Snow day FREE time

With the last two snow days thanks to Mother Nature, I've had lots of free time. 

A lot of it was spent snuggling with the teens and the bald kid watching marathons of Modern Family, Dexter, NCIS, Law & Order while munching away on Fritos and bean dip, Funyuns, gummy bears and sipping my all time fave drink Coca-Cola.  And I love me some Coke.  

Speaking of Coca-Cola......

We rarely had soda in my house as a child, but I clearly remember those commercials. 

"I'd like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony."

"I'd like to buy the world a Coke, and keep it company"

And the camera panned from one person to another, of different races, ethnicities and all holding that glass Coke bottle with the wording in foreign languages. 

Hmmmm....that commercial was from 1971. The year I was born. 

As I mentioned, my snow days have allowed me some free time, time to do some FB quizzes to figure out which 80's female singer I am (Alanis Morisette), my IQ (140),  where I should be living (Portland).  

I also had time to take advantage of letting FB make my 62 second video of my most popular posts and photos-I was pretty impressed with that one-and read many people's responses to Coke's latest commercial aired during the Super Bowl. 

Wow.  That one minute commercial really upset some peeps. 

 If you haven't seen the commercial-go to You Tube and watch it. 

The song "America The Beautiful" is being sang by a multitude of folks. Of different races and ethnicities and keeping with current times; sexual orientation.  Apparently the fact that some of the verses of this sing are sang in a foreign language has been very upsetting to some people.  Oh, that and the gay couple sharing a Coke and a happy moment with each other and their child. 

Now, for what it's worth, here's my two cents on all this hoopla. 

I love the commercial. 

I loved it when I saw it. 

I love it even more now. 

It brought tears to my eyes. 

I think it is respectful and beautiful. 

The United States is the melting pot of people. Maybe being in the Midwest, most of us don't see that as clearly as our friends in larger cities on, say, the East Coast.  

But remember, we are ALL foreigners on this great land unless you are Native American Indian, of which I am a small percentage. I am also of English descent. Yep, England. The country across the big ocean from which our main language originated. 

People come to the United States for a better life. For themselves, for their families, for their children. For a chance to be educated, be free of religious and political persecution. And I'm pretty sure that not one of you reading my blog would rather live in a country with subpar healthcare and education. Where clean water isn't readily and freely pouring from a tap. Where your daughter would not be able to go to school and have the same advantages as your sons. Where your sons would be enlisted in the army as early as age 16. Where some people live without heating and air conditioning, electricity and the internet??

We have it pretty darn good here, and if it's what I want for my family, why is it wrong for another Mother or Father to want the same thing for their family?  

What's that old saying "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"???

Some have said that American soldiers don't fight for this country to hear that song in a foreign language. And I adamantly disagree. I come from a long line of veterans; Grandfather, Father, 

2 brothers, sister, sister-In-law, nephew, cousin, great Uncle and probably more I don't even know about. Add to that many, many military friends. And I could safely bet that each and every one of them fights for this country for that very reason. 

They protect the freedom of each and every American to say, sing, read or preach whatever song, verse, bible, or prayer they want to without fear of being punished.  They don't just fight for the rights of the Anglo-white-Americans.  They are putting their lives on the line for all US Citizens-white, black, brown, yellow, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Atheist, gay, straight, bi, and transgender.   And I would venture to say with the state of our education system, many of those people bitching, and their children, don't even know all the words to that beautiful song in English, let alone another language. 

And about the unofficial anthem of the US....did you bigots out there know that it was penned by Katharine Lee Bates, a Wellesley college graduate and professor who, in the late 1800's/early 1900's, had a 25 year intimate relationship with a woman???  Yep, she was a lesbian. *gasp*.   So the people mad about the gay couple in the commercial whom they feel are tarnishing the premise behind that song-gotcha!!  Tell me again how gay marriage will be the downfall of society as you defend a poem written by a lesbian?  I'm happy to hear your arguments. 

Oh, and that song (originally written as a poem) was written after she took a wagon ride, mule ride and grueling hike up Pike's Peak to 14,000 feet and was in awe of the beauty she was witness to. 

