if blankies could talk....

If blankies could talk, this one would have a million stories to share. It would share his fears, his worries, and all the tears. It would share the happiness, the rejoicing, and all the smiles. It could share just about all of Montana's life.

I don't think too many blankies can say they have been to haiti and back. "Blankie" was made by my mom and given to Montana when he was 2 years old. It was part of his birthday present and we didn't quite realize just how important this little blanket would become in our life and his. He received it around May and in November he was diagnosed with leukemia. This little scrap quilt blankie became the most important and stable thing in his life.. besides us of course. It never left his side and I think it was a gift given at just the right time. He was never attached to anything before but now it's actually become a member of the family. :)

His blankie has been through TONS!!! The poor thing has been thrown up on, dragged on the ground, washed billions of times, chewed on, colored on, slept with every single night, and holds more tears than possibly any person could ever know. It has slept through nights of chemo, been through surgeries, had lumbar punctures, and been through rehab and speech.  It has also traveled to Germany, Memphis, Springfield, Kentucky, Dominican Republic, as well as numerous car and plane rides. This blankie has been a rock. After all of that, only one time did we leave it somewhere and I can tell you exactly where that location was and about how devastating it almost became. It was a McDonalds in Springfield, Missouri and boy did we high tale it back there to go and rescue blankie!! And to think that back then we thought it was rough looking. :) Poor blankie has been sewed and restitched three times but now there is nothing left for us to do with it really.

So in honor of blankie and Montana's "best friend" we did a photo session with it. Montana is now 7. It's been 5 years since he received it and this is what a blankie could look like after all the trips, experiences and stories. We have required Montana to leave blankie at home when we go places. It's not allowed to leave unless going on a trip. He still sleeps with it and watches TV with it. When he cries, he still put his head into blankie like he has always done. We're scared to wash it because we're super afraid that we may stick it in the washer and nothing will come out. When all is said and done... we will have it framed for him along with some photos of his life and trek with the most loyal blankie of all.

The photo session with Montana and his blankie.... 

Dusty the elf .. supporting childhood cancer

Well, I hope you all had a nice Christmas. Sorry, it's been a while since I've posted. My in-laws are in town and on top of that we have been sick on and off. Today it's child number 2's turn to be sick with a fever and throwing up. Hopefully it doesn't last long. I just can't believe that all the excitement is over and we are now headed into the new year. Much has been going on and to be truthful, I have captured alot of it on camera. Guess I'll have those memories in my head. :)

We were also sad to see Dusty go. It was fun playing with him everyday and finding him in new spots. On one of the last days he was with us, we awoke to find him supporting childhood cancer. What an amazing little elf we have. I guess he knows just how important fighting cancer is to this family. Just because it's the holidays doesn't mean we should forget about the kids fighting everyday or forget just how far our son has come. Dusty helped to remind us of what is important even during the holidays.

Here are a few photos of our little cancer fighter...

St. Jude Give Thanks Walk : Richmond, VA

On November 16 of this year, 5 years ago from the day, my son was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. It was news that was devestating and changed our entire future. We had no idea what to expect and we had no idea what was in store for our little boy. St. Jude was where we were sent. We spent Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year in an unfamiliar place that would eventually become our second home. Everyone who works there is friendly, kind and helpful. The patients are willing to share their story and the parents can comfort one another. It truly is a place of hope. We were beyond blessed to have Montana be cared for by the staff at St. Jude. This year, we celebrated how far he has come with an ice cream cake and a happy dance. He is a hero and inspiration in our eyes... always will be. Our cancer fighter.

On November 17, this past Saturday, my family and I attended the St. Jude Give Thanks Walk in Richmond. This was our third year doing it here and this year I was asked to photograph some of the event. This was also the first year for it to be held outside. I wasn't really prepared for that but it all worked out... AKA: I didn't bring enough warm clothes for the family. Luckily, it warmed up a bit and they had a good time. The St. Jude staff are always a blast to be around. They know how to have a good time. :) If you haven't had the chance to participate in the walk, you really should give it a try. It all benefits and AMAZING cause... saving children's lives. Here are a few images from the event. Enjoy.

