In her first softball game of the day, Caitlin hit the ball, she ran all the bases, she scored for her team! And for the first time this season, they won! 5-3.
Most people wouldn't make too much out of this; but for Caitlin, this is huge. We are so proud of her.
At the end of the two games, she was awarded the game ball... sweet!
Showing posts with label Caitlin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Caitlin. Show all posts
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Caitlin's Birthday
I didn't post pictures of Caitlin's actual birthday and didn't want to overlook it because my weekend was a little, well... emotional.
Caitlin had a lovely birthday. She went to school for a few hours and then we headed to PCMC to deliver our special treats. We had intended to "give back" but got much more out of this little visit than we possibly could have given. Sweet Bonnie made a card for Caitlin and had all of her team (except Dr. B) sign it. We were able to see everyone and they all seemed genuinely pleased to see our girl; to see how tall she's grown, and to see her celebrate another birthday. Dr. C sang happy birthday Rockin' Roll style and Bonnie followed up with "geriatric " style. We love these special people; they are our angels.
We then headed downtown and had lunch at Olive Garden, where Caitlin opened her gifts. After lunch we said goodbye to Clint and the two of us headed to Lion King. I was so impressed with the performance! We have seen Lion King in New York, so I couldn't imagine it would be as good here. It was. The voices and costumes were amazing. Next year Mary Poppins will be here in September and we've already decided it's a date. ;-D
One more thing, you've gotta love it when your child decides to try a new hairstyle on her big day. I have pretty much given up control, well, I'm still holding on a little bit.
Caitlin had a lovely birthday. She went to school for a few hours and then we headed to PCMC to deliver our special treats. We had intended to "give back" but got much more out of this little visit than we possibly could have given. Sweet Bonnie made a card for Caitlin and had all of her team (except Dr. B) sign it. We were able to see everyone and they all seemed genuinely pleased to see our girl; to see how tall she's grown, and to see her celebrate another birthday. Dr. C sang happy birthday Rockin' Roll style and Bonnie followed up with "geriatric " style. We love these special people; they are our angels.
We then headed downtown and had lunch at Olive Garden, where Caitlin opened her gifts. After lunch we said goodbye to Clint and the two of us headed to Lion King. I was so impressed with the performance! We have seen Lion King in New York, so I couldn't imagine it would be as good here. It was. The voices and costumes were amazing. Next year Mary Poppins will be here in September and we've already decided it's a date. ;-D
One more thing, you've gotta love it when your child decides to try a new hairstyle on her big day. I have pretty much given up control, well, I'm still holding on a little bit.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
The Birthday Gift I Wish Caitlin Would have Received
Caitlin got the video camera she wanted for her birthday. She hinted and downright begged for this little gadget.
What I wish we would have given her for her birthday is a bubble; a nice cozy bubble. I would happily help her get in it and let her stay there as long as she wants; her own little refuge from the world.
We found out this week that Caitlin is struggling in school and is significantly behind in her work. It's discouraging. We think it's a combination of Caitlin's inability to organize and understand her teacher's directions and expectations. We're hopeful her teacher will be open to a contract and communicating with us directly. Until a game plan is in place though, I feel frustrated and upset that we haven't known about this problem before this week. She has missing assignments from the first week of school!
Today was more softball drama. My sister gave Caitlin a new softball bat for her birthday and she was so excited to use it today. She ran up to take her turn at bat and actually showed a little confidence. She didn't take any swings and was lucky enough to walk to first, and then run all the bases to score for her team (She told Clint she made a home run, we had to correct her that she made it to home base). However, while she was taking her turn up at bat, there was a runner on third and Caitlin didn't know she was supposed to move out of the way so the runner could run home. Someone (not sure if it was a parent from our team or the other team) yelled out, "Knock her in the head if she won't get out of the way!" Sheesh. That hurt.
The second game of the day was even worse. The pitcher on the other team was a total brute with plenty of intimidation tactics, and her mouthy mother as her coach. She did this weird smack of the ball against her shin, then yelled/grunted when she threw the ball. She threw hard and not always accurately; she hit a few of our players. She then proceeded to threaten some of players on the field that she would hit them with the ball when they were up at bat. The coaches and referee got involved and it got a bit ugly, but the girl was allowed to stay in the game and was still allowed to pitch. When I saw Caitlin put on the batting helmet and get ready to bat, I felt ill but determined to remain calm. Then the next thing I knew, she was on the bleachers, crying that she didn't want to bat. We tried to talk her into taking her turn, but I'll admit I didn't try my hardest to convince her. I'm still not sure what the right thing to do might have been.