Yep, beautiful Colorado. Childhood home of my mother. Home of some of my favorite people. And to this day, a place that will take your breath away with its beauty. If you've never visited, it needs to be on your bucket list. The inspiration behind our unofficial national anthem.  But I bet you've been to Branson. Or Las Vegas. 

I know this post will probably piss some of my readers off, and may even cause you to stop reading my blog. But you know what?  Because you are an American citizen, that's your right. And a right defended by a whole lot of people who may or may not agree with you. 

That's what I find beautiful about America. 

Irony? Or just our luck?

Funny, last night I post about February being a month of hearts; the chocolate kind and the broken kind. Aaaannnddd....today at work I end up in the ER because I started feeling lightheaded, diaphoretic, nauseated and my heart was racing so fast I couldn't count it myself.    Hooked up to a monitor I was tachycardiac at 212 bpm and as high as 232. 

Into the big trauma room I go.  IV started, blood pressure normal at 139/89 but couldn't get a good EKG because I was shaking. Finally, third times's a charm,  EKG shows SVT or supra ventricular tachycardia. Fix?  Ativan, Zofran, fluids and Adenosine.  Dr Maz tried a couple of non-pharmalogical interventions while Christy and Sheila-awesome RNs-were getting me ready if they didn't work. 

A little carotid massage and bearing down did bring my rate down to 140's, but not good enough. 

Out with the good stuff.  The Adenosine is administered by IV in a rapid push, and when it hits you, you feel it!  It takes your breath away and kind of 'resets' the SVT arrhythmia that was going on. I closed my eyes and tried to relax and take in a deep breath-and weirdly enough, with my eyes closed, everything inside my head was a red color.  Once the initial shock passed, and I no longer felt like my stomach was in my throat, I felt much better. My heart rate came down to low 100's, so Maz gave me a small dose of a beta blocker, then another small dose to help keep it down. It was in the high 80's, low 90's when I started feeling normal again. 

Talked to Dr Gimple, the cardiologist, and he feels with my family history of electrical heart issues; Ethan born with WPW-Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome and my younger sister Kate diagnosed with WPW in her late 20's, that my issues are simply 'in my genetics'.   And since this is the third incident of tachycardia with me in the last 3 years, we clearly need to do some further testing.  I also need to see an EP guy that specializes in the electrical workings of the heart.  

So, for today I will be resting on the couch watching some football, wearing my 24 hour holter monitor. Dr Gimple started me on a calcium channel blocker called Cardizem and once I turn in the holter tomorrow, I will make a follow up to see him or Dr Rigden later this week. 

                                            

Look familiar???

And, once again, how is it possible all this crazy shit happens to our family???

Hmmm, my husband is ready to put me out to pasture at this point. 

Heart disease is nothing to mess around with, not just in our little warriors, but adults too. 

Isn't it ironic??  

But if cancer didn't kill me, I'm not gonna let this either!  

I feel pretty, oh, so pretty.

This will probably sound like a very shallow post, but I'm just gonna go with it-

I got the most awesome haircut and color last week!  I am absolutely in love with it! 

If you are wondering why I am blogging about my hair, it's because I haven't had hair I have loved for over a year.  And those of you who know me well, know how I feel about my hair. 

This picture was taken exactly a year ago-Jan 30, 2103 with my work friend Connie

This is this week:  yes-my hair grew that fast!!

  

                             

                      

I know that nobody wants to see pictures of my hair, but getting to this point, all my hair back, is a milestone for me.  One I'm very proud of.   

And yes, note the cleavage in the second picture...again, proud. 

Dear cousin, Anthony, hair stylist extraordinaire, I tried to wait until I saw you to have this done, but being that we haven't been able to work out our weekend in the Motel 6 in Hays, Kansas, and the fact that there would be waaaay to much drinking involved to even consider letting you come near my hair with scissors and color, I went with my local hair magician, Vanessa at Fringe Salon.  She is fun and beautiful and I couldn't be happier!  I've even stopped doing my own haircuts and cheapo, OTC gray coverage!  You would be proud!  

Thank you Vanesssa, for making me feel pretty again!  

Happy New Year!

2014 begins with most of our household under the weather-except for the bald kid!  So far anyway. 

