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What started out as a site to update on our daughter's cancer has thankfully grown into a site to update on our beautiful family of four. Enjoy our journey...

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Littlest Hero

Charli's story is up on the Littlest Hero's Project site!! You can visit that HERE!!

A local photographer was matched up with us to do this project...she is also the photographer that took the pictures I gave you a sneak peak to last week!! The name of her company is New World Designs! With that photo shoot we had nearly 300 pictures, and I would say that over 75% of them captured the true Charli...and we have great memories with each snap!!

If anyone is in the area is interested in finding a photographer I think you should check her out!!!

I will post more pictures of Charli...but for now I just wanted to get the link posted :-)

Have a great weekend ya'll!!!!!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Thank you Mr. President!!!

Say what you may about President Bush, but today he has changed the lives of all of our children, he signed the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act! For the next five years $30 million will be donated to childhood cancer research. That is $150 million dollars that will help save the lives of those babes who will be forced to battle cancer. This effort has been a long time coming, and will be life changing. Having written several letters, emails, etc - I am humbled to know that a change has been made - and it just might be your child who will be saved, that is all I need to know to sleep tonight.

Tears of joy fill my eyes...a cure is near!!!!!!!!!


EXPECT MIRACLES!!!!!
WASHINGTON -- They've been in a tough fight with a vicious disease, but two little girls from central Ohio emerged from the Oval Office and walked out onto the driveway outside the White House this morning with wide grins, official pins and presidential words of encouragement.Hannah Lewis, 7, of Reynoldsburg and Eden Adams, 8,of New Albany, who became friends as they under went cancer treatment at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, were among those on hand to watch President Bush sign a pediatric cancer bill into law.The Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood CancerAct was crafted by Rep. Deborah Pryce, R-UpperArlington, and named by lawmakers after her daughter, who died in 1999 after battling neuroblastoma.Both Hannah and Eden used the same word to describe meeting the president and first lady, being given presents and a tour of the Oval Office: "Cool."The signing ceremony was not open to the press aside from still photographers, but Hannah's mother,Jessica Lewis, said Bush told the families that he knew "we were going through a tough time and wished us the best."Jessica Lewis and Eden's father, Rourke Adams, said they hope the next step after President Bush's signature will be for Congress to approve spending the first $30 million installment this year of what the law calls for: $150 million over five years for such initiatives as expanded pediatric cancer research and a national childhood cancer database.The single parents saw their friendship at Nationwide Children's Hospital, which paid for the families to attend the White House signing ceremony,blossom into a relationship."This is something we deal with every day," RourkeAdams said about having a child who is battling cancer. Adams said it is his hope that a fully funded cancer database will in future years givere searchers more information about why children develop cancer.After the signing ceremony, Pryce said she was "delighted" to see her legislation enacted.The president and first lady spent a lot of time with the children and families - including Hannah's five-year-old brother, Duncan, and Eden's brother Riley, 14 - before Bush wielded his signing pen,Pryce said. Bush lost his three-year-old sister Robin to leukemia in 1953 and Bush told Pryce he is looking forward to telling his parents that he got to sign the pediatric cancer bill into law, the congresswoman added."This is a great step forward," Pryce said. "We have been waiting for this day for years now."

Monday, July 28, 2008

Happy Birthday to Charli!!!



The day is here, and on it's way out already!

Yesterday was a GREAT day for Charli, and for us!! Charli's party got started early and kept going until about 7:00 or even later maybe!! It was a great day for us, and I hope for everyone else! Almost everyone was able to attend: Grandma & Grandpa Borg, Grandma & Grandpa Preister, Grandma Deb, Vicki, Arron, Bryant, Derek, Colton, Rachelle, Shawn, Ryen, Macey, Amanda, Brad, Great-Grandma Preister, and Jacky! I hope I didn't miss anyone! It was HOTTT out side, but with the GREAT help from Brad and Amanda we had nice shade and the kids even got to play in the water!!