So after being at the hospital yesterday where everyone was so happy to see her, and having the insight of knowing how far she's come in her growth and development, it's disappointing and discouraging to experience these little heartaches. I completely understand that I won't be able to protect her from life, but I want to. Clint keeps reminding me that we want her to have a normal life. The more I think about it, I really don't. I want her to have normal experiences while being treated special. It makes these birthdays bittersweet knowing that the older she becomes, the less control we will have in protecting her. All I wanted nine years ago was a lifetime of birthdays; now I just want to slow it all down while I try to toughen up and prepare myself for what is to come. There will be more expectations, more disappointments, more realizations that everything she attempts to do in life may result in failure and hurt. I admit to not being worried about these things with Caleb to the degree I am with Caitlin. I have no idea if it's the cancer, the fact that she's a girl, or that she's my baby. Whatever it is, it weighs heavy on my mind and heart these days.
I think what it comes down to is celebrating the caring and compassionate person Caitlin is today and who she is becoming with each passing year. It's being okay with the fact that she's not a star student or athlete. It's knowing that surviving cancer is huge, but that it doesn't give her a free pass in life and she will still be subjected to life's expectations and struggles. It's learning to be forgiving and kind to those who hurt her (and us). It's about fully living and making the best of what we have.
Here are a few pictures of Caitlin's "home run".
What I wish we would have given her for her birthday is a bubble; a nice cozy bubble. I would happily help her get in it and let her stay there as long as she wants; her own little refuge from the world.
We found out this week that Caitlin is struggling in school and is significantly behind in her work. It's discouraging. We think it's a combination of Caitlin's inability to organize and understand her teacher's directions and expectations. We're hopeful her teacher will be open to a contract and communicating with us directly. Until a game plan is in place though, I feel frustrated and upset that we haven't known about this problem before this week. She has missing assignments from the first week of school!
Today was more softball drama. My sister gave Caitlin a new softball bat for her birthday and she was so excited to use it today. She ran up to take her turn at bat and actually showed a little confidence. She didn't take any swings and was lucky enough to walk to first, and then run all the bases to score for her team (She told Clint she made a home run, we had to correct her that she made it to home base). However, while she was taking her turn up at bat, there was a runner on third and Caitlin didn't know she was supposed to move out of the way so the runner could run home. Someone (not sure if it was a parent from our team or the other team) yelled out, "Knock her in the head if she won't get out of the way!" Sheesh. That hurt.
The second game of the day was even worse. The pitcher on the other team was a total brute with plenty of intimidation tactics, and her mouthy mother as her coach. She did this weird smack of the ball against her shin, then yelled/grunted when she threw the ball. She threw hard and not always accurately; she hit a few of our players. She then proceeded to threaten some of players on the field that she would hit them with the ball when they were up at bat. The coaches and referee got involved and it got a bit ugly, but the girl was allowed to stay in the game and was still allowed to pitch. When I saw Caitlin put on the batting helmet and get ready to bat, I felt ill but determined to remain calm. Then the next thing I knew, she was on the bleachers, crying that she didn't want to bat. We tried to talk her into taking her turn, but I'll admit I didn't try my hardest to convince her. I'm still not sure what the right thing to do might have been.
So after being at the hospital yesterday where everyone was so happy to see her, and having the insight of knowing how far she's come in her growth and development, it's disappointing and discouraging to experience these little heartaches. I completely understand that I won't be able to protect her from life, but I want to. Clint keeps reminding me that we want her to have a normal life. The more I think about it, I really don't. I want her to have normal experiences while being treated special. It makes these birthdays bittersweet knowing that the older she becomes, the less control we will have in protecting her. All I wanted nine years ago was a lifetime of birthdays; now I just want to slow it all down while I try to toughen up and prepare myself for what is to come. There will be more expectations, more disappointments, more realizations that everything she attempts to do in life may result in failure and hurt. I admit to not being worried about these things with Caleb to the degree I am with Caitlin. I have no idea if it's the cancer, the fact that she's a girl, or that she's my baby. Whatever it is, it weighs heavy on my mind and heart these days.
I think what it comes down to is celebrating the caring and compassionate person Caitlin is today and who she is becoming with each passing year. It's being okay with the fact that she's not a star student or athlete. It's knowing that surviving cancer is huge, but that it doesn't give her a free pass in life and she will still be subjected to life's expectations and struggles. It's learning to be forgiving and kind to those who hurt her (and us). It's about fully living and making the best of what we have.
Here are a few pictures of Caitlin's "home run".
Monday, April 19, 2010
Caitlin's To Do List
Caitlin is going off track this week and she has a lot of things she wants to accomplish. Her List:
- Send emails to all my friends
- Play on the computer
- Read for 15 minutes a day (this has since been crossed off)
- Call to see if anyone can play
- Make an animal book
- Watch TV
- Watch a movie
- Color a coloring book
- Make my teacher a pencil holder
- Have fun off track
- Research about volcano's and stuff
- Make a book about what I research
- Play at the park
- Weed the backyard (another item that has since been crossed off)
- Water the plants (crossed off)
- Clean the house completely (crossed off)
- Practice dividing and multiplying (crossed off)
- Go to Disneyland
- Create a blog
Friday, March 19, 2010
We're On A Roll...