2013 was an interesting year to say the least. Not our best, but we got through it. We began the year with renewed hope. I celebrated my Cancerversary in February with no evidence of recurrence and began my reconstruction process in April.  But to our utter disappointment, Ethan went into severe heart failure in May. We then began what became our four month journey of ups and downs with him. It doesn't sound like very long; four months. A third of a year. But when you are wondering every day if it's the last day you will hold him, rub his bald head or hear his silly squealing laugh, four months is a long time. 

My 'Mom determination' kicked in and with lots of research and advice from other Moms, and my smart friend, we got him to the best place possible and walked away with the best outcome. It's hard to believe we had our youngest son's funeral planned, but ended up bringing him home after only ten days. And with a beautiful new valve. He defied the odds, and of course, we owe a debt of gratitude to the physicians and staff at Boston Children's Heart Center.  And to our friends and family who helped get him there. 

We still hold our breath at each Cardiology follow up, and have had some minor setbacks, but all is well. So well in fact, that Ethan gained 6 pounds in 3 months!  And it's not fluid this time. The boy who hadnt gained one 'real' pound in 4 years because his heart was working so hard it was burning more calories than he could take in.  He's now sitting unassisted for longer periods of time, reaching for things he wants and has become so much more vocal and purposeful in his actions. Amazing things a 'fixed' heart can help one do. 

2013 made me the mother of two high schoolers!  Argh!  Parker's freshman year brought a football season that started out awesome, but was cut short due to a broken collar bone. Fortunately it healed well, and he avoided surgery. He's now all cleared for contact sports, will start track soon, and try to bulk up for football in the fall.  

Hailey is a junior this year, and between college prep classes and club volleyball, we are researching colleges.  Her future plans are Pharmacy and/or Nursing, and her requirement for college is 'at least three hours away'.  Until she has to do her own laundry and wants a home cooked meal that is....

Brian and I celebrated our 11th anniversary in June and I wouldn't trade a minute of it.  We bulit and moved into a new house that keeps me from having to climb stairs carrying the bald kid and worrying about my bum knee giving out midway down.  I changed positions at work to weekend days, from years of nights, and right before Christmas Brian got a days shift with the PD!!  

I have officially resigned from my volunteer position as President of KCPD Friends & Family, effective today. It's been a great opportunity to get to know other wives that completely understand the crazy life we lead. I have made some friendships I will cherish forever, and appreciate the support I have received over the last seven years. It has been an honor to serve and I hope I was able to make an impact in our blue community in some small way during those years.  Thank you all for the memories. 

Our family motto of 'paying it forward' will continue this year as we foster our relationships with other local volunteer organizations.  Giving of our time to help others will be a primary focus this year. 

I've grown a lot in this last year. It was our triple play of crappy years. 2011, 2012, 2013. I'm not sorry to see any of you go, but am pretty darn proud to say we made it through.  We've seen the good in people through all the support we've received, and we've seen the bad. Those who stood by us-we know who you are and are more grateful than I can put into words or ever re-pay. And those who judged us with snarky comments, judgemental of my children or my actions, feel free to come live my life.  We know who you are too, and we don't really care anymore. I'm betting you wouldn't have made it through one week, let alone the last three years we did. 

So 2014 is OUR year. I'm going to be the best version of me I can be; which means getting rid of the negative.  I've grown quite appreciative of the straightforward truth; whether being given to me, or from me. I've spent most of the last year with a smile on my face but an ache in my heart. I let people hurt me and hid it with a laugh or a joke.  Mostly because that's just who I am and how I'm built. I am strong, and allowing others to see my feelings have been hurt is a sign of weakness.  Or at least that's what I thought. If someone really cares about me, I should be able to show my weaknesses and vulnerability.  But I've taken the high road, been the bigger person, blah, blah, blah, cliche, cliche, cliche for far too long.  And it's no one's fault but my own. I own up to also having been a part of the snarky, judgemental behavior, and it will only end when I no longer participate.  

So this begins my year of change. It won't happen all  at once, and I will slip and fall and get off track. I will also only surround myself with those intent on helping me get back on track without judgement and holier-than-thou attitudes.  It should be an interesting journey, and if you care to join me, you are more than welcome.  But I am strong, a survivor and I can do it. I can be a better wife and mom. A better example to my children. A better friend, co-worker and employee.  We all can. 

