The upside to Cancer? Day +9

What a day! Wow... My head is whirling in so many directions.  Today has probably been one of the funnest days in our life. How is that possible when we are here? Battling. Who knew?! You aren't supposed to have fun days when you are going through cancer. You aren't supposed to be laughing and playing or listening to live music, right? You certainly aren't supposed to be out doing all of these fun things while dear friends are stuck in the Med Room because their daughter had a bad reaction to platelets and is covered from head to toe in hives. You also aren't supposed to enjoy yourself while friends are holding their babies while they fight through high fevers, rashes, oxygen rates spiking and plummeting because they are going through a very risky transplant. For sure, there were times today when during these fun moments I found myself staring into space thinking of them and how it doesn't quite feel right having fun when I know they can't be out.  For sure, I teared up during Jordin's song titled "Faith" thinking of all we have been through and all that friends are still going through. I will miss it here....

Ok, so maybe I wasn't entitled to fun, but Kayla and Anthony are. That in itself gives me peace about it all. Our day started out with a private concert from Jordan Sparks. We were second in line to get in and got wonderful seats. Second row. Center. Probably the only time we will ever get seats like that! What a beautiful girl inside and out! Just so sweet. So Real. Kayla had been looking forward to this as soon as she heard who the artist would be. I made sure to get up early to "bet the crowd" and get her the best seat I could. What I didn't expect was for her to fall asleep near the end! Just as Kayla was nodding off in her dads arms trying to fight through some tummy pain, Jordin waved to her. It was so sweet. We can't wait to go and see her movie Sparkle when it comes out in August. You can't help but feel like she is a friend when you go to one of her shows. She is great at connecting to her audience. Anyway, she has a very special place in my heart now for coming here and doing this for these kids!

 The stage is set and the red carpet rolled out. We are excited!

 Yes, she's dancing! You know how this kid loves to groove... SO excited waiting for the show!

 Miss Jordin Sparks! Look at our seats!! :)

After the show, we enjoyed a nice lunch hosted by Corky's BBQ  and headed back to the Target House to rest up before the big party. I wasn't sure how all of the kids would all handle it outside because it was SO hot out, but by the time 5:00 hit, the sun started to get lower and a nice breeze started up. Kayla's spirits were high, so we went out to enjoy ourselves. After watching the preparations for days here, it was so much fun to sit and admire all of the hard work that went in to creating the magic of tonight. Pinwheel flowers were on every table and all over the hill. Everything shined. What made it even better was seeing the smiles on everyone's faces. Clearly, everyone was enjoying themselves. I watched and laughed as the kids had fun taking turns at the dunk tank. It's not every day that you get to take turns dunking pro-athletes.  It was great to see everyone just having a good time! Music played outside. There were huge bins for tie-dying shirts. A volley ball net was a hit complete with an array of brightly colored beach balls. Scott Hamilton and his sweet and beautiful wife, Tracie were also mingling. The Hamilton's were the incredible donors of two of our favorite rooms here at Target House. The Craft room... you KNOW how much Kayla and Anthony love it in there! And also the Gym which Mom and Dad have appreciated so so much! Just more wonderful, beautiful, down to earth people we are proud to call friends!  I can not say enough about what today meant to us. We have just been so blessed to be here surrounded by so many wonderful families going through the same things as us. It's not fair, no. But, we continue to take the positive route. Smiling as we go. Crying when we need to. Laughing and tickling our crazy kids. Forcing them to hug and love on each other whenever we can. It's not the year we envisioned, but I still feel blessed. Life is what you make of it.... so make it GOOD. Surround yourself with people who keep you lifted and you will feel blessed too. 

 Look at this peanut! She is eating. Trying SO hard to get off of this TPN. I am soooo proud of her!

 Who can't stop to watch this kid dance? I LOVE that she doesn't give a hoot who's watching!

 Ice Cream for dinner? Only at St. Jude! Yes, please!

 Kayla and Marcus (Angiel's brother)

 Kayla and Angiel. We will MISS each other so much.

 Brought together by chance. Bonded by choice. Angiel will have her second surgery on Monday. Please share your good thoughts/vibes/prayers with her!!!!

Two of the coolest, most down to earth people we have had the pleasure of meeting here. Scott and Tracie Hamilton! Love you guys <3  Thank you for ALL you have given to these kids. You guys ROCK!