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!

Off to the Ball

We had the joy of attending the 2nd Annual Masquerade Ball for the children and families of ASK.  I had not planned to attend the ball (my glass slippers had put in enough miles throughout the week), but Princess Mireya was adamant she 'needed' to make it to the ball.

The transformation of the hospital cafeteria to the party space was amazing. The festivities included makeup, nails, face painting, tattoos, fabulous cupcakes and mask making. A very special 'thank you' to the staff of Envy and Bombshell for coming out and giving back in such an awesome way. The kids loved getting pampered for the ball.  It was wonderful to see everyone outside of the clinical environment for a time to smile and dance the night away.  Line dances, first dances, soul train lines, cupid shuffles, wobblin and hanging on in the conga line was so much fun.

There was a wonderful assortment of food. You can never go wrong with Chick-Fil-A nuggets for the kids.  The Macaroni Bar (full of toppings) was also a hit, and everything was served by those that poke, prode and question you about your health week in and week out. The kids got a kick out of that.  There was an Event Photographer and a Photo Station for impromptu pics. It was nice to have a few hours to enjoy being with family and friends celebrating the ups, downs and joys of our respective journeys and taking time to remember those that fought to the bitter end of their illnesses.  It was definitely before the stroke of midnigt that I rounded up my Prince and Princesses.  We clicked our heels and made our way home.  Thank you ASK for such a wonderful evening!

Day 70

 

Our appointment this week was a bit long.  I've been spoiled over the last few weeks of getting blood work done, a quick exam/review and receiving results later in the day.  This appointment took hours and there really wasn't anything out of the ordinary that was done.  Just one of those days where there are tons of people to see and to few people to handle the masses.
 
One of our favorite stops at each appointment is seeing Ms. Roz.  If there was anyone you know with every part of your being is in the right place, it's Ms. Roz.  She is the first person the children see each week.  Ms. Roz check heights, temperatures, lets you know if you need to add some fries with that shake, adorns you with a green bracelet (registration armband) and rewards you with the stickers of your choice for being a good patron.  This week Mireya was up a pound, so no shakes needed. During those few important moments spent with Ms. Roz, she radiates joyful happiness and will always bring a smile to your face with her gentle and loving demeanor.  Reya enjoys seeing Ms. Roz, especially when she has Princess stickers and even if she doesn't she still enjoys it and Hello Kitty will do.  Mireya also got a really cute cap as a part of the ASK Kourageous Kids Program.  They held a 'Hats Off' event where they collected over 1,000 hats representing kids going through treatment.

A few counts are causing some head scratching, but overall Reya is doing well.  That pesky cough has returned on the scene and was bothersome enough to send us back upstairs for another chest x-ray.  The x-ray did not indicate pneumonia, but did show peribronchial cuffing  which they believe is due to a reactive airway.  We have another new contraption to administer medication for this situation and hopefully we'll see a marked improvement before our next appointment.  30 more days and we will reached the 100 day mark. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.