Today is a really special day, not only did Marc turn 50, but this is the actual day we were married in the town hall in Montalcino, Italy.  This was a mandatory service given by the "mayor" of the town - and it was quite a beautiful service.  After the town hall service, Rabbi Barbara married us on the 21st of July at the Castello Di Velona with all of our family and friends.  We technically have 2 anniversary days!!!!  Marc and I both wish we could all go back and celebrate again with all of our family and friends.  It was such an incredible weekend of wedding festivities that neither of us will every forget, it still feels like yesterday. I want to say that I married my soul mate, he is the most incredible husband, father and best friend.  I feel like the luckiest woman on earth.  Your family loves you Marc so much!

We have not posted in a really long time.  Marc's children Alex and Anni were here from Finland and we had action packed filled days.  We somehow managed to fit in all younger and older kids activities in almost everyday.  Lily and Jack had such a great time, I am surprised they did not slip in their suitcases and go back to Finland with them.  Marc and I also had such a wonderful visit with them, they helped us tremendously with a donor drive that was held at the Greater Chicagoland Jewish Music Festival.  They are the best swabbers - I told Alex I may have to fly him back so he can help us out!!!  I think Marc and Anni have earned the world record for watching the most movies in the movie theater in a week!!!  Anni is off to Spain and Alex is getting ready to move to his first apartment in Helsinki!  Pretty exciting...

Lily and Jack have been enjoying Adam's Park and the beach this summer.  Lily is maturing in the the most precious little girl ever.  Jack just loves to scream since he has not started using too many words.  They are screams of joy, however, we could use some ear plugs!  He is so darling and has a personality like his Daddy!

Marc has been receiving treatment every 3 weeks.  His counts have been quite low when we are scheduled for the 3 week appointment, so Dr. Rosen has changed his treatment to every 4 weeks because that is what his body can handle.  Marc was supposed to receive treatment yesterday, but his WBC too low to get it.  They sent us home with Neupogen shots instead!  We are still aggressively searching for a donor for Marc.  Alex, his son & Anni, his daughter were tested while they were here in town.  It the doctors choose to do a 50% Haplo match, I know Marc would like his son to be his donor.  Young males are usually the preference for being chosen as donors.  Marc's parents will also have further testing within the next week. We have not given up and are positive that donor is out there!!!!  

Marc and I are planning to execute a new concept called a "Flash Swab" at Northwestern in Evanston.  We think it is more efficient if we swab a group of 1000-2000 people all at once instead of sitting at a donor drive booth for hours.  We are currently working with BeTheMatch, Dr. Rosen & Northwestern, Imerman's Angels, Cesson and Scout from Design Scout to help us pull this off.  Our goal is to get into the Guinness Book of World Records and also get a lot of media attention to help spread awareness of being a bone marrow donor. Now, that our summer break is half way over, and we have enjoyed our break tremendously, we are back at it.  Our goal is to find Marc his match!  

We hope everyone is enjoying the summer!  It has been quite some time since we have seen our friends and family, but we are getting back to our normal routine!  Our friend Carol is convinced we have moved out of town...  We are still here Carol, I promise!!!!

We love all of you & thank you for all of your support!

The Chibnik's