Well, there's more good news to report. Our Caitlin, as wonderful as she is, has struggled in school for the past several years. Some years have been better than others, but truthfully, it has been an exhausting battle. I have spent many hours worrying about her future and what can be done to help, while still allowing her to experience her own struggles and accomplishments.
This year, with a combination of an angel of a teacher, support from the school, maturity, medication, a little counseling, and her mother finally realizing Caitlin is not a girl version of Caleb = a fabulous school year.
Yesterday, we went to parent/teacher/student conference and were given nothing but positive feedback. Caitlin has made great strides in her Fifth Grade year. She is reading at grade level, understands math, and is becoming a better speller. Her teacher, Mrs. P, adores her and it shows. I know Caitlin has felt loved this year and in return has worked harder to please her teacher. Her greatest strengths are in the areas that really matter in life, she is caring and helpful to others, she listens and tries to solve her own problems, she's creative and happy, and she is a peacemaker.
We are so proud of our Caitlin. She is a blessing to us and an example of overcoming our trials.
This year, with a combination of an angel of a teacher, support from the school, maturity, medication, a little counseling, and her mother finally realizing Caitlin is not a girl version of Caleb = a fabulous school year.
Yesterday, we went to parent/teacher/student conference and were given nothing but positive feedback. Caitlin has made great strides in her Fifth Grade year. She is reading at grade level, understands math, and is becoming a better speller. Her teacher, Mrs. P, adores her and it shows. I know Caitlin has felt loved this year and in return has worked harder to please her teacher. Her greatest strengths are in the areas that really matter in life, she is caring and helpful to others, she listens and tries to solve her own problems, she's creative and happy, and she is a peacemaker.
We are so proud of our Caitlin. She is a blessing to us and an example of overcoming our trials.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Bling Queen
Caitlin got her braces on today and looks so cute (and so grown up...sigh!). Our orthodontist has had her on a treatment plan for the last year, and after doing some research, came up with a good plan to allow for her MRI's. He chose to use the clear, non-metal braces, so once she is done with the MARA, she will be able to have her wire taken out and have the MRI without interference. I really like the look of the clear braces and plan on getting them myself...someday...hopefully before I'm really, really old...
So Caitlin is excited about her braces and so are we...
Our excitement comes from paying them off. Clint and I realized if we combined our Christmas gift money and emptied my checking account, we could write out a hefty check to our orthodontist and cross one more debt off the list... that leaves us with two more debts to pay off before we are 100% debt-free.
So medical debt, here's your warning... you're next. We can't wait to have you out of our lives for good. Today I set up a new account for Caitlin's next MRI. Yep, that's right, we're saving up and paying cash for all future procedures, no more ever-growing hospital tab for us (knock on wood!).
So Caitlin is excited about her braces and so are we...
Our excitement comes from paying them off. Clint and I realized if we combined our Christmas gift money and emptied my checking account, we could write out a hefty check to our orthodontist and cross one more debt off the list... that leaves us with two more debts to pay off before we are 100% debt-free.
So medical debt, here's your warning... you're next. We can't wait to have you out of our lives for good. Today I set up a new account for Caitlin's next MRI. Yep, that's right, we're saving up and paying cash for all future procedures, no more ever-growing hospital tab for us (knock on wood!).
Monday, December 28, 2009
Eight
On this day eight years ago, Caitlin was diagnosed with a brain tumor- it was the worst day of our lives. I remember wishing for a crystal ball that would allow me to see our families future. I wanted to know that Caitlin would survive and that someday we would have a normal life again, normal in the way Clint and I had planned it to be. I wanted control, I wanted answers, and I wanted someone to tell me how to do this.
There are still some things I wish I could fix, that I fight for control over, and questions that I want answered. But for the most part, I feel that the unknown in this trial was and is a blessing. The unknown gives us the opportunity to learn lessons, rely on our Heavenly Father and others, make memories, and not take the little things in life for granted. The unknown also allows us to grow, find our inner strength, develop patience, feel true happiness and sorrow, and become more than we could have become under normal circumstances.
