A Little Roadtrip Fun

We took the show on the road and drove the kids out to the Goochland Drive-In Theater. Mireya was excited about seeing 'Cars 2' when it came out but was admitted to the hospital that week. The Drive-In had previously run 'Cars 2' for a few weekends with sold out crowds. Several of us have been lobbying to have it rerun and they decided last week to do a 'Spy Kids 4' and 'Cars 2' feature, with a special 'reverse' showing last night.

They have two features every weekend with the more kid friendly showing first and after a brief intermission, the second movie is shown. We typically leave after the first showing, but have stayed on occasion to watch the second movie. It makes for a very late night. The movie begins at sunset, so the second movie normally isn't showing until 10pm or later. By the time the second movie is queued up the kids are either sleep or ready to fall out.

We were super excited that they showed 'Car 2' first and then 'Spy Kids 4' last night for those of us that had not previously seen it. They open at 6:00 so you can have time to eat and there is a playground area for kids. Kids 3 and younger are free. So it's relatively inexpensive and on occasion they have Pet Nights and Carload Specials. Everything at the Snack Bar is $3.50 or less. They serve their infamous 'Gooch Dog' which neither of us has mustered up the nerve to try although they rave about it. Quentin was close to trying it last night...maybe next time.

This weekend is their 2nd Anniversary and they will be showing 'Smurfs' and 'Spy Kids 4'. I anticipate a lot of people being there for that lineup. We'll probably still go or maybe wait until the mid-week showing. We love that Reya can have this as an option of events, but overall we still want to avoid super crowds. There was definitely a lighter crowd than normal last night which worked out great for us. The kids love it. Of course they couldn't play in the playground area, but they understood why and chose instead to climb in the car, out of the car, on the chairs, on the blanket, in rotation and succession. Going to the drive-in is something I remember and enjoyed doing with my parents when I was younger. I'm happy that the Heidels are living their dream and have given us the opportunity to enjoy this with our family.

Zone D

A few weeks ago my Mom came up with a great, inexpensive way we could allow Reya to be outdoors a bit more without the ill effects of direct sunlight and heat. One thing about us is when we have an idea, it's on until the mission is accomplished. When I was in Jr. High School (shout out to all my Curundu peeps) our buildings were alphabetical A, B, C, D, F and our Cafetorium. Well the Bolton's now have what I'll dub 'Zone D'. A deluxe screened Gazebo that has become our place to hang out during the day and most nights without getting eaten up by mosquitoes or burning down the deck with a bazillion citronella candles trying to avoid getting eaten up by mosquitoes.

It has been awesome. The first day we put it up Reya played outside for a few hours (have doll house will travel outdoors). We've been really enjoying it. Our original plans to watch Rio under the stars were sidelined due to rain, so last night we had our re-premiere of Rio in our 'outside house' as Makinley calls it. It was fun. I fell asleep amongst the bean bags and children piled all over and around me. Today we did art out there. The kids had a blast. Just to be outside, feeling the warmth (but not full on heat) is so nice. It's also a 'controlled' area of play for Jalen. If it were up to him he'd be like most of us were as kids outside playing all day here, there and everywhere. Unfortunately we live in a much different world today. He enjoys that he's outside and I enjoy that I know exactly where he is and he's not feeling so holed up. It's time for another 'Track Night'. I think everyone is having a little four-wall a phobia or itis, so a change of scenery in the next few nights will be good.

The other thing I love about this gazebo is that we can roll it up and put it back in its bag. As a kid I went camping most every summer and I've been itching to go as a family for a few years. The main concern I have is there is so much I'm not comfortable with. When I went camping as a kid there were adults 'responsible' for me and the excursion, if we go as a family then I'm responsible for it all (yikes). My friend Erin and her family camp a lot and she has been encouraging me. I'm sure we'll eventually try it (remember at some point the missions always get accomplished), so surely this gazebo is something good to have in our arsenal. Maybe for the Bolton's Great Outdoors Adventure (sans the Chevy Chase or John Candy visual)?