The last year has taught me that life is short and there will always be storms to weather.  But it's not about who shows up with an umbrella in the middle of the storm it's about who is willing to wade with me through the deep puddles. 

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and storm-free 2014!!

W.I.N.

Three letters.

One very important concept. 

What's 

Important 

Now?

Think about that for a minute while I tell you about the class I had the privilege of attending last night. 

Two of KCPD's driving instructors offered to present the class 'Below 100' to our Friends & Family group. The class is a nationwide campaign to keep Line of Duty Deaths below 100 annually.  That has not been achieved since 1944.   

Ironically, an officer's worst enemy is not necessarily the bad guy anymore. 

It's complacency.  

Every day my husband walks out the door, I worry about some crazy with a gun or knife preventing him from walking back through it at the end of the night. When in fact, many line of duty deaths are preventable. And that his biggest enemy is speed and a pole or a tree. 

Not wearing a seat belt. 

I don't want to get tangled in my belt when I need to get out of my car in a hurry. 

Not wearing a vest. 

It's just an off-duty job.

Speeding.

I have to get there first. 

We saw some horrific pictures of police vehicle crashes where the occupants didn't survive. 

And were not wearing their seatbelts. 

Why were they speeding and not wearing their seatbelts?

Going to a school shooting? Stop an armed robber?  Capture a rapist?  A serial killer? A kidnapper?

Nope. 

One was late for work. 

One was going to catch a shoplifter. 

One was just a chronic speeder. 

All of them left behind families. 

A wife, children, parents.

Officers that had been shot, and fortunately survived, were asked at what point during that car stop/ped check/suspect interview did they reliaze they were going to be shot at. 

Answer?  After they'd been shot. 

It all happens so fast, in a matter of seconds. 

A lot of good your vest would do you if it was in the backseat/trunk/shelf at home. 

Even at an off-duty job. 

And aside from the risk to yourself if you are speeding, what about the innocent people you could injure. Or kill?  

Like the two sisters, ages 18 and 13, killed in Illinois by a state trooper driving 126 mph while
sending a message on his computer, talking on his phone and on his radio. And he had been told minutes prior to the fatal crash that he was no longer needed at the scene of the accident he was responding to. 

Or the officer who struck and killed a 10 year old boy that was on his bike, crossing a highway, someplace he wasn't supposed to be, as most kids are, while driving 29 miles over the speed limit. 

Or the officer currently in jail for 15 years because he was driving 100mph through an intersection to an accident he was no longer needed at, when a car turned in front of him.  This caused him to swerve and strike one of his fellow officers, dragging his body and finally coming to a stop only when his car struck a pole, pinning and killing the officer. 

If you are involved in an accident on your way to help a fellow officer or community member, and are in a wreck because of speeding or not clearing an intersection, you will not be of any help.  You will divert more resources away from the initial needy party, thus causing a greater delay. 

And that could be my husband. Or my best friend's husband. Or me. Or my child. 

I don't claim to know what it's like to be in a police car when a call comes out.  Or the real dangers my husband faces when he steps out the door. 

I'm sharing this as a wife. As a mother. 

As someone who knows that of the 39 auto-related and 27 gun-fire related LODD this year that if just one could have been prevented by simply slowing down, wearing a seatbelt, always wearing a vest, a wife wouldn't be widowed. A child fatherless. A family grieving. A department mourning. 

Because I know every day that could be me. 

Or my children.
My family. 

My husband's coworkers. 

And if it could have been prevented by a little vigilance, imagine the insult to injury.

The anger, bitterness and resentment. 

WIN?

We all get complacent. I do it. My kids do it because they see me do it. My husband does it. 

But if I tell my daughter every single time she walks out the door to drive safe, wear her seatbelt and pay attention to her surroundings, then I damn well better be setting the example myself. 

And I don't just ask this of my husband, my children, but of all of you, too. Friends, law enforcement or not. Slow down. Wear your seatbelt. Be vigilant. Don't be complacent.  Remind your loved ones. Every day.   Be the voice that they hear every time they leave in that uniform. 

