When you care enough to blog the very best

Hello, everyone!

This is going to sound like a giant Hallmark card. First, an enormous thank you to EVERYBODY who attended Sahara's birthday party! We all had so much fun, and Sahara was so happy to see you all. I haven't had time to look over my photos yet, but Jen Hecht sent me some
really great shots that I plan on posting sometime this week. Sahara thanks you all for the cards, gift cards and money she received that night - she finally got that snowcone/slushie machine she's been eyeing all summer at Target. LOL. (Hmmm...bet it makes great dacquiris...but I digress...)

It was so great to have Pamela join us for the party! We were so honored to have her here, and I appreciate everyone making her feel welcome. I keep telling her that she and John need to just move here and get it over with. LOL. We had a super time visiting, sightseeing and shopping. Time just went by too quickly!

The decorations at the party were out of this world. Sheryl Henley and her mom, Linda Stroder, were the ones who transformed the Elks room into an underwater wonderland. I have had so many comments, calls and emails from people who were just amazed by how beautiful the place looked Friday night. Thank you, Sheryl and Linda...it meant the world to us. Thanks also to Donnie and Larry, their husbands, who had the strong backs and helped put everything in place. :)

Thanks to the Elks Club for your incredibly generous donation of the room...we never expected that! Thanks to Diamond Sound for the entertainment, it was a blast! Thanks to Jill B for the cookies and treats, and to Mike & Daryl and Johnny & Sandy for the chips and drinks!!!

Interesting observation...apparently the latest trend is for kids to rush to the dance floor when one of their favorite songs starts...and then they gather in a big circle pile and stand there chatting while the music plays. We kept thinking that they would burst into action. LOL. Gosh, if only that had been the fad back in the 80's, it would have saved me a lot of dance humiliation. Ha!

Sahara loved leading the "soul train" around the floor...it was so much fun to see her out there with her friends. As Pamela mentioned, hopefully she'll be dancing next year. I don't even care if it IS in a big circle pile. LOL.

I think that Sahara has the best friends in the world. So many of them came out Friday night, and we know a lot of them were there in spirit as well. I love and respect all of you so much, and you know who you are. :)

We had more nurses and teachers in one place than probably anywhere else on planet earth. That was the smartest and safest room in the tri-state region Friday night! It's a testimony to Sahara that so many of them were there - they all love her so much, and they have been right by our side since this journey began. We are so blessed!

Finally, today is Shannon's birthday. It's a far cry from how we spent last year's; we were boarding a plane, taking Sahara to Houston to begin the fight for her life. Happy Birthday, Shannon...you're the best dad a kid could ever ask for, and you're my rock. We love you!

Have a great week, and I'll post photos soon.

With love,
Amy