Sarah E. Parker - Gone too soon

This little girl is the reason we need a cure. We are not allowing enough cancer research to be geared towards childhood cancer. Even though childhood cancer is relatively rare - only 2% of cancer cases occur in children. But with all the funding that is being done, less than 5% goes to childhood research. More and more children are being diagnosed each year. If we don't start protecting the children, sadly there will be no future of research. It's important we spread the word and share the lives of the children who have gone way too soon. 

Sarah was a sweet and loving little girl. She loved Barney, she loved her money cup, she loved playing at the playground, and she loved to color. Sarah was only 3 when she passed away from anaplastic astrocytoma - a brain tumor. She was our next door neighbor at the Ronald McDonald House and we became quite good friends with them. It was beyond heartbreaking to hear of her passing. Montana was at an age that he didn't understand it himself but it is our mission as his parents to help him to understand what cancer does and to always give back. We have photos of them playing and we share the stories of what they did together. One being, honorary Peabody Duck Masters at the Peabody Hotel. I'll never forget the two of them chasing the ducks around the fountain at the hotel before they both got in trouble for scaring the poor things. However, we laughed. Here are two very sick kids laughing at the simple things. 

So, if you ever debate on what charity to give to... St. Jude is amazing. The patient never pays a thing and never sees a bill. They research continually to help us all find a cure!! 

Love you always Sarah! You will never be forgotten but rather remembered for the little hero that you are and the inspiration you became. 

“she flew up to heaven on the wings

of angels”

Once a Fighter.. always a Fighter!

If I have learned anything about younger children who battle cancer, it's that they battle this horrible disease in such a way that makes others look at them in awe. These kids get up day in and day out to go to hospitals, to get chemo, to have surgeries, throw up, cry, lose their hair and more times than not, they have a smile on their face. It's amazing. They truly are heroic and a complete inspiration to so many people. Heck, they should be an inspiration to absolutely everyone. 

Brooklyn is no different. She reminds me of so many of our sweet friends that battled cancer that were girls. She is bubbly, giggles at lots of things, curious, quick to make new friends, not afraid, and absolutely adorable of course. She actually reminds me alot of Montana. He was always willing to talk to anyone even though kids would ask why he had no hair. Nothing fazed him and he truly thought that all kids were doing what he was doing on a day to day basis. He didn't understand that he was different and I saw a lot of that in Brooklyn. I'm so thankful that she comes across that way because she isn't any different than other girls her age. She is just so special and everyone she meets will soon realize that. 

When Montana was first diagnosed we heard of a local boy named Ethan who had just beat cancer and was all done. To know that he went through three years of treatments and we were just getting started was a scary thing yet through him we saw light on the other side. He was a few years older than Montana and it gave me complete HOPE that Montana would also conquer this beast. I hope that when Brooklyn's mom looks at Montana, she will see the same thing for her adorable little girl... nothing but HOPE!! I am so thankful that I got the chance to meet Brooklyn, photograph her sweet little face, and speak with her mom. These are the kind of moments that I cherish because deep down, I truly believe everyone comes into our life for a reason. 

Keep doing what you are doing Brooklyn! Keep being that fighter, keep being that inspiration and no matter what... you will always be a HERO! Blessings to you all!

Kids with cancer.

Do you want to get involved with childhood cancer awareness? Have you always wanted to help and just didn't know how to go about doing it? Well, I'm going to tell you a few ways and some things that you can do that will help to make a difference.

We are HUGE supporters of St. Jude!!! We are biased but what can I say.. they helped to save our son and we are forever thankful!! Thankful doesn't really describe what we are and so we show our thanks by helping St. Jude in any way we can. You don't only have to give to St. Jude though, even though we would love it. There are other amazing organizations that do some awesome things to help kids battling cancer. Some of these are Give Kids the World, Ronald McDonald House, Make-A-Wish, Leukemia Society, Austin Hatcher Foundation, Cure Search, Alex's Lemonade Stand, St. Baldricks, Cookies for Kids Cancer, and the list can go on.

We personally know Give Kids the World, Make-A-Wish, Ronald McDonald House, Leukemia Society, St. Jude, and Cure Search. We have taken part in their organizations and only have wonderful things to say about all of them. I would donate to each and every one of them!! Feel free to look them up, read about the great things they do and donate if you wish. The kids appreciate it so much!!