WIN? 

What's Important Now?  

Getting home safe, that's what's important. And it starts with awareness and accountability. 

Because I will happily be the crazy wife of Sgt Rawley that stands outside the station as all your husbands pull out in their police cars for their shift, knocking on their windows with a friendly reminder;

Got your vest on?

Seatbelt?

Slow down, be safe. 

I would rather do that every night of my life than ever once have to hug you and say "I'm so sorry for your loss" at your loved one's funeral.
Wouldn't you?  

For those of you interested in attending this presentation, please contact me. The officers who put it on for us are happy to schedule another one. And though the material is not suitable for young children, I will be taking my 14 and 17 year olds to the next one.  And I thank them for including me and giving KCPDFF the opportunity to participate!  

Check out the website www.below100.com

We are at 93 LODD deaths currently this year, wouldn't it be amazing to keep it Below 100 in 2013?  We can, but we all have to help. 

Santa Maria, CA. This officer lived, and was wearing his vest and seatbelt.

This Asheville, NC, officer Robert Bingaman was driving 70mph in a 50mph zone, and not wearing his seat belt. EOW 10/29/13 

What's Important Now?

Thankful

As most people in the normal world are relishing the next two days off before going back to work, my work week is just beginning. But that's ok, because we've had a pretty darn good Thanksgiving this year.  And I need to go to work to avoid eating the rest of the pumpkin pie and strawberry pretzel dessert in the house. 

This holiday was low key. Just me and the kids, my mom and John, and sister Kate and niece Abby came over for turkey and fixings.  Personally, I could have gone for some authentic Mexican food and avoided the turkey and potatoes all together, but I'm a sucker for tradition. And tradition calls for turkey.   

And football. And movies with the kids.  

A special shout out to my hubs and all the Police, Fire and Healthcare personnel who worked and missed the day with their families. Fortunately Brian was able to come home and eat with us during his shift!  

This year I started something I would like to become a tradition for our family.  Tonight we prepared and served a meal to the families at the Longfellow House, one of the Ronlad McDonald Houses that serves the families of patients at Children's Mercy.

 I have never been a Black Friday shopper. I like to browse when I shop and don't really like crowds of people when I'm doing so. I don't begrudge anyone who is a gung-ho shopper. Some of my best friends have perfected the art of conquering the biggest shopping day of the year. Just not me.  

And after all of the good things and awesome gifts bestowed upon our family this year, I really wanted to pay it forward.  So the kids and I, Hailey's sweet friend Carly, my Mom, my Dad and Teresa, my sister Kate and niece Abby and two of Kate's lovely firefighter friends; Kelsey and Marie, joined us in doing just that.  And though my other sister Kim and her family couldn't join us, they helped contribute.

I'm so grateful to have the family I do that was willing to do this with me.  A special thanks to all of them!   

 

The families raved about the cheeseburgers-I know it was the good, small farm grown beef from the 1/2 cow we just got from a friend whose dad is a farmer. 

And the baked beans my mom made were a huge hit, one family almost took the whole roaster!

They were very thankful for the salad and fruit tray, as I know how hard it is to eat healthy when you're stressed out with a kid in the hospital.  And how easy not to. 

It wasn't much, a few hours out of our day and a few dollars out of our pockets. But the feeling of being able to provide a nutritious meal to a parent worried about a sick kid, let alone the financial burden of it, was priceless. 

To have the big brother of a little guy come tell us "thank you for making us hamburgers. Cause I really love hamburgers and those were the best ever!"  As he and his sisters and Dad grabbed a bite to eat while Mom sat watch over their ill sibling. 

To know exactly how all those parents feel and to be thankful for the folks who provided me a meal while I was in that position. 

To instill in my children the importance of giving back and volunteering. 

How better a way to spend Thanksgiving? 

Everyone who helped wants to do it again, so my sister and I are going to start a monthly meal service to the house. We will pick a set day every month, and if you are interested and want to help, the more the merrier. Look for info on my FB page or Ethan's World FB page soon!  

Because after all, if it weren't for that special little bald guy, I wouldn't be able to begin to understand what some of these families go through.  And I've said so often, and truly believe, we were given that boy for a reason, and to have some of the most amazing people enter our lives because of him has been the biggest blessing of all. 

