Bella’s Very Merry WISH-mas Party ~ 10 Days of Dreams Come True MAW/GKTW Dec 3-10

[that's nice]

I must admit, I did feel your happiness sad1 when AJ decided to go up and be a 'princess'! I mean I'm a guy- aren't my emotions supposed to be in check all the time? I think with age guys might get more emotional. I watched Lion King with Juliana last week and got teary eyed a few times. UGH.

Sorry for the mini rant... LOL I didn't know where I was going with that.

Love the pictures of the girls at the party. All the kids looked like they were having fun! What day of the week is the P&P party on? (I might of missed that)

 

[yinyanggirls]

And all the moms in the group just went "awwwwwww!". Nothing compares to a daddy's love for his little girl.

 

[All7OfUs]

What you said actually does make sense. This school year has been a struggle for AJ socially as she tries to follow in the footsteps of the 'popular' kids while trying to maintain her own personality. Her decision to do something that may not have been viewed by her peers as "cool" shows me that she is mature enough to make decisions based on what she wants and not what she thinks her friends will want her to do. In other words, if all of her friends jumped off a bridge, I feel confident that AJ wouldn't!

See, I knew you'd get it!! We think so much alike!! That's why I make friends with people who end up as school board members.

I must admit, I did feel your happiness sad1 when AJ decided to go up and be a 'princess'! I mean I'm a guy- aren't my emotions supposed to be in check all the time? I think with age guys might get more emotional. I watched Lion King with Juliana last week and got teary eyed a few times. UGH.

Sorry for the mini rant... LOL I didn't know where I was going with that.

Why should you be sorry for THAT?! No way, Tim, you are human too. Emotions don't have a gender bias!! When my DH had to tell our teammate we were leaving the other day, and started to tear up, it made me love him more. It showed his compassion and human-ness- a rare display but very touching. I'm not saying to go out and be a blubbering sap, but when your heart is touched you shouldn't be ashamed of the responses our Creator gave you!

There, you get a mini-rant back.

And all the moms in the group just went "awwwwwww!". Nothing compares to a daddy's love for his little girl.

Exactly!

 

[StefaniLyn]

I must admit, I did feel your happiness sad1 when AJ decided to go up and be a 'princess'! I mean I'm a guy- aren't my emotions supposed to be in check all the time? I think with age guys might get more emotional. I watched Lion King with Juliana last week and got teary eyed a few times. UGH.

Sorry for the mini rant... LOL I didn't know where I was going with that.

Love the pictures of the girls at the party. All the kids looked like they were having fun! What day of the week is the P&P party on? (I might of missed that)

No apologies necessary Tim. My own DH has a soft spot for his DDs too! Not nearly as soft as mine, but it's there, and that's why I love him. Don't tell him I said this (ya, cuz I know you guys talk on the phone like ALL the time ) but he gets teary eyed when he hears Steven Curtis Chapman's "Cinderella." If you haven't heard the song, look it up on YouTube. And grab a box of kleenex or two.

The P&P party was on Friday night. Mayor Clayton's b-day is Saturday. Seems like GKTW likes to party it up on the weekends!

And all the moms in the group just went "awwwwwww!". Nothing compares to a daddy's love for his little girl.

See this is why Mel should totally be reading these boards. Tim would have just earned himself some major brownie points with her!

See, I knew you'd get it!! We think so much alike!! That's why I make friends with people who end up as school board members.

Why should you be sorry for THAT?! No way, Tim, you are human too. Emotions don't have a gender bias!! When my DH had to tell our teammate we were leaving the other day, and started to tear up, it made me love him more. It showed his compassion and human-ness- a rare display but very touching. I'm not saying to go out and be a blubbering sap, but when your heart is touched you shouldn't be ashamed of the responses our Creator gave you!

There, you get a mini-rant back.



Exactly!

Not sure how much longer I'll be a school board member. I am up for reelection in April and there are 6 people running for 3 positions. I just found out the other day that I am 4th on the ballot.

Woo Hoo - it's a Tim and Lisa RANT OFF!

Emotions don't have a gender bias!!

Where's the tag fairy when you need her?

 

[StefaniLyn]

I know some of you have been following this Trip Report from it's infancy . . . like when it was a pre-trip report. Way back in early November, you may recall that I asked for some prayers for a classmate of DD10, AJ. The boy's name is Calvin, and he was awaiting a heart transplant in the hospital when he suffered a stroke. The original post, if you'd like to read it, was at the end of this pre trip installment. I promised to update, which I haven't done lately because honestly, there wasn't much to say. His condition was stable, and he wasn't making any improvement nor was his health declining.

