We Still Mourn, But It's Different

It never really ends.  We think about our beautiful baby girl every day; several times a day.  Sometimes it's pretty much constant.

Our adorable little ladybug

Take Wednesday, October 31 for example.  Throughout the day, as many of our friends and family were posting photos of their kids' costumes and discussing preparations for the evening's festivities, we were constantly reminded of the four Halloweens we were fortunate enough to spend with Charlotte.  One of our strongest memories is of Charlotte's second Halloween when she dressed as a ladybug and was quite possibly the cutest thing that EVER walked this Earth!  We took her to Randolph-Macon College to trick or treat in the dorms and it was so amazing to watch her figure out that when she knocked on doors and babbled something, the smitten students would give her stuff.  It was the first time I felt that parental melancholy that comes with knowing she'll never be this small again.

This year, we set up our traditional table out by the street and had a great time handing out goodies and seeing all the kids and great costumes; all the while thinking of our little peanut.

CJ on Election Day 2008

Or take Tuesday, November 6.  Election Day.  This was always a BIG day for us.  Both of Rachel and I were determined to teach Charlotte about the democratic process and to encourage her to develop her own voice on whatever issues she would face as she grew into an adult.  We always brought her with us when we voted, even in the local elections.  I would schedule my day around when I would be able to take Charlotte to the polling place and often she would "vote" twice in a day.

She filled our thoughts as we participated in the 2012 election.

And now we head into the Holiday Season and a new round of memories are poised to take over, keeping the mourning front and center.

It never really ends.

And yet, it's a little different now.  There are more of those good moments.  Like last Thursday at the Lunch Bunch which CJSTUF  facilitates at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU in conjunction with Connor's Heroes Foundation.  The food was catered by Christopher's Runaway Gormay (SO yummy!) and we served 71 people a good, moderately healthy meal when they might have had to visit the vending machines or resort to paying for fast food downstairs.  We know from experience that is something families should NOT have to deal with while facing a child's health crisis.

We also meet new friends every time we serve meals which lets them know about resources and provides us more reason to continue to expand the program.


Then there was November 10.  I ran the American Family Fitness Half-Marathon (part of the Richmond Marathon) and Rachel did a book signing at an arts and craft show where she sold some books and connected with several supporters.

Saturday morning, I almost decided not to do the half-marathon at all since I had popped something in my knee last Monday and it had been hurting all week.  I wasn't sure if I could even finish the race.  Then, of course, when I thought of Charlotte and what all the other families have endured, I put my whining away and suited up.

Good thing I did because it was probably the most fulfilling race I've ever run!  I got a lot of extra motivation right at the start line when I saw a man wearing a t-shirt that read, "13.1 Is Still Easier Than Chemo." Amen, dude.

Throughout the event, my mind was full of thoughts of Charlotte and so many others whose paths we've crossed.  I thought of Abbie Waters as I passed her old school, I thought of CJ's Godparents as I passed their house, I thought of the Klauers, the Goodmans, the Hubbels...lots of others.  I met a woman within the the first two miles from Newport News who was running her first half and only the third time, "in front of people."  I fell in with a small group of people at around the halfway point, many of whom just happened to have leg and knee issues.  There was a lot of self deprecating humor being passed around but we all finished!  And all along the way, were the occasional shout-outs to CJ's Daddy (on my bib) or Team CJ (on the shirt) or people who recognized me and shouted encouragement. I can't tell you how much that helps!

Kristin Mudd's Funky Shoes

Kristin's Funky Shoes Flipside

I finished (the main goal!) in about 2 hours and 40 minutes, the knee held out, and crossing the finish line, I let out a "WHOOP" like I never have before.  It was a great moment.  Then I caught up to Kristin Mudd and her funky shoes!  It was her first half EVER!  Kudos to her.





And CJSTUF continues to grow.  Thanks very much to Rachel's very capable Executive Directorship, our wonderful board, and support from the Network, we are having a tremendous year of fundraising and providing resources to our families.  We just had a very productive Strategic Planning Session and we have homework to do, after which, we will be ready to take a step up to the next level of operation for 2013 and beyond.

At Positive Vibe Cafe

So the therapy continues and, quite possibly, it's working.  Maybe.  Just a little.

Many Upcoming Events: Please mark your calendars

A few updates are in order:

First of all, we have our "clerical" volunteers lined up so thanks to those of you who expressed interest in helping. Don't worry...there will be more to do as time goes on.

The website relaunch is taking a little longer than expected so I wanted to make sure some important events and announcements made it onto your calendars.

The Mu Phi Epsilon chapter (music fraternity) at Randolph-Macon is hosting a concert to benefit CJSTUF on Thursday, April 15th from 6-8:30 PM at the college in the Alumni Gym. Tickets are $5 each. There are five groups performing and they are featuring a wide variety of genres: jazz, rock, gospel, acoustic, and bluegrass. We have a few tickets available at Romp n' Roll and I think others will be available at the door.

Megan Blake and her friends are organizing a Kid Stuff Sale (gently used kid gear, kids clothes, maternity clothes, etc.) at St. Thomas' Church (3602 Hawthorne Ave in Richmond). Proceeds will be donated to a number of local organizations and CJSTUF is one of the benificiaries. There is a sip-n-shop on Friday 4/16 from 5-8 PM. For $10, you can get refreshments and first pick at the goodies. The regular sale is Saturday 4/17 from 8 am-1 pm.

Saturday 4/24 is the ASK Fun Run/5K at Short Pump Town Center. This is not a CSJTUF fundraiser or event but our good friends at ReeseStrong will have quite the team. Roger is running in this event. Come on out to support the crowd if you're available.