When Montana was sick people asked what they could do. At first, we really didn't know and so people donated money and that is great!! As time went on, we realized we could have used lots of gas cards. Before there was a St. Jude affiliate in Springfield, MO we were driving to and from Memphis, which is a 4 hour drive. It totaled up in miles and in funds.

As for Montana, we ended up finding out that he couldn't walk very well and eventually had to relearn to walk all together. The meds he was taking were really hard on his feet and he cried and cried. I had to carry that chunky monkey everywhere. He ended up wearing lots of Crocs. I swear, we could have been spokes people for the company. For three years, Montana wore NOTHING but Crocs. They were soft for his feet, he could take them off easy at appointments and they were simple. So if you need some ideas... soft shoes. I have seen lots of older kids wearing house shoes around the hospital as well.

Another idea.. ipods. We didn't have one or anything like that in the beginning. At the end of treatment, which was 2.5 years out, we eventually got one and it was a life saver. Being a cancer patient means LOTS and LOTS of waiting. It makes going to the "normal" doctor seem like icing on the cake. A usual day starts at about 8am and you are happy to get done at 2pm. That is how it goes day in and day out. So we did lots of walking around the hospital, if you weren't attached to a med pole. Maybe a group of people could go in on getting a patient an ipod. They truly are lifesavers.. especially for the parents. :) If the patient is happy, then mom and dad are happy.

Food meals set up are always good as well. When you leave the hospital and finally get home you have nothing in the fridge and you don't feel like cooking. On top of that, Montana didn't eat like he used to. He ate next to nothing after his diagnosis. Nothing tasted the same and he relied on alot of prepackaged meals since he wasn't allowed to eat anything that was left out for over an hour. It made it so hard when he ate so little. Lots of food went in the trash. Also, capri sun!!! Can I say Capri Sun??? Boxes and boxes of that stuff is great!!!! Seriously, St. Jude patients aren't allowed to drink anything opened after a certain time and Capri Suns are great for on the go.

Cards.. send them cards and mail and pictures and things. These poor kids get sooo bored sitting in a bed. Our poor guy wanted to get up and go and he just couldn't. On top of that, he was in quarantine for the first three weeks. No leaving his room at all! It was so hard for our little outdoor boy to sit in a bed and do next to nothing. Movies, books, puzzles and coloring books were great as well! Our collection of movies grew ten fold!!

These are just some of the ideas off the top of my head. With this month coming to end and it being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, I thought I would share our own personal experience. If you feel like donating to a specific cause, we are doing the St. Jude Give Thanks Walk in November and this is our own page for Montana. This is our 4th year doing this and it's always fun to get out with the crowd to support such an amazing hospital. We want nothing more than for Montana to realize the gift that he was given because of such and amazing hospital and all the wonderful people who helped him throughout his battle.

This is most of what he did while in treatment. He laid around, watched lots of TV, and I carried him. He was tired alot and very whiney. Can you blame him? 

Poor guy would get so tired so fast when he ran around. I remember we were playing in the backyard with him and he just finally laid down in the grass. The photo after this... we just got done with a full day of treatment at St. Jude and were on our way back to the Ronald McDonald House. He was exhausted and yet he loved riding in the bus. This day, however, he didn't talk and didn't do anything but stare. I think the treatments and the exhaustion of just being there was setting in. 

Montana couldn't walk any longer and he sat in a chair most of the time. He had put on so much weight because of the DEX. Poor thing didn't even look like himself anymore but he still had that soft sweet voice. 

Day one of treatment. We just arrived and he got his port put in on day 3. We were officially parents of a child with Leukemia. How??

When Montana was diagnosed it was the week before Thanksgiving. We spent the entire holiday season sitting in a room because he was in quarantine... Christmas and the New Year. I remember holding him and not knowing what was in store for our little boy... scary. 

At St. Jude you pay for nothing!! I mean nothing! We have spent many nights at the Grizzly House waiting for his appointments the next day. St. Jude flies you to Memphis and puts you up at their "hotel" on campus. We have been so fortunate to be able to go to such a great hospital. Montana will be going here until he is 18. 

Need  I say more?...

All I wanted was for him to wear this bandana that someone gave him. He never would and all he did was scream and cry. He hated it! One day he put it on and ran around the yard laughing and giggling. It was the only time he wore it and I was blessed to get some photos.