Unfortunately, such is not the case anymore. The stroke has caused so much damage that Calvin appears to have no voluntary muscle movement or repsonse to people. Calvin's doctors recently determined Calvin is in a persistive vegetative state. This means he is no longer eligible to receive a heart transplant. He has been removed from the transplant list. I do not know if that also means he will be taken off of the Berlin (artificial) heart or not. However, it is essentially a waiting game now for Calvin. He will not get better and it is only a matter of time before his weakened heart gives out.

Remember how AJ is growing up to quickly? Here's another example. She's 10 years old, and now she is forced to realize that a child she has gone to school with since kindergarten, a child the same age as her, is going to die in the very near future. Our hearts are broken and we held eachother, sobbing for over an hour afterschool today. She has so many questions - why can't they fix it? what if he can hear us but just not move? when is he going to die? what will it feel like for him?

How do I even begin to answer these questions? I just don't know.

We continue to pray for Calvin and his family, but our prayers no longer ask for God to heal Calvin's body. We now just ask God to spare him any further pain and suffering, and that His will be done. I simply cannot comprehend the death of a 10 year old child. It seems unfair and yet, I know that God has bigger plans for Calvin. Calvin is the lucky one - he will soon be healed, and perfect, and in Heaven. Unfortunately, it really, really hurts to know we will never see his smile, hear his laugh, or enjoy his company ever again.

I'm sorry to babble and realize that I probably am not making a whole lot of sense right now. I am just having a hard time thinking straight right now.

I'll likely be absent from the boards for most of the next couple of days. I will be attending the state education convention on Wed, Thurs, and Friday and we have after school activities each evening as well. At least those will keep me busy.

Please continue to keep Calvin and his family in your prayers. I cannot imagine the pain they are enduring at this difficult time. Thank you.

 

[yinyanggirls]

That is so sad! I feel for his family, and for AJ too. I've only lost a few people in my life, but one was a college roommate in a car accident and I bawled when I found out, bawled at the funeral, bawled every time I thought about her and her family. I'm so sorry that AJ has to experience this so young.

 

[rosedolph]

I have no words, just joining you in that prayer and giving you guys a virtual hug.

 

[maroo]

Oh no.



Sitting here crying for you guys, too.

Many hugs! Big ones.

 

[p00h4me]

It's never easy to let go of those we know and love here on earth, no matter what their ages are. It's hard to see someone as young as Calvin have to go through this too soon. Tell AJ that when its Calvin time to go to heaven, he'll be there waiting to meet her, his friends and family that will join him there one day. We'll be praying for Calvin and his family through this difficult time.

 

[ladybugmom]

Oh how my heart is breaking reading your post! I will be praying along with you and for AJ as well. You are exactly right--God is in control and Calvin will no longer be suffering if/when God chooses to take him home.

 

[kayrosek]

Oh My! How sad! I remember reading about Calvin and I've wondered how he was doing a few times. My heart goes out to Calvin's family and to yours. We will be praying for all of you.

 

[heaven2dc]

This is such sad news and my heart goes out to Calvin and his family, to AJ and you! It sometimes is hard to comprehend something like this happening to any child at any age but more so when you've become close to them. You are so correct that he will be in a better place with a brand new body but will remain in spirit here with all his friends and family. I will keep him and all of you in my prayers

 

[All7OfUs]

I do remember Calvin's story- it's hard to forget one so touching. I will add my prayers to my own, as we grieve a loss today as well. The world is a broken place, our job is to bring love to it as He enables. I will specifically pray that The Counselor will enable yourto give answers as best you can, and be a comfort to AJ when you don't have those answers. Look forward to when you can be back with us!

 

[Momofwishkid]

I to remember you telling us about Calvin and have thought of him a few times. My heart is breaking with this news for his family and for you and AJ. You all will be in my thoughts and I hope you can give AJ the comfort she needs even without all the answers.

 

[that's nice]

Why should you be sorry for THAT?! No way, Tim, you are human too. Emotions don't have a gender bias!! When my DH had to tell our teammate we were leaving the other day, and started to tear up, it made me love him more. It showed his compassion and human-ness- a rare display but very touching. I'm not saying to go out and be a blubbering sap, but when your heart is touched you shouldn't be ashamed of the responses our Creator gave you!

