It's a Celebration

Beauty Station Visit

Which camera are we looking at?

In all the fun upstairs, Jalen has lost his shirt and tie

Dancing with Sidekick 

Daddy and his Princess

Three Amigos..Jalen found his shirt and a cool hat.

It's a Wrap....Good Night

Every day is a celebration.  The Heroes Ball was the first of many celebrations. #TeamBolton had so much fun.  It was a incredible evening with an amazing group of people coming together to raise awareness and funding for Connor's Heroes.  It's hard to put into words want Connor's Heroes has meant to us over the last two years.  The calls, visits, love, support, events, programs and opportunities to create memories and enjoy 'fun' moments as a family have been priceless. Connor's Heroes is an organization that understands how illness alters the life of the entire family, coupled with the challenges and struggles that accompany balancing life and treatment. I want to do my part to ensure they are able to continue touching and reaching the lives of families touched by cancer and life threatening illness.  Be sure to visit www.connorsheroes.org to see how you or your organization may be able to support the vision and mission.

Red was sort of our family themed color of choice.  I chose red because it was a statement of conquering the issue of 'blood'.  Mireya choose to wear white, which was very fitting. The little girl with the 'issue of blood', washed, cleansed and walking in victory....nothing but the blood of Jesus. It took faith and determination for the woman with the issue of blood to receive her healing. She said 'if I can just touch the hem of his garment, I will be made whole'.  This has been our stance and prayer for over two years, that Mireya would be made whole, that her health would be restored without issue.  We're thankful and grateful that through it all...the good, the bad and the questionable that God has carried and seen us through. We had no control, but our faith told us to hold on and trust God. Don't stop believing.....hold on to the promise.  Mireya has three months left in her active treatment and she is doing tremendously.  

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

• Refrain:
  Oh! precious is the flow
  That makes me white as snow;
  No other fount I know,
  Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Celebration of Life

Life is so precious...celebrating this day and enjoying the ability to wrap our arms around our sweet girl, see her smile and enjoy another birthday.  Thank you Lord!

Thank you for the calls, texts, cards, and gifts of love.  A very special 'thank you' to Michelle's Cakery Bakery for a BEAUTIFUL one of a kind creation for our Warrior Princess.  Reya LOVED her birthday cake and goodies, she especially loved that the side towers were individual push-up cake pops. You are amazing and so gifted.  Thank you for making this day even more special!

 

 

Heroes Ball

Connor's Heroes is gearing up for their 3rd Annual Heroes Ball.  Mireya will be participating this year as a Hero. We all know there are two heroes in the family, our 'Warrior Princess' Mireya and our 'Super Hero Donor Brother' Jalen that we are so proud of.

 Each of the children worked with local Artists this week at the Glave Kocen Studio to create #teambolton masterpieces that will be a part of an amazing silent auction.  It will be a great time to come together to raise funds and awareness for this an amazing cause, but also to celebrate with us.  We have so much to be thankful for. Mireya is going to love getting all dolled up for the evening.

For additional information and tickets, please visit Heroes Art Ball . I personally invite each of you to join us.  We would love to see as may familiar faces as are available that evening.  Thank you for your love and support and support of those that have loved and supported us.

A Bum Wheel

My week has consisted of being stretched out on a sofa with restricted movement, slipping in and out of a painkiller haze. So thankful for a husband who has taken 'extra wonderful' care of me, for my family and friends that have stepped in to be of assistance when needed.  It's been rough.

I had hoped to never have to endure another knee surgery, but this past week I had my sixth knee surgery.  Five scopes and an ACL reconstruction (attributed largely to my love of sports). This go round I had some meniscus tears to repair, along with some clean up to get done.  That was the plan until they got in there and saw the complete madness that has been going on since my last surgery.  It was a lot worse than originally expected and required a bit more to address. There were issues that will definitely affect the stability of my knee going forward and the things I'll be able to comfortably do.  I have a follow-up appointment to discuss a lot of those points, but for now...it's quite a challenge.

I'm thankful for mobility and use of my limbs. Praying for a swift and speedy recovery.  Also believing for a plan that allows me to remain active and maintain the quality and fulfillment of activities I enjoy.

Sharing & Caring

Writing..Sharing..Speaking and Connecting...several things I'm extremely passionate about.  If I had to add a fifth, it would be 'Serving'....let's just add that because that is the essence of who I am.

I've enjoyed speaking on behalf of the many organizations we love and who have loved and supported us over these last two years (Faith and Family Church, ASK, Connor's Heroes Foundation, Starlight Foundation, Make A Wish Foundation, Give Kids the World, Children's Miracle Network ,Children's Hospital of Richmond) and the Miss Chesterfield Organization.

I love sharing our story, the goodness of God and the collective beauty of the human spirit.  As a result, I believe it has become a part of my mission and assignment to educate and bring awareness, participation and partnership to Organizations that are making a tremendous difference in the lives of others.

I've had the pleasure of partnering on several occasions over the last year with Children's Miracle Network and Children's Hospital of Richmond to speak with/to their local and national partners in an effort to allow these partners to 'see' and 'hear' the difference they are making.  As a result other avenues and opportunities have been birthed or opened up.  The Foundation contacted me last week to share they are launching a new group starting with #TeamBolton.

an excerpt from that message...

"This spring, we will initiate a new group within our Foundation and we’d like to begin with you. Families with Heart will be a group of involved, passionate and motivated patient families who want to continue to be involved and support our efforts to help CHoR through event participation, story-telling and at times, speaking opportunities"

I was truly humbled to receive this.  Don't ever underestimate the 'Power of One'...how far reaching one voice, one experience, or one decision can make or the impact/imprint it can have.

