It has been an amazing month! We had the honor to participate in multiple St Baldrick events (as honored family, simple spectators and other roles in between) We want to thank EVERYONE who participated, donated, shaved, volunteered, or promoted the event. You are all OUR HEROES!

We have witnessed the emotions (high and low) as we enjoyed basking in full support from family, caretakers (nurses, doctors of Brandan) friends and onlookers who braved to rid their hair to support a wonderful organization and a moving cause...Children and their families battling childhood cancers! A cause that is so close to our heart and soul, that we wake with and one we reflect on daily. We are so blessed to have found this calling, through unbelievable circumstances, struggle and triumph (no matter how long that may last) We have been on this journey with dear friends through thick and thin, crying and laughing, struggling and surviving, fighting and in remission...The roller coaster of this "marathon of life" as a very special Mom (mighty Mason's Mom) put it http://www.mightymason.wordpress.com . A Rollercoaster that we just ride along and do it because "Our options are limited" "Life goes on with us or without us"...we decided that life is too precious to go on without us, and while we are at it, we are dedicated to make a difference with everything we can. And our children are at the forefront of spreading the word and raising awareness. Our daughter stood on 2 podiums grabbing the microphone volunteering to share her little brother's story and thanking everyone for their support. While I was struggling and choking on my tears, my daughter stood up and took the stage! That moment I knew we are at the right place and our hearts are forever committed! She warmed my heart in so many ways, her speech, her pride, her bravery ... She shaved her head with her Dad for the "Bestest Little Brother She Can Have" she said and she said she would do it over and over again. She has been the best walking talking adorable billboard we could ever "produce" as she has yet to stop sharing her story and her desire to let people know we all need to do more...that our children are dying in thousands and we want this to STOP. That we are hurting and suffocating when thoughts of "How Long Do We Have With Our Whole Family" enters our minds daily. When every ER visit warrants a possible hospital stay for decades to come. When we are still heartbroken to know that we are YET to find a MATCH for our SON to save his life. We need to step up and do whatever we can. These blood and bone marrow cancers account for 9.6 percent of all new cancer diagnoses. They're deadly. Every 10 minutes, another adult or child dies from them.We could have chosen not to fundraise, not to get involved. It's a tough year, with the recession and all. But to keep families from losing their loved ones, we opted to help raise any money. Cancers do not see the state of the economy it does not care we're in a bad downturn, the diagnoses and family struggles continue. We just have to get more creative! And we have to make that extra step to get involved. I have committed to spend every waking moment I can with my children after Brandan was diagnosed (not that I was trying to do otherwise before ;0) but the diagnoses and my lay off brought it home that time is precious under ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. Bills and foreclosure was not stopping us from deciding to spend every moment by Brandan’s side. And we NEVER REGRETTED that decision ONLY MADE US REALIZE what we already knew deep down that life with our children is all we ever wanted. So here we are THE PROUD FAMILY OF A CHILDHOOD CANCER SURVIVOR…LET US SHARE THESE MOMENTS WITH YOU!

I have promised 2 years to spend with Brandan uninterrupted (is that even possible? ;0) once he was in remission to give him the world and more from a parenting perspective to give him a chance to make up all that lost time and development he had missed at such amazingly important time of life before he even turned 1. He has been off treatment for 17 months and I could hardly express the joy, love and inner peace we have shared growing, cuddling, learning, and simply living. These months have been the absolute best times of my life, without underestimating the wonders and joy I have enjoyed with my daughter before Brandan was born. I have grown to realize my true purpose in life and my calling to being a Mom to my two unbelievable, brave, loving children of mine. They became the true heroes my driving force and daily motivation to be a best I can be at everything we share. And they never seize to amaze and motivate me. My daughter with her innocent bravery made me realize that I can do more…I always wanted to run a marathon so here I am signed up for a ½ marathon in June http://www.rockymountainhalf.com/ to start on my adventure to try to do more. I am dedicated to complete it in honor of my two little fighters the true inspirations to anyone who wants to learn from the innocent inner drive of a child’s bravery like I had the honor to witness! It is another milestone in my life that I never thought I will master but extraordinary circumstances we did not chose to face led us to handle…I have 10 weeks to train for the event and I have yet to change my mind ;0) All I have to do is look at my two beautiful bald children and never look back! Cheer me on as I embark on this journey that could very well be the biggest accomplishment regardless of my professional skiing career and even my 2 time Olympian status. This goal is the most precious goal I have ever wanted to achieve; it is for someone else, someone so special to my heart, my children, my little heroes, my inspirations, the love of my life! (love you Sean) who even motivated me to rid my hair and join the gang ;0) got to love it!

Check out some of the new photos we posted from the events! They are so precious!

We are so proud to let you know that we are supporting another worthy cause Alex's Lemonade Stand in effort to see about hosting one this summer. Cassie is organizing her friends to pitch in and help her out, what a cutie pie she has been. She is learning to squeeze lemons, and dedicated to raise money for helping her friends!!!!

Check out who the Honored hero is this month ;0)

http://www.alexslemonade.org/home