Charli had a great time with her cousins, and I think really understood that the party was for her!!
This birthday was big because it was #2! But, more importantly it means that she has had more days NOT fighting cancer than she has fighting cancer! Many of you know that "6 years old" is the magic number for the most part (5 years post treatment), but in my eyes every birthday is and WILL be a milestone for this little girl. Our lives have been turned upside down, sideways, inside out and backwards in the past two years....but more than that they have been catapulted forward and we wouldn't want it any other way! We have an amazing little girl on our hands, and we are ready to see what God is going to put in front of her!!

Thanks to everyone who sent birthday wishes and the continued prayer for her. Charli is a big girl now!!!!




loved my strawberry cake with chocolate frosting!!



the family July 2008!





my finished birthday present from my Daddy!!!


pretty and yummy cake (matched the invites!!)


the front of the house!



Charli and Macey swinging!




all the girls singing "happy to you" (Charli's version!)



Charli blowing out her cookie-cake at her daycare party!



her monkey-birthday girl hat from Great Uncle Roger!!




OH WOW....ice-cream sunday playset!


my fun tunnel from mom & dad!


puzzles!






Charli sings "happy to you, happy to you"!!!!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Happy 2nd Birthday Charli!!!

Tomorrow is Charli's 2nd birthday!!! I will post more about her big party and all that went with it later, for now I just wanted to wish my baby girl an amazing 2nd birthday!!

Charli has accomplished so much in the past 2 years of her life, and taught me more than I EVER though a child could teach me. It is amazing and humbling to be Charli's mom, to say the least!!

Look for pictures and stories to come!!! :-)

CHARLI...enjoy your day!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR CHARLI...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Friday, July 25, 2008

letting go...

I read this on the site of a friend who recently had to lay their baby boy to rest, something that no parents ever imagines having to do. After reading it I thought I wanted to share it here. I know that many of you have sick children yourself and may find some sort of message here. But ultimately I am posting it for my very good friend Gina....and her family who is suffering through their mother's battle against cancer right now. God bless Stella and her family in the time to come, giving them all the strength of those who love and care for them. Gina - I love you!


The Dragonfly

Once, in a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads, there lived a little water beetle in a community of water beetles. They lived a simple and comfortable life in the pond with few disturbances and interruptions.

Once in a while, sadness would come to the community when one of their fellow beetles would climb the stem of a lily pad and would never be seen again. They knew when this happened; their friend was dead, gone forever.

Then, one day, one little water beetle felt an irresistible urge to climb up that stem. However, he was determined that he would not leave forever. He would come back and tell his friends what he had found at the top.

When he reached the top and climbed out of the water onto the surface of the lily pad, he was so tired, and the sun felt so warm, that he decided he must take a nap. As he slept, his body changed and when he woke up, he had turned into a beautiful blue-tailed dragonfly with broad wings and a slender body designed for flying.

So, fly he did! And, as he soared he saw the beauty of a whole new world and a far superior way of life to what he had never known existed.

Then he remembered his beetle family and how they were thinking by now he was dead. He wanted to go back and tell them, and explain to them that he was now more alive than he had ever been before. His life had been fulfilled rather than ended.

But, his new body would not go down into the water. He could not get back to tell his family the good news. Then he understood that their time would come, when they, too, would know what he now knew. So, he raised his wings and flew off into his joyous new life!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

sample

here are a few quick samples of Charli's 2-year pictures!! We have so many to pick from it is impossible to make our choice!!

I will also post more later about the great photographer who did the photo shoot and her involvement in a great organization called "Littlest Hero Project". Charli is indeed a little hero, so the fact that she got to take part in this is awesome!!!!









Tuesday, July 22, 2008

quickly

Just wanted to mention a few things...

Mike-n-Ikes has a new Lemonade Blend candy out that is advertising the Alex's Lemonade stand (a NB angle), they are going to donate a minimum of $100,00 annually!! This is great exposure!

Applebee's is giving mention to Alex's Lemonade Stand in their kids activity book/menu in story form. I haven't seen this for myself, however a coworkers child saw it and now wants to host her own lemonade stand! Isn't that awesome of a little kiddo to want to do!!

