Celebrations and Silent Auction

Yesterday was the Celebration of Libby's 17th birthday and fundraiser for Make a Wish and Cook Children's.  We decided during the dark days of the NG tube that we would focus on celebrating and giving back to the places that have made such a huge difference in our lives. 

In the last 12 months we have had Botox, IVIG treatment, two skin biopsies, MRI's, XRays, consults, lots and lots of blood work, two feeding tubes and tons of therapy.  Libby asked to donate her beautiful hair to Locks of Love and she did.  Oh, and we went to the Western Mediterranean for her Wish cruise, which was a special kind of

Blessing.   

There have been some days and nights that were so dark and scary that crawling into a hole and hiding was a viable option in my mind. At least one of the diseases they tested her for is untreatable and fatal, she was negative. We've had side effects and had to change meds mid stream due to huge emotional changes.   I have fallen asleep praying more nights than I can count.

All of this and we've had immense joy.  Just when I feel that giving up is all that is left Libby will giggle or ask for a hug.  It really is an attitude of gratitude.

It is because if the roller coaster we live that we decided that Libby would give back to her friends, family and other sick children. 

We planned the food in December not knowing if Libby would have her feeding tube out or not.  If she got to have pudding, we would all have pudding.  Thus,  a pudding bar! 

Very little pudding and lots of toppings! Yumm! 

Including our sweet princess butt!  This is her serving.  We served brisket, mashed potatoes, salad and yummy rolls. The focus was on the pudding. 

Aunt Judy hanging out with Miss Libby. Special hugs for Judy and my aunt Beverly for their donations. And for the amazing Mariah who I admire and love more everyday. 

These girls have been Libby's friends since we arrived in Happy.  Micah, Beth and Rachel have been and are a great blessing in Libby's life! 

On the left are part of the donations and on the right are Libby's gifts.  I am proud to say that she was happy with her gifts and excited about all the donations.

The beautiful Cassie Foster  painting that we auctioned off for Make a Wish.  The winning bid was from our amazing friends, Kim and Jeff Davis.  They gave the painting to Libby and it is already in her bedroom!  Their winning bid and other donations for Make a Wish totaled over $400!  All will be given to Make a Wish under Libby's name to try to give back for her amazing trip!  

The amount of items people brought for Cook Children's patient services is also overwhelming!   

If one kid smiles because of these donations then we will consider our efforts successful.  We are truly blessed beyond measure!   (We will deliver all these at our next appointment, so we can still take more items!) All donations together I'd estimate several more hundred dollars for Cook Children's. 

Today we will do very little as yesterday wore Miss Princess and myself out!  

This was Libby last night after the party.  Thank you to everyone who came to share in our celebration.  Although there have been some dark moments, there is always joy.   Gratitude. 

 Here is the list of items Cook Children's has on their wish list. 

http://www.cookchildrens.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/giving/ChildLifeWishList.pdf

The local chapter of Make a Wish will

be getting our donation as soon as we can arrange it! 

Wish.org

Adventures

Just over 17 years ago I made a choice to have a second child. I had had such difficulty with Mariah that the doctors believed that I would not conceive much less carry another child.  Liberty was a big surprise. 

After I found out I was pregnant and learned this would be a solo job I left my good State job, my friends and family and moved away. I wrote letters to my mom, both grandmothers and my aunts telling them that I was having another child. I also apologized if my single parenthood added any shame or disrespect to their lives.  I wanted all to know that even though life was going to be very difficult, I did have a plan to kick the worlds' butt.  This plan involved finishing college, among other things.  

I had several offers from family and a friend to adopt Libby before and after she was born.  I wanted her so badly and desperately wanted to see who she would become. 

Libby changed my life and continues to wreck and bless  my world and many others. 

I will no longer wonder what she would be like if she had not become ill that only brings guilt and sadness. Instead, I am focussing on the kid she is.  She is 17 and every day matters to us. 

She took us for a walk to the post office this afternoon and was pretty darn cute!  (We had to promise her a long nap to get her out of the house...). 

 Without her feeding tube she is a happy girl at meal time!  She's really doing well and has only had a few instances of rough swallows with water. Getting enough water in her remains difficult.  We will not be getting Botox in the sternocleidomastoids in the future.  Thank you, but no. 

17 years ago I stepped on to a road and I had no idea where it would lead us- I still don't know. I just know that I'm glad that both my daughters chose me to take their adventure with them.