Friday, August 27, 2010

Balloons to Heaven....


So back in March one of my girlfriends was telling me about a family in our neighborhood that had twin baby boys that were 6 months old and one of them was just diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer. I started following their story on their family blog.


When I heard about it I was like.. oh Jessie don't start reading this it's not going to end good. His chances were almost 100% that he wouldn't make it.
But for some reason every day I logged in and read about what was going on with them that day. About how his surgery went....about how his chemo was going....looking at this sweet baby everyday with a smile on his face and an amazing family that was so positive.




I started thinking hey he really might make it..and at this point it was too late...I had already fallen in love with this little sweet guy.
So as I sat down on August 15th to see how the day was going with baby Declan..I was stunned to read his mom's sweet words...
(the below is taken from their blog)


…I am sitting next to my husband watching my sweet Declan sleep for what could be the last night.

Today, we got the worst news any parent caring for a child with cancer could get…the cancer has spread and there isn’t anything that can be done to stop or cure it. There aren’t words to really describe what we’re feeling right now…we’re numb, terrified, distraught, sad for what we’re about to lose…too many emotions to collect.

At the same time, we’re also glad for what we have had…6 more months with him to love him, hold him and smile with him. He has lit our world up in a way we could never have imagined. We are blessed beyond belief to have been given the gift of this little boy, our Declan.

Tomorrow we have the unenviable task of telling our boys their brother will be going to heaven soon and watching them say good-bye. We will also watch his Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins come to love on Declan one last time.

Declan’s time with us is now short. Please pray for his comfort and that of our family during this time.



I am sure everyone that followed this blog was feeling the same way I was. Tears running down my face. I was stunned and soooooo sad. I have to admit I have been teary ever since. Every time I think of this sweet little boy and his brave and amazing family that I don't even know my heart just hurts.
Baby Declan went to heaven on August 18th 2010.
I can't explain how this baby has touched my life. I am not usually this effected. But for some reason this little guy made his way into my heart.

So yesterday in honor of Declan and his twin brother Cole we along with thousands of other people who he also touched released blue and gold balloons at 6:00 pm.
When I went into the store to buy the balloons a guy was standing there already blowing up a lot of blue and gold balloons...he said he had been there all day blowing them up and he didn't even work in the floral dept. Again with my dang tears...they just won't turn off. I was so touched at how many strangers were taking time out of their day to go buy balloons for Declan.
Just typing this makes me tear up. It was an amazing experience that I am grateful I was able to take part in.


We lost a few balloons along the way...but still had 3...then one got loose into our tree and we only had 2 left...I thought...well even though we started with more 2 is the perfect # one for Declan and one for his brother Cole.


Jackson was even willing to be a little late to football practice....




You can watch his sweet family in the clip below letting their balloons go.
Thank you sweet Declan for coming into my life and making me realize even more how precious life is and how lucky we are to be here with our loved ones.



Above link to their blog if you would like to read about it.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Carmen


Happy Birthday to my dear friend Carmen....I love love love you. You are one of the kindest people I have ever known, you are a patient loving mother, you are the best exercise partner a girl could ask for, you are always ready and willing to go shopping, or get a pedicure with, you are an amazing baker and we love all the benefits from it, you are a great finder of all information ever needed when there is a illness or problem, you are a great pool partner, you are a great supporter of not only me but all of my kids too, you are beautiful inside and out and I am very thankful for our friendship!


Carmen's Birthday Dinner
Lisa, Carmen, Julie, Jessie, Stacy, Rachel

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Sienna's Photography...

Sienna is constantly taking pictures lately..whenever I upload pictures I find all kinds of Sienna's little pictures... so here is some of Sienna world....










Gotta keep it real on this blog...and well this summer this is how Sienna's room has been....she's been very messy...



You may notice a theme with Sienna...pictures of her shoes....the girl loves her shoes!

Monday, August 2, 2010

Coop turns 13

Ahhh I have 2 teenagers in the house now! Cooper turned 13 years old yesterday Aug 1st.
It really is making me sad to watch my kids growing up. Even though they are becoming such amazing people it makes me sad...time is slipping away.

So Coop wanted a big ol friend party...like he always does. So what do you do with a bunch of 13 year old boys? We were brainstorming...I told Coop no sleep over party when he asked...learned my lesson the hard way on the sleepover parties.

So he told his friends the party went from 4-12 midnight. I couldn't believe it...what on earth were we gonna do for that long. So we decided to take all the boys out to eat at CiCi's pizza. Now if you don't know what that is let me tell you. It is a boys dream place to eat...all you can eat pizza and any and all kinds. They even have macaroni and cheese pizza. Can you even imagine...so as I went to get in my car and they had the music turned up and the car was rocking (literally rocking from the boys inside) I knew it might be a long night.
We had 3 cousins and Uncle Nico with us too...which is always more fun! :)



So after dinner we headed back to the house for cake and ice creme, fireworks, and a scary movie outside...the girls then showed up which is always entertaining to watch.


Cooper's favorite cookie cake Holly brought over for him which was so thoughtful! I just have the best friends ever! :)



Holly and her friend Michael....


Lighting fireworks...

Movie Time...lots of treats, and screams from this crew...I guess it was a good creepy movie to watch outside.



Hunter and Holly playing a mean game of bball before the movie started...

And there were a lot of pranks...all and all I think they all had a great time. As the last kids got picked up at about 12:45..I sank into my bed to wake up the next day for his actual birthday and family dinner party....


Talk about a healthy breakfast right!

Sienna's present to Coop...his favorite Bubblegum.....




Coop and Eddie


Becca and baby Hudson

Summer and Louisa


Grandpa Ed

Grandma Jill

And Sienna with her crazy sweet tooth she has....

So as another year has come and gone in the blink of an eye here are my

10 Things I love about Cooper James Casillas

1. Coop has the sweetest, tenderest heart around.
2. He is one of my best friends...
3. He talks to me everyday about little and big things..
4. He takes AMAZING AMAZING care of his sister Sienna.
5. He knows right from wrong and listens to his heart.
6. He is a straight A student.
7. He is good at all his sports.
8. He worrys about his family a lot.
9. He is smart with his money...he will be my little banker one day.
10. He still gives me awesome hugs!

I love love love you Coop! Happy 13th birthday!