Have we talked about the Cow Drop yet? The 3rd Annual chick-fil-a Cow Drop is on Saturday May 8th. If you've never been before, the event is held at the Hanover Airport. There is a family fun day from 11 AM-3 PM with face painting, moonbounces, vendors, food, and kid's games. Around 1:30 PM, an airplane loaded with hundreds of little plush COWS will fly overhead and drop the animals from the sky. Those landing closest to a predetermined target will win FABULOUS prizes. Over 20 great prizes will be given including a Disney Family Vacation, a Romp n' Roll birthday party, a year of movie passes from Regal Cinemas, and MORE.

All Cow Drop tickets bought at the Virginia Center Chick-fil-A locations benefit CJSTUF. Tickets are just $10 each and include a coupon for a free milkshake. You don't have to be present on the day of the Cow Drop to win either.

On Tuesday 4/27...there will be a mini-concert and promotion for the Chick-Fil-A Cow Drop at the Virginia Center Chick-Fil-A from 6-6:45 PM. Silly Bus will be playing a small concert as a preview of the Cow Drop event on May 8th and this will be a great opportunity to buy your Cow Drop tickets. This is also Kids Eat Free night at Chick-Fil-A so bring the kids for an evening of fun.

I think that takes you through the month of April (and even into a little bit of May). With Romp n' Roll moving to Mechanicsville, we won't have too much going on CJSTUF-wise during May.

If you haven't been on Facebook lately, Roger started a fan page JUST for the Butterfly Bush (CJ's butterfly bush). He is taking daily pictures and posting them. The page reached over 200 fans in about a day and many of them were not already fans of CJSTUF. Gotta love viral marketing.

I think I will close for now. Happy weekend, everyone.

Two Upcoming Events for CJSTUF

March is turning out to be a busy month, indeed!

If we needed any more proof that spring is on its way, check out this picture from my front yard this morning!






Roger's last blog highlighted the Monument Ave 10K details, so if you need more info on that, please go back one post...

The Pampered Chef Fundraiser for CJSTUF ends on March 20th.

15% of all sales will go to CJSTUF.

If you are interested in attending the actual party on March 16th (7 PM), email me ASAP.

Just to show you how important this event is, I am willing to miss LOST to go to a Pampered Chef party. Those of you who know me understand that is sacrifice.

If you can't make the party but want to order some fabulous Pampered Chef goodies, go to www.pamperedchef.biz/jessicasapron and enter CJSTUF as the host.

The other event next week is at Randolph-Macon College. Romp n' Roll's own Emily Arnold will be presenting her senior project: the drama production Alice in Wonderland. The performances are Thursday March 17-Sunday March 21; however, proceeds from the 2 PM and 8 PM shows on Saturday March 20th will benefit CJSTUF! We are grateful to Emily and the drama department at RMC for making this possible. I understand that the play is very family friendly. I also understand that the 2 PM show on Saturday is filling quickly! Tickets are $5 for adults and $2.50 for kids. Call 804-752-7316 for reservations.

As if that weren't enough action for the foundation, our regular board meeting is next Wednesday. Our board members have been very busy in their respective committees planning the next stage of CJSTUF so keep on the lookout for news and new things including rollout of:

• a redesign of our website
• the application process for our financial assistance program for families in need
• upcoming fundraising opportunities for the year, including CJSTUF merchandise!!

That's all folks....

Watching Dora

Another long post lost to the etherworld...Not sure what happened. Let's try it again.
The most important event of the day: It's Peter Gabriel's birthday! "All the monkeys in the zoo wish you Happy Birthday too. Happy Birthday to you!"
Kind of a dicey night for both of us. For CJ because of head pain and rough diaper changes and for Daddy because a customer delivered a package of chocolate macadamia nut cookies to Romp n' Roll and he just HAD to eat almost half the package and now his tummy is rebelling. My own damn fault.
Cj and I are viewing what promises to be the first of many viewings of Dora's Christmas. I reiterate what Rachel said: The things we do for our kids!
As for the ramp...Barclay, if someone could see if the ramp is available, we could keep that on standby until we have a better idea of the demads of our situation. Then we could use it temporarily until the permanent ramp could be built.
It would be an honor to have the permanent ramp built by the drama shop.. Having scampered around on many sets built by the R-MC crew, I know the ramp would be sturdy. James, I know it won't feel complete unless you can put castors on it but I'm hoping you can make that sacrafice. Maybe we can hide a trapdoor smewhere! :-)
Here's the broken record again...The support we've received from all over, but especially from the Randolph-Macon College community has mind blowing. It will take us a lifetime to pay it back/forward but I guess that's how it ought to be, eh?
Gotta go stop Swiper...
Rog

Yea Aunt Phyllis!

A good night's sleep in my bed-sweet-bed and now I'm off to Romp n' Roll for a full day of fun. After being away for three days, the house looks FABULOUS (thanks, Phyllis) and we are working on creative ways to redo the dining room to allow for CJ's new space. I think it will all work out nicely.Thanks for all the RMC offers for a ramp of some type. I think we may be taking you up on that.She had a pretty good evening before I left. The head pain is still fairly constant but when she is well distracted, it's minimal. We still don't know what is causing her head to hurt as the CT scan shows nothing that should be causing pain, but I also wonder if her belly pain just radiates up to her head...or if her general discomfort has turned into "my head hurts" and that is her new phrase for "I'm in pain....get me outta here!". Aunt Phyllis did get some pretty major laughs out of her before we left so that was good.More news later...same bat time, same bat station.Rachel