Ambassador.Champion.Advocate.Spokesperson.Supporter...stay tuned for more!

Illness & Revelation

 It's been so beautiful to witness Mireya living and enjoying life.  There are days I'm overcome with emotion at some of the simplest discoveries.

We had the opportunity to hang out with some awesome families from clinic a few weeks ago to attend the Circus.  The kids were looking forward to a special tour that was lined up for the afternoon, a dinner and then back to the Coliseum to enjoy the Circus.

The tour was amazing.  We had the opportunity to spend one on one time with the head Clown in Charge, some of the featured animal acts and enjoy the allure and fabulosity of all things circus.  It was really special to watch Asia, the elephant paint a lovely photo for the Connor's Heroes kids, but even more exciting to watch her gleefully gulp down her favorite treat (a whole loaf of bread).

We walked over to Gibson's Grill to enjoy the lovely fare they had set up for us.  It was so funny to see the kids go for the high chairs (bar stools) at the bar and order an assortment of juices and sodas.  The food was very tasty.  Midway through dinner Mireya was dragging.  She mentioned that her head and stomach were hurting.  I felt her head and she seemed to be fairly warm.  Hmmm...I've been out of the 'on edge over fever' for quite a while, so I did not have my thermometer on hand and surprisingly neither did any of the other Moms.  I became concerned the more I watched her demeanor and activity change, but she absolutely did not want to leave the 'Greatest Show on Earth'.  I decided to contact the First Aid area of the Coliseum to see if I could get here temperature taken. Low and behold a very nice Firefighter arrived within minutes to our location registering a 101.6 fever.  After calling Peds Hemoc, we were instructed to bring Mireya to the Pediatric ER to be looked at and for counts.  We decided to allow Jalen and Kinley to stay with the group and enjoy the show because ER visits are always so long.  Mireya decided she wanted Daddy to stay with her in the ER. So thankful for technology which allowed me to return to the Coliseum, keep track of Mireya's status while Jalen and Makinley enjoyed the remainder of the show.  Long after the Circus was over we were still in the ER making sure Mireya received the care and medications she needed for what appeared to be a viral infection.  The greatest feeling was receiving her counts and seeing that they were right where they needed to be.  Her white count was even elevated a bit, showing us that her bone marrow and body were doing exactly what they should when fighting against illness.  Jalen was quite anxious when we arrived because he thought he was going to have to 'do something' again to help his sister.  After hearing those counts, I looked at Jalen and gave him a 'high five' and a big hug...those SUPER cells are working beautifully.  It was a long late night, we didn't get home until close to 1am.

Through what 'appeared' to be a setback, God showed us beautiful counts, a body on it's job and fighting for wellness.  We're thankful this was something that could be easily addressed and happy for the revelation in the midst of it all.  This is definitely a win for #TeamBolton.

Birthday Blessings

Back in December I received a message from a dear friend sharing how a local baker had heard our story and wanted to be a blessing to each of the children for their birthday.  I was so touched that someone would be moved to do something so amazing for us.

Today is my sweet little Makinley's birthday.  I was contacted last week by Michelle Wilson of Michelle's Cakery Bakery for a run down on all things Kinley.  At that moment it consisted of purple and princesses (specifically Snow White).  Just seconds earlier, it was Ariel, wait maybe Aurora.  I had no idea what to expect, but was blown away when Michelle and her Mom arrived with this beautiful cake, balloons galore and two beautiful purple gift bags.  Tears rimmed my eyes and I just wanted to boo hoo big time. It felt like Publisher's Clearinghouse had just arrived and I was a major winner!  The true prize was the 'priceless' smile on Makinley's face when she saw this beautiful creation.  On top of it all Michelle pulled together a princess gift pack for Makinely, purchased everything we needed to complete a celebration (purple plasticware, plates, cups and a tablecloth) AND she made the most adorable purple heart shaped cake pops for Kinley to take to her preschool class.  We elected to have a early celebration with my niece and nephew to take advantage of the day out of school yesterday.

 Today we had second celebration full of birthday love with her class and family.  At preschool, the kids actually make a cake during class to enjoy with the birthday boy or girl.  There was major sugar overload going on this morning, so we decided to send the cake pops home with her classmates.  They were so excited.  Makinley has been celebrating all day long....we enjoyed cupcakes and another round of sweets and gifts this afternoon.

Preschool Cake Creation

I can't believe how quickly time has flown and I'm extremely thankful for Michelle Wilson. She has an amazing story which started with making cakes for her own child who has major allergies, only able to eat a few key ingredients.  That grew into making cakes and sweets for other children with allergies and eventually a full scale business was born (your gifts will make room for you).  I love her heart and desire to share her gifts with others.  This was really special for us. Please visit http://www.michellescakerybakery.net and consider Michelle's Cakery Bakery for your next event.  The cake and pops were delicious!

If you know of a family affected by childhood illness that does not reside in the Tri-City Area or Metro Area, visit Icing Smiles.  This is wonderful organization (with a host of licensed Bakers across the United States) making a difference in the lives of children affected by illness, one cake and smile at a time.

Happy Birthday Makinley!  I'll never forget when Daddy and I discussed having you.  I thought we were good (just having had your brother and sister), but Daddy wanted just one more.  I told him I loved him enough to go there and suddenly we were there and then you were born. I'll never forget you coming into the world, sounding off like a little kitty cat with that sweet little cry.  I remember thanking Daddy not long ago for lobbying for one more. I told him had he not been persistent in the campaign, we would be missing out on the total joy of you.  Love you so much sweet girl!