Time for my annual post.

For me August is a busy month of celebrations and commemorations.  My wedding anniversary as well as the anniversary of my parents and grandparents take place in August.  Birthday's of several friends and extended family takes place in August.  It is the month I started Nursing school, it is also the month my mom received her kidney transplant.
August 6th marks the 8th year since my daughter and I joined my brother and his family at Give Kids the World in Florida.  It is pretty much the most wonderful place in the world.  It was for my nephew Tommy's trip through Make a Wish.  I am a Wish Aunt.  Everything they do at GKTW is for the children and their families, it is all about service and giving.  It is a moment of respite for very sick kids and their families.  When my daughter is old enough , I hope to be able to take her back to the village at Give Kids the World and spend some time there volunteering, in honor of my nephew Tommy.  He was pretty much one of the most wonderful kids in the world.

This year I got together with some friends to sew totes for an oncology ward at a local pediatric hospital They are going to be filled with fun things , note booked coloring books, small toys etc.  I like to call them "boredom buster" bags.  We have a facebook page for the project.  Our origional goal was to make and fill 50 bags.  So far the count is 164 bags made.  We have also been collecting donations of crayons, pencils, coloring books, stickers, play-dough Its pretty exciting.  The best thing is, I know Tommy would love them.

I don't post very much I don't expect that there are really one who reads this blog.  My reason for typing and posting this every year is to honor Tommy's life.  My hope is that my children and friends will take the opportunity to do something nice for someone, and have fun.

Given a life

I can't remember if I've share this story before on my blog, I can't seem to find it so I'm going to take the opportunity to share it here.  
My mom rec'd a  kidney transplant in August 1987. Mom had been on the transplant list and receiving dialysis for almost a year.

 I was taking some classes during a Summer semester to finish up pre-req’s for nursing school and had some finals coming up. I had a day off from work and had stayed at school late to get some studying done, but made it home in time for dinner. Mom and I had just barely sat down for dinner and we rec’d a call from the hospital. I answered the phone, and was told that there was a kidney available for my mom, but I had to get her to the hospital with the next two hours. We were there in 20 minutes 
My brother was at work and my father was also working, he was a bus driver for Trailways and had left that morning for Reno.I sat with my mom until they took her back to the operating room. She made me go home so I would be fresh for school and finals the next day. I called the my dad’s dispatcher to see if they could get word to my dad, called my brother and went home.
The next day before school. I went to see her at the hospital, she was still in recovery wide a wake and very excited. Her new kidney was working!



That was just over 25years ago. She still has the same borrowed kidney working for her.

It is amazing to me how the human body works, how one diseased organ can effect the rest of the body systems.  Mom was incredibly ill and weak from the dialysis by the time she received her transplant.  Post- transplant we had to be so careful with her meds and health. She has often said that it was something she would never go through it all again , but the improved quality of life with the transplant.  She was there for my wedding and be there for my four children.  There has been much joy that that she has been apart of because of this transplant. 

I am grateful for the family and the person who donated the kidney for my mom.  It makes me sad that they died but ever so grateful for their generosity.    

Remembering Tommy

14 years ago tomorrow my nephew Tommy was born.  With him he brought unconditional love for everyone who would cross his path.  He was a fun and loving kid.  As an Aunt it fills my heart with joy to watch all of my nephew and nieces grow and learn.  With Tommy it was fun to watch my brother, his father, grow along with him. 

in Fall of 2005 Tommy had spent several days ill with flu like symptoms.  Just after his 6th birthday Tommy needed to be admitted to the hospital.  It took what seemed like weeks for him to be stable enough to have tests that would lead to the diagnosis of nueroblastoma.   For several months Tommy went through radiation and chemotherapy treatments.  With the help of his parents, family and friends those months were also filled with fun, adventure and love. 

Just before his 7th birthday Tommy passed away  in his parents arms.  I cannot find words strong enough to convey the heartbreak  my brother and Sister in law went through. 

Through their pain they have looked for ways to serve others.  My Sister inlaw started up a foundation  collected money and toys for children going through treatment for cancer and blood disorders.  They also participate in “Cure’s kids Conquer Cancer”  with fundraising that goes to childhood cancer research. 

I do not like to inundate family and friends with catalog parties or ask for money.  I would like to ask you to consider going to Tommy’s page.  

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/tommy-peterson/2013-cures-kids-conquer-cancer-one-day-at-a-time

Read it and share it with your friends.  If you combine "all of the types childhood cancers, receive only 4% of federal funding for cancer research".  September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month.  Help with finding a cure or better treatment can help save parents and families from having to say good-bye to their child

Tommy about 10 months old

Tommy with best friend Luke

KitM 2014 Countdown Clock | CountingDownTo.com

KitM 2014 Countdown Clock | CountingDownTo.com

Deep stash

This last year I found out that I'm more productive with my knitting and general crafting if I set goals and am more mindful of who I am knitting for.  This year I am joining in on the Double knit Podcast Deep Stash KAL  Here are a couple of items I've competed this month as a part of it.

First I crocheted some vintage potholders in Tahki Cotton classic purchased at my first big yarn sale sometime between 2003-2007 not  quite sure, since Ravelry wasn't around before 2007

Alisha Mitts in yanr bought 2008 ish

Christmas Joy

I love to collect ornaments.  Not expensive  or a certain brand but ornaments that mean something to me or members of our family.  Something that symbolizes where we've been or things we've done together as a family over the last year.

New Cardinal for the year.  Cardinals  or little red birds hold a special place in the heart of our family

BLown glass ballon ornament purchased at Balloon festival this year  (2012)

Nutcracker bought at local production of the Nutcracker.  I took my niece and daughters to watch.  Its was short sweet and fun

Elf not a shelf elf but still and elf, my youngest so wanted and elf to sit around the house this year.  This was given to us by a dear friend

The ornaments on the tree are all different and kind of go together.  They all hold special memories in them and its fun to watch the kids put them on the tree and talk about the stories that go with each one

6 years ago this week, my daughter and I were privileged to spend some time with my awesome nephew Tommy and his family at this wonderful place. GKTW where kids can be kids, and they can have ice cream for breakfast.

http://www.gktw.org/