Burger King is having there annual fundraising effort to fight childhood cancer! For $1 you get a scratch card that will give you a food prize EVERY time! And, you can use several cards at once...so you can literally get an entire meal for free if you combine cards!!! They are only $1...and you get that back each time, I hope everyone can help if given the opportunity. This is only in July.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

it's really happening!!

My little girl is really growing up! This week she spent her days with her Grandma Preister and Aunt Amanda, and she learned something new each day - it is amazing to see your child change each day just by being with someone new, awesome!

Friday night Charli got to have a slumber party with Grandpa and Grandma Preister, and she had so much fun! Saturday morning she helped Grandpa mow the yard, played with the dog and kitties...and just had so much fun!!

Tonight my parents came down for supper and Charli went poopy in the big girl potty chair!!!! WOW :-) She has been showing really good signs the past few days and tonight she sat so patiently on the chair with a book and all of a sudden "mommy - mommy"!! Grandma Borg went in to see what she needed and she was standing so proudly by her "job". We all celebrated a little and Charli got to celebrate with chocolate and a sticker!! I wasn't quite ready for this, so I didn't have a plan in mind yet!!! Who knows when the next time will be, but for now we are just plain excited!! I guess there is no stopping a 2 year old from growing up!!

Today she has learned where her "elbow, knee, and ankle" are - and how to say them!! She picks up in the must unusual things sometimes!!

We hope everyone had a great weekend! I will post pictures later this week!! Charli had her 2-year pictures taken last week and there are some super cute ones to share!!

Have a great week :-)

Friday, July 18, 2008

closer to a cure!!!

We are within reach of having the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act passed, it only needs one more signature...thank you very much President Bush!!!

Thank you to everyone who sent letters, emails, or made phone calls on behalf of this!! I can remember the day that I sent all my letters...so much heart went into each one - what great news to receive this news!!

$30 million dollars will be given for the next five years to go towards childhood cancer solely! Imagine all the children who will be saved because of this...because they heard our cries!! I have goosebumps this is such BIG news!!

The "official" release follows:

CureSearch Praises Passage of Landmark "Conquer Childhood Cancer Act" by Unanimous Consent in the United States SenateChildren with Cancer and Their Families to Benefit from Legislation

July 17, 2008 (Bethesda, MD) - CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation salutes the United States Senate for its passage of the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, which promises to significantly increase federal investment into childhood cancer research.

The bill, first introduced in the Senate by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Norm Coleman (R-MN), passed by unanimous consent, echoing a similar 416-0 vote June 12th in the U.S. House of Representatives. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) requested, and received, this unanimous consent on the Senate floor.

The bill authorizes $30 million annually over five years, providing funding for collaborative pediatric cancer clinical trials research, to create a population-based national childhood cancer database, and to further improve public awareness and communication regarding available treatment and research for children with cancer and their families.

"Too many young people's lives were cut short by cancer, but their hopes were not," said Reed. "We have made great advances in treating cancer, but there is still much more to be done. The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act will deliver much needed hope and support to children and families battling cancer and more resources for vital pediatric cancer research programs."
Senator Coleman, an original sponsor, noted that the legislation passed unanimously in both Houses of Congress, and lauded the overwhelming bi-partisan support of the measure, which addresses a critical national health issue that is finally receiving the attention it deserves.
"Passage of the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act in the Senate is a monumental step in the fight against childhood cancer," said Coleman. "I am proud that my colleagues were able to come together and pass legislation that will provide the resources to not only support children and families with childhood cancer, but also find a cure."

CureSearch supports the life-saving research of the Children's Oncology Group, the world's premier cancer research collaborative. Treating 90 percent of children with cancer, the Children's Oncology Group includes more than 5,000 experts in childhood cancer research and treatment, located at more than 200 leading children's and university hospitals across North America.

"The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act allows for translation of the very best research discoveries into clinical evaluation and practice, in order to improve the cure rates for all children with cancer," stated Gregory Reaman, MD, Chair of the Children's Oncology Group.
"On behalf of my colleagues in the Children's Oncology Group and the children with cancer and their families who are our partners in clinical research, we thank our leaders in the Senate. Only research cures childhood cancer."