There, you get a mini-rant back.

Thank you for your words. I just went on a little tangent.

No apologies necessary Tim. My own DH has a soft spot for his DDs too! Not nearly as soft as mine, but it's there, and that's why I love him. Don't tell him I said this (ya, cuz I know you guys talk on the phone like ALL the time ) but he gets teary eyed when he hears Steven Curtis Chapman's "Cinderella." If you haven't heard the song, look it up on YouTube. And grab a box of kleenex or two.

The P&P party was on Friday night. Mayor Clayton's b-day is Saturday. Seems like GKTW likes to party it up on the weekends!

See this is why Mel should totally be reading these boards. Tim would have just earned himself some major brownie points with her!

Thanks for the GKTW info!

Mel does pop in from time to time but she doesn't have a screen name. I know she has read a few TRs and when I called her a lurker she got mad at me! So I don't bring it up anymore.


I'm so sorry to hear about Calvin. Death is never easy.. especially when it is a child. I hope his family finds comfort in Him.

 

[pacrosby]

I'm so sorry Stephanie



Pamela

Matty's Wish Trip PTR http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2325607
Matty's Wish Trip TR "Mom, Dad, 3 Kids, and a Gingerbread Boy" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2356739

 

[StefaniLyn]

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers for Calvin, AJ, and both of our families. I have no new news to report on him today, but I will certainly post here if anything happens. His family is very private, so I am learning most of this information through the principal and his classroom teacher. He continues to fight, but for how long I have no idea.

Your words were incredibly comforting to come home to. I spent the past 2 days with the superintendent and other school district administrators and board members. We are a tight knit community, and we often discussed how difficult this situation will be for the families in our school district, especially those children in Calvin's class. Last year we lost another student in a freak lightning strike and it hit us just as hard. I sometimes joke that I don't just have 3 kids in the school district, I have 3,500. Though I don't know them all individually, I certainly care for them and want only the best when it comes to their education. The loss of a student in our district is devastating.

I am hoping to get around to posting some more trip report updates on Sunday. Thank you once again for your comforting words and prayers.

 

[praisehisname]

The same daughter who, at the tender age of 5, lost a bit of her childhood innocence as she witnessed the life and death struggle of her own baby sister. The same daughter who wouldn’t be caught dead as a princess in front of her friends. The same daughter who for the past 5 years has learned how to be a mother, nurse, and teacher as she helped me tend to the special needs of her sister. AJ has grown up too quickly and we rarely see the ‘kid’ in her anymore. I was teary-eyed as I watched AJ rediscover the little princess insider her as she proudly accepted her tiara and “Princess AJ” title.

Couple of tear-jerker installments here! I'm so glad that AJ won the internal battle about going up and getting her tiara. Every girl deserves to feel like a princess!

Calvin is the lucky one - he will soon be healed, and perfect, and in Heaven.

I believe this with all my heart, but like you said, it really doesn't make it any easier. The ones left behind on Earth are the ones who suffer. Perhaps God doesn't ONLY have a plan for Calvin; maybe there's something in there too for AJ. With everything she is experiencing at such a young age, she will grow up with more compassion and sensitivity than most kids her age.

 

[buzz for boys]

Fab updates !!

My 11 yr old son is just like AJ he has seen so much and knows far too much about child mortality for a child of his age. We hate the way that his childhood was taken away the day his brother was diagnosised but the other day I recieved a call from the school that filled me with pride and made me realise that its not all bad and he has been moulded into such a lovely young man by circumstance Heres what happened -

The whole school was in assembly and the head teacher was talking about a fundraiser for Cancer and he asked everyone to take part - in this he said it was highly unlikely that anyone in the room would know anyone with childhood cancer - My ds stood up in front of the whole school and he is only in the first year and said that his brother has cancer and that he has had for many years !! He then told them all that life changes and money and THINGS dont matter anymore all you want is for everyone to be well !!

Amazing statement from an 11 yr old and just shows that yes they have grown up far too quick but they have a nice rounded view on life x x x

 

[MaryAz]

What a wonderful, touching update. Yay for Princess AJ. My Hubby heard the SCC song at work one day and said he had to go in the bathroom cause he got all choked up. Many prayers for Calvin and his family.