Lights, Camera and Love in Action

#TeamBolton has been featured in Mexico Restuarant commericals, Real Simple Magazine and selected for the launch of 'Momtourage' by iVillage. None of those features compare or have the heart and compassion behind the NBC Channel -12 On Your Side 'Act of Kindness' segment.

I shared last week how our friend, Frazelle Hampton nominated us for this reward. We had no idea what the completed piece would entail, but we tuned in at 5pm and watched everything from new laws on concussions, house fire disputes and the plague of ragweed that is affecting so many people right now. At the end of the 'First News' segment we watched our blessing unfold. We are so humbled by the outpouring of love, support and prayers by so many. People we know, many we don't know, but God knows and he has heard our prayers and is working this out on our behalf. Mireya's health is increasing everyday. We've seen more life and spirit in her than we have for months. That in itself is a blessing beyond words. It's incredible to see illness fading and life reemerging. Life is so precious. It's so easy to say those words, but to live them adds depth and a meaning that is indescribable.

Thank you to our families, our friends, our church family, friends of friends who have reached out to be a blessing, who have prayed and stood in this gap for us as we've gone through one of the toughest things we had to endure. In every obstacle, challenge and circumstance God has shown himself mighty and true to his word. Has it been a struggle at times? Absolutely, but he's given us a peace and a hope to keep pressing. I've said this many times before God continues to show us how much he loves us through the love, support and generosity of others. We stand in awe of his goodness and say 'thank you'. No longer feeling undeserving, but knowing that God can do all things and that he will use people to fulfill what needs to be done. We've had to learn to be better 'receivers'. We're humbled and grateful for it all.

If your not in the Central Virginia area, I've included a link to this incredible instance where love, support and community met last week. It was a wonderful surprise and we thank 'Michael & Son Services' for partnering with NBC 12 and their sponsorship of such a wonderful program. Thank you to Sabrina Squire and Matt Boyce (the Producer), you captured and presented this piece beautifully. Family battles major illness & other challenges - NBC12 News, Weather Sports, Traffic, and Programming Guide for Richmond, VA |

A #TeamBolton Facebook page has also been created. 'Like' the page and join the community to remain connected via FB. The donation page has also been a true blessing to us. Thank you to our friends for maintaining this site on our behalf and to those that have been positioned to be a blessing to us through this site. www.gofundme.com/mireyas-miracle.

Love and blessings to you all.

Three & 1

This translates to Mommy and three little ones at an appointment today and everything went GREAT! Mireya's counts are increasing. We still have a couple of areas that are holding their ground, but lower than expected. We continue to work through the dosing of her meds hoping to strike the right balance to see all of her numbers in a favorable range. A few of the medications require compounding which all pharmacies are not equipped to do. At least not for quite a few of hers. Westbury Pharmacy is great,but a bit of a hike. They are open every night until 11pm and deliver for a nominal fee of $3. It doesn't hurt that they have a 'Cookout' just across the way. That banana pudding milkshake is enough to make you want to drive over there as often as necessary. So the way I see it is that $3 delivery is saving me a couple of dollars and lbs.

Mireya has developed a bit of an annoying cough and a runny nose. We're watching her closely and believing we'll have no fever associated with this. Reya was her usual super helpful self. Helping to draw her labs and flushing her lines. She let us all know that 'flushing her lines makes her excited'. I just don't know what to make of this fascination with flushing her lines. Perhaps we have a future Dr. on our hands. Today was our quickest appointment to date. God answers prayers because this was not the day for a long appointment with three kids. The children were at the threshold of getting antsy and suddenly we were released. We didn't even get through the entire Barbie "The Nutcracker" today. Thank you Lord for orchestrating the flow and structure of this one so perfectly.