"We applaud the leadership of Senators Reed and Coleman and their colleagues in the Senate who through the passage of this bill have made finding the cure for childhood cancer an urgent national priority. Together with their colleagues in the House, Congress has given childhood cancer the attention and support that is long overdue and much needed," said Stacy Pagos Haller, Executive Director of CureSearch.

Having passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously, the bill now heads to the White House, where President Bush is expected to sign it into law.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Where has time gone?!

At work today I realized that I was a week behind on July - where has it gone?!! Which means...that in two weeks Charli will be turning TWO YEARS OLD!! When did that happen, I mean seriously!!?

We took Charli to the Platte and Madison County Fairs this past weekend, which she didn't get too excited about - but did enjoy!

What she has enjoyed is playing on her swing set that her daddy has put a lot of love into the past week or two! She now has a slide and two swings to play on - and enjoys sending her sippy cup for a ride down the slide!! The first time she went down the slide, she was so excited - but hit the bump about 1/2 way down and caught air until the very bottom where she plopped her little bottom down! She is a little scared of it now, and it tends to get pretty hot in the afternoon...but I think she will warm up to it quickly. She likes to go down on my lap, so she still enjoys the slide :-) Chad worked very hard on the set, which he built by himself with his little helper Charli almost every day! He designed the set himself and did a great job, it is built to last!!

Aunt Amanda and Grandma Preister are watching Charli this week, and having a great time!! Amanda got to paint her toenails and fingernails for the first time Monday night! Charli did a great job sitting it sounds like!! Grandma is enjoying hearing Charli speak in small sentences and tell her things like "I see you", and "I love you"...which would melt even the coldest of hearts :-) It is great to have the help with Charli when we need it, but even more than that it is amazing to see other people love to be with Charli just as much as we do! I know that they truly enjoy their alone time with Charli...and they are truly ANGELS to our family!!

Brad and Amanda stopped by the house tonight and we ate BLT's and corn on the cob!! Charli even tackled the corn on the cob too, she enjoyed it!!!

We hope everyone has a great week!!

PS.
SAVE THE DATE!! Charli's birthday party is on the 27th! I imagine it will be around 4:00 that afternoon. We will send a few invites out later this week, but if you are interested in coming to celebrate her big day just let me know and we will set out extra plates!!!!!
xoxo



a work in progress...no roof yet!


playing peek-a-boo with Grandpa Borg


wheeee!

Where is Charli?!

first time eating corn on the cob!!

Sunday, July 06, 2008

It's Independence Day!!

Hello everyone, we hope you had a great 4th of July! I am sure Monday morning will come too soon for most of us!! Crazy how that happens :-)

We had a nice 4th weekend. Amanda and Brad came over on the 3rd to grill and take Charli to watch the fireworks!! She did get a few "ooohhhs and ahhhhs" out, but was pretty chill for the event, as she ate her snack and watching the bright lights!! On the 4th we were in the Humphrey parade and got to see Dr. Randy Borg and family who came up for Cohen's first birthday!! YAY!! We were able to celebrate Cohen's first birthday party on Saturday with the family...it was nice to have the family together (although we were missing the biggest boys - Andrew and Bryant). Randy and Kara threw a great party and Charli loved the slip-n-slide!!

Charli got to have a sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa Borg's house Saturday with her cousins Ryen and Macey and she had a GREAT time!! They stayed up late doing fireworks and loving on Grandpa!! Charli slept until 10:00 this morning!!!! The girls colored the sidewalks for Grandma and played with the cats!! Macey and Charli played so well together, they are so close in age I think they will be pals for sure :-)


this is her "sweet" pose!

1 of 2 banners that have been made for our events!


the float for the "Pioneer Days" parade (the windmill head was VERY heavy!!)

Charli never looks when we want her too! And YES - I rocked the piggy-tails too!!!

yep...that is daddy throwing me like a ball down the slip-n-slide. I LOVED IT!!!
Charli had so much fun on this toy!

my buddy Landon - while here for the Relay for Life


the kids love Coco!

she is a cutie :-)


I think that one of Charli's cutest words right now is "cheeseburger". Take a look for yourself!