So aside from the usual thankfulness for my job, my continued cancer-free health, my hard-working including-40-hours-off-duty-during-a-holiday-week hubby, my amazing two older kids, my family-near  and far, and all of the wonderful friends we have in our lives, I am this year most thankful for another year with the bald kid. 

Thankful for everyone instrumental in getting us to Boston.  

To find a place that gave us hope and options when we had none.  

Thankful to have brought him home from Boston with a fixed heart. 

Thankful to tuck him in bed each night with his light up dog and Taylor Swift CD. 

Thankful to be able to smother his bald head with kisses any time I want to. 

Thankful to be that little bald guy's mom. 

Kelsey, Marie and Kate. With Hailey and Carly photobombing

Kelsey loving on Ethan-and him totally milking it!!

Parker making the burgers 

Hailey and Carly making the desserts

Mom and Abby's turn at the burger making

Grandpa and Ethan 

The gang in the big rocker 

Getting settled

Well, we've been in the house for 2 weeks now and are down to just about a dozen boxes left to go through.  Not too shabby. We should even be able to park all the cars in the garage by this weekend!  Woo-hoo!  

Flashback to moving day, and we would never recommend MOOvers moving company, ever.  We paid a flat fee for 29 items and 100 boxes, knowing we were taking all our own clothes, all of Ethan's items, and other stuff. They were to move living room furniture, refrigerator, grill, washer/dryer, my pie safe, and a couple of other pieces including a couple of antiques.  Their policy states they take the beds apart and then put them back together.  Lets just say it's real hard to put a bed back together when you leave all of the hardware at the old house.....and the grill, and a very heavy vase I specifically asked them to move.  And they clearly couldn't count, because they moved only 21 items and then wanted to argue about it. Well, I'm no genius, but I can count to 29. They did refund us some money, but the way they left the new house put us so far behind on moving day, I admit, it made me a bit crazy. 

Thank goodness this is our last move until retirement. If it weren't for our friends Mike and Tricia Vulje-BTW Tricia was our realtor- and Aaron Kohrs, we would still have stuff at the old house!  They did a way better job than the paid movers!!  Love you guys-and many thanks!  If you ever need an awesome real estate agent-Tricia Vulje with Reece and Nichols is your gal!  She's a full-service realtor, mover, painter, and brings her hubby and kids to help!!

And we finally got living room furniture-and I already got a neon piece of green gum stuck to it last night. Thank goodness for fabric protector and Google instructions how to remove gum from fabric. FYI-Butane is the answer....

And I've cut the tags off since this pic. 

Frankie looks sad because he knows this furniture is NOT for him to get on. 

He was not very happy.  Spoiled dog. 

We knew we wanted to use Parker's old bed for Ethan in the new house, so with a coat of paint and the awesome handy work of my Dad and Teresa and her parents, Ethan has a "brand new" bed!

From this....

To this...

We love it, and so does the bald kid!

Parker's football season is over, though Staley varsity is still in the running for state. He tried out for basketball this week, but sadly, did not make the team. He's ok with it, he will run track in the spring and wants to spend the winter months rebuilding his strength from his collar bone break with lifting and putting on some weight for football next year.  He goes back to the Ortho surgeon on Friday for a final X-ray and hopefully official release. 

Hailey's club VB season is starting, and we are really excited for her first year with this new club-Pride. Her coach is hard core, believes in good nutrition, strength and conditioning and has a food/work-out plan that we are all going to follow as a family!  She is going to be playing some awesome tournaments, including the Northern Lights one in Minnesota!  

Ethan's Special Olympics bowling season is over for now, we are looking forward to next year for sure. 

We need to find a pair of little bowling shoes and a cool bowling shirt for him to rock. 