Eight years later, this is what I feel I have experienced and learned:
*Caitlin has bravely faced diagnosis, surgeries, a relapse, treatment, therapy, countless MRI's, and a variety of other procedures
*Caitlin is a survivor- her redheaded spunk and stubbornness saved her life
*Clint and I have had to make decisions we felt we were not qualified to make
*Our family can speak and understand cancer terminology and Oligodendroglioma practically rolls off our tongues now
*Clint and I have learned to flush ports and administer chemo
*We have learned to accept acts of service (well, kind of)
*We have learned that working with insurance companies is not fun or easy and that cancer is expensive
*We have an increased gratitude for Forever Families and the healing powers of the Priesthood
*We have had several opportunities to share our story and hopefully have increased awareness of childhood cancer
* We have learned that most situations allow you one of two options- laugh or cry
*We have looked for and have been given opportunities to *pay it forward* through service projects benefiting PCMC's oncology department
*We have made the best friends we could ever hope to have
*Caitlin has had a Make a Wish
* We have celebrated and grieved with friends fighting cancer
*Our family has traveled to Camp Sunshine in Maine for the past seven years, appreciating the new friends and support offered there
*We have lost young friends to this disease along the way
*We have felt the love and support of our community through several special organizations
*We have learned that time is the best healer, and to keep some memories close to our hearts and let others go
*We have come to appreciate, love, and respect Caitlin's medical team
*Children are strong, resilient, and brave
*Prayer works and miracles do exist
*Normal is overrated
*We never could have survived this journey without our Heavenly Father, our family, our friends, and Caitlin's doctors
There are still some things I wish I could fix, that I fight for control over, and questions that I want answered. But for the most part, I feel that the unknown in this trial was and is a blessing. The unknown gives us the opportunity to learn lessons, rely on our Heavenly Father and others, make memories, and not take the little things in life for granted. The unknown also allows us to grow, find our inner strength, develop patience, feel true happiness and sorrow, and become more than we could have become under normal circumstances.
Eight years later, this is what I feel I have experienced and learned:
*Caitlin has bravely faced diagnosis, surgeries, a relapse, treatment, therapy, countless MRI's, and a variety of other procedures
*Caitlin is a survivor- her redheaded spunk and stubbornness saved her life
*Clint and I have had to make decisions we felt we were not qualified to make
*Our family can speak and understand cancer terminology and Oligodendroglioma practically rolls off our tongues now
*Clint and I have learned to flush ports and administer chemo
*We have learned to accept acts of service (well, kind of)
*We have learned that working with insurance companies is not fun or easy and that cancer is expensive
*We have an increased gratitude for Forever Families and the healing powers of the Priesthood
*We have had several opportunities to share our story and hopefully have increased awareness of childhood cancer
* We have learned that most situations allow you one of two options- laugh or cry
*We have looked for and have been given opportunities to *pay it forward* through service projects benefiting PCMC's oncology department
*We have made the best friends we could ever hope to have
*Caitlin has had a Make a Wish
* We have celebrated and grieved with friends fighting cancer
*Our family has traveled to Camp Sunshine in Maine for the past seven years, appreciating the new friends and support offered there
*We have lost young friends to this disease along the way
*We have felt the love and support of our community through several special organizations
*We have learned that time is the best healer, and to keep some memories close to our hearts and let others go
*We have come to appreciate, love, and respect Caitlin's medical team
*Children are strong, resilient, and brave
*Prayer works and miracles do exist
*Normal is overrated
*We never could have survived this journey without our Heavenly Father, our family, our friends, and Caitlin's doctors
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Out With the Old, In With the New
Maybe I should have waited until after Christmas, but today I decided to clean and purge the kids bedrooms, closets, and toy closet. I do this fairly often, but am especially thorough before school starts in the Fall and at Christmas.
I have to believe the Lord has a great sense of humor, He sent me a certain female child so unlike myself in just about every way possible, but most definitely in the "have to have things clean and organized" way.
Good thing the garbage man comes tomorrow... I think I'm more excited about his visit than Santa's at this point!
I have to believe the Lord has a great sense of humor, He sent me a certain female child so unlike myself in just about every way possible, but most definitely in the "have to have things clean and organized" way.
Good thing the garbage man comes tomorrow... I think I'm more excited about his visit than Santa's at this point!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Hiking to the Y with Attitude
We had a beautiful, warm, November Saturday last week and wanted to take advantage of it. Our first idea was to hike to Timpanogos Cave, but it turned out to be closed for the season. Our second idea was to hike Y Mountain, so we headed south.
Anyone who has hiked Y Mountain would agree it is a difficult climb. I mean I work out regularly but it kicks my butt. On the drive down we talked about how sometimes, things may not be fun or easy, but it might benefit others or us in different ways. So with water bottles in hand, we started up the mountain. We stopped at almost every turn to rest and each time Caitlin would spend the time complaining and whining (so much for the talk, huh?). Finally, we had all had it and gave her three options- continue on without complaining, sit on a rock and wait for us to come down, or head to the car. She chose to continue on and by that, I mean she booked it to the top in record time. The rest of us just had to smile as we watched her climb the rest of the way without stopping or turning around to see where the rest of us where. Our Caitlin may not always be the most pleasant child, but she is determined and can do anything she sets her mind to, whether it be fun or not!
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