Ms. Claire stopped by to see us and she brought Mireya some really cool sparkly stickers. By the time we reached the elevator those stickers had been pretty evenly disbursed to each sibling. Continue to keep us in your prayers especially this week as we battle through this cough and other symptoms. God is faithful and continues to carry us through. Moments of weight and heaviness come, but he always shows us a bright spot and that is what we hold onto.

1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Acts of Kindness Snippet

I've not seen this actual piece on tv yet, but a few people mentioned they saw a commercial or snippet of the upcoming 'Acts of Kindness' segment. A dear friend through technology and good ole' DVR was able to share this with us and I in turn want to share it with you.

AOK Clip

The day of the taping is still a bit of a blur so I can't wait to see how the team pulled it together. Mireya looks just as beautiful as a little smooth headed girl as she does with all that hair. She and Jalen were sitting together the other day and he said 'your hair is tickling me' It has started very faintly to come in and for now...it's blond.

Be sure to tune in on Tuesday at 5pm to see what a blessing this was for us.

I Survived

It's been a long day and I'm walking around in a blur. Paris is officially moved and settled in at LC. This is such an awesome time for her. I'm so happy and proud. I almost made it out of there without an emotional meltdown, but a funny thing happened at the curb as I was about to get in the car. I have given her lots of hugs and felt pretty secure that any tears that wanted to join the sendoff would at least wait until we got around the corner and out of sight. It just didn't go that way, but it's all good.

Paris' roommate is a lovely girl. We had the chance to meet and talk with her family as we worked to get them moved in. Paris will be great and I will be fine. It definitely felt odd not to have her walk in from work or hear her in her room. Jalen has called dibs on her room. Does it really start this young? I tried to explain to him that she will be back, but he said he just wants to have it for a few days and then he'll move back to his room. Then Mireya started throwing her pitch about wanting it to be her room. Well let me throw my pitch in, I want another house. So now that we've staked our claim and gave our closing arguments, let's all go to our respective places in this house and shut it down.

The Transition team has them pretty busy all week, but we'll look forward to skype or ovoo, text messages, brief phone calls and the art and fun of sending our first care package....to Paris with love.

Taking It to the Streets

Yes I know the Doobie Brothers during the Michael McDonald years. The Boltons had to move the evening par-tay off the premises and on-location. The kids have been super amped, borderline bouncing off the walls so we had to go for 'Operation Defuse the Energy'. We grabbed the mask, put on the kicks and went out to the track. The girls donned their princess gowns and around and around we went sans the disco ball or the impending arrival of a prince. Who needs a prince when you've got Daddy!

I don't know how many laps we did in total, but we were out there for quite a while. We ran, we walked, and a few times we walked and ran. Jalen ran an entire lap and a half without stopping in Crocs. A lady was running her laps and asked if he could keep up with her. The next thing I heard is 'your so fast'...she couldn't keep up with him. He looked like a cross between the Energizer Bunny and the Road Runner. I had to cut across the track because he just wouldn't stop running. The girls were getting it in too. Those princess dresses were flying in the wind and their tennis shoes lighting up with each footstep. Jalen did take a pause so he could roll down a hill. I really wanted to join him, but I passed on that good ole' fashioned fun. Remember how fun that used to be?!

It was nice to be out in the open, at the appropriate hour with only about 5 other people running, jogging and walking around too. We did a cool down lap and Jalen practically collapsed on the bleachers. He was so tired I gave him a piggy back ride to the car, which meant Daddy had to lock and load the biceps (guns) to carry both girls to the car. When we got home all the kids were exhausted. Jalen said he was so tired he needed to go right upstairs and go to bed. Hmm..we may have to have Track Nights more often.

Being out on the track was great for me too. I admit that these last few months have taken a toll on the system and there's no excuse, but my excuse is that I'm eating well (you guys have been making sure of it) and I've been pretty sedentary. It's not a good look, but not the first time stress, emotions and food found respite together. However, it's not the look I'm going for. So I'm going to need to make some changes. I have so much before me and I want to be in better physical shape to enjoy it all. My body is a temple and I need to discipline it and keep in under control. Lord help me.