I had my lab draw and shot at the cancer center this week, go back next week for results and visit with my NP.    I've had some really funky pain in my bones over the last month, so lots of labs got drawn this time. I may have some scans done this week or next, depending on the results. I'm sure it's nothing, as the chemo I was on-even a year later-can be causing this type of pain. I could actually have it forever, and though that's not the answer I wanted, it could be worse, and I can deal with a little chronic pain. Just means I need to take better care of myself, thus the clean eating and sugar cut has got to start and stick!  Tomorrow's dinner is a white bean, quinoa and kale soup I found from a friend's FB page. I can't wait to try it-thanks Joely!  My sleeping has been terrible, but I've started using  lavender DoTerra oil on my feet and a couple drops on my pillow lately, and I've had crazy good sleep-with no need for Ambien!!  Thanks Kate and Angie!  

The last couple of weeks have been especially hard on my work family, and I've spent them with a few more tears, but a lot more appreciation for the people in my life.  My friend and co-worker lost her husband to leukemia.  Travis was just 36 years old, and leaves behind Tara and his two young children. 

I can't imagine what my life would be like without Brian, especially for my children. Tara is strong, but losing her high school love, and father of her children is a terrible tragedy. Some of their friends and family are doing a raffle fundraiser of some gorgeous KC Chiefs prints on tin. If you are interested in helping this family, and maybe winning a cool tin pic of our 8-0 Chiefs, let me know and I will get you to the right person. If you are able to help, any monetary donation is greatly appreciated by the Martinez family. 

You can go to www.giveforward.com and type 'Travis Martinez' in the search box-it will take you to the Memorial Benefit page. 




Another friend and co-worker will be waging a battle for her life starting today, as Ashley Stockwell was diagnosed with breast cancer and begins her chemo. I will be wearing pink for my friend, and now sister, by the bonds of this terrible disease.  Ashley just turned 30, and her Mom and Dad are not local.  And though she has a lot of friends to help and support her, it will not be an easy road. Aside from the financial burden a cancer diagnosis brings, I know many days I only got out of bed and put on a happy face for my family and friends. I'm so thankful for them, because it would have been easy to wallow in the pity. Ashley is tough, and already has her game face on for this fight, but I feel a very personal responsibility to help her as much as I can. One of my biggest supporters, and best friends, and also a co-worker, Carissa, and I will be working on a fundraiser-or a few-for Ashley.  I already have another friend working on a breast cancer awareness/Ashley's Fight t-shirt we will be selling, with all proceeds going towards Ashley's mounting medical expenses. A Meal Train will be set up soon, and Operation "Stock Stockwell's Fridge" will be underway next week. So look for a list of her likes/dislikes on my FB and blog page soon if you'd like to help. Ashley is a very private person, and we clearly know I'm not. She has not asked for anything, and all of these are the brain children of myself and those who care about her. I will not share her private medical treatment details, as that is for her to do, but I will keep you updated with her progress as she starts kicking this cancer's ass!

I will be making and selling pink ribbon pins for $2 each to wear in honor of Ashley and all others fighting this fight! I will post pics tomorrow.   All proceeds will go to Ashley.  And any NKCH peeps who see this and can help, she will be in need of PTO.  I was only able to work part-time for 5 months during my treatment, and every little bit helps. You can go online to our intranet to donate.  If everyone donated just 1-2 hours, we could ensure she would continue to get a paycheck during her treatment. I don't have a lot of hours, but I will be donating-so can you!!

Oh, and in case you missed it-Boston won the World Series!!

Woo-hoo Sox!!

Ethan sporting his Boston shirt and Green Monster hat bought at Landsdowne outside of Fenway!

And my nephew Kellen is obviously a fan!

His hat came all the way from Boston too!

And our annual Halloween at the Gunthers was a success-Ethan's last minute clown costume was not my best work-but he still looks pretty cute. You can tell he was thrilled. 

I was warned that next year he needs a 'more grown up' costume....

To show our thanks for the good things we received this year, my family will be providing a meal at the Longfellow Ronald McDonald House the end of this month.  We were fortunate to only have spent a short amount of time at the Yawkey House while in Boston, but we greatly appreciated the meals local companies and restaurants provided us and the other families there.  You can only eat so much cafeteria food, and eating out gets so expensive, this means a lot to me to be able to help. I am thankful to have my sisters, Moms, and a dear family friend willing to pay it forward with me. 

Don't just be thankful this month, there is a reson every day of the year to give thanks. 

I am thankful to have another day to share our crazy lives with all of you!