



Cool Jacob!


The Gang




And a Flashback to 2004, Hayley



We did the whole traditional "fireworks" thing this year - you know where you picnic for four hours ahead of time for the 15-minute fireworks show!? And Jacob absolutely loved it! I admit it was worth it - even if it did take us 30 minutes to get out of our parking space! The entire weekend, though, my mind kept drifting back to 2004 and the memories of the picture above. We were in such a celebratory mood - Hayley had finished all of her inpatient therapy, and we only had a few outpatient spinal taps left before we could call ourselves "done!" Her counts were even recovered enough that we took her to a BBQ at a friend's house - literally the first time she'd been around non-hospital kids since her diagnosis. She joined right in on all the fun as if she never missed a beat,and my heart was so full it literally could have burst. Unfortunately, it would be less than a week later that we would learn she had relapsed...the true beginning of the end.

It's always been our hope that we would remember to live in the moment and make the most of each day (even the mundane ones!). Too often even I forget that our tomorrows aren't guaranteed. Today I'm thankful that I'm remembering the lesson my daughter, and countless of her friends, taught me so well...

Look Who's 3!!!

So, our little man turned 3 last weekend...I still can't quite believe it. After Hayley died, I swore I'd never be one of those parents who complained about their kids growing up (after all, I only wished to have the privilege of watching her grow). And while I wouldn't say I'm sad, it's definitely bittersweet...he seems so grown up all of a sudden!

A few pics from his birthday bash at the park....



The construction cake! One of the added benefits of having a boy...you quickly learn the difference between an excavator, front-loader and more...



Makin' a wish!



And...someone's first trip to the pool...how cute is this?